【Tarn, France】’Stone Shines’: Why the Tarn Real Estate Market is Regaining Color and Attracting Buyers Again

Editor’s Note

This article examines the tentative recovery in the Tarn real estate market, highlighting the return of buyers and shifting financial conditions. The regional disparity noted underscores the fragile nature of this rebound.

Antoine Fabre, premier vice-président de la Chambre des notaires, délégué en charge de l’immobilier du Tarn. /DDM JE
Market Recovery After a Dull Year

The real estate market in the Tarn department is regaining color after a dull year. Sales of existing homes are rising again, driven by the return of young buyers and more flexible bank rates. The balance remains fragile between the east and west of the department.

“Stone shines amidst the general gloom.”

True to his knack for a phrase, this is how Me Antoine Fabre described the evolution of the real estate market in the Tarn, rebounding after a difficult 2023-2024 period. The First Vice-President of the Chamber of Notaries, delegate in charge of real estate for the Tarn, detailed the sales figures from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025.

Why the Market is Regaining Momentum
“Young people have returned to the market and the banks have made efforts,”

details Me Fabre. This has given a little breath back to the local market. However, the total number of sales across all property types is down (5,280 compared to 5,360, -1.5%). Explanation: the trend is skewed by the sharp drop in sales of building plots (-21.4%). But sales of existing apartments (+2.5%) and existing houses (+0.5%) are indeed on the rise.

Tarn Apartments in Demand

The median price of an existing apartment now reaches €1,840/m², compared to €1,815 a year earlier.

“The Tarn has appeal: it’s the only one in positive territory (+1.4%) compared to neighboring departments,”

indicates Me Fabre. Sales mainly concern 2 and 3-room units, the most sought-after formats. While Albi still leads in price per square meter (€2,230, -1.4%), Castres continues its rise (€1,770, +10.9%):

“There are more investors in Castres, fewer in Albi. The rental permit is starting to bear fruit in the sub-prefecture. It brings a certain serenity for the tenant and great confidence for the future buyer.”

Note the sharp drop in the Mazamet area (€1,050, -17.9%). The largest sale was made in Lavaur (€500,000 for 230 m²), while the Top 15 is completed solely by Albi.

An East/West Split for Houses

With a median price of €159,000 (+2.6%), the existing house remains the preferred property for buyers (4,020 sales). This year, a striking fracture is observed between the west and east of the Tarn. Between the Albi, Gaillac, Rabastens, and Lavaur basins, with median prices above €185,000 (up to €228,200), all are losing momentum (between 1.6 and 3.5% decline), and the rest of the department is rising: Castres (€147,000, +1.4%), Réalmont-Graulhet-Lautrec area (€135,100, +3.9%), the Carmaux area (€130,000, +13%) and Mazamet (€105,000, +2.9%).

“The west is struggling while the east is doing well, I’ve never seen that before,”

confides Antoine Fabre. Note the exceptional sale of an 8-room property (500 m²) in Castelnau-de-Montmiral for €1,113,400.

The Paradox of Building Plots

With 120 fewer sales compared to the previous year (440 vs. 560, i.e., -21.4%), building plots are no longer in favor in the Tarn. The reason:

“The cost of developing land is higher and the timelines are longer.”

However, the median sale price has increased: it is €52,300 (+11%). This time, the Albi, Gaillac, and Lavaur areas are rising, unlike the rest of the Tarn.

Prices Soaring at Year-End

The rebound shown from July 2024 to June 2025 is confirmed at the end of this year. Based on preliminary contracts, the price per square meter for existing apartments this October is around €2,020 (+7.1%), while the median price for existing houses rises to €162,000 (+1.9%). And Antoine Fabre concludes optimistically:

“The outlook is positive. The Tarn real estate market is attractive and regaining color.”
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⏰ Published on: October 08, 2025