I think this sounds like what the GP is describing -- they price above market to seek a higher than market offer. That they aren't inundated by offers simply suggests that the demand isn't there to garner that sort of premium. The market for houses in Silicon Valley is severely supply constrained, so sellers are able to demand a premium (that is, they could price well above what they "market" price ought to be and likely get offers at or near their asking price). It would set up a similar uncertainty in potential buyers minds that results in the absurd offers above asking that we see today.

Put differently: while the specifics of this sale (price well above asking) might be impossible in France, the "sale price well above rational market price" phenomenon is really hard to quash when the market chooses to be irrational for a while.