Nice, Cannes, Menton, Antibes, Mougins, St Tropez, Eze, St Jean Cap Ferrat, Mandelieu la Napoule, Villeneuve Loubet, Villefranche sur Mer, Beaulieu sur Mer…
These idyllic locations — and many more — make up the marvellous Côte d’Azur, also known as the French Riviera. This part of France is certainly prestigious — after all, it’s the wealthiest region in the country outside of Paris. But it’s also rich in character, with artists, artisans, creatives, sports stars and successful entrepreneurs alike all living or visiting here. The Côte d’Azur isn’t just for France’s elite, however. The whole world knows just how amazing this Mediterranean region is.
The French Riviera: A prestigious location
Take St Jean Cap Ferrat, for example. Nowadays, this particular community is one of the preferred locations for Eastern European oligarchs to sojourn and settle down. Everyone is looking for their own slice of paradise in this part of the world, and for good reason. The allure of France and its cultural prestige is certainly one factor.
However, the biggest draw might be the region’s exceptional climate and landscapes. With luscious vegetation and imposing mountains coalescing with the beautiful Mediterranean sea, the French Riviera is nothing short of spectacular. This might also explain another curiosity of the region: luxury properties have been cropping up exceptionally quickly, and some of the world’s most expensive villas can now be found right here.
What else is extraordinary is that these impressive builds are so close to both the sea and the mountains, nestled cosily in between. Simply put, these villas are truly exceptional properties hidden among the region’s incredibly lush greenery. And, the entire French Riviera is benefiting from this property boom, too. The many businesses and services catering to the local luxury market are doing tremendously well (not least of all the region’s many art galleries).
So, what towns should you be looking at?
Take a look at the list of towns at the beginning of the guide. If you were looking to get a foot on the luxury property ladder, none of these would be a bad bet. Mougins’ allure is just as strong as any of its neighbours, and St Paul de Vence — perched high above others atop a natural plateau — still draws as many artists now as it did a hundred years ago. In short, the whole Côte d’Azur region is an enticing prospect for investors in luxury property. That said, the kind of property you’re looking to purchase will have an impact on where you should be searching.
If you have eyes on a luxury apartment, for example, Cannes, Nice and Antibes should be at the top of your list. You’ll be sure to find plenty of flats that would fit the bill here. If you were looking for a villa, on the other hand, the region’s smaller communities will have more to offer. The towns and villages just outside the Riviera’s large cities are particularly sought after: this is because they provide a perfect balance between the tranquillity of a small community, and the ease of access to the attractions and transport links of the region’s hubs. So, towns such as St Paul de Vence, Mougins, St Jean Cap Ferrat and even Beaulieu sur Mer would be ideal places to start your search.
A long-term investment
Whether you buy a luxury apartment on one of Cannes’ or Nice’s boulevards, or fall in love with a villa away from the hustle and bustle of the city, you will be making a sound investment.
But, let’s not lose track. Luxury property is a sector experiencing serious global interest. Even if you um and ah about the upfront costs of buying or renting a luxury property, its worth remembering that it’s an investment. There’s nothing to suggest that the French Riviera will be any less attractive in the coming years than it is today.
Even if other regions have attractive luxury property prospects, the French Riviera has stood head and shoulders above all others for decades thanks to its outstanding natural beauty. This isn’t an asset that will disappear anytime soon. So, it’s a safe bet that any property purchased today will only appreciate in value over time. It should also be noted that international tourism to the region is going from strength to strength, attracting more and more people from all over the world.
With that in mind, your luxury home or apartment is a brilliant investment should you wish to sell or let it out at a later stage. No estate agent in the south of France will tell you otherwise: as the years pass, your property will only bear more and more fruit. Should you decide to rent a property rather than buy one, however, you’ll still be guaranteed a positive return in the long term.
In fact, many people have already taken to renting luxury properties in the region. This is because a large number visitors to the south of France only stay for a few days — business travellers in particular can’t settle down for too long. Therefore, there’s a high volume of travellers with significant spending power who also need to be mobile. This is where renting accommodation is preferable to buying. In any case, the investment you make in the property market here will yield a return quickly, and with a degree of certainty that should give you peace of mind for many years to come.
Luxury property is an investment definitely worth considering, even more so when talking about property on the French Riviera. With the help of an expert in the field, you’ll give yourself the best chance of success.