Cote d’Azur: the best resorts to relax and buy real estate

The content of the article

1. The cost of housing (as of March 12, 2024)
2. Nice: the most popular city of the Cote d’Azur
3. The “Golden Triangle” of the French Riviera: Villefranche, Cap Ferrat and Menton
4. Antibes and Juan-les-Pins: ideal resorts for family holidays
5. Cannes: the city of movie stars
6. Monaco: the world’s most expensive real estate market
7. Grace and Mougins: deep into Provence
8. Saint-Tropez and its surroundings
9. Toulon: affordable real estate by the sea
10. Hyeres and Le Lavandou: quiet resorts near Toulon
11. Marseille: the largest port in the Mediterranean

The Cote d’Azur is a strip of the Mediterranean coast extending from Marseille to the east through the Principality of Monaco to the border with Italy. It is one of the most prestigious holiday destinations in the world and the most expensive real estate market in France after Paris.

From 2004 to 2014, real estate prices on the Cote d’Azur experienced an increase of 60-80%, but since the beginning of the crisis in 2014, there has been a downward trend in the value of real estate. According to the information NiceMatin.com In 2014, housing on the Cote d’Azur fell in price by 3-6%. The exception was the fashionable eastern part of the coast, which includes the territory from Villefranche-sur-Mer to Roquebrune— Cap-Martin. Prices there increased by 1%.

In the period from 2014 to 2024, real estate prices on the French Riviera grew steadily. Over 10 years, the price increase averaged from 20 to 30%. At the same time, the main growth spurt was observed after 2021 — with the end of the epidemic of coronavirus infection.

According to Meilleurs Agents, among the resorts of the Cote d’Azur, the most expensive real estate is in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, Saint-Tropez, Eze, Beaulieu-sur-Mer, Villefranche and Cap d’Ail: the cost of apartments exceeds 8,000 euros per sq. m. metre.

The cost of housing (as of March 12, 2024)

Data MeilleursAgents.com

Nice: the most popular city of the Cote d’Azur

Nice offers easy access to Cannes, Monaco and Italy. You will not be bored in the city: many events are held here, including carnivals, marathons, various festivals, and the famous Tour de France cycling race passes through the city. There are museums, a theater, an opera, a concert hall and much more. Nice is characterized by beautiful architecture, similar in style to Italian. Crystal clear coastal waters and pebble beaches complete the picture of this ideal holiday destination. The best places in the city to buy a home are the Promenade des Anglais, Massena Square, Old Nice, Garibaldi Square, the port, the Musicians quarter and Fabron.

Real estate in Nice is in great demand among Russians. In the golden square, located between Victor Hugo Boulevard, the pedestrian zone and Massena Square, the price per square meter reaches 8 thousand euros. In the prestigious Mont Boron area, popular among foreigners, housing is sold for 6-9 thousand euros per square meter. metre. On the most famous streets of Nice — California Avenue, Gambetta Boulevard and the Promenade des Anglais — housing costs an average of 3-6 thousand euros per square meter. metre.

The “Golden Triangle” of the French Riviera: Villefranche, Cap Ferrat and Menton

Real estate in the eastern part of the Cote d’Azur is in the greatest demand among foreign buyers. The most fashionable resorts and the most expensive villas are located here.

One of the most expensive resorts on the Cote d’Azur is Cap Ferrat (full name — Saint-Jean-Cap Ferrat). Apartments of the highest price category here cost an average of 14,473 euros per sq. m. meter, houses — 18,150 euros per sq. m. metre. Prices for luxury real estate reach 60 thousand euros per sq. m. metre. One of the most expensive offers on the market today is a 2,000 sq. m. villa. meters with eight rooms, a swimming pool, a home cinema, an elevator and sports fields. It can be purchased for 69 million euros. Many transactions in Cap Ferrat are concluded on a closed market and without public disclosure.

Roquebrune Cap Martin (or simply Cap Martin) — a prestigious resort located 25 km from Nice and 6 km from Monte Carlo. The historical appearance of the village is well preserved. At the entrance to it there is a huge olive tree, the crown of which reaches a diameter of 8 m. It is believed that it is about 4 thousand years old. Queen Victoria of England, actress Greta Garbo, French Empress Eugenie, fashion designer Coco Chanel and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill vacationed in Cap Martin. The cost of houses in Cap Martin often exceeds 10,000 euros per square meter. metre. For example, for 21 million euros, you can buy a villa with an area of 500 square meters. meters with four rooms, a swimming pool and a garden.

Menton is the last French city on the Cote d’Azur before the Italian border. Mentone is called the “capital of lemons”: they are grown massively here, and in February there is even an annual lemon festival. There are many gardens and parks in the city. For her chic appearance, Mentone is often called the “Pearl of France”. Houses of the highest price category in Menton are sold from 6,230 euros per sq. m. metre. For 4,255 million euros, you can purchase a villa with an area of 420 sq. m. meters with a panoramic swimming pool and sea views.

Antibes and Juan-les-Pins: ideal resorts for family holidays

About 10 km from Cannes in Cape Antibes juts into the Mediterranean Sea for 4 km, where the resorts of Antibes and Juan-les-Pins are located. This place is suitable for those who are looking for a relaxed summer atmosphere, quiet and prestigious neighbors.

Many Russians prefer to relax in Juan-les-Pins. This small resort town is located on the shore of a beautiful secluded bay. There are spacious beaches with white sand, and there is also a marina. The cheerful nightlife, abundance of restaurants and clubs make the resort especially popular among young people. In addition, the international Jazz Festival is held annually in Juan-les-Pins. With children, you can go to the neighboring town of Biot, where there is a butterfly park, the Marineland aquarium, the largest aquapark on the Cote d’Azur, Aqua Splash, Le Petit Ferme Park — a farm with pets, as well as many fascinating attractions.

Many writers have lived in Antibes, including Graham Greene, Nikos Kazantzakis and Francis Scott Fitzgerald.

Antibes is the second largest resort city (after Nice) on the Cote d’Azur and the largest yacht port in the region. This is an exclusive holiday destination: the villas of many of the richest people are located here, the tourism industry is well developed, there are 25 km of pebble and sandy beaches. To the northwest of Antibes is the Sofia-Antipolis Technology Park, which is considered the French Silicon Valley. Higher educational institutions, commercial enterprises and branches of international organizations are located here.

There are many foreign buyers in Antibes, among whom the British and Russians predominate. The budget for their purchases is from 5 to 30 million euros. For comparison, the French themselves spend an average of 800 thousand on local housing. up to 1.5 million euros.

You can buy real estate in Antibes at a cost of 5,893 euros per sq. m. metre. The rental rate starts from 17.5 euros per sq. m. metre. The annual price growth in the Antibes region was 7.1%.

Cannes: the city of movie stars

60% of buyers of real estate in Cannes are foreigners, half of them are from Asia and the Middle East. The center of Cannes is considered especially prestigious — Antibes Street, Liberty Alley and Croisette Embankment.

The market is kept afloat by the annual film festival. Every year this event attracts thousands of tourists to the city, so it is profitable to purchase housing for rent here. In June, apartments in the hotel next to the Palace of Festivals are rented for 1000 euros per week.

For the owners of film companies, the one-time cost of renting housing for their employees is up to 100 thousand euros. Considering that the Cannes Film Festival is held every year, it is economically unprofitable to rent. Most companies buy apartments in Cannes worth more than 1 million euros near the Palais des Festivals. Country villas are also popular.

You can buy real estate in Cannes at a cost of 6,036 euros per sq.m. metre. The rental rate starts from 17.8 euros per sq. m. metre. The annual price growth in the Cannes region was 3.4%. The villa has an area of 200-250 sq. m. meters with a swimming pool can be bought for 1.2–1.7 million euros, a villa with an area of 300 sq. m. meters with a plot of 2,500 sq. m. meters and panoramic sea views — for at least 3 million euros. Many of these houses are rented in the summer for 50 thousand euros per month. Construction in Cannes is not developed, there is almost no new housing.

Monaco: the world’s most expensive real estate market

Monaco is the most expensive market in the world. The price per square meter of the rarest and most exclusive objects in Monaco reaches 91 thousand euros. This is due to the fact that there is no free land in Monaco. The territory is extremely small: it makes up 6% of the area of Manhattan and 3% of the area of Hong Kong. Land plots are being drained (due to this, the territory of the state has already grown by 20%), and the height of buildings is increasing.

Due to the limited territory, 95% of the real estate supply in Monaco is apartments. Prices start from 1.5 million euros. The most prestigious place to buy real estate is Monte Carlo, the area next to the casino “Carre d’Or” (“Golden Square”) — a spacious square surrounded by luxury hotels and casinos. Modern apartments and villas on the Boulevard of Switzerland are in demand. Housing in Fonvie is also highly appreciated — a new area, mostly “reclaimed” from the sea. There are many new buildings here, and the area of apartments is larger than in the old districts of Monaco. Part of the Formula 1 circuit runs through the La Condamine area. Apartments with terraces and direct views of the bay are in demand here.

Construction in Monaco is limited, and sales are carried out mainly in the secondary market: primary real estate accounts for only 4% of transactions. The average cost of new housing is 9.3 million euros.

Grace and Mougins: deep into Provence

Mougins is located north of Cannes, 6-9 km from the coast. Since the middle of the XX century, this prestigious town has become a center for attracting tourists and creative people. At various times, the fashion designer Christian Dior, the playwright Jean Cocteau and the artist Pablo Picasso lived here.

Now there are many villas of billionaires and show business stars in this commune: the villas of former French President Francois Hollande, the Emir of Qatar, actors Mel Gibson and Sylvester Stallone are located here. There are about 40 restaurants and about 20 art galleries in Mougins. Mougins is called the “garden city” (ville-jardin) for the abundance of villas with gardens. About half of the territory of the commune is landscaped areas.

You can buy a property in Mougins at a cost of 4,863 euros per sq. m. metre. The rental rate starts from 17.5 euros per sq. m. metre. The annual price growth in the Mougins region was 2.9%.

Grasse, located 12 km north of Cannes, is known for its perfume industry and the fact that the action of the novel “The Perfumer” by Patrick Suskind takes place here. In the city center, ancient buildings of the XVII–XVIII centuries are adjacent to villas and mansions of the XIX century, the periphery is built up with modern houses. There are many olive groves and flowers in the surrounding area. Part of the territory of the commune has been declared a nature reserve.

To buy a property in Grasse is available at a cost of 2,237 euros per sq.m. metre. The rental rate is from 12.5 euros per sq. m. metre.

Saint-Tropez and its surroundings

Ramatuelle, a small town of 3,000 inhabitants, is called the “ante Saint-Tropez” (antichambre de Saint-Tropez). It is located west of Saint-Tropez and attracts lovers of a relaxing holiday away from noisy parties. Ramatuelle consists of vineyards, narrow streets, the Cathedral of Notre Dame of the XIV century, a fortress wall and picturesque beaches next to ivy—covered rocks.

Houses located near the beaches are in great demand in Ramatuel. The mansions here are similar to those found in Saint-Tropez: they have large panoramic windows overlooking the terraces. However, prices are noticeably lower: for example, similar villas in Saint-Tropez and Ramatuelle cost 10 million and 6 million euros, respectively. You can purchase real estate in Ramatuel at a cost of 12,925 euros per sq. m. metre. The rental rate is from 15.4 euros per sq. m. metre.

One of the most expensive real estate resorts on the French Riviera is Saint-Tropez. Apartments of the highest price range are sold on average from 11,780 euros per sq. m. meter, houses — from 21,309 euros per sq. m. metre. In this city, real estate is bought mainly for recreation; there are few facilities that are used for permanent residence. The French predominate among the buyers. Russians purchase in Saint Tropez is mostly premium real estate. For example, for 15 million euros you can buy a house with an area of 200-400 square meters. meters with a sea view.

7 km from Saint-Tropez is the village of Port Grimaud, a unique place for yacht owners. Port Grimaud is nicknamed the “Venice of Provence” (Venise provençale): there are canals and islets connected by bridges. The village itself is surrounded by canals and walls, you can get to it either by sea on a yacht or on foot. There are almost no cars here, only those people who left their cars in special parking lots at the entrance to Port Grimaud are allowed to pass. Local houses are unusual in that they have two entrances — from the street and from the sea, and each house has its own pier. Port Grimaud is characterized by stylistic uniformity: the settlement, designed by architect Francois Sperry, has been under construction since the 1960s for more than 30 years.

There are 2,400 houses and apartments, more than 2,000 yacht berths, 7 km of canals, 15 bridges and 12 islets on an area of 75 hectares. Prices for apartments start from 600 thousand euros, for houses — from 900 thousand euros. Villas built according to unique projects cost from 1.5 to 15 million euros.

14 km from Saint-Tropez, on the opposite side of the bay, is Saint-Maxime, a quiet town with a low crime rate. This is a more democratic analogue of Saint-Tropez, not so bright and fashionable. The town has a clean coast. Further east of Saint Maxime is Frejus, a large resort with sandy beaches and parking lots for luxury yachts. Saint-Raphael has almost merged with it, where mostly pensioners rest, which is why young Frenchmen mockingly call it an “open-air nursing home.”

Toulon: affordable real estate by the sea

One of the most inexpensive cities on the Cote d’Azur is Toulon. A square meter for apartments of the lowest price category costs an average of 3,372 euros here. The more expensive apartments are sold from about 4,000 euros per sq. m. metre. House prices start from 350 thousand euros.

The neighborhoods of La Rode, Pont du Las, Saint-Rocchi Saint-Jean-du-Var are suitable for buying apartments, and Claret and Siblas are suitable for buying houses. It is there that the most deals are made among all the districts of Toulon.

To the east of the port, in the Saint-Jean-du-Var area, apartments with an area of 50 sq. m. meters are sold at a price of 200 thousand euros. Housing in the popular Pont du Las quarter costs from 2,800 euros per sq. m. metre. Real estate in the vicinity of Strasbourg Boulevard is for sale from 3,000 euros per sq. m. a meter, apartments in the Murillon quarter in the east of Toulon are slightly more expensive — from 3,700 euros per square meter. metre.

Cheap apartments are mainly interested in local residents, foreigners prefer higher-quality and expensive housing. In Toulon, prices for housing of equal size in the same building may vary depending on the floor and the availability of sea views.

Hyeres and Le Lavandou: quiet resorts near Toulon

20 km from Toulon is Hyeres, the oldest resort on the Cote d’Azur, a pretty and quiet town with beautiful beaches. It has become a fashionable resort thanks to its natural protection from the mistral, a cold north—westerly wind blowing on The Mediterranean. Directly opposite the city lie the Hyera islands — Levan, Porquerolles and Pore-Cro. Writers Lev Nikolaevich Tolstoy and Robert Louis Stevenson, as well as Queen Victoria, vacationed in Yera at various times.

You can buy a property in Hyeres at a cost of 4,449 euros per sq. m. metre. The rental rate is from 14.4 euros per sq. m. metre. The annual price growth in the Hyera region was 9.1%.

20 km east of Hyeres is the town of Le Lavandou, which is known for its high-quality sandy beaches. Among the advantages of Le Lavandou are beautiful landscapes, a wonderful seaside, many wonderful beaches and a pleasant climate. The districts of Pramuske and Cavaliere are especially good.

Marseille: the largest port in the Mediterranean

In Marseille itself, foreigners rarely buy resort properties. It is a big and bustling city with a lot of immigrants and all the attendant problems. It is better to buy holiday homes in small seaside towns located further east along the coast.

In Marseille, housing in the area between Paradis Street and the coast is popular, especially the La Corniche quarter. In the buildings near Talabo Park overlooking the bay, prices per square meter reach 11,000 euros. In the Saint-Barnabé quarter in the 12th arrondissement, housing is sold for 3 000 — 5 000 euro per sq. m. metre. The advantage of this quarter is the presence of a metro, which can reach the center in a few minutes. The Old Port area is also in demand, where real estate costs from 5,000 euros per square meter. metre.

Cassis is a city located about 20 km east of Marseille, where you can regularly go by car for shopping and entertainment. Cassis is famous for its coastal cliffs, small coves, and wines produced in the vicinity.

You can purchase real estate in Cassis at a cost of 7,928 euros per sq.m. metre. The rental rate is from 16.1 euros per sq.m. metre.

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