For those coveting the Mediterranean lifestyle of good food, glamour and golden sands, The French Riviera, otherwise known as the Cote d’Azur, is the ideal place to live.
With 300 guaranteed days of sun per year, a mild summer and warm winter, if you’re a sun seeking expat after a comfortable climate, then you can’t do better than here.
There aren’t any restrictions on foreigners buying property in France (all you need is a French bank account and a valid ID), so if you dream of spending your spare time exploring sandy shores and secluded rocky bays, visiting medieval hilltop villages and enjoying one of the world’s great cuisines, then the French Riviera is the place for you.
Have a penchant for sporty outdoor activities like skiing, kayaking and camping? You can do that all here, too. Equally, if you’re attracted to a party atmosphere, you will not be disappointed, as there are restaurants and clubs galore in this small part of the world.
Of course, living here ain’t cheap. Famous for hosting the Monaco Grand Prix, Cannes Film Festival and the Saint Tropez Regatta, as well as being a major inspiration on the works of Picasso and James Joyce, and the preferred holiday destination of everyone from Bill Gates to Bono, it’s a place where the rich come to play.
Moreover, as Le Monde points out, “The year-round attractivity of beaches and blue skies of southern France are making real estate prices soar to unaffordable levels.”
Indeed, they go on to report that “Côte d’Azur remains the most expensive coastline in France with an average price of 5,591 euros per square meter for a property.”
If the price isn’t too prohibitive for you and you dream of moving to this part of the world, let’s dig in to where to live on the French Riviera.
Menton
Menton, on the French Riviera in South-East France and bordering Italy within walking distance, has so much going for it.
If you’re a foodie, then this is the place for you. Inspired by the area’s unique microclimate (reportedly 3°C warmer than the rest of France) and the resultant, abundant fresh produce that brings, as well as its proximity to Italy and the Mediterranean, the cuisine here has a personality all of its own; largely seafood and vegetable led, light-as-you-like and worth the trip alone to sample.
Although it wouldn’t be your regular old neighbourhood restaurant, when it comes to places to eat well, the jewel in Menton’s crown is Mirazur, a 3 Michelin-starred restaurant run by Argentinian chef Mauro Colagreco. It’s delicious and shows off the region’s luxury produce beautifully. It’s going to cost you though; the tasting menu is around £300 per head.
Away from the culinary world, there’s plenty to satiate your inner culture vulture (forgive the cliche). Menton’s Jean Cocteau Museum, housed in an ancient fort, will see you right in that regard. Housing an extensive collection of the French artist’s work, the museum contains nearly 1000 graphic works by Cocteau, spanning the entirety of his illustrious career. The building – both architecturally and in terms of setting overlooking the Med – is worth the visit alone.
Nice
The French Riviera’s capital Nice is reassuringly laid back for a region defined by such luxury, with its inclusive atmosphere, refined pace and artistic soul a world away from the city’s more showy neighbours. As such, you can find more affordable places to live here than in, say, St. Tropez and Monaco.
If you prefer your pace slow and leisurely, you’ll get much pleasure from spending your evenings strolling along the city’s famous Promenade des Anglais. It’s a strip designed to suit the city’s unhurried pace, with views of the Baie des Anges on one side and, on the other, rows of stunning pastel houses and palaces. Could you see yourself living in one?
Read: 5 Glamorous, Luxury Things To Do In St Tropez
Villefranche-sur-Me
Overseeing arguably one of the world’s most beautiful bays, Villefranche-sur-Mer lies about 25 minutes away from Nice. Less touristy than its neighbours, this quintessential French fishing village is a place to live if you like a quieter, slower pace to life than Nice still.
Its beautiful historic centre is dominated by the village’s 16th century citadel and its perfectly manicured gardens, and, being a fishing village, around the port there are many seafront restaurants serving the freshest catch, cooked with that straightforward sensibility and respect for ingredients that this part of the world is so famous for.
Not that the aesthetic here could be called ‘straightforward’. Indeed, the architecture in Villefranche is an eclectic mix of the contemporary ultra-modern villas with panoramic sea views, traditional bastides painted in all manner of pastel, luxury penthouses and countryside retreats. If you’re looking for a villa, be prepared to pay top Euro for it; the average price per square metre clocks in at above €10’000.
Monaco
If you’re after the ultimate in Riviera glamour and have the bank balance to match, then Monaco is the crown jewel of the French Riviera experience. This tiny principality, roughly the size of London’s Hyde Park, packs more luxury per square metre than perhaps anywhere else on earth.
Monaco’s Monte Carlo district is synonymous with high-stakes gambling, Formula 1 racing, and A-list celebrity spotting. The legendary Casino de Monte-Carlo, with its Belle Époque architecture and storied gaming rooms, remains the beating heart of the principality’s sophisticated nightlife scene. Even if you’re not one for a flutter, the building itself is worth admiring over a perfectly crafted cocktail at the adjacent Café de Paris.
The annual Monaco Grand Prix transforms the streets into the world’s most prestigious racing circuit, whilst the Monaco Yacht Show attracts the globe’s most impressive superyachts and their equally impressive owners. If you fancy yourself amongst this crowd, you’ll need deep pockets indeed.
Property prices here are, quite simply, eye-watering. With an average cost exceeding €40,000 per square metre, Monaco consistently ranks as one of the world’s most expensive property markets. A modest one-bedroom apartment will set you back several million euros, whilst penthouses with harbour views command prices that would make even seasoned property investors wince. That said, you’re buying for modern, sustainable property in one of the world’s most prestigious neighbourhoods. As the team at ICON PROPERTY tell us, Monaco properties aren’t just about location – they’re about acquiring a piece of architectural excellence. The principality’s strict building regulations ensure every development meets the highest environmental standards, whilst the limited land availability means your investment will likely appreciate significantly over time.
However, there are distinct advantages to Monaco residency beyond the undeniable prestige. The principality famously levies no personal income tax on residents, making it particularly attractive to high earners. The healthcare system is excellent, crime rates are virtually non-existent thanks to the highest police-to-resident ratio in the world, and you’re never more than a 10-minute walk from either the Mediterranean or the French border.
The lifestyle here is undeniably rarefied – think champagne brunches overlooking luxury yachts, shopping at the most exclusive boutiques, and dining at Michelin-starred establishments where the wine list alone costs more than most people’s monthly salary. It’s a playground for the ultra-wealthy, but if you can afford the entry fee, it’s rather a spectacular one.
Cap d’Antibes
It is said that Antibes gave Picasso a new lease on life during his brief stay in 1946, with his work here “reflecting the light and lore of the seaside town”. Perhaps Antibes could do the same for you?
Cap d’Antibes is a pine forest covered peninsula whose summit is topped by a lighthouse and church. Luxury properties here have long been coveted by a clientele of celebrities, in other words places to live are pretty pricey.
The peninsula’s prime property locations are the gorgeous coastal town of Antibes, made up of the historic Old Town and the town centre, and Juan-les-Pins, a more resort-driven, modern area.
Here at IDEAL, we just adore Antibes’ Old Town, which is an attractive tangle of cobbled streets, boutique shops and markets, and squares complete with continental coffee sipping and people watching. Due to the relative compact size of the apartments in this part of town, it’s perhaps the most affordable place to live within the area, too.
Just a 2km walk south east from Antibes, the seaside resort of Juan-les-Pins is known for its nightlife and gorgeous beaches. Here you’ll find more spacious villas and apartments to rent or buy, the latter of which is going to cost you a cool million, at the very least.
Bargemon & Fayence
Somewhat surprisingly, you don’t exactly get more bang for your buck if you go inland. Set between mountains and sea, you’ll find the communes of Bargemon and Fayence, the former a popular retreat for the Beckhams, as well as Princess Diana and Dodi Fayed in their last few weeks together. Home to a collection of attractive, exclusive resorts, property prices are prohibitive to pretty much anyone bar footballing or genuine royalty.
Buying in the village of Fayence might represent better value. Other more affordable areas in this region include Rustrel, Tourrettes sur Loup, and Castellane, the latter of which we’re particularly enamoured. Sitting on the banks of Verdon River, it’s surrounded by wild, untamed mountains, giving the village a rugged air a world away from the glitz of the Riviera proper. You know what, we think we might just stay here a little while…
