Welcome to “Nissa La Bella”, the captivating Côte d'Azur town of Nice, which effortlessly combines history, culture and Mediterranean charm.  ​ Capital of tourism The success of Nice, known as the "tourism capital of the Riviera", comes not only from its picturesque setting between the famous 7km long Promenade des Anglais facing the Baie des Anges, the cobble streets of the old town and its port and 7 hills, but also due to its cultural life with events such as the Nice Carnival or the Jazz Festival amongst over 160 exhibitions, concerts and shows planned for the coming year. These even ..read more

Latest news from Sothebys and Barnes confirm that the experience of Covid has impacted how the wealthy are shifting a greater proportion of their assets from companies and shares towards property, and in particular luxury property they can occupy and make the most of, and in sunny climates. Depending on the areas in France, luxury property sales have doubled and sometimes trebled over the last 2 years. In the Barnes city index the winners are in the US Miami and Austin-Texas and in Europe Madrid and Monaco, the losers in Europe being Zurich, Stockholm and Copenhagen. On the French Riviera th ..read more

Despite the war in Ukraine, possible energy shortages and inflation, buyers in the South of France are still heavily outnumbering sellers, and houses that used to be sold in months or years, now sell in days. As a result house prices have risen 10% year on year in Saint Raphael on the Var coast. This has been the first significant rise in since 2008.  So waiting to buy is no longer the best option, as there is potential for further price increases. Investors in new build properties have rated Nice as their most sought after destination in France, according to the latest study that c ..read more

Following the rush to buy properties since the end of deconfinement in May 2021, estate agents have now a shortage of properties for sale. If you visit agent’s websites, you will often see more houses that have been sold than those still on offer. What is the impact of this for a house buyer ? The first impact is of course to restrict the choice to houses that either needed some work or renovation, or have a handicap or that were considered overpriced. All is not lost for the buyer, as a small number of attractive houses still come onto the market priced correctly, but as soon as they are ad ..read more

If you thought moving to the South of France is only about retirees earning a well deserved rest in the sun, or stars like George Clooney settling near their buddies, there are also active younger entrepreneurs, like Hamish and Verushka who arrived from Australia and here is their short story. After different jobs on Australia's West Coast near Perth, including scuba diving lessons, Verushka was keen to see more of her family who had settled in Lorgues in the Var. So with Hamish they made the jump to France and with their characteristic energy, created a new company and had their house built ..read more

Can changes in home buying intentions, be an opportunity for house sellers ? Definitely yes, if you own a larger property, two recent studies have highlighted, showing an interesting shift in buying intentions over 2020. ​ With 165 billion Euros of extra savings, the 20% most wealthy in France who have been unable to spend their money due to the various lockdowns. Many are thinking of using some of those savings to buy property instead. With stock markets and bitcoins reaching ever new heights, maybe now is the time to cash in on those gains before the next financial bubble bursts. And proper ..read more

If you thought a modern style house could not have character, then check this house in the Var near Flayosc, and relax with the volume switched on ! Houses like this are excessively rare and this house sold very quickly. Your best chance of getting a similar house is to get a well proportioned Provencal house in a good situation and renovate it. We can help you find houses with potential and put you in touch with experts in renovation. At the end of the day, that investment will give you significant capital appreciation! With many houses in need of renovation, there are no shortages of potent ..read more

Our pick of great videos includes these ones of the Nice to Monaco corniche and yachting in St Tropez. Beautiful footage and video of the regatta "Voile de St Tropez", when 300 yachts converge in the Autumn in the gulf of St Tropez: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9S4_Ba5tN8 Plus the excellent French program "Racines et des ailes" describing the history and origin of St Tropez: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cadmBNvaayA ..read more

The immediate impact on house hunting in France during confinement With a new confinement period starting again in several European countries, and from this Friday in France, property buyers will not be authorised to view properties, nor to visit estate agents. Instead the French housing ministry encourages buyers and agents to do virtual visits instead. So in the same way workers and companies are required to adapt to home working, or use click and collect internet websites instead of going to supermarkets, property buyers are encouraged to further their search through the internet and the co ..read more

As we are always on the lookout for properties with a unique appeal, here are 2 affordable properties that have that rare combination of a superb +180 degree view as well as a practical and enviable location. For the best panoramic view over the Provence countryside I have seen in 25 years check our first pick, a large 5 bedroom villa near Lorgues in the Var ! The large and deep terrace overlooks the plain of vines and olive groves below and as far as the hills of Roquebrune and the Maures natural park over 20km away. Very well located 1km from the lively market town of Lorgues with over 40 r ..read more