What is the best season to buy French Riviera real estate? A luxury property as your second home on that sunny Cote d’Azur will for sure add a lovely ‘French feeling’ in your life. If you make the step for a second home on the Côte d’Azur, there are a few steps to consider. And of course, it’s all about timing.

First look at how big your spending budget is, including legal fees. For an existing property, you have to add about 7,6% of the total selling price. These costs are for the dossier at the notary and the taxes for the French state. If you buy new construction, the costs will be around 2,6%. That’s why many people prefer to buy something new, with a secured delivery by the French state and a ten-year guarantee. If you need a mortgage, be aware that for French residents, the banks will lend you up to 70% of the price. For non-residents, this is 60%. There are about 5 banks that accept mortgage requests from foreign people. Ask us to connect you with our banking network. It’s better to be prepared financially when you start shopping.

What is the best season to buy French Riviera real estate?

For new construction, there is no specific season that beats other seasons. If you want the best apartment with the best view and floor space, you have to react fast. In general, new construction in France is sold-out before they start digging in the ground. But for an existing property like that penthouse in an exclusive residence or that family villa with five bedrooms and a studio, things are different. Here you can use the power of the seasons to make the best deal. Will you be best of in buying real estate spring, summer, autumn, or winter?

Buy French Riviera real estate in Spring: much supply and many buyers

It is logical that in the period between late March and late June you’ll find more offerings in the real estate market on the Cote d’Azur. Each seller has its garden in order, fresh flowers are out and the sun is warm. Due to this ideal sales situation, the prices at this time are the highest. On the other hand, on the Côte d’Azur also more rivals active. A selling owner or developer will not easily accept a low bid. In this period you can easily pay too much for an existing home. But if you hesitate too long, then the chances are that someone else buys the property for the asking price. Just because they fell in love with that property in the sun. Reading tip! An article about Existing properties for sale on the French Riviera Côte d’Azur.

Summer investment in Côte d’Azur real estate: the season of negotiation

Much quieter than spring is summer; a period in which sales activity in real estate on the French Riviera drops slightly. The transfer at the notary of sold property often takes place in the summer. This is because most agreements are already signed in spring. As a buyer, you can take advantage of this situation. The slowdown in real estate activity in the South of France is actually a good time to negotiate. Moreover, there are fewer buyers active than in springtime. So you have less competition and you are not rushed to quickly make a bid too high. Plus you have the chance to some properties come back from the bank because signing the final deed at the notary did not come through.

Autumn buying real estate on the French Riviera: buy without competition

From September on, the number of real estate transactions reduces gradually. A great time to make an offer to purchase during the Indian summer and the following months. If the seller puts extra pressure on you to decide quickly, don’t let them make you crazy. It is in most cases bluff. You have all the time to consider an offer and to deliver this when you think the time is right. Exceptions, of course, prove the rule, but autumn is generally a good time to negotiate the price.

Wintertime on the Côte d’Azur: the perfect season to buy real estate in the South of France

Between December and February, the real estate transaction market on the Cote d’Azur is relatively quiet. This is traditionally a period of preparation and in which the seller must make a greater effort to find potential buyers. The winter months are also a good time to look around and negotiate. Take the opportunity to ask for a discount on the sale price.

Where to start to buy French Riviera real estate?

Make a selection of areas where you would like to buy. If you aim to rent out your property, look for the best villages where demand is high. Contact agencies that you know and tell them what you are looking for. They will send you a selection of their properties. You can also choose to hire an independent consultancy that has access to all databases for new and existing properties. For more information on new and existing offers that suits you and your budget, you can contact Living on the Côte d’Azur. We have direct access to the databases of almost all major agents and developers. With our seven days of open service, we look forward to serving you.

by Ab Kuijer//in Blog

For maintenance of your villa in the South of France, you can choose from two types of services: a concierge service and a maintenance company. Both aim to keep your property in optimal form, in the short or long term.

A concierge service is your direct contact when you rent out the villa. Or if you would like to have your villa in order before you arrive in the South of France yourself. The concierge service therefore often operates as a pool manager and a key manager. This type of caretaker often also directs the gardener. But the manager of your villa can also solve minor repairs such as an unexpected leak from a boiler, or the finding of swimming pool tiles on the bottom. All this type of work is often, but not always, under the banner of concierge services.

Maintenance of your villa on the French Riviera

Outages discovered by the concierge or caretaker “last minute” are often more expensive than planned. After all, these kinds of defects are only discovered when the sunny season starts. You want to rent out the villa or you want to enjoy your property in the South of France. How annoying when you discover – after arrival at Nice Airport – at home that the wrought-iron balustrade has started to rust during the winter and that the rusty brown rainwater has leaked over your tiled floor in the sunscreens. Or that the air conditioning does not get up to speed and the weather forecast predicts 36 degrees. Or that part of your garden lighting has been gnawed through. They are all recognizable problems. Those who do not have a concierge service are of course more often faced with surprises like this.

Do you always pay for the main prize?

If you need a service extra quickly, you usually pay the main prize. Moreover, it is certainly difficult to find a good and reliable company when you are in a hurry. Only workers without work (this resembles a rebus) pick up the phone and can come and repair the work with a sigh. You have to wait, pay and see whether the quality is adequate for a few years. We regularly see that a local company likes to come back every year to replace something again because inferior material is used. Logical, because who does not want to carry out the same “squeaky” repair every year. Of course, the repairer would rather sell a completely new installation than repair something. Think of swimming pool pumps, air conditioners, and blinds. But also painting fencing.

Maintenance of your villa on the French Riviera

In the field of paint, there is a lot of difference in quality. Cheap is expensive and that is certainly the case under the warm southern French sun and the influence of the sea breeze. Paintwork that is repeated every year resembles regular maintenance but is in fact not necessary. Today, steel can be treated with a two-component paint, so you only have to repaint it once every five years. The same goes for constantly re-grouting tile anywhere. This literally lasts for years with an epoxy joint. This way you only pay once for the work and you can use your budget for another part of the house.

Plan your maintenance work for the winter

Anyone looking ahead and planning can save a lot of stress, misery, and extra costs with a maintenance plan for a villa or second home. By reserving a budget, you can guarantee the technical state of maintenance of your villa. And a villa that is perfectly fine also remains fixed in value. Painting doors, the exterior walls of your house, building a better drainage system for severe rainfall, these are all things you can plan in advance. And if everyone knows what needs to be done, without stress, the quotation will also be cheaper. Find out more about maintenance and renovations in the South of France here.

by Ab Kuijer//in Blog

Putting resources into a French Riviera property is consistently a smart thought. The costs have never gone down and the entire Côte d’Azur is popular by a rich worldwide gathering of individuals. You meet individuals here with a worldwide way of life, searching for the most elite in lodging, sports, quality, and security. Some properties we offer, for example, this condo in Cros de Cagnes, offer to stroll off the beach. However, since there is no selectiveness in French Riviera land, because of the exercises of specialists and agents, the accessibility of extravagance properties can change every day. In the event that you have a particular wish, get in touch with us and we’ll enact a quest for you in the databases of all our associated operators. This spares you time and disappointment. Our own help guides you through the Cote d’Azur land wilderness to locate the home you are searching for. And afterward, you can begin with the French Riviera way of life!

These new lofts are situated in Cros de Cagnes, the old and much-cherished piece of Cagnes Sur Mer. This coastline town is completely situated in the triangle of Nice, Antibes, Vence, and offers all that you are searching for to appreciate the radiant life. Your recently manufactured loft in the beguiling fishing town of Cagnes Sur Mer offers wide seashores with eateries open lasting through the year. The wide person on foot promenade is one of the most well known in the district and the cycleways take you to Nice or Antibes.

Just 400 meters stroll to the seashores of Cros de Cagnes sur Mer

Are you searching for a decent loft to spend your days off in the South of France? Only 400m from the seashores, you can stroll from the calm Lautin area to all that you need in Cros de Cagnes. The bread kitchen at 170 meters, the grocery store at 400 meters. Inside ten minutes via vehicle you are likewise in the two biggest strip malls of the Côte d’Azur; Polygone Riviera and Cap 3000. The port of Saint Laurent du Var is a ten-minute leave and offers numerous eateries and bars. In 2024 the cable car association is moved toward the Avenue de Nice; it will take you to Nice in under fifteen minutes. Put resources into the future along the coast now!

Newly built apartment Cros de Cagnes sur Mer, beach at 400 meters

You can choose from a perfectly furnished studio to a two-bedroom apartment. Most bedrooms open onto an outdoor area. The design is elegant and current, the selected services are available in multiple styles and colors, guaranteeing an interior in your style. The glass railings and the large, large windows let in the Mediterranean light generously. Price indication

studio 137.000 euro
1 bedroom from 210.000 euro
2 bedroom2 from 295.000 euro
3 bedroom3 from 630.000 euro

Parkings from 19.000 euro
Garage box from 30.000 euro

Only 400 meters walk to the beaches of Cros de Cagnes sur Mer

Contact Dutch Ab and Jo Kuijer for a fast and professional real estate service that helps you in finding the home you’re looking for. Just like this Newly built apartment Cros de Cagnes, within walking distance of the beach. We will send you more information about this property and are present to organise a visit. Call/WhatsApp +33770186203 or mail [email protected]

by Ab Kuijer//in Blog

These are those gems that make our profession extra fun; a James Bond-style penthouse with unobstructed views and a fast private elevator to the top. The building itself wouldn’t look out of place in a movie; cascading with terraces and on top of that spectacular penthouse with a view, you can’t get enough of. You drive unobtrusively along the winding road from the sea to the hinterland of Vence. Towards the medieval center, the road suddenly bends to the right, back to the green with the famous Baou mountain in the distance. Then turn up the driveway of a spectacular building and open the garage door with the remote control. As a privileged resident, you have no less than 3 parking spaces under the building and you are the only resident to have the badge of the secret lift.

For sale: a James Bond penthouse in Vence

For sale: a James Bond penthouse in Vence

Nobody knows where the elevator is because it is hidden behind an inconspicuous door. But once inside the elevator, your home starts. You can decorate the lift in any style you want, creating a smooth transition when the doors open.

Once on the top floor, the elevator doors slide open and you look at your favorite wall art. On the left are the sleeping quarters of which the Master bedroom has access to the large terrace. Turn right from your private elevator into the large lounge and living room with an open kitchen. The glass wall shows a beautiful view, unobstructed over the valley. On the immense roof terrace of 154 meters, you can enjoy absolute privacy and a lovely swimming pool (optional).

Life here is as picturesque as the traces left by great artists such as Henri Matisse and Chagall. In Vence, you can further refine art as a bon vivant in the South of France. After all, in Vence, you will find not only picturesque streets where you can stroll endlessly but also many picturesque restaurants and squares that are inviting. Vence is also known for its many cyclists; the Col de Vence is a great challenge for many.

For sale: a James Bond penthouse in Vence

Whoever buys a home in Vence, or in this case a great penthouse, is assured of a charming environment and a population known as ‘amicable’. In Vence, you will not easily encounter a golden Lamborghini. Vence is the domain of the people who are looking for that typical southern French feeling. With many Provencal villas, the sound of thousands of cigales, and the scent of lavender. You sometimes think that you are in Provence, but this is really the Cote d’Azur. Living like a God in France is well reflected in Vence.

Vence is located in the triangle Nice, Cannes, Monaco, and close to Grasse, Cagnes Sur Mer, and Antibes. What not many people know is that from Vence, you can be in the snow in just 45 minutes! The unknown ski area Greolières is located in the hinterland with ten ski slopes. Nice enough for a day of skiing with a delicious pizza or cheese fondue on the slopes in the sun. That is also the great thing about Vence; the village with 16,000 inhabitants is at an altitude of 325 meters and above all has a Provencal character. Neighboring Saint Paul de Vence 4 km away is a tourist highlight for many, given the many coaches full of tourists who all come to the city wall. Dozens of galleries and restaurants create a real holiday mood here.

But in Vence, life seems to be mainly about strolling; eating ice cream in the village square, and buying fresh fruit at the local market. The perfect undercover location. Those who like to live luxuriously and unobtrusively will feel at home here. But above all, it is especially relaxing in Vence, especially when you come back from a secret mission.

For sale: a James Bond penthouse in Vence

by Ab Kuijer//in Blog

French properties are available in many sort and styles. If you want to live like you’re back in the ’50s, you can find a similar house to fit your back to the basics lifestyle in the middle of nowhere in some, forgotten rural place in the French outback. For 50.000 euro you can buy some land, 4 stone walls and a roof. If you have plans to create a Bed & Breakfast in that place, you should also sign up for a tv show that follows people, while they start a whole new life.

If we consider that 90% of the people that seek a second home in France, they do this for second home reasons. A family villa, to enjoy the French beauties like the weather, the food, the culture and of course the wine. Once in love with these amenities, you start to search the Internet to find a house that fit your budget.

Calculate the price per square meter for real estate Côte d’Azur

If you are a property owner, you probably have bought your house in the days that prices were high. You did some renovations and invested another pile of money in what could become your pension. Indeed, houses bought 25 years ago, have tripled at least in value, so you can make a nice profit. But what if you are about to buy a villa today? How do you know that the French properties have a price that is right? Based upon facts and figures and not on emotionally add-ons by the owners. Of course, a great view is worth extra money, just like silence. But in general, you can say that the price per square meter make the basic calculation. The presence of a swimming pool, a double garage, close to the sea or shops, things like that adds to the real value of French Properties.

It also makes sense that the closer you get to a city (and work) the higher the prices of French Properties will be. Paris is one of the most expensive areas to live, followed by the French Riviera a.k.a la Cote d’Azur.

Calculate real estate per square meter Côte d’Azur

If you want to buy a villa or apartment in the South of France and you would like to know what the real value is, you can calculate that yourself online. It saves you costs from a real estate agent on the Côte Azur. You can also use this as a second opinion if you think that the selling broker and the owner aim too high. Or too low. Incidentally, many brokers promise a high selling price at the start; to keep you at least for 3 months exclusive to them. Some even promise to sell your house within a month, if you register with them exclusively. Sure, for any price, all French Properties can be sold. But at what price?

On the FREE LacoteImmo website, you simply fill out all the information to get an instant indication of what is a realistic selling price per square meter. In Paris, in Jhabitedansunendroitsansgens or on the sunny French Riviera. It helps you to negotiate the price, based upon the latest market information about the value of French Properties. Unless you fall in love with the view and the quality of the property and you have the money. In that case, you just have to follow your heart.

http://www.lacoteimmo.com

by Ab Kuijer//in Blog

It is always hot on the French Riviera, and during summer, things go crazy. The summer sales season starts in a traditional way in which the south goes to the north to avoid the hustle and bustle. And on the other hand, the North comes to the South to enjoy that hectic bustle. And the sea. And the restaurants, the museums, the fireworks and so on. Not so crazy that every year more people decide to buy a second home on the Côte d’Azur.

second home

Côte d’Azur real estate: what you need to know to buy a property

Unlike Italy and Spain, France’s overall infrastructure is well organized, and there’s also high-quality medical care (if necessary). And so we welcome families big and small every year to the Côte d’Azur. There is a lot for sale in Côte d’Azur real estate. People that want to live carefreely prefer a newly constructed building. There you will get a ten-year guarantee, and for the first two years, you can still complain about a beeping garage door or a leaking bathroom faucet. But maybe you want to buy an existing apartment or a villa. For all buyers goes that August is a particular month. But, every season to buy on the French Riviera has its advantages.

Summertime for many local real estate agents

August is also a holiday for many real estate agents in southern France: local sales offices are manned by temporary forces sitting and sweating their hours in a small cabin. If you plan to buy Côte d’Azur real estate, you can take the lucky route (bon voyage!) and face many dense offices. Or you discover a project under construction, with 80% already sold. And you wanted to buy that penthouse. Or property in the Gulf of Saint Tropez.

It is, therefore, much more efficient to enable our search service for your second home on the French Riviera for your new residence on the Côte d’Azur. We will provide you with a selection of potentially exciting homes in advance and give you the exact address so that you can explore the area on Google Maps already. Then we shortlist 3 to 4 apartments or villas and ensure the doors are open for you.

When you buy an existing property in Côte d’Azur real estate

Upon arrival on the French Riviera, we have already provided you with the Côte d’Azur real estate PDFs and links to Google Maps. And so we visit different addresses in 1 morning, and you can have lunch in the afternoon and jump in the sea to make up your mind. The next day we will look again at the location you liked best. For existing villas, you can bid, and we’ll guide and negotiate with you to the final agreement on the buying price.

Are you happy with the price? The selling broker will propose an ‘offre d’achat’ for an existing property. The main aspects of the property are in this paper, such as an address, layout, size, and separately made agreements. Both parties sign this information, and then the notary will use this info to make a provisional purchase agreement. This agreement should be signed within 30 days of the ‘offre d’achat’. Reading tip! An article about Existing properties for sale on the French Riviera Côte d’Azur.

Paperwork explained Côte d’Azur real estate

Offre d’achat is a unilateral promise from the buyer to the seller. The potential buyer indicates that he wants to purchase the specified property within a specified period. However, it does not guarantee that the house must be sold to the buyer. The offre d’achat essentially describes what you wish to buy. The offer will expire if the term expires and the buyer and seller disagree.

La Promesse de Vente is a unilateral promise by the seller. The seller agrees with this “Promise of Sale” that he decides to sell the property at a specific price for a given period. After both parties sign this document, which the notary writes, the buyer gets ten days to rethink the decision and step out of the buying process. If the buyer wants to buy, he pays 5% to an escrow bank account with the notary. Now both parties wait for the signature of the final deed. When you sign the ‘acte de vente’ for your Côte d’Azur real estate, 5% of the purchase amount will be deducted, and you will pay the remaining amount at least three days before signing. If you do not provide timely notice of cancellation and have no decisive reasons (such as reserve funding), then you will default, and the seller will receive 10% of the buying price. After all, they have to start the sales all over again.

The Compromis de vente is a purchase agreement between the two parties. The seller agrees to sell his property, while the buyer agrees to buy the property for an agreed price. After signing the initial purchase agreement, you always have a right to withdraw of 10 days as a buyer. In addition, it has suspensive terms, meaning the purchase will not continue under certain conditions, such as not obtaining a loan.

Purchase newly built apartment

When buying a new apartment on the French Riviera, you will receive a preliminary purchase agreement with the developer and the notary’s bank account. You must have paid a 5% deposit within one week. You have an additional ten days’ notice after signing the provisional agreement. And after signing by both parties, you have another month to complete your funding.

Cost notary for new construction

Did you know that the notarial fees for a newly built property are significantly cheaper? You pay a max 2.6% transfer tax versus 7.8% for existing construction. And if you do not need funding, the fee will only be 2% because the dossier is simpler. You will receive a notary’s invitation to sign the final purchase agreement within three months. We are present at that time and can also sign on your behalf. After that, you pay 10-20% in tranches until the construction is complete. That money is born into a National Building Guarantee Fund to ensure your purchased apartment is always delivered if the developer goes bankrupt.

Living on the Côte d’Azur only works with the best and largest project developers and top-class brokers we fully trust. This assures you that your search for Côte d’Azur real estate is in professional hands.

We look forward to welcoming you to the French Riviera!

Ab and Jo

by Ab Kuijer//in Blog

Property for sale on the sunny French Riviera, also known as the Côte d’Azur can be a time-consuming job to find the holiday home of your dreams. There’s loads of interest from people that want to add more sun and healthcare in their life. Imagine, the sun is shining 300 days per year, the food is locally produced and nature is simply overwhelming. And if you are in need of medical care, the best doctors chose to practice here in one of the many private clinics.

Property for sale French Riviera

There are just a couple of building plots accessible on the French Riviera, so every time the land engineers locate another spot, it is ideal to act quickly if you want to buy a new apartment on the Côte d’Azur. When the building crane is introduced on the structure plot, the development begins, and that implies that 70% of the lots are sold. A penthouse in ‘yachting village’ Antibes, a large new loft in the center of Sainte Maxime or a pristine property in Mougins, there are lots of choices.

But how do you start, how to select a French real estate agent and who do you choose to accompany you? To locate new property jewels before they hit the market, you can follow Living on the Côte d’Azur on different social media channels; like Instagram French Riviera real estate or Facebook Living on the Côte d’Azur.  We have an enormous determination to find and select the best new properties, in various sizes and costs. Read also our two-weekly French Riviera Property newsletter with the best villas and apartments along the coastline.

Property for sale French Riviera

If you decide to buy a new apartment in the South of France, you might want to know a little bit more about the differences between the villages. Here’s an overview of the best seaside villages that are worth visiting in the South of France. If you like the local ambiance, that village should be on your shortlist. New condos in the South of France are accessible in an enormous assortment and evaluating. A little studio in Nice can be found for as meager as 135.000 euros. In normal, you can say that a two-room condo will cost around 400.000 euros. What’s more, a one-room can also be obtained around 300.000 euros, it all depends on the zone, the circumstance, and separation to civilities like shops and seashores. On the off chance that there’s a pool, you will pay a higher monthly charge. Buying a new French property from abroad can be adventurous but it absolutely is not. In fact, you are very well protected by French law. Reading tip! An article about Existing properties for sale on the French Riviera Côte d’Azur.

Service costs for French Riviera properties

The measure of the administrative expense is generally determined as 2-2,5 euros for each square meter living space for an essential area, as much as 5 euros for every square meter living space for a living arrangement with a pool and different offices like a tennis court. On our French Riviera real estate portfolio, we additionally have new super extravagance lofts in a select living arrangement on the Croisette in Cannes for 3 million euros. Or on the other hand a seven-room new penthouse loft with 150 sqm patio for 2,000,000 euros. It all depends on your budget to find the right property for sale on the French Riviera.

Quality new real estate

France drives Europe with regard to naturally amicable development and building. The obligatory class for designers is the most elevated, and accordingly, all new-form manors en condos are low on energy use. The critical piece of finding a recently developed estate before it is manufactured is that you can converse with the draftsman and manufacturers and move a few dividers to the manner in which you might want them to be. Perhaps a bigger room, or an Italian shower instead of a bathtub; in the phase of blueprints, things can be included or balanced for a little expense. Discover your new build manor and make it your own!

New constructed real estate is currently in structure and vitality cordial. Patterns are followed in the selection of materials; like woodlike stone tiles or enormous 60 x 60 cm tiles in the restrooms. Once in a while, the engineer manufactures new development condos in an old apartment or estate, following the first soul of the structure and explicit plan like in the craftsmanship deco manor in Cannes. Each property for sale is conveyed with completing in flawlessness.

Preparation is half the work

All things considered, the planner must close down each progression in the structure procedure. Just when this has occurred, the following tranche of installment must be made. So indeed, it will appear as though the craftsman’s impression in the handout and presumably even significantly better. Streets, parks, strolling ways, fringes, everything is new and the plants on the Mediterranean are stunning to watch and to smell. So once you get the way into your new property on the Cote d’Azur, you will feel quickly comfortable. With lavender blooms around your country or porch, you know you’re in the South of France. Reading tip! An article about Best reasons to buy a property in Nice French Riviera.

Villa for sale French Riviera

Purchasing a family villa in the French Riviera is a well worth investment. You will teach your children to enjoy life and they will be thankful for the rest of their lives. Many people that buy in the South of France have good memories of their youth in a small French village. They like to share this feeling with their children. We have French Riviera villas for families that are all renovated and in very good condition. If you share with us the number of rooms you would like and extra’s like a sea view, a swimming pool or just a large garden with old trees to enjoy your dinner at a long table, we will make a selection for you. Our services to select a property for sale are free of cost. During the buying process of a property in France, we will guide you from start to key handover. The best step towards the sun is to read our French Riviera property buying guide.

Contact Ab and Jo to start your search with an email to [email protected]

by Ab Kuijer//in Blog

We get a lot of questions from people who want to know whether it is still fun to come to the South of France. In Dutch shopping streets, you are apparently warned immediately by active BOAs (underpaid auxiliary agents) with a police whistle if you keep less than 1.5 meters away from others. You will also be fined if you eat a cake with more than three people or if you wear a medical face mask on public transport. It is the Netherlands at its narrowest, because if there are rules that can limit the freedom of the common man, then the government will go completely crazy. It makes sense that people think that it will be many times worse in France. France with its bureaucracy, the many police officers and the strict government that likes to keep its citizens in line.

We investigated for you in Cannes, Juan Les Pins and Nice. Well, not really out on research, we happened to go there because the weather was nice and we felt like diving into the sea. And to eat a fresh Pan Bagnat. Until June 2, it was forbidden to lie on the beach. It had been thought that you could swim and exercise on the beach. Here and there are still signs with “Plage Dynamique”. Before June 2, we walked along the beach and sat “sneaky” on the sand. On the beach in Saint Laurent du Var, I jokingly asked an elderly lady if she knows that sitting still is forbidden; shouldn’t we all be active on the beach? “Oh, I’m so active, but in my head. Don’t worry about me, ”she laughed. Ahead, a family with friends was playing cards and chatting while the children swam in the sea. The police in Cannes and Nice were the strictest during this period, but between these cities; in Antibes, Juan Les Pins and Cagnes sur Mer agents shrugged their shoulders.

How is life in the South of France with the “Crise Sanitaire”?

The reality since June 2 is that everyone is back in the sand and taking a dip in the sea. There is still a “sanitary crisis” until July 24. In practice, this means that every now and then a girl with a walkie talkie corrects whether someone puts his towel too close to another beach lover. But honestly, that’s fine. We also like a bit of privacy and distance on the beach. Most of the beach restaurants are open again and the loungers are on the beach. With a little more distance between the beds, but that is actually an improvement.

In Nice, Mayor Estrosi is fighting hard to get everyone’s mouth masks on the street. An extra cycling track has been built on the Promenade des Anglais, for example, because cycling is healthy for people. As a result, streets are blocked with cars causing more exhaust gases. Whether it is wise? The yellow cycle paths in Nice are at least everywhere this summer. We drive into Nice by car, to the center and see especially many older people walking around with a mask. But once in the old Italian part at the Solaya market and on Place Garibaldi, nobody thinks about Estrosi. Or Corona. Terraces are packed, people are lining up to get a seat. Little seems to have changed. The beer is deliciously cold and the socca tastes just like it used to. Only the waiters wear a mask. Until July 24. Then they too are liberated.

In some shops and supermarkets, you are asked if you want to wear a mask, in other shops it is mandatory. Everyone actually does what feels best. There is gel and alcohol everywhere to wash hands. We hope this stays a bit; that people will pay more attention to hygiene because supermarket carts are always a bit rancid.

It all remains strange; in the parking garages, there are free brokerage magazines from March 2020. As if everyone has suddenly left and we slowly take back the city. Tourists are missed everywhere; it is considerably quieter and many restaurateurs are afraid that they will not make it to autumn. In a city like Cannes, 70,000 people live and there are more than 700 restaurants. People go out to eat, but restaurants cannot make the turn-over as before. The hope is that after June 15, first tourists will come again and then want to enjoy extra and spend money.

As for the virus; It is increasingly clear to many people that Covid-19 was mainly a strong Chinese flu. Unfortunately, the media has sparked this a lot to scare people. Marseille professor Didier Raoult was right: the virus has completely disappeared this summer and will probably never return in this form. And those who have incipient complaints and are tested positive will receive a beneficial mix of hydroxychloroquine with antibiotics and zinc at the Cote d’Azur. A single politician with clown shoes or a Microsoft nerd is still trying to scare you by threatening a second wave. But the only second, and third, and fourth-wave that you will encounter, you will find in the Mediterranean Sea.

In short, life in the South of France may have improved. People view the official news differently and we know what is most important in life: health and each other.

by Ab Kuijer//in Blog

The choice to buy an apartment or villa in the South of France is of course a huge step. But once the decision has been made emotionally and you opt for more sunshine and quality of life, an Internet search for the offer follows. And that’s overwhelming, so where do you start in finding a […]

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by Ab Kuijer//in Blog

Nice in France was already home to the pre-Neanderthal man and woman 200,000 BC. It is, therefore, no surprise that the beautiful European city is full of history. From palaces once occupied by the French nobility to mysterious caves occupied by cave people; history buffs can be sure to find an enchanting city with culture from almost every period. In any case, these ten historic locations in Nice are good for exciting and surprising cultural excursions!

Castle Hill, Nice, France

With the best views of the city and its coastline, a walk to Castle Hill, Nice, France will appeal to historians and those wishing to take a spectacular selfie. With 300 meters of stairs, the foot trip to the castle is not for people with a weak heart or stiff legs. But visitors are rewarded with fascinating ruins from the 16th century built with a fortified structure in a rocky hill to prevent attacks.

After a number of investments, including one of François I of France and his troops in 1543, the castle was finally destroyed by order of Louise XIV in 1706. Only a few walls remain today. Visitors can take a fascinating tour around the ruins and enjoy the view over the Bay of Angels. The castle is set in an unspoilt park, with a beautiful waterfall, all in all, a great area for a peaceful stroll just minutes from the beach.

Rue des Ponchettes, 06200 Nice. (elevator entrance)

Click here for the walking route to Castle Hill, Nice, France

Ten places in Nice France you have to visit!

Old Nice

Also called Nice “Vielle Ville” or the “Old Town”, Vieux Nice is one of the most beautiful and historically significant areas of the city. At the time of the busy trading port established by the Greeks of Massilia 350 years before Christ, strong walls were built in the region to protect the city from invasion. A medieval city has been built within these walls, with some structures still standing. The architecture and historical places show some stylish influences such as Baroque in the old town and medieval streets, with buildings that belong on an old postcard. It is a colorful collection of life in Nice; the contemporary shops, restaurants and bars create a unique atmosphere. Here you also eat the best “socca”, the local dish that you should not miss: a lightly salted chickpea pancake, baked in a wood oven.

Click here for the walking route to Old Nice in Google Maps

Sainte Réparate Cathedral, Nice France

The famous Sainte Réparate Cathedral was built between 1650 and early 18th century and is located in the heart of the old town. The first church to be built on the site was called Sainte-Marie du Château, consecrated in 1049 before being torn down and redesigned to increase space to accommodate the city’s growing population. At the famous Saint Susanna Church in Rome, today’s cathedral is an impressive structure that dominates the surrounding landscape, with a beautiful multicolored copula stretching 39 meters in the air. The interior of the Sainte Réparate Cathedral consists of a series of ten intricately decorated chapels dedicated to important saints and religious figures, all decorated in the delicate Baroque style. Officially classified as a Historic Monument in 1906, this peaceful and tranquil historic gem is a must-visit when exploring the medieval old town.

3 Pl. Rossetti, 06300 Nice

Click here for the route to Sainte Reparate Cathedral in Nice

Palais Lascaris

Located in the confines of the old town, the Palais Lascaris is a Baroque masterpiece in Nice. This ancient mansion was once a marriage house of Peter I of Ventimiglia and Eudoxia Lascaris, daughter of the Byzantine emperor Theodore II Laskaris, who belongs to the noble family of Vintimille-Lascaris in the 18th century. A generous labyrinth of lavishly decorated rooms, fresco ceilings and mythological 17th-century ornaments. The palace was eventually acquired by the city of Nice and turned into a museum. Today it is home to a world-famous collection of musical instruments created by Antoine Gautier, a violinist and Nicoise collector. In his life, he collaborated with some of the most notable musicians in France, including violinist Jacques Thibaud. Music aficionados don’t expect such a huge collection of rare classical and baroque pieces here, ranging from Naderman harps to original French keyboard instruments, all made in the 18th century.

15 Rue Droite, 06300 Nice. Tel 04 93 62 72 40

Click here for the route to Palais Lascaris in Google Maps.

Ten places in Nice France you have to visit!

Cimiez Monastery and Franciscan Museum, Nice

The Cimiez Monastery and the Franciscan Museum are a historical legacy in modern times. Today it is home to a small group of Franciscan brothers and has a small museum. Here the daily life of French monks over the centuries is explained. This place is a little bit outside the tourist area but worth it for those who want to know more about Nice’s religious heritage. The famous Shroud of Turin, which depicts a man, was located here in the 14th century. which is believed to be Jesus Christ. Located in the quiet, historic district of Cimiez, and surrounded by an idyllic 500-year-old olive grove, the monastery offers a beautiful setting for peace and quiet. You can also explore the ruins of the Roman arena, amphitheatre and thermal bath here, all of which date back to the 6th century.

Avenue Monastère Cimiez, 06000 Nice

Click here for the walking route to Cimiez Monastery and the Franciscan Museum in Nice.

Grotto du Lazaret, Nice

Those interested in prehistoric times travel back in time with the story of the Grotto du Lazaret, a ca 10 meters long and 5 meters wide cave at the foot of Mont Boron. This cave was inhabited by pre-Neanderthal people and used as a hunting base. Archaeologists have found here more than 20,000 bones from both humans and prehistoric animals. When digging began in 1950, the skull of a nine-year-old child from 130,000 BC was found in the cave. Since then, many examples of tools have been found to improve our modern knowledge of the prehistoric period. Guests can walk around the cave or take a tour of the caves’ almost unimaginable history.

Grotto Lazaret, 33 Bis Boulevard Franck Pilatte, Nice, Frankrijk. +334 92 00 17 37

Click here for the walking route to the Grotto of Lazaret in Nice in Google Maps

Monument aux Morts, Nice

At the foot of Castle Hill is the Monument Aux Morts de Rauba-Capeù, a tribute to the Nice soldiers who gave their lives during the First World War. Designed by the French architect Roger Pierre Honoré Seassal, visitors will see a special monument made by the Académie des Beaux-Arts in Paris. At a height of 32 meters, the large dome structure was dug into the rocky hill and features two detailed bas-reliefs on the theme of war, designed by acclaimed sculptor Alfred Janniot. The foundation stone of this memorial site was laid in 1924 before it was consecrated by the Mayor of Nice in 1928. The monument has been a meeting place and place of reflection for almost a century. With a beautiful sea view, a pleasant place that creates movable memories for its visitors.

Quai Rauba Capeu – Place Guynemer, 06300 Nice

Click here for the walking route to Monument aux Morts, Nice in Google Maps

Opéra de Nice

What started as a small wooden theatre in 1776 has since been built up as the famous Opéra de Nice, a municipal institution that invites huge productions and names to perform within its walls. After being a small-scale playhouse for almost 50 years, the building was bought by the city of Nice on the advice of King Charles Felix. His idea of ​​converting the space into a grand opera quickly became a reality, with renovation and renewal by architect Benoît Brunat in the classic Italian style. In 1881, the Opéra de Nice was damaged by fire during a performance. The building was then rebuilt and redesigned by François Aune. It is this design that remains today, with a stylish interior displaying a beautifully high painted ceiling and a number of symbolic images aiming to remember the theatre’s colorful and successful past. The opera attracts worldwide names from all over the world in disciplines such as orchestra, ballet and internationally renowned choirs.

Opéra de Nice, 9 Rue Raoul Bosio, Nice, France. +334 92 17 40 00

Click here for the walking route to the Opera of Nice in Google Maps

Notre Dame du Port, Nice

Located in Port Lympia, in a busy urban district, Notre Dame du Port church is a historic beacon that overlooks the background of modern Nice. Also known as the Church of the Immaculate Conception, the church was built in the mid-19th century and designed by architect Joseph Vernier in the neoclassical style. Elegant and impressive to look at, with four soaring granite columns dominating the front from the outside. It is hard to believe that this church once fell in 1841 due to heavy rainfall. The place was rebuilt in 1845, before the facade was redesigned in the Greek style and the columns added by architect Jules Fèbvre, making it a collaboration of architectural triumphs and the building’s influence in its time. Inside you will find a quiet and contemplative space with a variety of beautiful decorations. The whole makes Notre Dame du Port one of the most beautiful monuments of the city.

Notre Dame du Port, Place de l’Île de Beauté, Nice, France. +334 93 89 53 05

Click here for the walking route to Notre Dame du Port in Nice with Google Maps

Le Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle de Nice

The oldest museum in Nice, established in 1846, is Le Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle. Founded by botanists Jean Baptiste Barla and Jean Baptiste Verany, the museum was founded with the help of scientist Antoine Risso, the famous author of Ichthyologie de Nice, a book explaining the life of the city. Today the museum offers a range of geological, zoological and plant compositions that show the Earth’s habitats from Africa to South America. Those interested in local natural history can view the site’s particularly extensive collection of plants and animals, all from the Mediterranean area surrounding Nice. The museum presents specimens of animals unique to the region, including wolves, deer and wild boars, and explains both the importance and challenges of the area’s conservation projects. With a number of regularly changing exhibitions and ongoing research projects, the museum presents contemporary relevance as well as an appreciation for its rich heritage.

Le Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle de Nice, 60 Boulevard Risso, Nice, France. +334 97 13 46 80

Click here for the walking route to the Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle in Nice using Google Maps

If you want to see more of the local districts in Nice on the French Riviera, visit our article about Nice Cimiez. Or discover the Westside of Nice with Nice Fabron. Or the village in the city, Nice Saint Roch.

by Ab Kuijer//in Blog