Looking for a luxury estate on the French Riviera? There are many luxury homes for sale in the South of France, but you will find the most sumptuous and luxury villas in Super Cannes. This part of Cannes is situated high on the hills, overseeing the bay of Cannes, Cap d’Antibes, and the Esterel mountains. Nobility started to built here in the late 1800’s, and you can still sense that air of grandeur.

Coming from Valbonne, taking the old smugglers route, you will pass many high walls and gates. A home interior designer from Los Angeles once said: This looks just like driving in the hills in Hollywood. Amazing!”. More amazing are the French Riviera luxury homes for sale in Super Cannes. Let us take you around and show you three gems. If you want to buy luxury real estate in the South of France, this is the area you will succeed.

Luxury house in Renaissance style

Take this new villa in Renaissance style villa in Super Cannes. It is discreetly sheltered from views outside to give maximum privacy. People that live here are not per sé out to meet the neighbors. All they want is to enjoy the French Riviera lifestyle, the amazing weather and the endless views over the mediterranean sea. The luxury estate in Super Cannes offers approx. 300 sqm of living space. With a total plot  of 3.375 sqm you can even create a separate guest or caretaker’s house. This French Riviera luxury villa in Super Cannes villa has a unique style with its Renaissance architecture; developed in Florence, Italy. The asking price is 6.350.000 euros

More information about this villa can be found here

Super Cannes luxury house in contemporary style

If Renaissance style is ‘not your cup of tea’ for your luxury mansion on the Côte d’Azur, than contemporary might be your style. Slick design, white soft walls and a design that fits well with your lifestyle: modern, luxurious and with class. This Cannes contemporary style villa can be found on top of the hill nestled in greenery and overhanging the sea. The luxury property in Super Cannes was recently renovated with the finest materials. The landscaped garden of 5.000 sqm matches perfectly with the design of the luxury estate.

Around the Super Cannes contemporary luxury house the terrain has a perfect layout to enjoy every moment of the day. Big and flat areas for lounging, dining, dancing and of course swimming. The property has a large swimming pool, a pool house and teak sundecks. If you want to live in Cannes and stand out from the crowd, this Super Cannes luxury home in contemporary style is yours to buy f0r 4.090.000 euros

More information can be found here

Very large luxury house in Super Cannes

Maybe the previous luxury mansion in Super Cannes is your style regarding design, but simply not large enough. Maybe you want seven bedrooms and 800 sqm of living space. In other words, you want a large contemporary mansion on the French Riviera. This French Riviera property of approx. 800 sqm offers all luxury and style with refined fittings. Perfectly situated in the heart of the residential area to walk and enjoy a beautiful terrain of approx. 6000 sqm. The mansion in contemporary style comes with a large swimming pool, a large pool-house and of course a complete summer kitchen. Inside you will find seven bedrooms, a home theatre, wine cellar, tasting room, fitness, lift and a complete high-tech home automation system. On the terrain a separate caretaker house is present to give you complete service and privacy. The Garage is perfect for three cars and the outside parking lot can host ten cars.

Asking price is 19.500.000 euros. More details can be found here

Buying luxury property in Cannes, French Riviera, Côte d’Azur

Interested to see these luxury estates in Super Cannes, France? Make an appointment to visit the properties, 7/7. Call Ab or Jo in France + 33 977 197 800. Or mail us via [email protected] for more luxury houses, mansions, villas, penthouses and apartments for sale on the French Riviera around and in Nice, Menton, Antibes, Juan les Pins, Cannes, Mougins and Theoule. And we’re also open on Corsica!

If you are interested in buying a luxury real estate on the French Riviera, finding new apartments for sale on the Côte d’Azur and locate a unique elegant French Riviera luxury property, you can subscribe to our monthly free real estate newsletter. The easiest way to stay in contact with French Riviera luxury real estate and to read about the latest in Côte d’Azur real estate.

Homehunter on the French Riviera

Living On The Côte d’Azur is a Dutch operated professional first point of contact service for foreign people that want to buy real estate on the French Riviera and Corsica. We are open seven days a week. We have full access to major databases to select the best houses for sale in France by the sea. Find penthouses for sale on the Côte d’Azur, high-class French Riviera luxury properties for sale and unique projects for renovation. We are happy to connect you with the best Côte d’Azur real estate. Our contact form is here to start your home hunt.

by Ab Kuijer//in Blog

Buying a house in the South of France, on the sunny Cote d’Azur. A dream, a long-cherished wish or a good intention to bring more quality into your life? Who makes the step for a second home on the Côte d’Azur, should first look how big the spending budget is, including legal fees. Are you looking for something new or for an existing home?

What is the best season to buy a house in the South of France?

Find some advice on additional costs and maintenance and determine your budget. Once you know broadly what you want, you can go  and look yourself or hire a local agent (hint hint). But what is actually the best time to buy a house in the South of France? Spring, summer, autumn or winter?

What is the best season to buy a house in the South of France?

Buying 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 vendor 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, there are 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 under your nose for the asking price.

Buying real estate in Summer: season of negotiation

Much quieter than the spring is the summer; a period in which sales activity in real estate on the French Riviera drops slightly. The transfer 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.

Buying real estate in Autumn: buy without competition

From September aka Indian Summer on, the number of real estate transactions reduces gradually. A great time to make an offer to purchase during the Indian summer and following months. If the seller puts extra pressure on you to decide quickly, don’t let them seek you crazy. It is in most cases bluff. You have all the time to consider the 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.

Buying real estate in Winter: 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 calm and negotiate. Take the opportunity to ask for a discount on the sale price.

Not sure if you should invest in new construction or existing French Riviera property? Each property type has its advantages and disadvantages. 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 open service, we look forward to meeting you.

by Ab Kuijer//in Blog

Fortunately, we can say; we’ve survived Christmas again this year. Unfortunately, George Michael can’t; he left us behind on Christmas Day (off all dates!) his ultimate farewell song “Last Christmas, I gave you my heart ‘. And looking back on 2016, this was definitely not the best year ever. Some even claim it was all provided by the stars and the universe; just because the number 6 was in this year. And that number is not very poppy, or it should be a morbid collective CD with ‘All thirteen dead’. Rarely rose so much pop artists in a year through the Stairway to Heaven to Foreverland and to be listened to with a gasp.

2016; a year filled with falling stars and palmtrees French Riviera

2016 the year of falling stars and palm trees

We ourselves were sobbing on the Côte d’Azur at our poor palm tree; eventually all that poison helped a bit, but the palm branches all just snapped one day. When I slowly pulled the branches off the heart of the palm tree, I saw that there were still thick living larvae in the branches. Like small cancerous cells they swarming into the tree while it was sprayed for a hundred euros of poison in the core. In November, I gave an alternative extra treatment; fresh horse dung crumpled in the hollowed trunk to add some fresh plant tissue. That seemed smart, but it was all to no avail; when it’s your time, it’s obviously your time. That also knows Carrie Fisher who like the palm sought refuge in the alternative circuit.

Christmas in France was far from alternative; French love like no other traditions and stood also this year again massively in line for fresh lobster and oysters, as part of the Christmas and New year’s eve table. Besides the lobsters, there was also a large demand for concrete blocks; as we were warned again that all Christmas Markets must be extra well protected following the attack in Berlin. I start to wonder wonder whether or not you should just refuse entrance to people who have nothing to do with Christianity and Christmas. Governments and other cowards like broadcasters and large retailers avoid easier the word Christmas ‘to respect other cultures’. “Wonderful December days!” Or “A Blessed Winter Feast”. It should not become much crazier next year.

Yet all these worries with toppling pop stars, actors and palm trees show us once more that we should dwell on the mortality of life. Maybe an extra reason to enjoy life more and to worry less next year. So if the sea, sun, good food and untouched nature makes you happy; the French Riviera is of course a perfect place to start the new year. And 2017 year finally takes only 365 days; that gives you the chance to spend wonderful moments on the Côte d’Azur. Because one thing is certain; life goes a lot slower here and if we fall over it is usually after a good meal.

by Ab Kuijer//in Blog

Living on the Côte d’Azur goes on, as always and unperturbed if you return back home from a sunny holiday. We love you to keep you updated at an almost weekly base to inform about the important events and knit these together. We bring this French Riviera news update this time from the Colline de Chateau; you know that striking vantage point at the port of Nice. Once an impressive chateau with 12 hectares garden but still an enjoyable walking area with great views on the harbor or the Baie des Anges. Next year they will renovate this piece of old Nice seriously with new railings and plenty romantic walks.

 

Uber French Riviera style

It is from this place that we looked down on the French Riviera Uber drivers. Uber is that handy application that connects your phone directly with a car and driver. It provides a lot of extra work for those with a car and willing to work. The sour faces of local taxi drivers at Nice airport shows that Uber is a succes well, or rather, precisely meets the needs of the Cote d’Azur. Anyone still paying more than 150 euros with an official overpriced taxi driver from Nice to Cannes? With Uber you do the same ride for less than half the price.

But here’s the joke. You agree as a driver/ entrepreneur on your earnings; 20% goes to Uber, the US taxi company without taxi cabs. You bring in your own car in the Uber super fast system if you are committed to a certain number of hours of work per week. Oh. Wait a minute. Work?! Now the Southern French Uber drivers will go on strike. They pulled a day-long the connection with the Uber system from their phone in order to express their dissatisfaction with the Uber working conditions. Hahaha, I always laugh again as much strike readiness, even if it costs money for only the striker. Smart thinking, just before Christmas.

Christmas Presents

Fortunately the royal couple Prince Albert and Princess Charlotte of Monaco are not on a strike; they invited all six hundred local children in their palace. It was the first Christmas celebrations for Jacques and Gabrielle, the small Royal smurfs. At the end of the festive afternoon everyone got a present. Now that’s nice eh?

More gifts for all residents of the Provence Alpes Côte d’Azur region. The French state has at the very end of the new government decided to increase the annual budget of 826 million euros to 56 million euros. Where does that money come from anyway, if not the economy is growing, you may wonder. Then you’re the only one for this extra money will be cheerfully next year to improve rail links between Aix, Marseille and Nice. The rest of the money for cultural development. Let’s hope that unemployment and crime also covered cultural development.

Uber op z’n Frans, truffelspeurhonden en de Balotelli pizza

Pizza and truffles

The best French culture remains of course the food culture on the French Riviera. Or maybe the sports culture as almost everyone does sports with soccer being the first national sport. A bar-restaurant in Saint Jeannet (where we happen to eat often) combines both these cultures and named this week a pizza to the striker of OGC Nice, Mario Balotelli. That has to be the highest honor you can get as a sportsman. No Sport Gala awards; once a pizza is named after you, you’re really baked in terms of immortality. In this case, with sundried tomatoes, capers and topped with ricotta cheese.

So many goodies they can in prison only dream about, and that is disappointing for the four newcomers this week. They were up to 30 months in prison convicted of human smuggling. In a van they took sometimes 17 migrants along, against payment of 200 euros per person. The illegal migrants were in Nice or elsewhere deposited. Consequently, you will see the evening whole families on their doorstep at Galarie Lafayette. And nobody does anything about it. They smile or friendly, but nobody buys what. Another remarkable conviction; a 50-year-old man enter this summer with his yacht through the port of Cannes. Through a megaphone, he shouted very loudly “Allahou Akbar” without taking themselves to blow. Because the two weeks after the horrific attack happened in Nice, the judge sentenced the man with his bad joke to six months in jail.

#iloveNice

And so we come to today’s reality in which the state of emergency remains in force and red berets in groups of four parade through the center of Nice. Mer than a thousand people took part this week in Operation #IloveNice. Dressed in blue, white and red they they created these words as a human handwriting, from Place Garibaldi to the sea. A tribute to the poor victims of Nice.

We had to say goodbye to another Nice citizen this week whose handwriting was already known by many. Irish poet John Montague left Nice on the beautiful age of 87 years. Born in New York and living in Nice for ten years. On the Cote d’Azur he wrote some of his poems, including this beautiful Blessing.

Blessing

A feel of warmth in this place.

In winter air, a scent of harvest.

No form of prayer is needed,

When by sudden grace attended.

Naturally, we fall from grace.

Mere humans, we forget what light

Led us, lonely, to this place.

John Montague

 

Agenda

With Christmas approaching, we feel our extra ‘blessed’ to be allowed to live in the South of France. With the school holidays we can enjoy its pure nature and the nice and beautiful things in our agenda. Check out our free French Riviera Lifestyle app for the complete and always current cultural agenda.
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Truffle market in Grasse

7 and January 15, 2017

The feast of the black diamond under inspiring leadership of Chef Jacques Chibois. You are welcome to the Bastide Saint Antoine in Grasse, overlooking Cannes. From 11 o’clock in the morning you can enjoy demonstrations by truffle sniffer dogs and of course countless dishes with truffles. A week later, the party repeated in Rouret.

La Bastide Saint Antoine, 48 avenue Henri-Dunant

06130 Grasse

Tel: 04 93 70 94 94

[email protected]

Site web

266_1481290918

Rallye Monte Carlo

16 to January 22, 2017

This car rally with historic name follows the trend in 2017. There is also a ZENN rally (Zero Emission, No Noise). The cars are still cornering hard enough to tear through the mountains of Nice and Monaco.

Tel: +377 93 15 26 00

[email protected]

Site web

by Ab Kuijer//in Blog

I should apologize to my loyal readers for the later appearance of this weekly blog from the Cote d’Azur. I was purely obsessed with the weather in Brazil, the Grand Prix and, of course, Max Verstappen, the Dutch F1 talent. I have always found auto racing to be the most popular sport to look at, after curling and billiards. But since Max has emerged as a new Dutch racing hero, I am a loyal fan of the Formula 1 circus. I might even say I will go once to the F1 in Monaco next year. Whoever went to Monaco is the famous Tatjana Simic. Not that she told me she was leaving for Monaco, I found the news just like many Dutch from the Dutch Telegraph. Tatjana is thrilled on the French Riviera, and that is easy to say from the Odeon Tower in Monaco, with a priceless view. But believe me, even without a Mediterranean sea view you can be very happy here. Unlike the French who still belong to the most unhappy people of Europe. While still really nice things happen.

Like the Marathon Nice-Cannes, which is exactly 42 kilometres long, people ran the race party without problems thanks to alert safety officers. The Kenyan Elisha Kipchichir ran the marathon in 2 hours, 10 minutes and 45 seconds, well ahead of the other 14,000 Cote d’Azur seafront runners. Fortunately, the trail did not go through Valbonne because a large French Canadian film crew was shooting a new TV series, lugging lamps and cables. Valbonne as the decor for an exciting new action series, always fun to watch. Next year you can admire the new series on TF1 called ‘Ramson. It promises to be an exciting series with a lot of chases through southern France.

Sometimes, that kind of action is just part of our daily lives. In Saint Tropez, a motorist lost control of the steering wheel and ended after a somersault in the cemetery. Suppose that is not ‘a sign from above’ about your driving. It provided a nice picture for us to publish.

Of course, the election of Donald Trump was a topic of conversation in France. The silent majority of the people ultimately chose a president who wanted to reform more radically, giving politicians like Marine Le Pen courage. She congratulated Trump on his victory, being the first foreign politician. Who knows what life will look like next year? Maybe Trump and Le Pen sail along our front door, waving from the Trump Princess, who is no stranger to Monaco residents.

Then, there was also the NRJ Music Awards from the musical party radio station NRJ. Of course, there was a riot about singer Maitre Gimms. He was nominated in three categories but won none. No humility from his side like a, “Too bad, maybe next year ‘attitude. No, the maitre decided furiously on social media that he will never come to the NRJ Awards. Well, who’s lying awake from this news? I don’t. Who the f is Maitre Gimms? You’re quickly a superstar on social media, and then I have to think back again to the 19 year old Max Verstappen who stays sober after his racing succes. I can not promise that we stay sober this week, it is nearly a week before the Beaujolais Nouveau arrives and we should celebrate that. Obviously we’ve taken this event in our calendar.

Fête de la Châtaigne 2016

Saturday, November 19th

The Chestnut Festival concept has long been successful; farmers decrease their sheep and goats from the mountains to the center of Cagnes sur Mer. The audience is lured with 1,000 kilos of free chestnuts and meanwhile you can buy delicious mountain cheeses, pates and other delicacies.

10.00 – 17.30

Lieu

Cagnes-sur-Mer Ville

Place de Gaulle

06800 Cagnes-sur-Mer

Site web : www.cagnes-tourisme.com

The new Beaujolais Nouveau

Thursday November 17th

Next week you can’t pass no restaurant or bar, or they try to tempt you with a glass of this fruity young wine. The winemakers celebrate their party and of course you join them; you buy a bottle for around 13 euros.

La Petite Cave de Saint-Paul

7 rue de l’etoile, 06570

Saint-Paul-de-Vence

from 11.00 wine tasting. Cheers!

by Ab Kuijer//in Blog

French Riviera kidnap update, all rise in TGV and Carnival Nice to China.

The kidnapping of the Cote d’Azur  businesswoman Jacqueline Veyrac kept all minds occupied on the French Riviera. This week, another three people got arrested and it becomes clear that indeed the former manager of La Reserve restaurant in Nice was ‘el capo master mindo’ behind the abduction. Cause of all trouble was a dispute over payment many years ago that was never fulfilled. The Italian manager even hired a former British SAS agent to prepare the kidnapping to perfection. Fortunately for the kidnapped lady the men did not consider the state of alertness in which we all are. If we see a strange car parked in our street we now call the police straight away. And so the address of the 78-year-old businesswoman was discovered within 48 hours thanks to a car that did not belong there.

Through our vigilance, we also found out that the timetable of the SNCF is tackled. You may no longer enjoy singing ‘tralala’ in the TGV from Brussels all the way to Nice Train Station, in a luxury seat and drinking bubbles. You have to get out of your seat and get another train to Nice in Marseille. Bummer. As of December 11, this is the new way to go. You are still better off by airplane; the entire month of November, tickets are on sale for around thirty euros to fly in from London or Amsterdam. Fun to do if you found an apartment you might want to buy and you just want to take a look.

Who often come to take a look on the French Riviera, are the Chinese. They are the largest growing group of tourists in the past year. And they love the Riviera so much that the Chinese city of Xiamen bought the Carnival in Nice. Not that we have to throw with noodles instead of serpentine, but the whole circus in terms of parade cars goes – after the party in February – by train to China to be part of the Carnival in Xiamen, a city of 5 million people. A clever promotion for Nice!

The region is a true magnet for anyone who loves the French Riviera lifestyle. Enjoying the sea, the sun, restaurants and all kind of sports. Besides the Chinese, we get this month more than five hundred African refugees. That’s not going very wholeheartedly; they come from the jungle in Calais, are poorly educated, unemployed and their arrival is arranged by the Paris government. Nobody knows what the plans are; will they simply get a free house and social benefits and that’s it? Or are they part of a ‘return to your real home’ campaign the National Front is suggesting. It is going to be an interesting election.

We know fortunately the outcome of another election; who will be the new owner of the group Nice Airport, Cannes-Mandelieu airport and Saint Tropez La Mole? It is not Monaco, and not the Chinese although they wanted, but a French-Italian consortium bought 60% of the shares from the French state for 1.76 billion euros.

For that amount, they can start working on a better exploitation of the airports, because the tourists just keep on coming. For those peoople and for our readers, we have two interesting events on the agenda:
salon-palais-gourmand-cagnes-sur-mer

 

Salon Palais Gourmand

The palace of the foodie is installed on the only horse racing track of the Côte d’Azur; the Hippodrome in Cagnes sur Mer.

10-14 november

10:00 to 20:00

Hippodrome de la Cote d’Azur

2 Boulevard JF Kennedy

Cagnes-sur-Mer

Site web: www.salonpalaisgourmand.com

jazz-sous-bigaradiers-la-gaude

Jazz sous les brigadiers

Twelve evenings wonderful jazz concerts in La Gaude, near Nice. For the complete program, visit the website.

10-22 November 2016

20:00 to 23:30

La Gaude Village

Rue Centrale

06610 La Gaude

Site web: assowhat.free.fr

by Ab Kuijer//in Blog
france-expat-taxes-net-capital-gain-taxes-2015, Net Capital Gain Tax France

No worries anymore about your Net Capital Gain Tax.

Net  French Capital Gain tax

After three years of different proposals from the French government to raise the taxes for foreign property owners followed by heated debates at the European Court, the situation in France for people that sell their French Riviera property is finally clear.

Net  French Capital Gain tax

All nationalities are equally treated

The level of tax for all nationalities is 19% of the net capital gain. How do you calculate your net capital gain for your French Riviera property? You subtract the purchasing price from the sales price, plus you subtract all the extra costs such as purchase expenses (you had to fly 5 times to the French Riviera and stayed in hotels for a few weeks to search for your property, remember?). Also legal and registration fees can be subtracted from your Net Capital Gain. And don’t forget all your work to improve the property to the beautiful villa you’ve just sold. The French tax Office does require solid proof for the costs; so you need to show the invoices of all the costs you want to deduct.

Net  French Capital Gain tax

For people that buy real estate on the French Riviera this is also good news; they can buy without being punished when they want to resell their property. With the strong British Pound, Dollar and Swiss Franc against the Euro, it is very very interesting to invest right now in French Riviera Real Estate. Banks will give you a poor percentage on your capital; while renting out a property on the Côte d’Azur is far more interesting for your Net Capital Gain Tax France. Imagine those 11 million tourists that visit the Côte d’Azur every year. Some want a hotel, and others want your villa or apartment for a pleasant stay.

Net  French Capital Gain tax

So if you buy a villa or luxury apartment on the French Riviera, you have to think about the future: the moment that you could resell it. Maybe a weird idea; if you’re just about to buy something you’ve always wanted. Still, this is a good advise; scan all your airline tickets, your hotel vouchers and car rental bills, plus any property improvement investments you are going to make. Save the pdf-files in a DropBox. In that way you are prepared when the time has come to re-sell your villa on the Côte d’Azur.

Discounts on your Net French Capital Gain tax 

The longer you wait with selling, the better it is for your Net Capital Gain in France. After five years of ownership, the Net Capital Gain is discounted with 6%; so you just pay 13% to the French tax office. This will remain until the 22nd year of ownership, when tax lowers again to 4%. By then it is easy to make another profitable move; after 22 years of ownership, you do not have to pay capital gains at all.

We can connect you with an english speaking notaire to help with Net Capital Gain Tax France. Meanwhile, if you are looking to invest your foreign money into European real estate, you are most welcome in the South of France! If you can’t find what you are looking for; contact us and we’ll help you, free of costs.

by Ab Kuijer//in Blog

cannes-kidnapping-veyrac

The kidnapping of the 76-year-old businesswoman Jacqueline Veyrac was this week’s the hottest news on the French Riviera. You may think ’76 years? ” but in itself it is not surprising that you are still working on the Cote Azur after your retirement age. I know several 70-something persons who are very active and  in business. These people are the beautiful counterparts of the famous Dutch proverb ‘sitting behind the geraniums watching life go by’. Jacqueline Veyrac is certainly a familiar face in Cannes’ nightlife and very successful with her five-star Grand Hotel Cannes on the Croisette. The hotel was bought in the 50s with her now deceased husband. She also governs another legendary restaurant in Nice: La Reserve which stands on a particular spot in the harbor. In 2013, she was almost kidnapped once. By screaming, onlookers could help to set her free. Three years later she stood this week in front of her garage in Nice and was kidnapped after all by three men wearing balaclavas.

French Riviera kidnapping, dark rooms and poisoned mushrooms

A day later, her son Gerard received a phone call. A man’s voice speaking in poor English: “Jeuh hef to paj for our mudder’. The son thought he recognized the voice as the former Italian manager of La Reserve, but he was not certain. Fortunately, thanks to observant neighbors, the local police could raid within 48 hours at an address in Nice where a suspicious car was parked with bent plates. No, that is not noticeable. Jacqueline Veyrac was freed and is in a good health condition. Nine people are arrested, including … the former manager. You can make a bad Italian mafia film about this, in which obviously a Smart will play a large role.

Statistics of the National Police shows that the Smart is the most stolen car on the Côte d’Azur. Did you expect that? On the second place stands the Land Rover followed by Ford Fiesta. Not really a VIP car list, but cars are most stolen on Cote d’Azur (behind Paris).

Visitors shopping at Polygone Riviera in Cagnes sur Mer did not had to be afraid their car was stolen this Wednesday; the power fell out in the parking garages and all gates remained closed. Panic started as mobile phones did not work either. Above ground the Primark shop was cleared in haste; customers stood naked in the fitting rooms and had to be accompanied with torches to go outside, while other people screamed about an attack. It was fortunately just an electricity failure. Modern technology is nice, as long as it works.

Then you’d better really far out the city and go to the forest; after all this is the season to pick mushrooms. A growing trend in this outdoor activity made that this month 87 people ended up in hospital after eating poisonous mushrooms. Prince Albert does a better job in the outside country; he bought in Philadelpia for $ 775,000 a great country house. Not just a house, but the house where his mother Princess Grace of Monaco grew up. Aaaah, sweet huh. Prince Albert will use the house as a museum or maybe an office for the Grace Kelly Foundation. If you are you looking to buy a nice small cottage on the French Riviera, we invite you to meet us.

For the next week the French Riviera offers again lots of activities. The complete events calendar can be installed on your mobile via the French Riviera Lifestyle App. We show two tips where we could be find.

We wish you again a great week!

Ab and Jo

cpas-classique-nice

C’est pas classique 

For three days, you can enjoy more than 50 free concerts in Nice Acropolis. Film music, Beethoven and an homage to David Bowie by Cannes orchestra.

4 to 6 november 2016

From 14.00 to 23.00

Location

Nice Acropolis

1 Esplanade John Fitzgerald Kennedy

06000 Nice

gastrorama-cannes

Gastrorama

A party of honey in Cannes Palm Beach. The red carpet is rolled out for anyone who loves good food. The art of enjoyment is the  central theme and you can be part of that for 5 euros. Ten euros more brings you behind the scenes of famous cuisine masters and princesses.

4 to 7 november 2016

From 10.00 – 20.00

Location

Palm Beach

Place Franklin Roosevelt

06400 Cannes

www.salon-gastronoma.fr

by Ab Kuijer//in Blog

pieter-de-mik-elske-de-wit-nice-zuid-frankrijk

A departure to the French Riviera is for some the beginning of a beautiful and sunny ‘retreat’. Others have entrepreneurial blood steaming in their veins and like to combine the useful with the pleasant. Working and living under the southern French sun is a dream for many. In the series ‘Running a business on the Côte d’Azur’ we will introduce monthly local people who have made the leap. What are they doing, what are their good and bad experiences and do they have tips for other entrepreneurs? This month, Peter and Elsie de Mik, known for their store SCAPA in Nice.

Retail meets e-tail

At the cozy Rue de Liberté in the heart of Nice, we find at number 5 the property of Peter and Elsie. For six years the address of the famous store SCAPA with the black facade. This summer, the store concept, however, was substantially amended. A soft yellow facade and a new name betray an innovative vision of retail and e-tail. Inside the shop that looks open and friendly, displays show several fashion brands including SCAPA, Myrine and the local fashion brand Victoire May.

Peter, an experienced marketing man from Netherlands says enthusiastically: “After six years SCAPA in Nice, we saw revenue declined due to the rise of online stores. We are not unique with thatt; every fashion retailer has to do with this development. You can do two things; stiff continue what you were doing, or customise your store format to the New World. And so the idea for Coco’n Shopping was born.”

Elsie, who grew up in Flanders brings in the fashion retail experience and adds: “Our shop has now become a pilot store for a pop-up shop where we give different brands the space for their collection. Due to the surprising character the collection is visible between 4 and 12 weeks, and should be in addition to the quality and service we have put down with SCAPA. And the nice thing is that brands and fashion designers are now queuing up here if it were to come to exhibit and sell! ”

Strategy

The challenge for the entrepreneurial couple was: “How do we get internet buyers in our real store?” A strategy was developed and three main pillars put down.

Coco’n Shopping with the Concept Corners

The Concept Corners are specially developed multifunctional displays for both hanging or displayed products. A fashion designer or fashion brand can rent a display in Coco’n shop and fill it with the current collection.

In the shop, the product is bought and fitted. For tourists who can not bring bags full into the airplane, the Coco’n Shop is the link with the e-shop where the order is packed neatly into the warehouse and sent to the international customer.

Concept Corner Network

Fashion stores who want to make more sales per square meter and want to expand their product range with a Coco’n pop-up shop, can place one or several Concept Corner displays in their store. These are then filled with a striking contemporary fashion collection of trendy fashion products. For existing and new fashion brands this growing Concept Corner Network is an ideal way to get more sales area or to pre-test new designs.

Coco’n Online Premium

The Coco’n Shopping store in Nice is busy talking with fashion e-tailers which admittedly have many sales, but also get many items returned. Major online fashion shops such as Zalando and ASOS are struggling with high returns (average 30-40%) and asearching fro innovative solutions. With Coco’n Online Premium, online shoppers can have a service where the order is picked up in a Coco’n Shop. Here the customer is additionally aided by a fashion advice and one can have a garment retouched so it fits perfectly. For online stores, optimisation and management of the returns is a hot item. Concept Corner network jumps into a actual problem and comes up with a solution that provides added value for both customers, the stone stores and online shops.

The concept of Coco’n Shopping sounds smart, lubricated and fast forward thinking. Did your start on the French Riviera was also that smoothly?

Elsie laughs out loud and looks at her husband: “Well, how shall we say it? We are fortunate that we are used to the Belgian administrative system. So the shock of so many papers and rules, was not too bad for us. But such a high paper burden will be quite a shock for anyone else. So you just have to persevere if you’re just starting. ”

You are now in Nice for six years running. What are your three tips for starting entrepreneurs in Southern France?

Running a business on the Côte d’Azur – TIP 1

Pieter: “First of all, do not be guided by the fear of the French. French are afraid of everything and seeing more problems than opportunities. Sometimes you have just have to do things. ”

Running a business on the Côte d’Azur – TIP 2

Elsie: “As an entrepreneur you can lose a lot of time to ask for something in advance. You can better do it and not wait for an official to find time and sense to give consent. The moment you make a formal application, the rules are not always clear to the authorities and speak regularly at. You don’t want to end up in that discussion.”

Do create a dossier, but don’t send it. Make use of the knowledge that places have people who prefer to do nothing.”

Running a business on the Côte d’Azure – TIP 3

Peter: “What is also very important: invest time in the society. That is maybe the most important thing. Elsie has been president of the local Merchants Association. It takes her a lot of time, but also provides a link with the local community. And if you drink a glass of wine with Estrosi, it’s easier to talk about certain things.”

Living and working on the French Riviera; What is your most disappointing experience?

There they both do not take long to think about: “People are generally not very enterprising. Free creative thinking is lacking, which we found a pity. ”

And what was is the best experience you have so far?

Pieter: “That is the quality of life. You work hard, but on the other hand, we live here in a wonderful place in the sun.” Elsie:” You really get de-stressed here. Everything goes in a snail’s pace, even traffic.”

Finally, where do you see yourself living and working in ten years?

Peter: “I’m an entrepreneur so I always switch with opportunities in society. But I think we still have live on the Côte d’Azur. Elsie: “I think that Nice will still be our home base but we give a lot of international presentations on the Coco’n Shopping concept.”

Coco’n Shopping

5, rue de la Liberté

06000 NICE

+33 (0) 493 01 58 29

[email protected]

www.coconshopping.com

by Ab Kuijer//in Blog

This week, everyone on Earth was a little tense; would humanity succeed to land on Mars? In Nice more than eight hundred stars stargazing experts gathered together to watch the landing live together with local dignitaries on a big screen. If it could happen, it would completely change our lives. I was watching the landing on National Geographic TV. Unfortunately nothing changed on Mars. But in Nice, on the French Riviera things are getting really spectacular with real estate.

Spectacular new construction, March of Anger and Linky is on its way. nieuwbouw-nice-thiers

This week the city unveiled plans for a spectacular new building between the Nice train station and the longest shopping street; the Rue Jean Medicin. The museum like building over 19,000 M2 offers apartments, shops, offices and a theater with six hundred places. The important thing is that the ugly and old corner is going to be a young and dynamic neighborhood.

And so something beautiful is happening on the Côte d’Azur, though the police in Nice disagrees on that topic. They feel their work is no fun anymore due to the heavy load caused by additional security work. In addition, they find low appreciation by the government. You saw it coming; the police wants more money and so there was a demonstration. There even comes a ‘March of Anger’ on oktober 26th. You be warned, like the migrants that started a refugee camp in Saint Dalmas de Tende, above Nice, to the Italian border. Within three days the new camp was dismantled and African migrants brought back across the border to Italy.

Another border was crossed by local soccer team OCG Nice to play football against Salzburg. Without Mario Balotelli, Salzurg was beaten 1-0 in front of 1,500 fans Niçoise. That result will go down as true history.

Historic is also the intervention of the Prefecture at municipality Tourettes sur Loup. The opposition wanted to publish a map where risk areas are indicated in case of flooding. Through years of construction without thinking about stormwater management, some areas are dangerous with much rainfall. However, the prefecture decided that ‘the people’ should not get that much insight into this dangerous information. Dangerous for the value of the house and grounds and the image of the Cote d’Azur.

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt do not have to think about reputational damage; they have something else on their minds; to sell the Pitt-Jolie French Riviera property now. Over 35 rooms and 45 hectares of vineyard for your own wine come are suddenly within reach. Ordinary mortals will not have sixty million to spend, but if you can and have always dreamed of a private vineyard, you can call us for a tour on the domain.

linky

Finally, still an innovative landing, this time in our technical cupboard. Throughout France, all electricity meters are replaced by Linky; a smarter version where you as a user unfortunately can do nothing inter-active such as light commands with your phone. Such luxury is not for us citizens to have. But for France in general, Linky is a big step forward to modernisation. Mars can wait a while; we have Linky!

Ab and Jo

Fun events to do on the Côte d’Azur

In addition to a weekly look back, we offer now a preview on the calendar.

salon-du-vin

Salon de Vin et Gastronomie

Antibes – 28, 29 and 30 October

Open daily from 10:00 to 19:00.

Location Azur Arena. Admission 5 euros including a glass of wine.

braderie-saint-tropez

La Grande Braderie de St. Tropez

The entire village and surrounding area has emptied their attics for the annual flea market. Conviviality for a whole day.

Free entrance.

by Ab Kuijer//in Blog