Luxury real estate in Nice continues to reach new heights. While official figures often suggest prices around €12,000 per square metre in the city’s most prestigious streets, local agents say the reality is often much higher.
“Truthfully, we are closer to €20,000 per square metre,” says Benjamin Mondou, president of Century 21 Lafage Transactions in Nice.
The French Riviera remains one of the few places in Europe where demand for prime property continues to grow despite rising prices, international uncertainty and limited supply.
Avenue Jean-Lorrain: Nice’s Most Expensive Street
At the top of the market is Avenue Jean-Lorrain, located on Cap de Nice between Mont Boron and the sea. According to SeLoger, the average price on this avenue is around €12,052 per square metre. Yet the most desirable villas and apartments sell for significantly more.
The reason is simple: there are very few properties available and buyers are willing to pay a premium for a unique combination of sea views, tranquillity and proximity to the centre of Nice.
Over the past few years:
- A waterfront villa on Avenue Jean-Lorrain sold for more than €7 million.
- A 110-square-metre apartment sold for approximately €2 million.
- Newly renovated or brand-new properties regularly exceed €20,000 per square metre.
For many international buyers, Avenue Jean-Lorrain offers exactly what they want from the French Riviera: privacy, elegance, panoramic Mediterranean views and easy access to the airport, the marina and the centre of Nice.
Who Is Buying Luxury Property in Nice?
The profile of luxury buyers in Nice has changed over the past decade. The market is no longer driven only by local or French buyers. Today, the strongest demand comes from three international groups:
Parisian Buyers
Many wealthy buyers from Paris are leaving the capital in search of a better lifestyle. They want sunshine, more space, sea views and a second home that can also be used as a primary residence.
For these buyers, Nice offers an attractive combination of luxury, direct flights to Paris, excellent restaurants, cultural life and lower prices than Paris for comparable high-end properties.
Scandinavian Buyers
Buyers from Sweden, Norway and Denmark continue to be extremely active in Nice and the wider French Riviera market. They are particularly attracted by:
- The mild climate all year round
- The healthy outdoor lifestyle
- Secure and well-maintained properties
- Sea views and modern architecture
Scandinavian buyers often prefer renovated apartments in Mont Boron, Cap de Nice, the Carré d’Or or near the Port of Nice.
American Buyers
American demand has increased strongly in recent years. For many Americans, the French Riviera offers a unique combination of European lifestyle, long-term value and prestige.
Favourable exchange rates in recent years have also encouraged more US buyers to invest in Nice. Many are looking for either:
- A luxury second home
- A retirement property on the Riviera
- A long-term family investment
- A pied-à-terre that can also generate rental income
American buyers are often especially interested in sea-view apartments, Belle Époque villas and properties close to the waterfront.
The Most Expensive Areas in Nice
Although Avenue Jean-Lorrain is currently one of the most expensive addresses in Nice, it is far from the only prime location.
The most prestigious districts in Nice include:
- Mont Boron
- Cap de Nice
- Boulevard Franck Pilatte
- Port Lympia
- Carré d’Or
- Quai des États-Unis
- The beginning of the Promenade des Anglais
These neighbourhoods combine everything luxury buyers are looking for:
- Sea views
- Quiet surroundings
- Walking distance to restaurants and the city centre
- Historic architecture or newly renovated residences
- Limited supply of available properties
Properties in these districts have increased strongly in value. Between 2020 and 2026, property prices in Nice rose by more than 21%.
Where Could Prices Rise Next?
While the most exclusive districts continue to dominate the market, there are also areas in Nice that may see significant future growth.
According to local experts, the districts around Riquier and the train station still offer relatively affordable prices, generally between €4,000 and €4,500 per square metre.
These areas may benefit from:
- The extension of Nice’s Coulée Verte
- Their proximity to the port
- Beautiful traditional buildings
- Ongoing urban redevelopment
For investors willing to be patient, these districts could offer some of the best future opportunities in Nice.
Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat: The Billionaires’ Peninsula
Just a few kilometres from Nice lies the most expensive town in France: Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat.
Average prices there reach around €18,100 per square metre, while exceptional waterfront villas regularly sell for more than €20 million.
Often called “the billionaires’ peninsula”, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat remains one of the most exclusive locations in the world.
The reasons are obvious:
- Exceptional sea views
- Green and protected surroundings
- Very limited construction
- Complete privacy
- Proximity to Monaco, Nice and the international airport
For ultra-high-net-worth buyers, owning a property in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat is not simply about real estate. It is about owning one of the rarest and most desirable assets in the world.
Why Buyers Continue to Choose Nice
Luxury buyers continue to choose Nice because it offers something that few destinations can match: a unique balance between lifestyle and long-term value.
Unlike many international luxury markets, Nice still offers a wide range of properties, from elegant Belle Époque apartments to waterfront villas and modern penthouses.
For Parisian, Scandinavian and American buyers, Nice is more than a destination. It is a place to invest, live, retire and create a legacy for future generations.
As supply remains limited and international demand continues to grow, the most prestigious addresses in Nice are likely to become even more valuable in the years ahead.
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