French Riviera

The French Riviera, otherwise known as the Cote d’Azur, is the iconic stretch of coastline which extends from just past the Italian border at Menton all the way down to St Tropez and comprises a wealth of famous seaside towns such as Nice, Cannes and Antibes, as well as the Principality of Monaco. The Cote d’Azur is blessed with a spectacular landscape and its year-round balmy climate has historically made it a haven, not only for tourists, but also for property seekers looking to buy or rent one of the area’s luxurious villas.

During the late 18th century, English aristocrats believed that the agreeable climate and sea breezes of the coast were good for the health and began to move to the area, beginning a trend which spread throughout the nobility of Europe. Many of the prestigious villas and buildings along the Cote d’Azur were built during this period and examples of this Belle Époque architecture can still be seen today.

Famous artists were also attracted to the area; Cézanne, Picasso, Matisse and Renoir are just a few of the painters who set up studios and bought property along the French Riviera. Influenced by its clear light and breathtaking scenery they used the Cote d’Azur for inspiration and their paintings can still be seen in the many museums and exhibitions in the region.

So much global notoriety has meant that over the years the French Riviera has become known as the playground of the elite, and good transport links and high quality services have contributed to making it highly desirable location. However, during high season crowds flock to the Riviera causing many of the coastline towns to become overcrowded, and excessive traffic, particularly along the main roads, means frequent jams and delays. By comparison, winters are often very quiet  with a number of businesses in the tourist areas  closing during the low season and the pace of life slowing down considerably as the crowds disperse.