Provence & French Riviera: your dream property in the south of France.

Are you thinking about buying a property in Provence or the French Riviera? French native from Aix en Provence, Fabienne has an insight on real estate in Provence. Fabienne collaborates with an English speaking Property Finder, Hervé Honen located in Aix en Provence who will use his expertise of the local real estate market to help you find your dream French property : www.provence-dream-property.com.

Email Fabienne to discuss about real estate opportunities in the South of France.

Your Property in Provence, country blessed by the gods!

“If God were to come down to earth, he would seek shelter in Provence” (Henri Matisse)

Provence has always welcomed people from other countries; Italians, Greeks, Armenians, Jews and Arabs have all influenced its history. Today, it continues to attract those seeking a pleasant way of life. With its Mediterranean climate, it totals an incredible 300 days of sunny weather per year!

Which Provence do you prefer?

Provence has a singular identity, yet at the same time multiple facets. Each region offers a pleasant lifestyle typically associated with Provence, but each one has nevertheless developed its own culture. On the coast, in the villages or in the wide open spaces of the Camargue, life is very different. Therefore it is up to you to discover which Provence attracts you the most, which Provence corresponds best to you dreams, and will become your own personal paradise.

Your property in Aix-en-Provence region: Both chic and relaxed lifestyle.

Some compare Aix-en-Provence to Versailles…There are so many beautiful buildings, monuments and fountains. Strolling along its narrow pedestrian streets, visiting the market in the shade of the Plane trees, relaxing at the terrace of a café are routine activities in Aix-en-Provence. Here time slows down to a halt, no rushing around, and no bustling, just a pleasant peacefulness. In summer, the town which is both chic and relaxed, changes into an opera stage, welcoming the greatest vocal performers to please all knowledgeable music lovers. Imagine La Traviata under a beautiful starlit sky! And Cézanne, how could we not mention Cezanne? When you visit his workshop on the outskirts of Aix-en-Provence you can still feel his presence, as if he had just painted the Sainte-Victoire mountain. This rocky and impressive summit that changes colour as the day progresses or as the weather changes, is a playground for both Sunday hikers and climbers. Dinosaur lovers are also thrilled because they can find remains of eggs on the ground dating back to more than 50 million years ago! All around Aix-en-Provence, the countryside varies between villages perched up high, old vineyards and character farmhouses in a relaxed atmosphere equal to none.

Ups: Aix-en-Provence countryside “bastides”, elegant houses made of stone, and, the proximity of the Aix-en-Provence TGV station and the Marseille-Provence airport.

Downs: scarcity and high price of attractive properties.

Your property in Luberon: Peter Mayle’s adopted home.

The Luberon mountain range stretches from Cavaillon to Manosque. This region became famous worldwide following the success of Peter Mayle’s book “A Year in Provence”. It must be said that its villages perched up high such as Menerbes, Gordes, Roussillon are outstandingly beautiful, yet simple and with a timeless charm. Lourmarin and Ansouis are also worth a visit with their impressive castles. As are Rustrel and its “Provencal Colorado” that shines with thousands of different shades of ochre, Apt, the capital of ‘fruit confit’ (candied fruit) and renowned for its colourful markets, Cavaillon, famous for its flavourful melons. The Luberon national park and its 300 “bories” (stone shelters previously used by shepherds) can be explored on foot or by mountain-bike.

In summer, the Luberon becomes a site for arts and music festivals. La Roque d’Anthéron holds an open air festival with the most prestigious pianists, whose music creates a harmony with the concert of cicadas. Lacoste hosts a vocal arts festival and Avignon, the prestigious city of Popes, becomes the largest theatre stage in France.

Ups: country or town houses made of stone, and the proximity of the Avignon TGV station.

Downs: high price of properties because many Parisians have bought a second home here.

Your property in les Alpilles: Olive country.

This small range of mountains situated between Arles and Avignon, attracts buyers with their olive and almond groves and grapevines, but also because of the towns’ rich historical context; the Baux-de-Provence, a magnificent Renaissance village situated at the top of a rocky summit; Saint-Remy-de-Provence where Vincent Van Gogh painted his most famous paintings; Glanum, an antique village; Tarascon, a legendary village (a monster was killed here by Saint Marthe!) which has a medieval castle and houses the workshop of the famous Provencal Souleidou fabric. At the crossroads between Arles, Aix-en-Provence and the Luberon, is Salon-de-Provence the native town of the famous astrologer Nostradamus. You will be charmed by its tranquillity, its ancient fortress dating back to the 13th century and its squares shaded by plane trees. ‘Savon de Marseille’ (Marseilles soap), enriched with olive oil has been made in Salon for generations. The Alpilles is olive country. At Maussane les Alpilles, Cornille’s olive press traditionally produces an oil recognized as one of the best, and at Mouriès, they celebrate the olive season every year in September.

Ups: More affordable property (except in the Baux-de-Provence and in Saint-Rémy de Provence) compared with the neighbouring Luberon

Downs: High number of tourists in the Baux-de-Provence in summer.

Your Property in Haute-Provence : Provencal wilderness.

Tranquillity and nature lovers, Haute-Provence is for you! This hilly region so appreciated by the writer Jean Giono, begins in Manosque and ends at the southern Alpes and has not yet been spoilt by mass tourism. Several villages are worth a visit, especially around Forcalquier, the Valensole plateau and the Verdon canyon. Forcalquier, a small village perched up high, was once the capital of Provence. The surrounding countryside is gently sloped, sheep graze, fields of wheat and lavender bend in the wind. To really get away from it all, take the road that leads to Banon, discover villages with a population of less than a hundred gathered around the church and the local bar, and also taste one of the best goat cheeses called “Banon”, a small cheese wrapped in chestnut leaves. The Valensole plateau also teases the senses in June and July with its lavender fields. The countryside is then a mix of lavender blue, greens of the trees and red ochres of soil. A living painting with an aroma! The Verdon canyon is more touristic: it attracts water sports lovers and hikers who are astounded by the fabulous panoramic view. Moustiers Sainte-Marie, a small village with a chapel topped with a star, wins over those wishing to mix nature and culture.

Ups: more affordable property

Downs: further away from the TGV stations (Aix-en-Provence and Avignon) and from the Marseille-Provence airport (1 hour).

Your Property on The Mediterranean coast: the deep blue, from creek to creek.

For those who dream of being in town and at the same time by the sea, Marseilles is perfect. Those who prefer a quieter time will prefer the chic Cassis, La Ciotat the birthplace of cinema and of the favourite French pastime “Petanque”, or the Cote Bleue which stretches between Niolon and Carry le Rouet passing through Sausset-les-Pins. The “calanques” –rocky inlets, smelling of pine and rosemary have clear blue water, and are far removed from the crowded beaches found elsewhere. Those who have visited the Niolon or Sormiou “calanques” know that paradise is closer that we imagine!

Ups: Proximity of Marseille-Provence airport which flies to most major European cities by low cost or regular air travel companies.

Downs: the high cost of property near the coast.

Your Property in Var: between green and blue, nature and the jet-set.

In the Haut Var, you will find the calm and tranquillity of old villages perched up high. Beginning with Montaouroux in the East, stretching to Bargème in the North, Artignosc and Artigues in the West. Here, the culture and tourism are close to nature. Cliffs, ravines, rivers, torrents, cascades and lakes offer a large variety of leisure activities: fishing, bathing, rafting, canyoning, hang gliding, climbing… The Varois outback, that stretches in the East from the Adrets de l’Esterel to Le Castellet, counts three medium sized towns: Draguignan, a town with a rich historical past, Brignoles and its castle of the Counts of Provence and Saint-Maximin dominated by its magnificent Royal Basilica containing the relics of Marie Magdalene. It is an area characterized by green hills and small valleys, cultivated plains, rivers and friendly riversides, “garrigues” and scented pine forests. The Var coastline represents 300km of coast along the Mediterranean Sea. Here you will find the most beautiful fine sandy beaches in the region, protected nature reserve islands (Porquerolles, Port-Cros and Le Levant) and the surprising marina or “lake-dwelling” city Port-Grimaud. Who hasn’t heard of Saint-Tropez? In summer this burnt ochre village becomes the playground of the jet-set. Compared with Saint-Tropez, the neighbouring towns of Saint-Raphael, Sainte-Maxime, Cavalaire, Bandol, Le Lavandou, Saint-Cyr … are more down to earth.

Ups: A large variety of property available, from town houses to Saint-Tropez palaces

Downs: Large numbers of tourists in summer and the jet-set price of property in Saint-Trop

Your Property on the French Riviera : Land of abundance

There is something for everyone in the French Riviera, land of abundance. Sea or mountains, nature or culture, tranquillity or major events, simplicity or luxury. One can choose what one likes best.

In summer, the prestigious harbours, palaces and casinos attract all the jet setters while the Alps d’Azur are a pleasure for skiers in winter and hikers during spring, summer and fall. All kinds of activity can be practised: golf on the 21 golf courses (all designed by internationally renowned names such as Robert Trent Jones, Don Harradine, Jack Niklaus, etc.), water sports such as sailing, windsurfing, kite surfing, waterskiing, diving,…, mountain sports such as canyoning, climbing, mountain bike riding, fishing, horse riding,... With nearly 100 museums (and over 150 art galleries), the French Riviera offers the broadest range of museums in France after the Parisian region. Many major artists lived on the French Riviera: Picasso, Matisse, Chagall, Cocteau, etc.

Those looking for peacefulness can either retreat to the perched villages or to the Abbey of the St Honorat Island (facing Cannes) where the Cistercian monks still sing Gregorian chants during Mass. On the contrary, those who are fond of social life will enjoy the major international events such as the Cannes Film Festival, the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Monaco, the Tennis Championship of Monte Carlo, the Antibes Jazz Festival, etc.

Climate in the French Riviera : a life in the sun

The French Riviera benefits from a Mediterranean climate characterized by exceptional sunshine almost 300 days a year and mild temperatures. The vegetation is therefore luxurious and colourful and the gardens numerous all over the French Riviera

Your property on the French Riviera - The seashore: chic, very chic!

With 120 km of coasts, the French Riviera offers 40 km long beaches, sandy or singly. Most beaches are public, but 150km are privately owned. It is a tradition in Nice to go for a swim…on January 1st, that says something of the climate!

The French Riviera is the place to be for palace lovers, gourmets and yacht owners. It boats more than 70 luxury hotels: 22 in Nice, 19 in Cannes, 12 in Antibes-Juan-les-Pins, 6 in Monaco,… To name the most famous: Martinez, Carlton and Majestic in Cannes; Négresco, Sheraton, Radisson, Westminster Concorde on the Promenade des Anglais in Nice; Hôtel de Paris, Hermitage and Métropole in Monaco. Gourmets will enjoy many exquisite restaurants. 1, 2 and 3 star Michelin restaurants, including Alain Ducasse’s Louis XV in Monaco, are very numerous. The French Riviera is also a major boating and yachting destination. 33 yachting harbours accommodate small units as well as the world’s most luxurious motor yachts from Menton to Théoule. Cannes and Antibes are very prestigious ports, Nice and Villefranche-sur-Mer more traditional. To benefit from the therapeutic mineral composition of the Mediterranean sea water, one can go to one of the three spas: Thalazur in Antibes, Thalassoleil in Villeneuve-Loubet or in the luxurious Thermes Marins in Monaco.

Ups: it is the place to be if you want to be a classy jetsetter

Downs: very, very expensive real estate (but a good investment)

Gastronomy: a typical cuisine

Nice has its own cuisine, called “cuisine nissarde”. The main traditional dishes are Pan Bagnat, Salade Niçoise, Pissaladière, Gnocchi, etc., all very colourful and tasty.

Your Property in the backside country: a balcony on the French Riviera

Around Grasse and St-Paul de Vence, stands what is called “l’arrière-pays cannois”, the backside country of Cannes. Formed of medieval perched villages overlooking the grand panorama of the French Riviera, it stands in a charming provencal landscapes made of hills, olive fields and luxuriant vegetation. Colourful and fragrant flowers are everywhere! Golf, fishing, hiking, para-gliding, canyoning, etc. can be practised in beautiful and tranquil surroundings. Grasse is the world capital of perfume. With an International Perfumery museum, three perfume factories (to be visited) and an international rose show every year in May, the tradition of perfume which goes back to the 18th century is still the main activity of Grasse. Close to Grasse, Tourrettes-sur-Loup is, since 1880, the city of violets. While the Grasse county is famous for its flowers, the Vence region is internationally well-known for modern and contemporary art. Matisse lived in Vence in his Villa “le Rêve” (the dream) and decorated the Chapelle du Rosaire. Art exhibits are regularly organized in Château de Villeneuve. In St Paul-de-Vence stands the Foundation Maeght which boasts almost 9,000 works of art from various artists such as Léger, Braque, Giacometti, etc. Famous contemporary painters continue to keep the village’s artistic vocation alive. In Biot, it is the art of glass blowing which makes the reputation of this perched village.

Ups: its charm and its more affordable real estate, while close to the coast

Downs: it is not on the waterfront

The mountains near the French Riviera : back to nature and ancient times

The French Riviera counts 465 summits higher than 2,000 m, 6 of which surpass 3,000m in altitude. It takes only 1 hour and a half to drive from Nice to a ski resort. You can choose between 15 downhill or cross-country ski resorts, 3 of which are international. A unique moment to remember: skiing down the slope with the Mediterranean sea on the horizon... Two scenic trains drive visitors around. The Train des Pignes goes from Nice to Digne throughout the whole French Riviera and the Alps d’Azur. The Train des Merveilles goes from Nice to Tende, a pleasant way to discover the beautiful Vallée des Merveilles and its archaeological treasure of over 30 000 rock carvings.

Ups: the quietness of the French Riviera

Downs: the sea on the horizon, but not close

MONACO

The Principality of Monaco is an independent state on the French Riviera. Monaco is closely tied with the Grimaldi dynasty that still reigns there. Occupying a unique location on Le Rocher (the rock), the Palace was built on the site of a 13th century fortress. The State apartments are open to public. During the summer, one can attend concerts in the court of honour at the Prince’s Palace.