The rivers in the hinterland behind Nice sketch out scenery characterized by bountiful nature and a series of picturesque villages. When prices soared down on the coast, these areas began to attract new residents and their facilities have
gradually benefitted from development.

The source of the Var river, which flows into the Mediterranean at Saint-Laurent, is 136 km up in the mountains : on its downward path, it is joined by five tributaries, including the Tinée, Vésubie and Estéron. The upper part of the valley belongs to the National Mercantour Park. The lower portion, known for its red rocks, serves as a huge playground for fans of the great outdoors. We then discover Entrevaux, a medieval town fortified by Vauban, the sub-prefecture of Puget-Théniers, but also Touët-sur-Var and Villars. The Var runs along the edge of the industrial zone of Carros before reaching the sea a few hundred metres from the Nice Côte d’Azur international airport. Introduced in 1911, the little Train des Pignes linking the capital of the Alpes-Maritimes to Digne-les-Bains follows the path of the old Roman road.
On the banks of the Estéron, nature has escaped the ravages of time and urbanization. The ten villages comprising the community of villages, including Gillette, Bonson, Sigale and Roquesteron, are home to a total 3,480 inhabitants. The 65 km of rushing torrents are ideal for canyoning, fishing and even rock climbing. The forest shares the limelight with rocky areas, reached via the D17 from the Charles-Albert bridge. Cross-country skiing and hiking are on the programme for the eight communities composing La Vésubie (Utelle, Lantosque, Roquebillière, Belvédère, La Bollène, Venanson, Saint-Martin-Vésubie and Valdeblore), at the gateway to the Parc Alpha Loup and the Valley of Marvels. The valley of La Tinée takes visitors on a trip 75 km long. Isola, Saint-Sauveur, La Bollinette, Marie, Clans, Roussillon and Courbaisse are dotted along this valley leading to over 32 winter sports resorts, including Roubion, La Colmiane, Isola 2000 and Auron.

“Even people working on the coast are willing to move back to the edge of the Var valley, as far as Annot,” says Karine Mondello of the Agence Vauban. The quality of the road, the smooth flow of traffic on the 202bis and the affordability of this area 40 minutes from the sea and the first ski-runs all weigh in the balance, especially as it is near important employment pools such as the Puget hospital, the industrial zone of Carros, the Lingostière shopping mall, the airport and activity zones in Saint-Laurent-du-Var and the west side of Nice. Puget provides sufficient numbers of amenities and shops, healthcare and sports facilities, and schools up to intermediate level. Most buyers spend from 120,000 € - the budget required for a 2- or 3-bedroom home in good condition in Puget - to 270,000 € - the price of a villa of 90 m2 with a garden of 700-1,200 m2 towards Annot. At Touët, an apartment
with 2 or 3 bedrooms costs 220,000 € if it is new, only 135,000 € if it is
in need of restoration.

Marie-France Grouselle of L’Immobilière Pugétoise points out that within a 15-km radius around Puget, first-time buyers can find village houses offered at 100,000-160,000 €. However, the sub-prefecture serves as a symbolic barrier that they often refuse to cross. While workers prefer Villars or Malaussène, addresses hit by a shortage of products, early retirees, ready to invest 300,000 € in a house in a peaceful, rural area, offset this loss of clientele. Many finally decide to acquire a plot of land and dream of wooden chalets, as the rustic style no longer carries all the votes. But for now, the authorities permit this type of construction only at a certain altitude. The Var has the best infrastructures of all four valleys and our estate-agent has high hopes of future developments. “As soon as companies move in, people follow.” As for the valley of the Estéron, Monique Niel of the Agence Immobilière Lou Païs is full of praise. Only 30 minutes from the Med, this area stretches from Carros to Saint-Antonin, via Gilette and Sigale. It offers exuberant vegetation, few apartment blocks and a very appealing life-style. The mills are working at full capacity and villages fiercely defend their traditions. Local workers, seniors from all over France and families looking for lots of space all rub shoulders here and appreciate rural values such as social ties and solidarity. After selling a property in Nice, Cagnes or Saint-Laurent, some manage to pay 350,000 to 400,000 € for a villa of 120 m2 in good condition in grounds of 1,500 m2, though the majority do not exceed 330,000 €. Monique Niel admits that it is sometimes hard to give satisfaction. Despite a drop in prices of 15-20 %, 30 year-olds looking for 2-bedroom homes with a garden still come up against difficulties. To repay a mortage of 160,000 €, they in fact have to take on monthly instalments well above rental prices.

“Strangely enough, aficionados of the Vésubie valley have the impression that they are closer to the main towns, despite the winding road,” adds Karine Mondello. The population is rising and the valley is being endowed with first-class infrastructures, as exemplified by the secondary school in Valdeblore. In contrast to locations mentioned so far, the proportion of holiday homes is much higher here. Interested parties will visit, for instance, a 2-bedroom apartment in Bollène, priced at 170,000 €. People working on the coast with a good level of income set their sights on detached houses in Saint-Martin-Vésubie, ranging from 200,000 to 800,000 €. “Such as this chalet of 90 m2 in grounds of 2,000 m2, currently offered at 325,000 €,” says Jean-Jacques Chambon of Nicévallées. Conversely, a renovated apartment with five main rooms at Belvedere costing 155,000 € is more appropriate as a main home. Our specialist admits that properties in La Vésubie, too far out for year-round living and too
expensive as a holiday investment, are hard to place. La Tinée is not as popular : the accommodation is diffuse and the landscape sometimes arid. However, some localities benefit from the closeness of Auron and Isola 2000 ; others look down toward the coast. This is the case of Clans, where more and more shops are currently opening. In general, housing here seems to be cheaper : a 2-bedroom apartment can be acquired for 80,000-100,000 €, a villa for 200,000-250,000 €.