Beaulieu, Villefranche-sur-Mer and Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat

Flagship seaside resorts on the French Riviera, Villefranche-sur-Mer, Beaulieu-sur-Mer et Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat symbolize a high-end lifestyle while enjoying well-preserved panoramic views. Three blue-chip addresses of international renown…

Just 10 km from Nice, Beaulieu occupies a surface area of 235 acres stretching out along the coast. Once highly-esteemed by royalty, the aptly-named Beaulieu is still an upper-crust town characterized by luxury properties, chic boutiques and its casino. A magnificent site, the peninsula of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat is known as a holiday address highly-prized by an affluent international clientele. One of the world’s most beautiful hotels stands at the tip of Cap Ferrat : the Grand Hôtel du Cap, surrounded by luxuriant gardens. Five km from Nice, Villefranche-sur-Mer with its superb bay overlooked by the hills and luxurious residences is lively year-round, thanks in particular to the many cruise ships which make stopovers here.

Opened in 2010, FMC Real Estate in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat specializes in sales and seasonal rentals, two complementary activities as it manages most of the properties it sells. “The sales we handle mostly involve second residences acquired by foreign clients. When not enjoying them themselves, the owners entrust us with the management of their properties for rentals by the week or more,” explains Francesco Maragliano-Caranza, manager of this agency covering Beaulieu-sur-Mer, Villefranche-sur-Mer, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, and as far as Roquebrune-Cap-Martin. “Apartments offering good locations, sea views and modern appointments can be rented out in all four seasons. In Beaulieu, a 1-bedroom apartment rents for 130 € per night in winter, around 250 € in summer.” Francesco Maragliano-Caranza has noticed steady demand for small apartments rather than larger properties, currently less popular. “Overall, there is a wide choice.”

Based on the Côte d’Azur since the 1970’s, Azur Méditerranée - a member of the AMEPI network, comprised of the area's 14 most dynamic agences and offering exclusive properties - has two agencies, in Villefranche-sur-Mer and Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. Directed by Frédérique Mathias and Véronique De Guilhem, this independent agency specializes in sales, seasonal rentals and property management. Its portfolio offering a wide choice from studios to prestige properties covers the area from Cap Martin to Nice Mont-Boron. “Demand most frequently targets properties near the sea, sought by a mainly foreign clientele (German, Swiss, Russian, British, Irish, Italian, Brazilian...), as well as Parisians who are making a comeback after an absence of several years. These Parisians are often looking for homes to move into when they retire,” says Véronique De Guilhem. The agency’s substantial offerings include practical apartments ideally located near the beaches, ranging from 700,000 to 1.5 million euros, and villas from 2 to 3.5 million euros. “The asking prices reflect current market values and tend to be stable,” explains this specialist, who also acts as sole agent for outstanding properties, such as one example right at the water’s edge in Beaulieu. Comprised of the main villa and a guest pavilion in flat grounds with eight palm-trees, this exceptional property is on offer at 8.3 million euros.

Based at the very heart of Beaulieu-sur-Mer since 1923, the Agence Bristol specializes in real-estate transactions in this highly sought-after holiday town. “Today more than ever before, it is true that our clients, mostly European, Anglo-Saxon and American, are particularly drawn by the charm and distinction of this village ideally located on the seafront between Nice and Monaco. Demand is thus constantly steady,” says Brian Petoin, representing this long-established agency. “Prices of the properties sold vary considerably, depending on the residence’s reputation in the case of apartments, but also proximity to, and views of the sea for all kinds of homes. The most highly-prized properties in Beaulieu-sur-Mer are in the “Belle Epoque” residence “Le Bristol” and on Boulevard Edouard VII.” As an example of fine properties currently offered in the agency’s portfolio, Brian Petoin mentions two he is handling as sole agent : a charming renovated villa with a garden and pool, a short walk to the beach, priced at 1,990,000 €, and a vast bourgeois apartment of 150 m2, tastefully decorated and furnished, within walking distance of shops and in immediate proximity to the sea, on offer at 1,050,000 €.

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