Saint-Paul-de-Vence and its nearby area

Vence, La Colle-sur-Loup and Saint-Paul de Vence. Three villages on the French Riviera offering character, luxurious homes and stunning panoramic views. Addresses playing host to many high-end second residences...

“Here, it’s a bit like the Monaco of the Côte d’Azur.” This way of presenting the village of Saint-Paul de Vence may be surprising, though Michael Deckers, director of the Capital Immobilier agency, can justify the comparison : “It is an area apart from the rest of the coast, much quieter than Cannes, for example. It has the same climate and luxury properties, but stands out for its charm and stylishness.” While Saint-Paul offers different price-brackets, the neighbourhood on the hills is an ode to homes of high quality whose prices range from 6,000 to 9,000 € per square metre. One such villa with six main rooms, which recently sold for over 1 million euros, meets all the criteria that are sought after here. It enjoys an elevated view of the artists’ village, and proposes 2,250 m2 of grounds with a pool. These factors are vital for a clientele in search of a holiday home sheltered from prying eyes. “Back down towards the village, prices are lower, more affordable. One can expect to pay from 4,500 to 6,500 € per sqm, with the assurance that the property will re-sell easily : the area is in constant demand, prices here are not likely to fall.” Another example is a house of 130 m2 in the medieval village of Saint-Paul. Priced at 795,000, it benefits from lots of light, a view down to the sea, and a lovely terrace. The fact that it is not overlooked makes it even more appealing.

To understand the property market in La Colle-sur-Loup, one has to take into account the fact that the hills on which one finds the most desirable villas rub shoulders with those of Saint-Paul de Vence, as explained by Frédéric Demarle, manager of the Carlton International agency in Saint-Paul : “The topography of La Colle-sur-Loup can be compared to the hill that joins and overlooks Le Cannet and Cannes. It is, in fact, at this junction and on the hills between the two villages that one finds the area’s most highly-prized homes.” It is in this precise locality, which he describes as “a retreat where one comes to relax with family and friends”, that Frédéric Demarle is proposing a really grandiose property. In a lush enclosed park of approx. 6,000 m2 with a pool and Mediterranean vegetation, the residence offers living space of 700 m2 on three floors. Up for sale at 3,450,000 €, its potential buyers will mostly be foreigners already very fond of the region. “We have British, north European and Belgian clients. Plus a significant clientele based in Monaco : they like the charm offered by the area, its quietness, and closeness. Furthermore, it is only 20 minutes from Nice Airport and the sea,” adds Frédéric Demarle. Carlton International does not work solely in La Colle-sur-Loup, but throughout the entire area. It is currently offering a villa on the hills behind Vence, benefiting from attractive dimensions : living space of about 225 m2, grounds of 2,300 m2, four bedrooms enjoying panoramic views as far as the Mediterranean, all for 1,995,000 €. Another residence of 380 m2, decorated in refined taste, is located on the prestigious estate of Les Hauts de Saint-Paul, in an elevated position surveying the countryside. Its landscaped grounds of 3,000 m2 are a sight for sore eyes. It bears a price-tag of 4.5 million euros.

The last address in this trio of luxury is Vence, “a small town on a human scale, rather independent, with its cinema, summer music festival… a haven of peace,” says Marie-Christine Soriano, manageress of La Canopée Immobilier. Vence’s property market has one or two special features : “All the neighbourhoods are popular, and there are only a few apartment residences, so the accommodation mainly consists of villas”. Which means that quality homes can be found near the centre. One such property in the neighbourhood of Les Meillières is currently on offer at 555,000 €. Quiet, all on one floor, it has a charming private garden. Here as in the rest of the region, the clientele is rather mixed with, however, a high socio-professional rating, looking for second residences. “Neighbourhoods offering views draw clients with budgets of around 1 million d’euros, whereas families and quite a lot of foreigners tend to target the town centre,” explains Marie-Christine Soriano. A typical example of a property meeting this type of demand is a house of 160 m2 with a pool in the neighbourhood of La Sine, which recently changed hands at 525,000 €. Then there are different styles of villas throughout the area. “It is impossible for a client not to find something to suit his taste. Unless he’s looking for a five-leaf clover !” comments Marie-Christine Soriano with a touch of humour.