Buying apartments on Cap d’Ail

The recent history of Cap d’Ail starts with the construction of a luxurious palace hotel Eden at the end of the 19th century that was converted into apartments after the Second World War.

Eden remains one of the most prestigious residences for buying a flat in Cap d’Ail. Large apartments here cost around 2 to 4 million euros, and the waiting list among Belle Epoque lovers is never-ending.

By purchasing an apartment on Cap d’Ail in the Eden Palace our clients get a property in a location that combines magical beauty, luxurious architecture, large interior spaces, high ceilings and proximity both to the beaches and Monaco.

Apartments on Cap d’Ail within walking distance of the Mala Beach are the most sought after.

There are also some villas that have been divided up into apartments, so it is possible to find a perfect compromise between an apartment and a house.

Buying a villa on Cap d’Ail
Historically, the part of the headland closest to the Mala beach and the Eden residence remains the most prestigious area of Cap d’Ail. You can take a lovely walk along the sea from here to Port Marquet in Monaco.

There are a lot of historical residences here that were once owned by prominent figures.

A villa on Cap d’Ail in this area is associated with the beautiful architecture of a historical building, panoramic views of the sea and the cliffs, and being within walking distance of the beaches and Monaco.

Compared to the other headlands of the French Riviera, Cap d’Ail is smaller and more intimate.

Monaco residents often consider property for their annual rentals here.

Parks, stables, bike trails, hill walks are all close by – while being only 20 minutes’ drive  from Nice airport. There are several golf clubs around Mougins, including the prestigious Royal Mougins Club.

Mougins school is an elite private school where all subjects are taught in English. And the state international middle school (collège) CIV offers bilingual programs in its English, Italian, German, and Russian sections.

Buying property in Mougins

If you are looking for an apartment in Mougins, there are not many options available; Mougins is primarily associated with living in your own private villa with a park and a swimming pool.

Those who are looking for a house in Mougins can choose between an individual property, or a “domaine” – a gated community with several villas. There are many different ‘domaines’ in Mougins – and they symbolise prestige and security.

Villas with a view of the sea or the old town, beautifully lit up in the evenings, are especially valued here. Proximity to the Mougins school is often important for families with children.

When looking for a property in Mougins it is important to bear in mind, that, due to the flat landscape and proximity to highways, it is difficult to find a perfectly quiet villa with a panoramic sea view in Mougins.

Therefore, many people include neighbouring areas in their search, such as Valbonne, Mouans-Sartoux, Opio, Chateauneuf,– clients can often find a better sea view and complete calm here.

Advantages of buying a house in Mougins and its surroundings

1. A comfortable social setting. If you are looking for an exclusive neighbourhood, you will be happy in Mougins, a town with a mentality very similar to Monaco.
2. Perfect infrastructure for wealthy and demanding people: private clubs, prestigious restaurants, spas, elite sports etc.
3. Proximity to Cannes (10 minutes’ drive) and Nice airport (20 minutes)
4. International schools with many foreigners. Your children will keep their English-speaking environment and learn French and other languages at the same time.
5. Beautiful countryside – panoramic views over the hills of Grasse are often compared to Tuscany and this area is called Little Italy.
6. Proximity to the A8 Autoroute, with several exits meaning it is easy to reach other towns on the French Riviera from Mougins.

Sometimes they boast more snow than the Northern Alps, and the weather is sunny most of the time. 

February is also the time when mimosas are in bloom with a special celebration in Mandelieu la Napoule - woods of mimosas spread on the hills around this town.

Côte d’Azur or French Riviera stretches from Toulon to the Italian border and includes Monaco, as well as such famous cities as Cannes, Nice, Saint Tropez, Antibes, or Saint Raphael. Locals however consider only the area between Cannes and Menton as the true Riviera. It is here that you will find the mildest climate and the most intense social life. 

Côte d’Azur is famous for its amazing weather resulting from its location between the sea and the mountains: winters are mild and summers are not too hot. 

Nice is considered to be the capital of the French Riviera. It first became the winter centre of attraction for European high society in 18th-19th century, where the English aristocracy played an important role.

Events on the French Riviera

The life on Côte d’Azur has its own rhythm. In January Monaco hosts the famous circus festival with the best troops coming from all around the world to showcase their new programs. February attracts flocks of tourists with the gallant carnival in Nice and the lemon festival – Menton’s trademark. 

The French in the meantime take advantage of the school holidays to ski up in the mountains. By the way, well known ski resorts of Isola 2000, Auron and Valberg are only 1.5-hour drive away from the coast. Sometimes they boast more snow than the Northern Alps, and the weather is sunny most of the time. February is also the time when mimosas are in bloom with a special celebration in Mandelieu la Napoule - woods of mimosas spread on the hills around this town.

The Ball of Roses takes place in Monaco in March, this is one of the most expected social events in Europe. May is the time for the Cannes Film Festival and one of the most prestigious car races – the Monte-Carlo Formula 1 Grand-Prix. In June, the sailing regatta « Les Voiles d’Antibes » - The Sails of Antibes, gathers the most beautiful yachts of Europe. 

July’s jazz festivals in Nice and Juan les Pins take a special place among musical events. Cannes firework festival in July-August is an unforgettable show. Cannes Royal Regatta and Monaco Yacht show attract the yacht lovers in September. And in October more than 300 modern and classic yachts take part in the main regatta in Saint-Tropez.

Overall, moving from one place to another on the French Riviera is sometimes easier than getting across a large megapolis such as London or Los Angeles. There are three main roads - the beautiful sea-side route, the inland one parallel to the first one, and the A8 highway that will get you quickly from one city to another. 

For example, it will take you about 30 minutes to get to Cannes or Monaco from Nice. That is why people do not stay in one town on Côte d’Azur. It is perfectly normal to wake up in Nice, play golf during lunchtime in Mougins and have a dinner in Monaco the same day. Nevertheless, each place has its own unique atmosphere, traditions and even microclimate.

Buying real estate on the French Riviera.

Most people coming for the first time to Côte d’Azur to purchase real estate need some time to decide which location suits them the best. While some decide after 1-2 days, there are also buyers who visit the region for years to find their perfect corner.

Clients who opt for buying an apartment are mostly attracted by geographic location and simplicity of management. Unlike villa, where you need to look after a garden and a pool, one can simply lock an apartment and not think about it until next visit.

Usually, people fall in love with Nice immediately and on the spot. Russian-speaking clients are happy to buy real estate in Nice as a second home for a holiday on the French Riviera.

Another category of clients sensibly thinks about buying a villa or apartment in Nice for permanent residence due to the convenience of the infrastructure and the availability of international schools in English. 

Buying an apartment in Nice for a family and children's education is a familiar algorithm for Russian-speaking clients.

Fans of living in their own home prefer to buy a villa in Nice. You can buy a house in Nice both within walking distance from the sea and the center, and on the picturesque hills, where a more peaceful way of life awaits you.

If you are planning to buy a property in Nice, it is advisable to have an idea of ​​the different areas of Nice, with their advantages and disadvantages, in order to make a more informed choice that you will not regret.

Our clients do not always know in which area they want to buy an apartment or a house in Nice. But most are firmly convinced that they need a property near the sea and the center, within walking distance of all the joys of life.

Other clients are ready to retire to quieter and greener areas, where you have to sacrifice walking access to the sea for the quality of life.

Depending on the area, prices per square meter of real estate in Nice range from 4,000 to 15,000 euros / m2.

For investments for the purpose of seasonal rent, the central areas of Nice, part of Old Nice, as well as the first line of the sea are traditionally in demand.

The most prestigious, green, pleasant to live in and at the same time the most expensive areas of Nice are Cimiez and Mont Boron.

Cimiez is closer to the center and will attract you with its aristocratic villas and palaces, as well as numerous parks that create a unique microclimate, aroma and coolness.

Mont Boron will captivate you with its abundance of sun and panoramic views of the sea.

Depending on whether you want to buy a villa in Nice or an apartment, as well as your lifestyle and character, one or another quarter of the city will suit you.

After the defeat in the Crimean War, when Russia lost its Black Sea base, by agreement with the Duke of Savoy, who then owned Villefranche and Nice, the Russian naval base was established in Villefranche.

It was here in 1856 that the widow of Nicholas I, Alexandra Feodorovna, arrived, marking the beginning of the conquest of Nice by the Russian aristocracy.

Unique panoramic views, proximity to Nice and Cap Ferrat, beautiful beaches and the amazingly vibrant flavor of the old town - all this supports high real estate prices in Villefranche.

Buy real estate in Villefranche

Villefranche-sur-Mer, along with Cap Ferrat and Beaulieu-sur-Mer, are part of the famous Golden Triangle, these are the most elite places on the French Riviera, so real estate prices are traditionally high.

There are a lot of foreigners and "second" apartments for temporary residence, since it is in Villefranche that there are many apartments with panoramic views of the sea.

If you want to buy an apartment in Villefranche, it should be noted that the main development of modern residences, similar to Nice, took place in the 1970-80s. There are far fewer newer residences, and new buildings and plots of land are a rarity.

Most of the real estate offers in Villefranche are located on the hills, between the lower and middle roads along the sea.  Of course, there are always walking paths and stairs to go down to the city and beaches, but in any case, it is easier to go up by car or bus.

Therefore, if you like flatter terrain and walking access to the sea, then   Beaulieu sur Mer and Antibes.

Buying real estate in Villefranche is interesting for those clients who value panoramic sea views above all, and the view of the bay of Villefranche is unforgettable.

If you are in doubt whether to buy a house or an apartment in Villefranche, there are many offers for villas that have been divided into several apartments (2-3 apartments).

Thus, you always have the opportunity to buy an apartment in Villefranche with its own large garden and a sea view, in which you will feel like at home and at the same time easier to use.

There are almost no free plots for building villas in Villefranche, so we can offer you ready-made new houses or an old house for complete reconstruction.

On the hills  In Villefranche there is a closed domaine Castellet, which attracts buyers of luxury villas with panoramic views of the bay of Villefranche and Cap Ferrat.

Often on Cap Ferrat itself it is impossible to find such beautiful panoramic views and clients choose a view of Cap Ferrat instead of living on Cap Ferrat.

What is so good about real estate in Villefranche?

This is an ideal place for a summer holiday with the most attractive beaches and walks in Villefranche-Cap Ferrat-Beaulieu

This is a resort town on the border with Nice for relaxation, but the civilization of the big city is very close
15-20 minutes drive to Monaco.

The terraces of the apartment and villa in Villefranche offer a panoramic view of the most beautiful bay of the Cote d'Azur
the charm of the old town with its atmosphere, restaurants, small shops in Unlike Beaulieu, where there is no old town.
Italian flavor, very reminiscent of Italy in architecture.

Purchasing real estate in Beausoleil 

It is true that there is a lot of sun here, as the town is almost like one large terrace above Monaco at a height of 89 metres above sea level, and is almost a part of Monaco.

Proximity to Monaco, panoramic views across the sea and the Principality, and “French” price ranges are the main advantages of buying a property in Beausoleil.

The central streets of Beausoleil are within walking distance of the famous Casino square of Monte Carlo. 

The central streets of Beausoleil are within walking distance of the famous Casino square of Monte Carlo. Apartments in Beausoleil will be of interest to buyers who prefer living in a new building – there are many new constructions underway, and recently finished residences in the upper part of the town, where it is possible to buy an apartment with a terrace and panoramic sea & Monaco views.

The lovers of period and Belle Epoque architecture will appreciate Riviera Palace – a belle epoque residency converted from a luxurious hotel with the atmosphere and the unique interiors of a bygone age.

Your property in Beausoleil will always be in high demand for rental, as there are many people working in Monaco who are not residents and are looking to rent close by.

If you are planning to purchase a house in Beausoleil, we suggest paying attention to the upper part of the town above the Moyenne Corniche (the middle road above the sea).
Here you can find a villa in a very peaceful area with a panoramic view of the sea, the port, and the palace of the Prince of Monaco.

Reasonable prices and proximity to Monaco are the main reasons why our clients purchase property in Beausoleil.

There are some streets in Beausoleil where one side is France and another Monaco. You can also tell your friends that you live in Monaco. It sounds magical!

Locals from the French and Italian Riviera love coming to Cap Ferrat for a walk on weekends, as it is difficult to imagine a more beautiful place.

The centre of Cap Ferrat is a village with a port on the eastern side of the headland, within  walking distance of Beaulieu. 

A footpath known as the ‘Path of the Customs Officer’ leads along the shore with no driveways nearby – just you, the sea, and the cliffs.

There are many lovely beaches and small bays on Cap Ferrat. The most well-known are Passable beach and Paloma Beach.

Buying property on Cap Ferrat

Cap Ferrat’s unique beauty and authenticity are carefully protected by local laws on new building. There are practically no apartment buildings here, and most of the land area is dedicated to villas surrounded by massive parks, thus supporting the unusual ecosystem of the cape.

The price per square metre is one of the highest in France here, so any potential buyer would need a special reason for buying a villa or an apartment here.

As a rule, buyers looking for a villa on Cap Ferrat or Cap d’Antibes are not the same clients who simply dream about a property on the Côte d’Azur, visiting different towns to find a dream holiday home.

Unless you have a particular reason to buy a villa on Cap Ferrat, you may be disappointed when you discover that the 2 million euros you can pay for a decent house in Cannes will only buy you the keys to a 3-bedroom apartment here.

Clients who previously rented a home on Cap Ferrat for their summer holidays and got to know all the beauty of living in this paradise can become potential buyers with strong motivation.  

Usually, the available options are extremely limited, but that is the essence of the elitism of being on Cap Ferrat. Apartments are available in the few residencies on the first part of the peninsula near Beaulieu, and in the buildings close to the village and the port.

There are also options to buy an apartment in one of the “pieds dans l’eau” (feet in water) residences – for example in the building situated directly on the Passable Plage.

What are the advantages of buying a property on Cap Ferrat?

• Elitism – even if your guests have never been to Cap Ferrat before, they will immediately feel how prestigious this lovely place is.
• Natural, wild beauty– panoramic views of the sea and the mountains, huge Mediterranean pine trees, many bays with emerald water and wild cliffs which enchant you at first sight.