Buying Property on the French Riviera: An Estate Agent’s Insider Tips

Philip Weiser talks to Karen Tait about his corner of the sunny south of France

How long have you worked as an estate agent in France?

I started in 1981 after a chance encounter with a French property developer on a plane from Paris to Nice. By the time we parted ways at the airport, we had a mutual promise that I would take over his agency and if successful I would get 50% of the shares, it was successful and without any contract he gave me 50% and two years later I acquired the rest!

Where do you cover?

The French Riviera with offices in St-Jean-Cap Ferrat, St-Paul-de-Vence, Valbonne, Antibes, Cannes, St-Tropez – and La Garde-Freinet in the countryside.

Describe your area in five words

Elegant, accessible, prestigious Mediterranean lifestyle

What is its appeal?

A rare blend of Mediterranean beauty, cultural refinement and effortless accessibility. It combines elegant coastal towns, renowned resorts such as Cannes and Nice, and charming hilltop villages like Valbonne and Mougins and St-Paul-de-Vence, all set against a backdrop of sea and mountains. Plus over 300 days of sunshine a year, excellent connections via Nice International Airport, a cosmopolitan yet secure environment, and a long-established British affinity.

What’s your favourite corner of the region?

High in the hills, near the ancient Roman Road, above the coast and towns, with stunning 360-degree views of the rugged landscape and the sea.

Is the region easy to reach?

Direct flights via airlines such as easyJet, Jet2, British Airways from most major UK cities place the Riviera within little more than two hours’ flying time, making it ideally suited for frequent visits and longer stays.

Is it best for holiday or permanent homes?

The Riviera is exceptionally well suited to both holiday living and permanent residence; this dual appeal underpins its enduring attractiveness. For holidays, the region offers immediate lifestyle benefits: a mild Mediterranean climate with over 300 days of sunshine, proximity to beaches, restaurants and cultural events, and effortless accessibility from the UK. For permanent living, it provides a high quality of infrastructure, international schools, healthcare, security and a well-established expat community.

What distinguishes the Riviera is its ability to combine a resort destination with the practicality of everyday living, allowing owners to enjoy it as a seasonal retreat, a main residence, or a seamless transition between both.

Are there any hotspots, or less well known areas?

The most sought-after locations, particularly among international buyers, are Cannes (Croisette, Californie, Super Cannes) – glamour, events and strong rental potential; Cap d’Antibes – discreet luxury villas and proximity to beaches and exciting lifestyle; Nice vibrant city living with culture, airport access and year-round activity; St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat/Villefranche-sur-Mer/Èze, some of the most exclusive coastal addresses on the Riviera.

Established residential favourites (popular with British buyers) include Valbonne – a charming village with international schools and a strong expat community; Mougins – private estates, greenery, gastronomy and proximity to Cannes; Biot – slightly more accessible, authentic, and still close to the coast. These locations offer more space and land, a balance between countryside and accessibility

‘Insider’ areas (less known, strong potential), often overlooked by British buyers yet increasingly attractive, include the Cannes hinterland (Opio, Châteauneuf, Roquefort-les-Pins) – more land, quieter environment; Fayence and the Var countryside – excellent value and authentic Provençal lifestyle; Le Cannet (above Cannes) – residential, calmer alternative to central Cannes.

The Riviera is not just one market, but three: Coastal prestige (status and immediacy), hinterland living (space and authenticity), and emerging zones (value and long-term potential).

What kind of properties are on offer?

The diverse range of properties reflects both the area’s long history and its international appeal. Buyers will find everything from elegant Belle Époque villas and Provençal farmhouses to contemporary architect-designed residences and modern waterfront apartments. There is no single style, the region is characterised by a blend of architectural influences shaped by its heritage and evolving tastes.

Traditional Provençal properties — with stone facades, terracotta roofs, shutters and landscaped gardens — are particularly sought after around Valbonne, Mougins and Biot.

Along the coast, in areas such as Cap d’Antibes or St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, you find grand historic villas alongside sleek contemporary homes designed to maximise sea views and natural light. In towns like Cannes and Nice, elegant period buildings coexist with high-quality modern apartments, close to amenities.

What unifies Riviera style is an emphasis on light, indoor-outdoor living and connection to the landscape. Properties are designed to make the most of the climate, views and lifestyle.

What would people get for a budget of:

Under €100,000: A studio in a countryside village

€100,000-€250,000: A studio or one-bedroom apartment near the coast two-bedroom apartment near the coast

€500,000-€750,000: A two-bedroom apartment near the coast; a two/three-bedroom villa in a private estate not far from the coast; a three-bedroom villa in the countryside

€750,000-€1m: A three/four-bedroom villa not far from the coast, in the near countryside

€1m-€20m: Price determines location, size, orientation and standard of features – pool, cinema, sauna, tennis court, hammam, size of grounds

€1.395, Grasse: Four-bedroom villa with modern amenities, on a wooded plot with pool, sunny terraces, landscaped garden, and separate guest apartment

€750,000m Cannes-Les Croix des Gardes: Renovated two-bedroom apartment with south-facing terrace, sea views, communal gardens and pool

€1,65m, Riviera countryside: Four-bedroom villa with panoramic views of the sea and mountains; landscaped grounds, terraces, heated pool and BBQ

“The Riviera combines a resort destination with the practicality of everyday living“

What’s the cheapest property on your books?

A studio in Cannes for €222,000. In the sought-after Palm Beach area, this ground- floor studio is just a few steps from the beaches, in a peaceful, residential area. It’s suited to seasonal and long-term rental.

What’s the most unusual property you have sold?

On the water’s edge, Villa Aujourd’hui was a bold expression of Riviera modernism, capturing the essence of 1930s sophistication. Commissioned in the late 1920s by an American socialite, later owned by Hollywood film magnate Jack Warner, the villa became a meeting place for Hollywood and Riviera society, including Charlie Chaplin and Ava Gardner. The value today could be over €40m.

What would be your dream home in the area?

Founded by monastic orders in the 17th century, set within more than 10 hectares of unspoilt Provençal landscape, Domaine de la Sylviane is a rare historic estate where time appears to stand still. Centred around a former monastic residence, the property unfolds as a private hamlet of stone buildings, olive groves and shaded terraces — all just moments from the heart of the medieval village of Valbonne. On the market for €14.8m.

Why do British people buy houses in your area?

A combination of climate, accessibility, lifestyle and long-term value. Their motivations tend to be both emotional and rational. The Riviera offers a rare equilibrium — where accessibility meets escapism, and investment meets emotion.

What advice would you give to buyers?

Define your criteria in terms of size, environment and investment intentions. Consult an agency with whom you can communicate easily, who are familiar with the multitude of areas. Explain the reasons for your criteria and let them make the choice of properties for your visit.

Any tips for settling into French life?

Learn a little handy vocabulary and don’t be shy to use it. Smile and say “bonjour” and “merci beaucoup”. Explore and ask questions. Eat, drink and enjoy the sea, the sun, the countryside and the culture.

What are your predictions for your local property market?

The market remains stable, even during turbulent times; as demand outstrips supply, prices rise. Unlike many areas of Europe with a benign climate, strict urban planning prevents rabid development and high-rise projects.

Philip Weiser is the founder and CEO of Carlton International

carlton-international.com

AVERAGE HOUSE PRICES

How much would you expect to pay for:

A detached property with land in good condition?

€700,000 to €2.5m

A three-bedroom townhouse?

Between €600,000 and €1.3m

A renovation opportunity?

It varies a lot. As a useful guide, every euro spent adds 100% of that spend on top of the spend, to the value of the asset.

€950,000, Beaulieu-sur–Mer: Top-floor two-bedroom renovated apartment, with balconies and sea views, close to the beach, restaurants and shops

€1.315m, Tourrettes-sur-Loup: Three-bedroom farmhouse in the heart of natural surroundings, with an independent studio in a stone ‘mazet’, parking and cellar

€14.8m, Valbonne:Historic13-bedroom estate comprising a former monastery, two villas and an apartment, in 25 acres with heated pool, tennis, fitness area

€550,000, Grimaud: Renovated duplex combining charm with modern comforts; entrance hall, living room with fireplace, dine-in kitchen, two ensuite bedrooms

Lead photo credit : © SHUTTERSTOCK