Find your new life
Nestled between the sea and mountains, Provence and the Côte d'Azur, Corsica and Italy, the Alpes-Maritimes department is one of France's most beautiful and sought-after locations! Here, one can enjoy the beach in summer and hit the ski slopes in winter, all set in a heavenly Provençal landscape featuring hilltop villages, turquoise coves, and mountainous terrain.
Located in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (PACA) region, between the Mediterranean and Italy, the Alpes Maritimes is the southeast of France.
Among its best-known cities are Nice, Cannes, Antibes and Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, summer destinations par excellence and popular with retirees in search of sun. But the department is also made up of a string of atypical villages, with influences sometimes alpine and sometimes Italian, quieter and preserved: Mougins, Gourdon, Cagnes-sur-mer, Eze or Tourrettes-sur-Loup seduce for their authentic and preserved side!
There are several ways to reach the Alpes-Maritimes:
Along with its neighbor Var, the Alpes-Maritimes department is among the sunniest in France! On the coast, temperatures are mild in winter and warm in summer, making it a region enjoyable to live outdoors all year round. Of course, temperatures vary with altitude, providing a climate as suitable for summer beach days as for winter skiing!
The historical and cultural heritage of the Alpes-Maritimes is rich and varied: between medieval villages perched on mountains, Roman ruins overlooking the Mediterranean, museums including the famous Picasso Museum in Antibes, and numerous art and craft galleries, the department thrives with vibrancy!
It's also a department rich in festivals. We're not only talking about the very famous Cannes Film Festival, but also about numerous music festivals like the Nice Jazz Festival, Eze Harmonies, Les Nuits Guitares, Les Plages Electroniques, Festival Crossover, and the Electro Tribe Festival that take place every summer in the department.
The Alpes-Maritimes boasts one of the most renowned gastronomies in France. Its favorable climate yields exceptional fruits and vegetables, its coastline provides access to fresh fish and seafood, and Mediterranean and Italian influences contribute to rich and delicious recipes!
This abundance of fresh, colorful products enhances the reputation of the Provençal markets, highly appreciated by locals and tourists alike... and by top chefs increasingly establishing themselves in the region! Cannes is internationally recognized for its gastronomy and its many Michelin-starred restaurants: today, no fewer than 22 Cannes restaurants proudly display their stars!
The diversity and beauty of the landscapes are one of the major assets of the department. Few regions benefit from such a variety of landscapes! Here, one can move from the chic beaches of the coast to the mountainous landscapes of the Alps, from the wild valleys of Provence to the lively and festive cities, from medieval villages to colorful little ports...
It's a region that will please everyone, whether you're a fan of skiing, hiking, water sports, relaxing, history, or culture... there's something for everyone!
The Alpes-Maritimes rank just behind the Var in the most sought-after departments for purchasing second homes in France. This popularity has three consequences:
The PACA region attracts many foreigners, especially from England, Germany, and the Netherlands, who wish to buy a primary or secondary residence in the sun. The presence of these international communities influences the region, and it is not uncommon to come across English bookstores or German grocery stores in this part of France! For newcomers, these tight-knit communities make integration easier.
The real estate offerings range from city studios to sea-view villas, alpine chalets, and stone houses in medieval villages. There are large country houses with colorful shutters and small townhouses close to all amenities, truly a type of property to suit every budget and desire!
For many buyers, investing in the south of France means more than just purchasing a simple second home: it's also a potential future primary residence and the promise of a retirement in the sun! It’s important to carefully consider location and accessibility criteria, and especially to know what the locality is like throughout the year. Summer and winter on the Côte d'Azur are quite different!
Feel free to check real estate listings to find the house of your dreams!
The two neighboring departments share the same climate, culture, and both border the Mediterranean, making it hard to choose! The Alpes-Maritimes may appeal more to those looking for closer proximity to the mountains and Italy.
But if we were to give you some advice: don't focus solely on the department, the most important thing is to find the house that suits you, whether it's closer to Cannes or Toulon!
When considering settling down permanently somewhere, it's important to take into account the advantages, but also the drawbacks! Settling in the south of France certainly offers a better climate and excellent local products, but be aware that the region isn't all positive.
Firstly, some areas and towns in the Alpes-Maritimes have two faces:
While some appreciate this duality, enjoying both aspects of the south, others complain about the extremes! Of course, there are solutions to counter these drawbacks, such as living in the south only part of the year, to avoid one or the other period!
Some criticize the lack of cycling paths and public transport: on the Côte d'Azur, the car reigns supreme, sometimes causing major traffic jams on the roads.
Lastly, the Mediterranean climate comes at a price: summer can be swelteringly hot and hard to bear for those who aren't fortunate enough to have a pool or proximity to the sea.
Whether it's to enjoy the sunny climate, Mediterranean culture, the beach, the mountains, or the local cuisine, the Alpes-Maritimes offer an incomparable quality of life. It’s the perfect department in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur to retire, start a new life, or buy a second home!
