NPIA French Riviera Property Specialists

Jazz it up in Juan les Pins

Marilyn — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 14:08:34 +0000

Juan les Pins is the seaside town which forms part of the historic town of Antibes. It was made famous in the 1920’s by such people as Picasso, J Scott Fitzgerald, and Ernest Hemmingway to name but a few! This lively and relaxed town is still a Mecca for tourists today with lots of cafes, bars restaurants, casino, nice sandy beaches, and a variety of hotels and guesthouses to stay in.

The beautiful Art Deco Hotel Belles Rives was a formerly a villa and the home of J Scott Fitzgerald and his wife Zelda during the 1920’s. You can still see several references to their time there on display in the hotel. It is well worth a visiting even if you are not staying there and the view from the restaurant terrace is quite breathtaking.

The Cap d’Antibes district is located at the highest point of this area and has some of the most expensive real estate on the Cote d’Azur. It is also the setting for the renowned Eden Roc hotel where many of today’s stars stay when they are visiting the Cote d’Azur and want some privacy.

The internationally renowned Juan les Pins Jazz Festival is in its 52^{nd^{year and is taking place from 12^{th^{to 22^{nd^{July. If you want to find out more about it, go to their website http:www.jazzajuan.co.uk.}}}}}}

I have been a frequent visitor to Juan les Pins over the past 25 years and remember seeing an open air concert one hot summer’s evening with Annie Lennox performing solo (I think she had just split with the Eurythmics at the time) - just a small audience of mostly local people. We were on holiday with friends and family at the time and managed to get tickets – although we did have to sit on the grass as I recall and even though she was more than an hour late coming on stage, it was well worth it!

NPIA have several apartments and villas for sale in Juan Les PinsAntibes and have just sold this lovely 2 bed apartment with one of the most requested requirements asked for ‘a sea view!‘

If you are looking for something like this or perhaps a villa in the hills, take a look on our website for some of our latest property offers – www.npia.co.uk

Countryside & Hilltop villages of the Cote d'Azur

Marilyn — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 10:50:40 +0000

There are many historic and medieval villages tucked away in the Eastern Cote d'AzurAlpes- Maritimes hills just a few kilometres from the coastal towns of Cannes, Antibes and Nice which offer a completely different perspective of the French Riviera to many of the more famous coastal towns.

With stunning countyryside views Chateauneuf-Grasseis a picturesque and quiet medieval village with its narrow streets, town hall, library perched on a hilltop 7 kms to the north east of Grasse famous as 'the perfume capital of the world' a lively and interesting historic town - there are plenty of shops, restaurants, museums and places to stay. The aroma of Herbes de Provence, essential oils and perfumes are in abundance in Grasse and the local villages. Make sure you also pay a visit to the famous Fragonard perfumerie, museum and shop. You can find more details on this link http:www.fragonard.comparfums_grasseGBfragonardgrasse .

If you are looking for a peaceful hideaway on the Cote d'Azur full of history and dramatic scenery this could be just the location for you. You can buy a village house here for €399,000. For more details click on this link http:www.npia.co.uknpia-french-riviera-property-searchproperty447superb-village-house-for-sale-with-views-to-the-sea-countryside-chateauneuf-grasse.html .

To the north of Grasse you will find the pearched villages of the Gorges du Loup and a trip around the the Loup is not to be missed. Gourdon is rated 'one of the most beautiful villages' in France. The old town streets are very interesting and well worth exploring from the ancient architecture through to the magnificent view from the top of the village. Taking the D2210 you can also visit the Château Notre-Dame des Fleurs a 19th century castle built over the ruins of an 11th century Benedictine abbey. It is now an art gallery with terraced gardens offering panoramic views over the olive groves and flower plantations. Travelling along this road which runs from Châteauneuf-Pré-du-Lac near Grasse, through Le Bar-sur-Loup, Pont-du-Loup, Tourrettes-sur-Loup and Vence. In one of my favourite villages Tourettes sur Loup, once you have parked your car in the main square and walked through the archway to the Vieux village you will find 'another world' with some outstanding views over the valley below. Here you will discover boutiques and shops selling local produce including handmade fabrics, jewellery, ceramics, herbes de provence, essential oils and perfumes. Tourettes is famous for growing more violets than any other town in France and in March they celebrate this by decorating the buildings with bouquets of violets and at the end of the festival there is a public 'flower battle'! Market days are held in the villages of the Gorges du Loup - in Tourettes it is held each Wednesday. There is so much so see and do in the Gorges du Loup, and if you are getting a little hungry on your travels stop off at the Confiserie Florian at Pont du Loup where jams, chocolate and sweets are made - you can get free tastings at the end of each tour! More information can be found on their website http:www.confiserieflorian.co.ukflorian.sites.php#gorgesduloup

Travelling south again towards the coast you will find Mouans Sartoux where its original Medieval roots merge sympathetically with the modernised areas of the village. There is always something going on here from local markets, specialist pottery markets, to annual events and exhibitions throughout the year and from here it is a short drive through to Cannes, Antibes and Nice. Click on the Mouans Sartoux tourist office website for more information www.mouans-sartoux.com .

If you are looking for a new business opportunity or perhaps you are looking to relocate to the South of France, we have a charming guesthouse for sale. The asking price is €1,365,000. More details can be found by clicking on this link http:www.npia.co.uknpia-french-riviera-property-searchproperty453superb-16-room-guesthouse-for-sale-in-mouans-sartoux.html .

5 kms from Mouans Sartoux you will find the charming 16th century village of Valbonne, another of my favourites with several restaurants, cafes, shops, library, museum, cinema and historic sites. This is a very popular residential area with a wide range of sporting activies nearby from golf to swimming. It is also located close to the 'high tech' district of Sophia Antipolis and just a short drive to Nice International Airport. You can find out more information on their tourist information website www.tourisme-valbonne.com .

We have a super 2 bedroom duplex apartment for sale at €348,000 http:www.npia.co.uknpia-french-riviera-property-searchproperty448lovely-duplex-apartment-with-terrace-in-sought-after-village-location-of-valbonne.html .

If you thinking about buying a home in the Alpes Maritimes region of Provence email us on info@npia.co.uk or go to our website http:www.npia.co.uk to see a selection of some of the current homes we have for sale on the Cote d'Azur.

Stunning new apartments for sale in Menton

Marilyn — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 12:17:04 +0000

Looking to buy an off plan apartment on the French Riviera? This could be just for you - Located in the delightful town of Menton and walking distance to the shops, markets, beaches, train and bus stations, this prestigious development with communal pool offers studios, one, two and three bedroom apartments with prices starting from just €177,000! Parking is available at an extra cost. The residence is scheduled for completion the first quarter of 2014. For more information please click on the link http:www.npia.co.ukcomponentestateagentproperty446prestigious-new-apartmentst-for-sale-500-metres-from-beaches-in-menton.html or email marilyn.belson@npia.co.uk .

Unique Day Tours in Provence

Marilyn — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 11:34:38 +0000
Whether you are thinking about buying your dream home on the French Riviera or simply on holiday in the region, why not take a day tour with Azur Wine Tours? They offer a range of tailor made tours taking in some of the award winning Provencal vineyards (with wine tasting) whilst also discovering some of the spectacular countryside Provence has to offer. They offer complimentary pick up and drop off points in the Cannes and Antibes area with prices starting from 85€ per person. Take a look at their website for more details http:azurwinetours.com

World Ice Skating Championship in Nice

Marilyn — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 13:41:12 +0000

If you are visiting the Nice area this week, you may still be able to get tickets for the World Figure Skating Championships. The championships are being held in Nice from 26th March until 1st April. For ticket availability click on the link - reduced prices for children and groups.

http:tickets.worlds2012.frindex.html #