Apartments and Villas for sale in Nice

One of the most sought after areas of Nice, the Carre D'Or (or Golden Square), is sandwiched between four of the most famous streets in Nice: Boulevard Victor Hugo, Avenue Jean Medecin, Boulevard Gambetta and the world-famous The Promenade des Anglais. This area is characterised by superb turn-of-the-century buildings, all of which are no more than 5 minutes from the beach. The Carre D‘Or is prime Nice real estate.

There is a unique ambiance here that has to be felt to be understood. From Salsa bars to French Brasseries, this area gives a chic European-style terrace-living that suits those who prefer a more relaxed venue.

Aptly named streets, such as Rue de France, offer buyers a window into the French lifestyle that has lured generations of visitors keen to experience a more European way of life. The Carre D‘Or is perfect for those who want to de-stress, with a fine Bordeaux.

This area was the epicentre of the construction boom that began in the late 19th century, when Europe's elite built top quality buildings for winter residences. The volume of grandiose apartments that still exist today gives buyers plenty of choice when purchasing.

Properties in this area benefit greatly from their proximity to the beach. In summer, the beach is thronged with French and foreigners alike, all taking advantage of the warm yet temperate climate. There are a variety of water sports available and beach volleyball is the activity of choice of the local youth in Nice. On a fine evening, why not have dinner at one of the many restaurants directly on the beach.

Parallel to the beach, Boulevard Victor Hugo is a splendid area dissecting the two most popular areas of the city, the Quartiers Musiciens and the Carre D'Or. Like most of the better areas of Nice, Victor Hugo has some tranquil parks where you can relax with a newspaper and a coffee, winter through to summer.

Although the Carre D'Or is one of the most sought after areas of Nice, parking and terraces are hard to find since most of the buildings were built in the late 19th century.

Promenade des Anglais

Lined with palm trees, luxury hotels and stunning apartments, the "Prom" is the one of the world's best known seafronts. Built by the English in 1822, it is the epitome of the prestige of the French Riviera that has seduced aristocrats and movie-stars alike. The Negresco Hotel, which could easily be one of the great museums in France, is truly a magnificent building, with its unique pink dome that was commissioned by the great architect Gustav Eiffel; it signals that you have arrived in one of the most appealing destinations on earth. Waking up on a bright and balmy morning in the most prominent address in Nice has charmed a whole new generation of visitors.

Filled with hotels, bars, casinos and restaurants, there is always somewhere to unwind. For something truly different, why not dine in one of the many restaurants that adorn the beach itself. Yet a simple stroll is all it takes to bring you back to a time when only royals and tycoons holidayed on this glorious boulevard.

The Palais de Mediterrean is yet another superb hotel that adorns the prom. With its Romanesque architecture and red-carpeted entrance, this structure exhibits all the traits of a quintessential Riviera hotel. For those of you who aspire to only the highest standards, an apartment on the promenade is a must.

The promenade extends from the airport to the port, giving buyers 7 km of apartments to choose from. Demand for these properties is unsurprisingly strong, which is reflected in the price. Properties from the Negresco Hotel to Old Nice are the most in demand. Compared to apartments in a similar price bracket in the UK and Ireland, the "Prom" gives something indescribable that simply cannot be valued.

Though higher priced per square metre than other areas, like a Mercedes, properties here will always hold their value well. After all, will there ever not be anybody who wants to purchase on the best street, in the "capital" of the most famous tourist region in the world.

The Zone Pietonne

Dotted with cafes, bars and trendy shops, this is one of the most chic areas in town. Why not stop for a coffee or pannini (Italian sandwich) in one of the many relaxing cafes. Here, you will also find the American Library and the British-American Church, which caters for a large and ever growing expatriate population. Fully pedestrianised, the Zone Pietonne is perfect for an afternoon stroll.

Rue Paradis is a very short but very stylish street in this area. With stores such as Armani, Louis Vutton and Chanel lining a street that houses some stunning apartments, property on this street is unsurprisingly in-demand.

Place Magenta is the heart of the Zone Pietonne. On summer nights, this area comes alive with street performers, music and the aroma of top-quality cuisine. To live in this area is to live in the most cultured and relaxed area of town.

Rue Longchamps is a long, quiet street that is perfect for those who want to be away from it all, yet less than a minute from the action. Rue de France, filled with themed restaurants, such as "The Quebec", and the centre of the English-speaking community, is where you can find the American Library and all the English-language newspapers.

This area is the place to be for dedicated shoppers, with multitudes of designer stores side-by-side. Galeries Lafayette, the most famous department stores in France, has a large outlet at the start of the the Zone Pietonne. All the top brands are displayed over five large floors in the "Harrods" of France.

Next to Galeries Lafayette is Place Massena. Named after Andre Massena, a glorious French General, it is a vast square where you can see Avenue Jean Medecin, Old Nice, the Zone Pietonne and the Promenade.

Locals regard Next to Galeries Lafayette is Place Massena as the real heart of the city and its proximity to Old Nice and Central Nice make this area perfect for a stroll or simply a sit in the park. Take time to see the palms and roses at the Jardin Albert 1er (Albert I Garden), Nice's oldest gardens, and the Jardins Suspendus du Paillon (Hanging Gardens of Paillon), a stepped garden filled with azaleas, camellias and aromatic pines.