Looking Beyond the Coast: Why Inland Living on the French Riviera May Be the Perfect Choice

 

When people think about the French Riviera, especially those who have never visited before, their minds often jump straight to images of luxurious villas and elegant apartments overlooking the Mediterranean, just steps from the beach and within walking distance of cafés, restaurants, and boutiques. It is a beautiful dream—and for some, it becomes reality.

However, once buyers begin exploring the market with a particular budget, another level of reality can quickly set in.

 

One of the first conversations I have with clients when they arrive is not about properties, but about lifestyle. What do they truly need in their day-to-day lives and what do they want to build upon for themselves? What kind of environment best suits them today and in the years ahead?

The second conversation is inevitably about the budget. It may absolutely be possible to find a wonderful apartment or villa by the sea, but the question becomes whether it is affordable without overextending yourself in pursuit of a dream.

Even buyers with substantial budgets often discover that compromises are required. Space is at a premium along the coastline, and properties closest to the sea command significant prices, just as they do in many of the world’s most desirable destinations.

 

For first-time buyers discovering the French Riviera, a wonderful alternative can be found just twenty minutes or so inland. Local amenities remain plentiful, but they are more evenly spread throughout charming towns and villages rather than concentrated along the coastline.

More importantly, the range of available properties changes dramatically. Villas with generous gardens, swimming pools, and larger plots of land become far more attainable and often represent significantly better value for money.

There are also many lifestyle benefits to living slightly inland. Couples and families often appreciate access to excellent schools and well-established communities where neighbours know one another and local life feels more connected. Many inland villages offer a genuine sense of community that can sometimes be harder to find in heavily seasonal coastal areas.

 

Privacy is another major advantage. Properties are often more secluded, surrounded by greenery and nature, allowing residents to enjoy peace and tranquillity away from the crowds of the summer season. The atmosphere tends to be calmer, with less traffic and noise, creating an environment that many people find ideal for both full-time living and long-term enjoyment.

Perhaps most surprisingly, moving inland does not necessarily mean giving up beautiful views. Many homes in elevated areas still enjoy breathtaking panoramic vistas stretching across rolling hills and all the way to the Mediterranean. In many cases, buyers can enjoy sea views, greater privacy, more living space, and larger grounds at a fraction of the cost of an equivalent property directly on the coast.

 

Lately, through various partners, I have been introduced to a number of beautiful real estate opportunities in areas such as Grasse, Mougins, and Saint-Paul-de-Vence. These properties will be featured on rotation across my social media platforms as of this week.

If there is a particular type of property you have in mind that you do not see featured, please connect with me. The French Riviera has far more to offer than simply its coastline, and I would be delighted to help you discover the options that best suit your lifestyle, priorities, and vision for the future.

Contre-Nature Edition 2 Charity Drag Show Returns

 

The spotlight is set to shine once again as Contre-Nature Edition 2, Nice’s annual charity drag show, returns for an evening of spectacular entertainment, creativity and community spirit.

Taking place at Les Folies d’Edmonde in Nice on June 28, this year’s event promises an unforgettable showcase featuring a mix of amateur and professional performers ready to captivate audiences with their talent, passion and flair.

 

For this second edition, organisers are embracing an exciting open mic format, creating a platform where emerging artists can share the stage with experienced performers.

From dazzling costumes and powerful performances to moments of laughter, emotion and celebration, Contre-Nature aims to highlight the diversity and vibrancy of the local drag community while providing a welcoming space for all.

 

More than just a night of entertainment, the event serves a vital charitable purpose. Funds raised through Contre-Nature Edition 2 will support the Centre LGBTQIA+ Côte d’Azur, a key community resource in Nice that provides support, information, social services and assistance to LGBTQIA+ individuals and their families.

The centre also helps vulnerable members of the community, organises cultural and advocacy events, and serves as a hub for numerous LGBTQIA+ associations across the Côte d’Azur.

 

By combining the art of drag with fundraising and community engagement, Contre-Nature demonstrates the powerful role that performance can play in supporting inclusion, visibility and solidarity. At a time when community spaces and support services remain essential, events such as this help ensure that organisations like the Centre LGBTQIA+ Côte d’Azur can continue their important work throughout the region.

 

Whether you’re a dedicated supporter of drag culture or simply looking for a unique and meaningful night out in Nice, Contre-Nature Edition 2 offers the perfect opportunity to celebrate self-expression while contributing to a cause that makes a real difference in people’s lives.

 

For one night, the stage belongs to the performers, but the impact will be felt far beyond the spotlight.

 

Reserve your tickets now!

World-Renowned PAD Design Fair Chooses Saint-Tropez for Its Riviera Debut

 

Saint-Tropez is set to reinforce its position as one of the Mediterranean’s most influential cultural destinations this summer as the prestigious PAD Design Fair makes its highly anticipated debut in the iconic village.

Taking place from July 2 to July 5, 2026, PAD Saint-Tropez will transform the historic Maison Jean Despas on the legendary Place des Lices into a showcase of exceptional historical and contemporary design, bringing together some of the world’s leading galleries, collectors, architects, decorators, and design enthusiasts.

Supported by the City of Saint-Tropez, the inaugural event marks a significant milestone for PAD, which has established itself as the world’s premier fair dedicated to collectible design. Having enjoyed a successful presence in Paris for 28 years and London for 18 years, the fair’s arrival on the French Riviera reflects both Saint-Tropez’s growing cultural significance and the region’s appeal to an international audience with a passion for art, craftsmanship, and design excellence.

PAD has long distinguished itself through its rigorous curatorial standards and its unique ability to bridge historical masterpieces with contemporary innovation. The Saint-Tropez edition will continue that tradition, presenting an exclusive selection of approximately twenty leading French and international galleries specializing in collectible design and artists’ jewellery.

Among the first exhibitors announced are respected names from across Europe and beyond, including Julia Munoz Portuondo from Spain, Jacques Lacoste, Dutko, Elie Top, JAG, Opera Gallery, Stéphanie Coutas, Maison Parisienne, Gastou and Karry Berreby from France, Tristan Hoare from the United Kingdom, Bessa Pereira and Galeria da Estrela from Portugal, Veta Stefanidou Tsoukala from Greece, House of Today from Lebanon, and the internationally renowned Carpenters, which operates across France, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

The choice of Place des Lices as the event’s setting is particularly fitting. Widely regarded as the heart of Saint-Tropez, the famous square embodies the village’s blend of heritage, elegance, and international appeal. The Maison Jean Despas will provide a refined backdrop for a fair that has become synonymous with design excellence and collectible artistry. 

The event will open with a private inauguration on Thursday, July 2, before welcoming the public from Friday, July 3 through Sunday, July 5. Opening hours will run daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

In a gesture designed to strengthen ties with the local community, residents of the twelve communes of the Golfe de Saint-Tropez will enjoy free admission throughout the event upon presentation of proof of residency. Admission for the inauguration is set at €50 per person, while public access from July 3 to July 5 will be €20 per person.

For Saint-Tropez, the arrival of PAD represents far more than another summer event. It signals the growing recognition of the destination as a serious cultural hub capable of attracting world-class exhibitions and international creative talent.

For visitors and residents alike, PAD Saint-Tropez promises four days of exceptional design, artistic discovery, and a rare opportunity to engage with some of the most influential galleries shaping the global collectible design market today.

Further information is available from PAD Saint-Tropez Official Website.

Summer Screens by the Sea: Cannes Brings Open-Air Cinema to Every Corner of the City

 

There are few pleasures more synonymous with a Mediterranean summer than watching a film beneath the stars. This July and August, Cannes once again embraces that tradition as Ciné Quartier returns with a programme of free outdoor screenings set against some of the city’s most picturesque locations.

Organised by the City of Cannes in partnership with Cannes Cinéma, the popular event transforms neighbourhood squares, waterfront promenades and cultural venues into open-air cinemas, offering residents and visitors the opportunity to enjoy recent releases, family favourites and even a world-class opera performance in a uniquely Riviera setting.

The 2026 edition marks an expansion of the programme, bringing screenings to several new venues across the city. While Place Paul Roubaud in Cannes La Bocca remains a familiar stop on the calendar, film lovers can also enjoy screenings at the Médiathèque Noailles, the scenic Square de Verdun on Pointe Croisette, the Esplanade Pantiero overlooking the Mediterranean and the historic Place de la Castre in Le Suquet.

The season opens on 6 July at the Médiathèque Noailles with Plus Fort Que Moi (I Swear), an inspiring British drama based on the life of John Davidson and his journey living with Tourette Syndrome. The moving biographical film stars Robert Aramayo alongside acclaimed actors Maxine Peake, Shirley Henderson and Peter Mullan.

On 13 July, audiences gathering at Square de Verdun will be treated to Juste une Illusion, a nostalgic French comedy-drama set in the suburbs of Paris during the 1980s. Directed by Olivier Nakache and Éric Toledano, the film offers a touching coming-of-age story filled with humour and warmth.

Families and younger moviegoers can look forward to The Super Mario Galaxy Movie on 20 July at Place Paul Roubaud. Inspired by Nintendo’s beloved gaming universe, the animated adventure takes audiences on an interstellar journey packed with action, imagination and colourful characters.

One of the summer’s most anticipated screenings arrives on 27 July at the Esplanade Pantiero with Project Hail Mary. Starring Ryan Gosling, the science-fiction epic follows a lone astronaut tasked with saving humanity after a mysterious threat begins draining the sun’s energy. Adapted from the bestselling novel by Andy Weir, the film combines suspense, humour and spectacular visual storytelling.

Basketball fans may be especially interested in Le Rêve Américain, screening on 3 August at Square de Verdun. Based on a remarkable true story, the film chronicles the unlikely rise of two French friends who overcome enormous obstacles to become influential figures in the world of professional basketball and the NBA.

The programme continues on 10 August with Marsupilami, a family adventure directed by Philippe Lacheau. Combining comedy, action and plenty of heart, the film follows a courier who unexpectedly becomes the protector of a rare baby Marsupilami pursued by determined hunters.

Dinosaurs return to the big screen on 17 August with Jurassic World: Renaissance, screening at the Médiathèque Noailles. Led by Scarlett Johansson, the latest chapter in the Jurassic saga takes audiences back to the infamous island research facility where the original story began, blending high-stakes adventure with cutting-edge science fiction.

The season concludes on 27 August in the historic setting of Place de la Castre with a special open-air presentation of Puccini’s La Bohème. Conducted by Gustavo Dudamel and performed by the Orchestra and Chorus of the Paris National Opera, the production offers a fittingly grand finale to the summer programme.

Beyond the films themselves, the appeal of Ciné Quartier lies in its atmosphere. Whether seated beneath the palm trees along the Croisette, enjoying the sea breeze from Pantiero, or discovering a neighbourhood venue for the first time, audiences can experience cinema in a way that feels distinctly Cannes. The combination of culture, community and warm summer evenings continues to make the event one of the highlights of the city’s seasonal calendar.

Practical Information

Admission to all screenings is free, subject to available seating. Gates open one hour before each screening and all events remain weather dependent. While most screenings are suitable for a general audience, some films may not be appropriate for younger children.

For additional information, visitors can contact the Cannes Town Hall on +33 (0)4 97 06 40 83 or visit the official website of Cannes Cinéma.