CHOICE OF LANGUAGE (FR/EN/NO/SV/DE/PL):
CHOICE OF LANGUAGE (FR/EN/NO/SV/DE/PL):
This is a question many people ask themselves but dare not ask. Even the French aren’t always sure of the answer! "Provence" is a broad term with various definitions, used rightly or wrongly in everyday language. Several official definitions exist.
According to the Larousse dictionary, Provence is divided into three zones and stretches across five departments:
Another definition refers to three "entirely Provençal" departments (Bouches-du-Rhône around Marseille, Vaucluse around Avignon, and Var around Draguignan), to which are added five "partially Provençal" departments (Gard around Nîmes, Drôme around Montélimar, Hautes-Alpes around Gap, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence around Digne, and Alpes-Maritimes around Nice).
A third, more commonly known variant is the term "PACA", which is also the name of the administrative region in southeastern France (Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur). It includes the six southeasternmost departments: Bouches-du-Rhône, Vaucluse, Hautes-Alpes, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, Var, and Alpes-Maritimes. Easy to remember!
But if you don’t want to memorise these definitions, there’s a simpler way to locate Provence: It’s the place where you smell lavender, hear the song of the cicadas, and sip rosé or pastis. That’s when you know for sure—you’re in Provence!
Officially, it runs along the coastline from Nice to the Italian border. That’s the exact definition. But in everyday usage, the “Côte d’Azur” refers to a broader geographical area, including famous places like Antibes, Cannes, and even as far west as Saint-Tropez.
People don’t just come here to buy property—but for the climate, the Provençal atmosphere, the rich culture, and the renowned culinary arts. In that field, France is at the top of the world!
The choice of location for buying an apartment or house on the Côte d’Azur is very personal. When our foreign clients ask for our opinion, we say:
We can tell you where not to buy, but when it comes to quality of life, it really depends on the individual—it’s very subjective!
That said, when it comes to popular cities, Nice, Antibes, and Cannes always top the list. However, the “personalities” of these three cities are very different:
Nice, with its 350,000 inhabitants, has it all: rich culture (opera, many museums, etc.), the enchanting Promenade des Anglais, a charming old town, a tram system, proximity to the airport... In short, Nice offers a great diversity of options.
Antibes, with 76,000 residents, is known for its old fortified town, the largest marina in Europe, the charm of the historic center, the Picasso museum, and the seaside resort of Juan-les-Pins with its fine sandy beaches and jazz festival... A wide range of attractions that appeal to all generations!
Cannes is recognised as the world's top destination for festivals and events, the European capital of cinema, famous for the Croisette boulevard with its five-star hotels, the old Suquet neighborhood and market, high-end shopping… In short, it’s full of glamour!
As part of our advisory role, we also consider HSE factors (Health, Safety, and Environment), just like companies do. In plain terms, we point out the neighbourhoods in each city that offer excellent quality of life, safety, and a pleasant, healthy environment.
Euribor is of great interest to real estate buyers. It’s the reference rate for euro-denominated mortgage loans, to which the bank adds its margin.
Which Euribor base should you choose when taking out a variable-rate mortgage to buy a house or apartment? It’s a matter of both risk tolerance and preference for stability.
1-month Euribor fluctuates almost in real-time, which means lower costs during rate drops, but also greater volatility and less predictability. This option suits informed borrowers who can handle fluctuations and are less concerned about risk.
3-month Euribor is the most common. While still variable (updated quarterly), it offers a good balance between stability and flexibility. You’ll need at least some tolerance for risk.
12-month Euribor provides yearly interest rate adjustments. It’s less stressful regarding market changes but also less reactive. This is the preferred choice for cautious borrowers seeking more predictable and stable repayment schedules.
As of June 13, 2025, the rates are:
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