Which areas are known as the centre of Nice?  The centre of Nice refers to areas that are within walking distance of the historic centre and the Promenade des Anglais.

The centre of Nice is not all the same by any means: there are fashionable, prestigious districts, and there are streets closer to the railway station, which are less attractive.

The character of shops, restaurants, people passing by, and by paying attention to detail - all these will help you to understand very quickly how prestigious a location this is.

Carré d'Or and The district of Musicians are  the most prestigious areas in the centre of Nice

The Carré d’Or or  ‘Golden Square’

The area  bordered  by the Promenade des Anglais to the south, Boulevard Victor Hugo to the north, Hotel Negresco to the west, and Place Massena to the east, is called the Golden Square or the Carré d’Or.

This is the heart of the city with the best hotels, restaurants and shopping.  Everything is within walking distance, you do not need a car, especially as the centre of Nice is comfortable for cycling.

Buy a flat in the Carré d’Or
Property in Nice's ‘Carré d’Or’ is always in demand for holiday homes for international clients. Property buyers in the Carré d’Or want to come to their flat at any time of the year, and have all the pleasures of life within walking distance: the sea, restaurants, shops, theatres, the historic centre.

Of course like any other area of the city, the Carré d’Or has its pros and cons.

If you want to buy a flat in the Carré d’Or area of Nice, you have to understand that it is difficult to find the following:

1. Flats with a sea view, if it is not the sea-front.
2. peaceful flat overlooking a park.
3. A flat with its own garden.
4. A flat in a period property with a large terrace or underground parking.
5. A flat in a newly-built  development.
6. A villa with a garden.

The main motivation for a buyer of real estate in the Carré d’Or is the central and prestigious location of the apartment. If you value peace and quiet, parkland and panoramic views, we would advise you to look at other areas of Nice.

Investing in the Carré d’Or area in Nice

Traditionally investors for seasonal rentals buy properties in the Carré d’Or, as it’s the most sought-after area for tourists.

If you wish to have some extra income and rent your apartment easily, it’s an ideal location.

You are also sure to resell your apartment easily in this ever popular area of Nice.

The average price for a small one or two bedroom flat in the Carré d’Or is 6-8 000€/sqm.

The district of Musicians

The second most famous and sought-after area in the centre of Nice, is the Quartier des Musiciens.

The Musiciens neighbourhood is situated north of Boulevard Victor Hugo in the direction of Railway station.

It is therefore a little further from the sea (10 minutes walk) but also quieter, because all the restaurants and nightclubs are closer to the seafront.

The architectural beauty of the Musiciens area tends to attract lovers of French period architecture. Their beautiful façades with numerous decorative elements, the monumental entrances, old fashioned lifts and elegant oak letterboxes retain a special French charm.

Prices in the Musicians area are less expensive than in the Carré d’Or area of Nice, but it is also difficult to find a flat with a view of the sea or the park, or a terrace or garage  if it is an old ‘bourgeois’ style building.

The average price of an 80-150 m² flat in the Musicians area is  6 000 €/sqm.

Mont Boron is a historically prestigious area of Nice, located in the south-eastern part of the city and bordering on the neighbouring town of Villefranche sur Mer.

The name of the area comes from the name of the Mont Boron hill. Mont Boron is generally defined as the neighbourhood on both the Mont Boron hills and the Mont Alban hills, and also down by the coast.

On the Mont Boron hill there is a huge park of 57 hectares with 11 kilometres of walking paths. The Mont Boron Park is one of the favourite places for locals to come walking, with its panoramic views of the sea and Nice harbour.

Mont Boron property is very attractive to buy, both as main residence and as a holiday home on the Cote d'Azur. Traditionally Mont Boron remains the most expensive area of Nice in residential real estate terms.

The different neighbourhoods of Mont Boron

Mont Boron is a large area which can be divided up into several districts.

First of all, property buyers in Mont Boron distinguish between Upper Mont Boron and Lower Mont Boron. 
Flats in lower Mont Boron are more expensive, as most Mont Boron property buyers dream about combining sea views with a short walk to the beaches and the town's many amenities.

The lower and middle Mont Boron districts include Frank Pilatte and  Cap de Nice.

In this area, buyers of Mont Boron property can combine being on the sea-front with panoramic views and living in a quiet residential area. It’s rare to find these things in one place.

The price of apartments in Mont Boron in prestigious residences next to the sea are easily in excess of 10 000 euro/sqm.

Upper Mont Boron includes the areas close  to the middle road along the sea (Moyenne Corniche) as well as the Vinaigrier and Mont Alban.

If you are willing to compromise, and are not bothered about being within walking distance of the sea, you can buy a sea-view flat in Mont Boron at a more reasonable price than in Cap de Nice or Franck Pilatte.

Buying  property in Mont Boron

International buyers are happy to buy both apartments and villas in Mont Boron. Some of the historic Belle Epoque mansions and villas in Mont Boron have been subdivided into apartments. 

So property buyers in Mont Boron who are looking for beautiful architecture, high ceilings, frescos and fireplaces can find their dream property in the historic villas in Mont Boron.

Buyers of apartments in Mont Boron appreciate gated residences with parkland, concierges, swimming pools, tennis courts and sea views.

At the same time, you should understand that by buying such a flat on the Côte d'Azur, your utility bills will be higher than in a standard residence without parkland and a concierge.

Clients planning to buy a villa in Mont Boron will find a variety of architectural styles: a modern villa with panoramic windows, a Belle Epoque mansion, even chateau style etc.

Why is real estate in Mont Boron attractive?

• the high potential property value of one of the most prestigious areas in Nice
• Breathtaking  sea views
• Mont Boron is the sunniest hill in Nice, and people come to Nice for the sun and the sea
• Proximity to the Golden Triangle and the most beautiful locations on the Cote d'Azur: Cap Ferrat-Beaulieu-Villefranche
• A comfortable social setting in this exclusive residential area
• The City’s amenities: depending on the neighbourhood, you are within a 5-10 minute drive or walk of Nice harbour, with its gourmet shops and a large supermarket on the Cap de Nice.
• a private English language school ABC school

For me, I often feel like saying ‘your Majesty Mont Boron’.

Since the 19th century the Promenade des Anglais has played an important part in the life of Nice.

The English aristocracy were the first Europeans to introduce the custom of winter afternoon walks here along the seafront. Over time, this English aristocratic tradition developed into the grand Promenade des Anglais, the pride of Nice and the longest promenade in France.

The Promenade des Anglais is a lively place. People go strolling, jogging, roller-blading and cycling.

There are restaurants on the beach and all life is here.

The Promenade, or simply Prom, is what the locals call the Promenade des Anglais.

Buying a property on the  Promenade des Anglais

Buying an apartment on the Promenade des Anglais appeals to many property buyers.

The popularity of this choice is due to several factors:

Firstly, it is difficult to find a flat with a panoramic sea view in the centre of Nice. The sea-front is ideal for buyers who are looking above all else for a beautiful sea view.

Secondly, the Promenade des Anglais is a good  investment: in this well known location it is always easy to resell or rent a flat. An apartment with a terrace, panoramic sea view, close to the sea is a dream for most  French Riviera visitors.

Thirdly the Promenade des Anglais is very convenient to get to from the airport, which is just at the end of the Promenade des Anglais . You can even save on taxis and take any bus or metro to your home.

Вы даже можете сэкономить на такси и доехать до дома на любом автобусе за 10 минут.

Английская набережная Променад или просто Пром | Пляж

Disadvantages of property on the Promenade des Anglais
The main disadvantage of the Promenade des Anglais apartments is the traffic noise. The Promenade des Anglais is a fairly busy road with several lanes of traffic, and it is difficult  to find a completely quiet flat here.
However, the bedrooms are often quiet, as they don’t look out over the sea and the Promenade but onto quiet courtyards.

Architects  in Nice also regularly discuss new plans  for the redevelopment of the Promenade des Anglais in order to reduce the number of lanes of traffic and the associated noise.

If one day the Promenade des Anglais becomes a pedestrianized street again, property prices here would explode.

Property prices on the Promenade des Anglais

The most expensive apartments on the Promenade des Anglais in Nice are within the Golden Square, between the Meridien and Negresco hotels. Prices for upper floor flats with panoramic sea views in this part of the Promenade could be 15-20,000 euro/m².

Property buyers on the Promenade des Anglais appreciate the fact that they are in the centre of Nice and that everything is just a few steps away - restaurants, boutiques, private beaches, beauty salons, etc. It's in this part of the Promenade that the annual carnival parade takes place in February.

As you move further away from the city centre towards the airport, the prices of flats on the Promenade des Anglais drop significantly.

Another prestigious location on the Promenade is the Old Nice district. In fact in this place the Promenade goes by another name – The Quay of the United States of America. It was given this name in 1917 to honour the USA’s entry into the First World War on the side of the Entente.

On this part of the Promenade, there is less  traffic, so your sea-view apartment will be more peaceful, and you can relax and enjoy the sea-view and the sound of waves, not the noise of passing traffic.

On the other side of the Promenade are the Opera, restaurants and an authentic farmers' market (called the marché des fleurs). The centre and port of Nice are a stone's throw away.

It is a more private and peaceful setting. Unlike the long Promenade des Anglais, the Promenade in Old Nice is smaller, the choice of properties is limited and the prices are high, as is always the case when many demanding  criteria are met.

The Port area is a very picturesque neighbourhood in Nice, full of colour and with a very special atmosphere.

This area is often compared to the district of Le Marais in Paris and represents La Dolce Vita with a French accent.

The architecture of the port dates back to the first half of the 19th century when Nice was an Italian rather than a French province.

The harbour area is located between Old Nice and lower Mont-Boron. From here it's easy to walk to both the city centre and the beaches of Franck Pilatte boulevard.

The port area is attractive because of its many gourmet restaurants and small food shops.

Your flat in Nice in the port area will offer you a unique atmosphere, a view of the boats in the harbour, the smiles of passers-by, and enjoyment of the simple pleasures in life.

Buying property in Nice in the port area

Most properties in the area of Nice port are in older buildings, so don’t look for newly built properties here.

For those buyers who want to buy a property with a view of the sea and yachts, we recommend  a residence called Neptune,  built in the 1980s in the style of an old Niçois building, but with a modern concept (underground parking, a nice courtyard).

You can also buy an apartment in a residence with parkland, a swimming pool, tennis courts and underground parking in the Boulevard Frank Pilatt.

If you like the port area, but would like to buy a villa, there are options in the neighbouring area of Mont Boron with its panoramic views over the sea and Nice harbour, in Cap de Nice,  or in the estate Parc de Louisa just behind the yacht club.

As the port neighbourhood becomes more and more fashionable, prices continue to rise here.

Don’t expect to come here for a bargain price property!

Cimiez is undoubtedly the most prestigious and comfortable residential area, a true symbol of Nice's bourgeois origins.

Ницца, Район Симье, Winter Palace

The town of Cemenelum was founded in the first century AD by the Romans on the hill of Cimiez. It is now home to the archaeological museum and the Matisse Museum.

The Romans certainly chose this place for a good reason. The neighbourhood is landscaped with parks and adds a green touch to the city, as well has having a very particular  microclimate which is cooler in the summer than the seaside.

The first luxury hotels of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries were also built in Cimiez, the climate being considered milder and drier than on the coast.

The era of hotels on the Promenade des Anglais comes a little later.  Today all these luxury palace hotels in Cimiez are apartments on residential estates. With their opulent architecture, spacious rooms, and green parks, these hotels continue to attract clients from all over the world, looking to buy property in Nice for permanent residence or simply to visit the Côte d'Azur as often as possible.

Historic palace hotels offer the most beautiful apartments in Cimiez

Ницца, Район Симье, Majestic

The most famous period hotels converted into residences are the Regina  and Majestic.

The Regina is a magnificent Belle Epoque palace built for Queen Victoria of England with a park, swimming pool and tennis court above Cimiez  boulevard.

You can also buy a spacious penthouse apartment in Regina, with a private swimming pool.

The recent film Rebecca, the remake of Hitchcock’s famous movie, was shot in the Regina in 2019.

The Majestic is located in the lower part of  Cimiez, and is sure to be popular with people who like to be just a short walk or bicycle ride away from the city centre.

Between the Regina and the Majestic palaces there are other luxurious manors and former hotels in Cimiez.

The Riviera palace,  The Alhambra, The Hermitage, the Grand Palais, and the Winter Palace.

Customers planning to buy a flat in Nice in the historic palaces of Cimiez are impressed by the royal appearance and staircases of the palaces, the luxury of the façades and entrance ways, the high ceilings, the fireplaces, the mouldings and the landscaped parks from centuries gone by. If you like classical architecture, it could be the place for you.

Cimiez  and its 3 main areas

1. Lower Cimiez
This is the part of Cimiez with easy access to the centre, which is just a short walk away: Boulevard Carabacel and the beginning of Boulevard Cimiez to the Stanislas School (the most prestigious school in Nice).

Нижнее Симье Резиденция Majestic

The Majestic residence is an iconic building in this part of Cimiez.

If you are planning to buy a flat in Nice, you can buy a large flat in this royal residence, with high ceilings, a fireplace and panoramic views of the sea and the city.

On the top floor of the Majestic, you can buy a flat with a large terrace; on the other floors there are balconies.

The Stanislas school district also comprises contemporary residences,  as well as Belle Epoque villas and mansions; this area is a jewel in the crown of Nice's architectural heritage. For those wishing to buy a villa in Nice as an urban home within walking distance of the city’s infrastructure, this is an ideal location.

2. Middle Cimiez
Среднее Симье Резиденция Majestic

This is the most beautiful historic part of Cimiez between the two iconic buildings of the Majestic and the Regina. Here you find the most beautiful architecture, and the streets even have royal names: Edouard VII, Georges V, Leopold II...

Usually it’s just houses or buildings of historic value which are listed as national heritage by the state. But in this case, the whole area of Cimiez is protected from unsuitable development. Even the Boulevard de Cimiez here has special anti-noise protection measures on the road.

If you dream about buying a flat in Nice in an aristocratic neighbourhood and you like historic facades, we have some great options in this part of Cimiez.

We can offer you not only individual villas or flats for sale in apartment buildings, but also flats in historic mansions, which have an unusual charm, and offer more privacy and comfort.

Cimiez luxury residences are usually surrounded by parkland (the Regina residence also has a swimming pool and a tennis court).  High-rise flats have panoramic sea views. Please note: garages have not been provided in all flats, but there is free parking inside the residences.

Some of the historical villas in the period 1960-70 have been demolished and in their place modern residences with large terraces and underground car parks have been built. Developers have tried to retain elements of the splendid villas, such as the main entrance or the parkland with its ancient trees.
A typical example of this modern concept is the 1975 residence "Les Jardins de Cemenelum", surrounded by 3 hectares of parkland.

If you dream about buying a flat on the Côte d'Azur with a large terrace, garage, security, you will love this type of residence.

3. Upper Cimiez
This part of Cimiez includes the areas above the Regina residence in the direction of Rimiez hill. Whereas the lower and middle Cimiez areas are just a short walk away from the city centre, here you have to go down to town by car or bus.

For those who are planning to buy a flat in Nice in upper Cimiez, there are a lot of medical practices and private clinics, the most famous of which is the Clinique Saint Georges.

Sometimes our clients have the idea  of giving birth in the mild climate of the French Riviera . The Clinique Saint Georges, along with the Lenval Hospital, is ranked among the most reputable of private clinics.

Why buy a flat in Cimiez?
In all local proverbs, Cimiez appears as the epitome of Nice's most bourgeois neighbourhood, a prosperous symbol of well-being and a certain social status.

Comfortably-off French families are happy to buy property in Cimiez, which has a number of undeniable advantages:

• a well-developed urban infrastructure
• proximity to the city centre (walking distance from lower Cimiez)
• a choice of high- quality schools and other educational establishments (the most prestigious school in Nice, Stanislas, is in Cimiez)
• public and private parks
• an exclusive residential area

People who choose Cimiez for their permanent residence or holiday home definitely prefer the peace and quiet, and the quality of life in Cimiez, to being within walking distance of the sea and the hustle and bustle of tourism.

Liberation - район Ниццы недалеко от центра , расположенный вокруг площади Генерала Де Голля. 

Район, также как Старый город или порт,  очень колоритный и полон жизни. По утрам атмосферу задаёт фермерский рынок под открытым небом, а также небольшие ресторанчики и магазинчики вокруг.

Люди здесь не только с удовольствием покупают продукты у фермеров и рыбаков, но просто гуляют, встречаются за чашкой кофе, дети катаются на карусели и играют на площади.

Не так давно  бывшее здание Южного вокзала перестроили в стильный коммерческий центр, где также рай для гурманов, с небольшими ресторанами и лавками.

Тут же рядом ходит небольшой паровой поезд в сторону гор, проезжая живописные деревушки.  Все в восторге от этого маршрута и я рекомендую вам попробовать (Gare des Chemind de fer de Provence).

Для покупателей недвижимости стоит отметить пеший доступ до центра, удобный проезд к морю по прямой линии, а также наличие красивых буржуазных домов с высокоми потолками, которые вы можете видеть с площади Де Голля.

Цены в раойне Libération более демократичные, чем в центре или соседнем Симье.

Parc imperial - an area in Nice associated with its Russian church and Russian imperial history where the neighbourhood name comes from.

Parc imperial is an area next to the Russian church and tennis courts, adjacent to the centre of Nice, on its north-west side.

The name Imperial is connected with the Russian royal family.
It was in this district that the family of Nicholas I and later Alexander II rented a villa, and where Alexander II's heir, Tsarevich Nicholas, brother of the future Alexander III, died.

In the memory of the Prince the chapel, and later on the church, was built here.

Why Imperial Park? These days it’s a rather urban area, but in the early 19th century,  it was still open country with a beautiful landscaped park,  and its streams, bridges and olive groves.

The beautiful architecture as well as the names of the residences and streets here remind us of this glorious past: The Tsarevich Boulevard, the residence of the Emperor...

Parc Imperial is home to the most prestigious tennis courts in Nice, where all the great sporting events take place.

If your children are serious tennis players, the Lycée Parc Imperial has special sports classes for children who play tennis. So they can happily combine their studies with professional tennis training.

Today, this is a comfortable and pleasant area to live in, as the centre is a short distance away.

However,  it is not as prestigious as residential estates in  Mont Boron or Cimiez. Property prices in the Parc Imperial are more affordable too.

So, if you are looking for a property in Nice at a reasonable price, and you want to manage without a car, it could be a good option for you.

Fabron is the western district of Nice and we can distinguish between Lower Fabron, within walking distance of the sea, and Upper Fabron , above Boulevard Napoleon III.

Fabron is a middle-class and pleasant area to live, with its parks and well-developed infrastructure.

French families with children value the Fabron area for its convenience (schools, shops, parks) and its proximity to the city centre.

International buyers who buy property in Fabron like being close to the sea and its easy access to the airport. They also enjoy the panoramic views of the sea and the  modern character of the gated estates with swimming pools, parks and tennis courts.

Buying property in Fabron

If you dream of buying a property in Nice with a panoramic sea-view, and which is not very far from the sea, my advice is to consider the options available in Fabron.

What are the advantages of Fabron compared with other areas of Nice?

• In Fabron you can have a panoramic sea-view in a gated estate within parkland, and at the same time enjoy easy access to the Promenade des Anglais.
• Fabron was built later than other historic districts of Nice, so residences offer you modern comfort, as well as terraces, underground parking, swimming pools and tennis courts.
• In Fabron you pay less for the panoramic sea view than in Mont Boron.
• It’s closer to the International school of Nice than the central and eastern areas.
• Easy access to the city centre and the airport for people travelling a great deal.

The most well-known residences in Fabron are:

• Abbaye de Roseland
• Constellations
• Casablanca

If you are planning to buy a villa in Fabron you have a choice of properties with sea-views which are in some cases close to the sea, and in others further away on the hills of Fabron.

As in Mont Boron, many international clients have come to find their holiday home in Fabron looking for sea views, peace and quiet and the beautiful landscaped surroundings.

The eastern areas along the Paillon River towards the A8 motorway exit in the direction of Monaco are of no interest to buyers of luxury real estate in the Côte d'Azur.

This is a different side of France, with low-grade housing of no particular interest to the international buyer.