VALBONNE, AN ADDRESS OF INTERNATIONAL APPEAL

Article from Maisons & Appartements magazine N°340 - Octobre 2025 - Radia Amar

A blend of charm and authenticity, the area around Valbonne offers a lifestyle both Provence! and elegant, right next to the science and technology park of Sophia-Antipolis and prestigious international schools. 

Founded in Valbonne by Greg and Marion Harris in 2003, the Cote d'Azur Villas agency initially specialized in seasonal rentals of high-end villas for an international clientele. After joining the agency in 2008, Florence Beglia took it over 5 years later and encouraged its growth. "To begin with, our portfolio contained about 40 villas," she explains. "Today, we propose over 400, and we opened a second agency 5 years ago in La Croix-Valmer. We now cover the entire Riviera shoreline, the hills, the Gulf of Saint-Tropez, as well as Provence, with our historic roots in Valbonne, Mougins, Grasse, Châteauneuf, Vence and Saint-Paul-de-Vence."

Over the years, the agency has extended its expertise by developing long-term rentals, property management and, since 2017, sales. Its differentiating factor residing in its base of loyal clients results from their seasonal rental activity. "We maintain regular, personalized contact with all of them. When thinking about acquiring a property in the region, they thus naturally think of us. Which accounts for about 30 % of our buyers and 60 % of owners opting for sales  mandates." Comprised 95 % of international clients - north Americans, British, German and Scandinavian -, the clientele of Cote d'Azur Villas is searching above all for a holiday residence capable of becoming, in time, their permanent home. "Neo-Provencal villas with contemporary interiors, ranging from 2 to 3M€, remain highly sought-after. Following a period of scarce availabilities, we are gradually seeing more offers, and thus a buyers' market: clients
take their time to visit, compare and bargain. However, when a property perfectly meets their expectations and is on offer at the right price, the sale is completed rapidly and with no concessions. " By way of example, Florence Beglia mentions the current sale of a renovated villa in Valbonne priced at around 3 M €, offering 5 bedrooms and leafy grounds with a pool, for which a buyer has accepted the price.

Cote d'Azur Villas now proposes a varied choice of properties from outstanding residences worth 6 M € to seaside "pieds-à-terre" in Juan-les-Pins, priced at 320,000 €. "It is essential for us to present a diverse array of proposals,"  confirms Florence Beglia. And as for trends ? "Prices are proving to be rather stable and sales volume has already exceeded that of 2024. Without any geo-political upheavals, 2026 should pursue the same path."