US Property Buyers Flock To France

 

You could sense something was up very early this summer.

With travel being open again after the Covid19 restrictions, many of us in the Cote d’Azur expected it to be a busy summer and it certainly has been indeed.

As usual in the region’s summer months, it is quite common for a visitor to fall in love with the natural surroundings, quaint villages, majestic blue Mediterranean sea, panoramic views, and the overall culture of France.

What was pleasantly unexpected was that the US dollar would be practically at parity with the Euro.

Already observing a dramatic increase in those visiting from the US and also Canada, especially with those of us in the LGBTQ world, what has transpired has been incredible.

Europe is simply looking like a viable option now for those considering an actual move to or purchasing a secondary holiday home here.

With property prices in many major cities in the US on the rise, it appears to be making sense to invest here in France and possibly get more property for their money, and in terms of lifestyle along with a strong, welcoming, consistently evolving LGBTQ community.

Typically, pre-Covid19, people on vacation here would be looking at properties, as more of a consideration with serious buyers coming back once September arrives, to look more closely at their options and where exactly they would want to be after many of the tourists have left and things feel a bit calmer.

That’s certainly not the case now because of the currency parity as agents are having a hard time keeping up with demand and deciding to prioritize those already here on the ground who are seriously looking to start the process of buying before heading back home.

Property stock has been moving fast since the restrictions first started to lift in May of 2021, but this summer has been unprecedented, thanks to the Americans taking advantage of the US dollar being at par with the euro.

Smart buyers are also seeking out rental property investments with Cannes being one of the prime locations because of the year-round festivals and congresses year round, with Nice, Villefranche-sur-Mer, and Saint Jean Cap Ferrat also leading the way.

As we have been business partners with many of the prime real estate agencies in the area for the past 11 years and have many exclusive, off-market property options, please feel free to connect with us to find your next property investment.

Now is certainly the time! Connect with myself at: Info@experiencethefrenchriviera.com

Pink Parade - Pride 2022

It’s Pride time again in the Cote d’Azur and this year it all takes place on Saturday, July 23, 2022 with the parade route starting at Theatre de Verdure at 16H (4pm).

In Nice, affectionately known as the center of everything LGBTQ in the region, the Pink Parade is open for anyone to join in the extensive route through the center of the city where it then leads along the seaside on the Promenade des Anglais as it winds back into the core of Nice.

Instead of watching a variety of floats go by from a standing point, people are encouraged to follow along the route, while everyone is cheering, Pride flags are waving and a variety of music is played for everyone to enjoy.

In the French Riviera, Pride is always about community spirit and love for one another.

The after-parade party will of course take place at any number of outdoor terraces until the nightclubs open up but in the meanwhile, be sure to support the Centre LGBT Cote d’Azur at 123 Rue de Roquebiliere where a beautiful "Soirée des Fiertés" will be held outside, in front of the premises, on Saturday, July 23rd from 7 pm to 11 pm!

Open to everyone, this will be a celebration filled with music, aperitif, exhibitions, slogans, and flags from the LGBTQIA+ community with speeches, photocalls, etc., in a safe and inclusive area. 

A Monaco First! Marital Status Changed For Transgender Person

It’s a first and essential move forward in Monaco.

On July 4, a decision was rendered with the court of the first instance of Monaco authorizing one of its nationals to modify his gender and his first name in the civil status.

It was mentioned that “female sex” must replace “male sex” on his birth certificate.

“We approached the Monegasque court on the basis of the case law of the European Court of Human Rights”, explains Me Patrice Spinosi, one of the applicant’s lawyers, with Thomas Giacardi. While France and most European countries have implemented legislation allowing a transgender person to change marital status, the Principality of Monaco had no provision of this nature yet.

“It is a happy decision, all the more remarkable in a traditionally conservative country where Catholicism is the state religion,” supports the council.

The individual, who wishes to remain anonymous stated, “My country does not turn its back on me.”

This historic and unprecedented request had been made by a person born a woman in 2000 but who, at the age of 4, realized, he was a male with the process of physical transformation having started in 2020.

The individual, who also has French nationality, was able to modify his marital status with the French courts.

There have been many firsts in the past few years with Monaco also having celebrated its first Pride event on June 1, 2022.

Photo credit: Jean-François Ottonello

The Prince’s Private Car Collection in Monaco

 

The Prince’s private car collection has found a new home in Monaco!

On Thursday, July 7, 2022, Prince Albert ll and members of the Princely family were on hand to inaugurate the new Collection of the Prince of Monaco’s Automobiles.

Originally located in Fontvielle, the amazing array of cars can now be found at the new home at Port Hercules where it will open to the public on Friday, July 8, 2022.

At the inauguration, Valérie Closier, director of the Collection said, “This Collection should be open to all and interest a large public. We have to make it more lively so that even the locals come back regularly to discover new things.”

With Monaco known for having an extensive racing history, this new location for the Collection places it on the edge of the famous “piscine” section of the iconic Formula 1 circuit, where the new 3,500m2 facility will be home to 70 vehicles.

Even if you only have a slight interest in cars, the Collection does offer something for everyone.

There are Formula 1 cars that are mounted on the walls of the Collection, to more personal pieces including those in which Princely family weddings took place.

The goal of the Collection is for the experience to be more immersive so here you will see historic films broadcast on giant screens along with touchscreens that allow visitors to actively engage with the cars.

Not only is it possible to discover the characteristics of the cars, but it is also possible to digitally visit the interiors of some of these historic vehicles. “In this way, we in some way enter into the intimacy of the Princely family,” said Closier.

This new opportunity for the Prince’s Collection allows everyone to come and enjoy the myriad of cars both historic and new in a prime location.

Photos by Michael Alesi, Government Communication Department