31 March 2026

Côte d’Azur Luxury Property Market 2026: Rising Demand for Off-Market Homes in Cap-d’Ail and Villefranche-sur-Mer

Panoramic sea view from an off-market penthouse in Cap-d’Ail on the Côte d’Azur

The luxury real estate market on the French Riviera is entering a more selective phase, yet it remains highly resilient. Buyers are no longer only searching for well-known luxury properties, but are now focusing on turnkey homes that offer privacy, sea views, generous outdoor space, energy efficiency and proximity to Monaco. These trends are particularly evident in the eastern Riviera, where areas such as Cap d’Ail, Villefranche-sur-Mer, Beaulieu-sur-Mer and Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat continue to attract international buyers seeking security, privacy and an elevated lifestyle.

Following the market slowdown in 2023 and early 2024, transaction activity improved gradually throughout 2025. Total transactions increased by approximately 5.8% compared with 2024, while resale activity rose by around 17.5%, reflecting renewed confidence in the luxury real estate market. This positive momentum has a direct impact on neighbouring markets, where buyers are seeking greater space, improved privacy and better value while remaining close to Monaco.

Prices across the French Riviera have generally stabilised, although the luxury segment continues to outperform. Prime villas and seafront properties with panoramic views are seeing price growth of approximately 3% to 5%, while secondary locations remain more stable. Demand is increasingly concentrated around rare, view-driven properties that are ready for immediate occupancy.

The off-market sector has also become increasingly important, as many owners of luxury properties choose to sell privately rather than publicly, particularly in the ultra-prime segment. This gives buyers the opportunity to access these properties before they reach the open market.

Within this context, we are currently handling a small number of discreet opportunities on the eastern French Riviera, including:

A penthouse apartment in Cap d’Ail with panoramic sea views, close to Monaco and offering the privacy and outdoor living increasingly sought after by international buyers.

A sea-view villa in Villefranche-sur-Mer, located in one of the Riviera’s most stable and tightly held residential markets, where supply remains limited and demand for exceptional homes continues to outperform the wider market.

Looking ahead to 2026, the outlook for the French Riviera luxury property market remains positive, with continued recovery in transaction volumes, supported by international demand and sustained strength in prime villas and seafront properties.

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