Living and Working Niçois Style

HOUSE HUNTING INTERNATIONAL STYLE

As I write this, the House Hunters International crew and two of our clients, Jacob and Carla Radford, are filming their “interview scene” in my apartment. To be less intrusive, I’m having a café and croissant at a nearby café as the crew moves furniture around to create the perfect scene. It’s better that I not be there listening to what Jacob and Carla have to say during their interview so that they can feel free to say whatever they like!

This is just the beginning of four days of filming, to be dressed in the same clothing (for me, at least), so that when it’s edited together to a 20-to-22-minute episode, it seems to have taken place over just one day, not four.

This is the 58th episode of my HGTV career, having begun in 2006 when we were just beginning to assist North Americans in finding property in France. At the time, we were operating solely in Paris, as we hadn’t yet expanded to Nice or other parts of France as we have over the past 13 years.

Jacob and Carla have three sons. Finding a large enough apartment for their family was no easy task in real life given their budget, a challenge to be recreated during this filming. Without giving away too much, we are visiting three properties (as is the “formula” for the show), all within central Nice and all that fit their parameters. Clearly, they need at least three bedrooms and two bathrooms would be ideal.

Some of the filming has taken place along the Promenade des Anglais during a beautiful afternoon when the sea was as blue as it gets. My blue/green outfit worked perfectly with the Niçois scenery. As we were filming, there were a lot of people on the Prom who were fans and stopped to take photos or tell us how much they enjoyed the show. We loved every minute!

It likely won’t air on HGTV for several months to come, but we’ll be sure to let you know when it does!

A DUNHILL EVENING WITH A MOUNTAIN AND SEA VIEW

Brian Dunhill, of Dunhill Financial, and his team hosted a cocktail on the rooftop of the Hôtel Splendid in Nice Friday evening—an open invitation to anyone who wanted to meet him and his staff of financial professionals. So many of our clients came that I knew almost everyone, or had met them on Zoom, and finally had a chance to meet in person.

Brian Dunhill and colleague Cedric Bernier

We clinked wine glasses to get everyone’s attention, then Brian made a short speech thanking everyone for being there, and thanking me for having been the catalyst to their client community in France. I subsequently thanked Brian for saving my life about 12 years ago when I was audited by the IRS and the Fisc at the same time! The IRS gave me money back, while France slapped my wrist and imposed a big fine that almost bankrupted me. Brian found a way out and I am thankful to this day for his creative thinking! This is the way he approaches everything.

The drizzly weather didn’t affect the convivial ambiance, nor the fabulous views from the 8th-floor rooftop where one can see the sea on the south and the mountains on the north. Patty Sadauskas managed to capture the rainbow over Nice (the lead photo at the top of this Nouvellettre®) that topped off the perfect evening. Dunhill Marketing Director, Paulina Krosby Braanaas, took photos of the crowd on the rooftop.

Little did I realize that the House Hunters International crew was staying at the same hotel!

VILLES A VIVRE EN FRANCE

For those of you wanting to compare the plusses and minuses of cities in France, here’s a site where you can do just that: Villes à Vivre.

The website is a French platform that serves as a community-driven resource where individuals can share their experiences and opinions about different cities and towns. Beware: this means that it’s based on user reviews rather than critics’, much like a restaurant platform that diners rate vs knowledgeable restaurant critics. I make note of this, because everyone in Paris loves in which arrondissement they live, as does everyone in France love their village, town or region. That doesn’t mean it’s perfect for YOU. The critics, however, make judgments based on global knowledge and critical criteria that could be a better guide for you than the average inhabitant.

In this case, visitors can read and submit reviews about specific communes, discussing aspects such as transportation, safety, environment, and local amenities. For instance, recent reviews highlight issues like traffic congestion in Gien and positive remarks about the environment in Castillonnès.

The site also allows for side-by-side comparisons of different communes, assisting users in making informed decisions about relocation or travel. And by aggregating personal experiences, the platform provides a grassroots perspective on living conditions across France.

They make a point, as I did above, that it’s important to note that while villesavivre.fr offers valuable subjective insights, it may not provide comprehensive statistical data. For more detailed analyses based on official statistics, one might consider consulting other resources such as Villes et Villages, which utilizes data from INSEE, and other public organizations to rank communes based on various quality-of-life indicators.

We have our own point of view based on the needs of North Americans moving to France, which is very different than the average French person who is fluent in French, has lived in France most of their life, and been educated in France. We North Americans have very different needs and desires. One must align personal preferences with lifestyle needs, accessibility, and community integration. Consider 1) weather, 2) ease of access to travel, 3) access to healthcare (depending on age), 4) English-speaking community and 5) cost of living.

If you view this site’s comparisons of French cities, towns and villages, then apply our lens, you may see a very different picture.

NICE IN THE HEART OF THE OCEAN

The May-June edition of Nice Magazine was in my mailbox when I arrived Friday afternoon. This is something American cities do not do—communicate with their inhabitants—and something to be appreciated about French municipalities. They make a point of keeping their own residents informed of what’s going on and making them feel very much a part of the community. Sure, it’s a way of promoting their valiant efforts and patting themselves on the back, but isn’t that just perfect?…Because their efforts are just that…valiant.

This issue is devoted to “Nice in the Heart of the Ocean” in honor of the third United Nations Ocean Conference co-organized by the governments of France and Costa Rica, which will take place in Nice June 9 to 13, 2025 (visit ocean-climate.org/en/ and unocnice2025.org/en/ ).

Mayor Christian Estrosi’s Editorial Message explains (translated by DEEPL):

“From June 7, all eyes will be on Nice, which will be the epicenter of a veritable seaquake with the Coalition of Coastal Cities and Regions, followed, from June 9, by the Third United Nations Conference on the Ocean, co-organized by France and Costa Rica.

Two global events where the stakes will be high, commensurate with the challenges we face in protecting the ocean and preserving its resources. Some 150 delegations and over 30,000 people from 193 UN member countries will be present to work together to define solutions for the future of the ocean. Our future!

As we all know, there are major threats looming: global warming, acidification, pollution, plastic pollution, overexploitation. The rise in sea levels is proportional to that of the warning network.

Giving the ocean a new horizon is the aim of this United Nations Ocean Conference. During these few days when the UN flag will be flying over our city, every decision-maker will have to achieve it, notably through point 14: ‘Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.’ Or through the implementation of the treaty on the high seas (BBNJ), the treaty against plastic pollution and many other joint resolutions.

Signs promoting the Ocean Conference

All the experts, scientists, marine and aquatic ecosystem specialists and players involved in preserving the ‘Grande Bleue’ will be reflecting, exchanging and debating in order to put forward proposals and solutions that the Heads of State and Government will have to transform into strong commitments.”

Be forewarned: Given the high-profile nature of this event, comprehensive security measures are being implemented to ensure the safety of all participants and the smooth operation of the conference. Access to the conference venue and its surrounding perimeter is contingent upon successful completion of two official registrations. High-level attendees, including Heads of State or Government, will be escorted to the venue by French police. Due to the influx of delegates and attendees, the airport is expected to experience significant congestion. Operators should anticipate slot restrictions, limited parking availability, and heightened security measures. The Blue Zone, located at Port Lympia is reserved for government delegations and accredited organizations. Access is strictly controlled and requires proper accreditation. The Green Zone (“La Baleine”), situated at Nice’s Palexpo, approximately 15 minutes by tram from the Blue Zone, will host various pavilions, auditoria, and meeting spaces for thematic and institutional events. Residents of the area need to pay special attention to the high security.

Map showing the port of Nice closures during the conference

For more information visit the City of Nice website.

TO SAVE THE SEA IS TO SAVE THE EARTH!…

Download the PDF version of the Magazine (in French).

LA ZONE PIETONNE DE NICE

Another item in the magazine dear to my heart is that “The Pedestrian Zone Gets a Facelift!” I live on the “Zone Piétonne,” and it thrills me that Mayor Christian Estrosi met with shopkeepers in the Carré d’Or for the first stage in its transformation. This is something to which I certainly don’t object.

“Soothe, beautify and green up the area.” These were the key words of the Mayor who is also the President of the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis. He met and reassured the Carré d’Or’s shopkeepers after the city council adopted a project to transform the zone on March 28th linking Place Masséna with Rue du Congrès, including the planting of over 400 trees and the development of more than 2,500m² of green spaces!

“Ground permeability will be increased to over 75%, compared with just 1% today for a reduction of nearly 7 degrees of the temperature felt during the summer, bringing both comfort and environmental benefits,” maintained Estrosi.

When I heard the news, I wrote the Mayor myself and sent him a registered letter so it wouldn’t get lost among his fan mail. As a resident, I wanted him to hear our side of the story, not just the shopkeepers’. First, I complimented him: “I really admire what you’ve done for the city of Nice…”

Then, I explained: “My balcony overlooks Rue Masséna, which is a constant source of entertainment. There are a few drawbacks, however. The recently installed electronic billboards are a real eyesore, both from the street and from my balcony. They take away the old-fashioned charm we love so much. I hope there’s a better way of getting these important messages across. Also, the Capoeira dancers, during the summer months, make too much noise and smoke with their fires, making it impossible to sleep and sometimes even to enter my building. Your police chief told me they were illegal, but nothing stops them.”

The view of Rue Masséna from Adrian’s apartment

In addition, I made a suggestion: “I would recommend a weekly or twice-weekly open-air market in the street or nearby, perhaps on Place Magenta. Nice is sorely lacking in this service—neighborhood markets—like Paris has in every neighborhood. The street paving should be smooth to avoid tripping and falling hazards, especially for the elderly (like me), and I hope it’s quiet so that rolling suitcases don’t add to the noise. Due to the presence of all the restaurants, special attention should be paid to the rodent population. Our building has had its share of misfortunes!”

Finishing with: “Once again, thank you for your wonderful administration of Nice. I wish Anne Hidalgo would take lessons from you, as she has seriously ruined the city of Paris with her lack of real vision. (I share my time with Paris).”

LOL! Let’s see what happens. I know his staff received it, at least, as his office signed for it!

A la prochaine…