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150 reasons to buy in Nice

Friday, March 05, 2010

Source: Catherine Deshayes

The city of Nice is celebrating 150 years of 'Frenchness' by putting on 150 special events over the summer.

One might wonder how the Patron Saint of Nice was and is still today Saint Rita - not a terribly Francophile name by any stretch of the imagination. Well Saint Rita was in fact Italian and became the patron Saint of Nice and of Hopeless Causes in 1543.

Known at that time as the Niçois, the mighty Italians used the hapless Rita - an unknown and common laundress - to frighten off the advancing Turks. Rita, as the story goes, was of ample proportions and really not a great beauty. The macho Italians made her climb a ladder above the parapet and display her wares to the shocked Turks who graciously turned tail and went home.

Nice remained Italian until 1860 when the Italian King sold Nice to Napoleon III in exchange for financial and military help. The Niçois were allowed to vote so there would be no repercussions about being 'sold down the river'. The voting booths were manned by units of the French army and this may well have affected the outcome which saw 99% of the population voting in favour.

It was around about this time that the English 'discovered' Nice for themselves and we have been madly passionate about this slice of France ever since. The wealthy English arrived in their droves, building homes, hotels and churches. It was THE place to be seen and the French very kindly extended the railway on from Marseille to reach Nice ensuring even more well to do Brits could enjoy the Riviera and take a stroll down the Promenade des Anglais.

Kirkor Ajderhanyan is the MD of Agence 107 Promenade and he told us, "The major has announced the celebrations. It is to be a festival of community spirit and they are hoping to get all the patrons of Nice to roll up their sleeves, spruce up their districts and meet the neighbours. There will be some wonderful cultural and sporting events in the summer and we are expecting tourists from all over the world to come and attend."

Kirkor goes onto say, "Due to the high volumes of people descending on Nice we are expecting an upturn in both property sales and rentals - particularly on the Promenade where it is usual for most of the excitement to take place. Many of our luxury apartments have the most tremendous views of the Promenade des Anglais and they are the envy of the city on high days and holidays like these".

Apartments are available on the Promenade from as little as €178,000 for one bedroom, €228,000 for a two bed and stretching all the way up to €1,580,000 for a top of the range luxury 3 bedroom suite. All apartments on the promenade have one thing in common and that is the fabulous vista across the med.

Source: www.107promenade.com.