Buying in Cannes: what overseas buyers should know
Cannes is one of the best-known towns on the Cote d'Azur, famous for its film festival, its seafront and its polished way of life. Buyers are drawn by La Croisette, the beaches and the calendar of international events, along with a property market of elegant apartments and villas. Purchasers include second-home owners, investors letting to the festival and conference market, and those settling on the Riviera for good. Property runs from seafront apartments to villas in the hills above the town.
What buyers are looking for in Cannes
Demand in Cannes is international and enduring, with the strongest interest in apartments along and just behind La Croisette. The old quarter of Le Suquet, the residential Californie district and the hills above the town each attract their own buyers, the last of these for villas with sea views and gardens. Well-placed apartments with outside space and a sea view are consistently sought after. A local partner agent can help you weigh one address against another.
Buying as an overseas buyer
UK buyers can own freely in France. Since Brexit, stays are limited to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen area without a visa, with a long-stay visa for longer periods. A notaire oversees the purchase, with a deposit and a short cooling-off period, and fees paid through the notaire are higher on older resale homes than on new-build. Ongoing costs include the annual taxe fonciere, plus taxe d'habitation on second homes, with a surcharge in some areas. French banks lend to non-residents, usually with a larger deposit than a resident would need. Take local advice on your position. Start your search to see property for sale in Cannes, or contact our team to be connected with a local partner agent.
Where to find property for sale in Cannes
Cannes centres on La Croisette, the seafront boulevard lined with grand apartment buildings, hotels and beaches. Behind it, the old quarter of Le Suquet climbs the hill with narrow streets and views over the bay, while the Californie district to the east is known for its villas and larger residences. Above the town, the hills offer homes with gardens, pools and views across to the sea. As part of the Cote d'Azur, Cannes sits within easy reach of Nice and the peninsula of St. Tropez.
Property is mostly apartments near the seafront and in the town, with villas concentrated in Californie and the surrounding hills. Buyers choosing between a lock-up-and-leave apartment and a villa with grounds will find both here. Explore our collections to shortlist by the way you want to live.
