The French Riviera, particularly Nice and its surrounding areas, has become an increasingly popular destination for affluent American tourists and expatriates, with as many as one in every two real estate sales in the region’s capital involving a US buyer.
In recent years, there has been a marked uptick in the number of American visitors to Monaco and the Côte d’Azur. They had all but disappeared during the Covid crisis, but now they are returning with money to spend and, interestingly, thoughts of expatriation on their minds.
Local authorities are capitalising on this trend to bolster tourism in the region. Côte d’Azur France Tourisme recorded 620,000 hotel stays by American visitors in 2024, a 10% increase compared to 2019. This surge has positioned Americans ahead of traditional European visitors from the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands and Italy, and is giving reasons to more seriously court these visitors from across the pond.
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The area’s resurgence in popularity can be partly chalked up to several new direct flights from major US cities such as New York, Philadelphia and Atlanta into Nice, making the region much more convenient to visit. This is backed up by the fact that in 2024, Nice Côte d’Azur Airport reported a 40% increase in passenger traffic between the French Riviera and the States. This growth is set to increase with a new route to Washington DC starting on 23rd May.
The hospitality sector has been kept on its toes as well and has responded to this influx with the introduction of new hotels near the airport and upscale establishments, like the Victoria and the Hôtel du Couvent. These five-star accommodations offer stylish rooms, restaurants appealing to foodies and top-notch spas, catering to the specific tastes of American visitors.
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US tourists have long been drawn to the charm and history of Nice, from the narrow winding side streets of Old Town to the Cours Saleya’s très charmant flower market, great shopping and cultural sites such as the Chagall and Matisse museums. But while they clearly go in for the usual tourist fare, they also seem to be looking for more immersive experiences. Cooking classes in English, focusing on traditional dishes like farcis niçois, have become particularly popular, for example.
The real estate market has felt the impact of American interest. Olivier Roquin of Nice’s Agence Winter told France 3 Côte d’Azur that he has seen a significant increase in the number of American buyers, revealing, “One in two sales [in the city] is with Americans.”
These buyers, typically over 50, have disposable income and free time. Their preferred choices appear to be Belle Époque-style properties in the €400,000 to €800,000 range, and within walking distance of local amenities.
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Roquin attributes this trend partly to political factors, stating, “The trigger is politics, but the decision to come to Nice is the setting! And above all, they love the image of our President Macron, who defends Europe and stability.”
In Monaco, the American presence is also growing, though more modestly. According to the Monegasque Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (IMSEE), as of 2023, there were 449 American residents in the Principality, up from only 366 in 2016.
This number reflects a steady, albeit gradual, increase in recent years. However, specific challenges, such as tax obligations tied to US citizenship and stringent banking regulations under the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA), still temper the influx. These factors make it difficult for Americans to open bank accounts in Monaco, leading some to opt for neighbouring French towns that give them access to Monaco’s many amenities.
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