Picture yourself sipping morning coffee on a sun-drenched terrace overlooking 2,130 square metres of Mediterranean garden, the scent of lavender drifting on warm Provençal breezes while the French Riviera sparkles just 20 minutes down the hillside. This is the daily reality awaiting at this 186-square-metre villa in La Gaude, where authentic southern French living meets practical vacation home ownership in one of Europe's most coveted holiday destinations. Within a five-minute drive of village amenities yet cocooned in tranquil countryside, this five-bedroom residence offers the perfect balance international buyers seek when investing in a second home on the Côte d'Azur. La Gaude occupies a privileged position in the Alpes-Maritimes department, perched on hillsides between Nice and the medieval village of Saint-Paul-de-Vence. This location delivers the quintessential Provençal experience while maintaining exceptional connectivity to Mediterranean beaches, Nice Côte d'Azur Airport just 25 minutes away, and the cultural richness of the French Riviera. The property sits in peaceful countryside setting where olive groves and cypress trees define the landscape, yet village shops, bakeries serving warm croissants, and traditional Provençal markets remain within five minutes. This accessibility makes the villa ideal for vacation home owners who value both seclusion and convenience, whether visiting for summer holidays or extended winter escapes. The villa's 186 square metres spread across seven thoughtfully designed rooms, accommodating family gatherings and guest visits with ease. The ground floor welcomes you through an 11-square-metre entrance hall leading to a generous 32-square-metre living room where a traditional fireplace creates focal point for cooler evenings. French doors open directly to outdoor terraces, blurring the boundaries between indoor and indoor living in true Mediterranean style. The 11-square-metre kitchen comes fully equipped and functional, positioned to serve both daily family meals and elaborate dinner parties showcasing regional produce from local markets. Two bedrooms on this level, each 14 square metres, share a four-square-metre shower room, while a six-square-metre bathroom with WC serves the main living areas. A dedicated 27-square-metre office provides workspace for those extending their stay or managing remote work commitments, increasingly important for modern vacation home owners. The independent WC and seven-metre corridor ensure smooth circulation throughout the ground floor. Upstairs, three additional bedrooms ranging from nine to 14 square metres offer flexible accommodation for children, extended family, or rental guests. Two 12-square-metre bedrooms provide comfortable doubles, while the nine-square-metre room works perfectly as a single or children's space. A seven-square-metre bathroom with WC and separate one-square-metre WC serve the upper floor, ensuring adequate facilities when the house runs at full capacity during peak holiday periods. Air-conditioning throughout maintains comfort during July and August when temperatures regularly reach 30 degrees Celsius, essential for attracting quality rental guests if you choose to generate income when not in residence. The outdoor spaces transform this property from appealing villa to exceptional vacation home. A swimming pool anchors the garden, surrounded by 2,130 square metres of planted grounds offering multiple zones for dining, sunbathing, and evening aperitifs under the stars. The dedicated pool house provides changing facilities and storage, while 42 square metres of ground-floor terrace and 20 square metres of additional terrace create seamless indoor-outdoor flow. Mature plantings provide privacy and shade, with space remaining for vegetable gardens, additional landscaping, or even a pétanque court to embrace local leisure traditions. Practical features include a 29-square-metre garage accommodating one vehicle with additional parking for three cars, crucial when hosting visitors or renting to families. The 31-square-metre cellar offers extensive storage for everything from sporting equipment to wine collections, while a 10-square-metre laundry room handles the increased washing demands of vacation property ownership. These details matter significantly for international owners managing properties from abroad, reducing maintenance headaches and supporting rental operations. La Gaude itself embodies authentic Provençal village life while avoiding the tourist crowds that overwhelm coastal towns during summer months. The village centre, just five minutes away, clusters around its church and plane tree-shaded squares where locals gather at cafés for morning coffee and evening pastis. Weekly markets overflow with regional specialties: sun-ripened tomatoes, aromatic herbs, local olive oil, farm-fresh cheeses, and wines from nearby appellations. Traditional bakeries produce daily bread and pastries, while butchers and fishmongers source quality ingredients for Mediterranean cooking. The village maintains essential services including doctors within 10 minutes, primary schools and nurseries within 10 minutes, making extended family stays practical and comfortable. The location delivers exceptional access to Côte d'Azur highlights that make this region Europe's premier vacation destination. Nice, 15 minutes away, offers international airport connections, TGV rail links to Paris and beyond, and urban amenities from Michelin-starred restaurants to contemporary art museums. The Promenade des Anglais stretches along seven kilometres of Mediterranean coastline, with public and private beaches providing swimming, water sports, and beachfront dining throughout the warmer months. The medieval hilltop village of Saint-Paul-de-Vence, internationally renowned for its art galleries and the Foundation Maeght's world-class modern art collection, sits just 10 minutes away. Antibes, Cannes, and Monaco lie within 30 to 45 minutes, opening access to yacht harbors, luxury shopping, casino entertainment, and countless beaches ranging from family-friendly to exclusive beach clubs. The hinterland behind La Gaude rewards exploration with authentic Provençal experiences. Medieval villages like Tourrettes-sur-Loup, Gourdon, and Bar-sur-Loup perch on hilltops, their narrow streets lined with artisan workshops, galleries, and restaurants serving regional cuisine. Grasse, the perfume capital 30 minutes north, offers factory tours and fragrance workshops. The Gorges du Loup provides dramatic natural scenery with waterfalls and swimming holes for hot summer days. In winter, ski resorts in the southern Alps lie 90 minutes away, enabling morning skiing and afternoon beach walks on the same day, a unique feature of this region. The climate defines the Côte d'Azur's appeal as Europe's year-round vacation destination. Over 300 days of sunshine annually create ideal conditions for outdoor living from March through November. Summers average 28 to 32 degrees with low humidity, cooled by evening breezes. Spring and autumn offer perfect temperatures for hiking, cycling, and sightseeing without summer crowds. Even winter months provide mild, sunny days ideal for extended stays, with average temperatures around 13 to 15 degrees. This climate extends the property's usability and rental potential well beyond typical summer seasons, improving investment returns. The property presents strong potential for rental income if desired. The Côte d'Azur commands premium weekly rates year-round, with this five-bedroom configuration appealing to extended families and groups seeking authentic experiences beyond beachfront hotels. Professional property management companies operating throughout the region handle everything from guest communications to maintenance, making remote ownership practical for international buyers. Alternatively, many owners prefer reserving the property exclusively for personal use, lending to friends and family to maximize enjoyment of their French Riviera second home. The asking price of €770,000 positions this villa competitively within La Gaude's established property market, where demand from international buyers remains consistently strong. The French Riviera continues attracting vacation home investment due to proven rental markets, stable property values, year-round climate, and unmatched lifestyle appeal. The property's move-in ready condition eliminates immediate renovation expenses, allowing new owners to begin enjoying their investment immediately. For international buyers, French property ownership follows well-established legal frameworks with transparent processes. Many buyers structure purchases through French property holding companies (SCIs) for tax efficiency and succession planning. Annual property taxes remain moderate compared to equivalent properties in other premium European destinations. Notaire fees and purchase taxes typically add seven to eight percent to the purchase price. Various mortgage options exist for international buyers, though many prefer cash purchases to simplify ownership structures. Energy performance ratings of E for consumption and F for emissions reflect the property's current systems and construction, typical for established villas in the region. Many owners choose to upgrade insulation, install solar panels, or replace heating systems to improve efficiency and reduce operating costs, particularly if planning extensive personal use or pursuing higher-end rental markets. The moderate energy costs estimated at €7,340 to €9,940 annually remain manageable for a property of this size in this climate zone. Key features transforming this property into your ideal French Riviera vacation home: • Five bedrooms across 186 square metres accommodate extended family gatherings • Swimming pool with dedicated pool house for endless summer entertaining • 2,130-square-metre garden offering privacy, multiple terraces, and Mediterranean plantings • 25 minutes to Nice Côte d'Azur Airport connecting to European and international destinations • 20 minutes to Mediterranean beaches from Antibes to Nice • Five minutes to La Gaude village amenities, shops, and authentic Provençal markets • 29-square-metre garage plus parking for three additional vehicles • 31-square-metre cellar and 10-square-metre laundry room for practical storage • Air-conditioning throughout for summer comfort and rental appeal • Traditional fireplace creating atmosphere during cooler months • 27-square-metre office supporting remote work and extended stays • Move-in ready condition requiring no immediate renovation investment • Village setting balancing tranquility with convenient access to services • Strong rental income potential in Europe's premier vacation market • Year-round climate enabling property enjoyment across all seasons This villa represents more than a real estate transaction; it offers entry into the legendary Côte d'Azur lifestyle that has attracted artists, writers, and discerning travelers for generations. Imagine August afternoons by your private pool while children play in the garden, autumn drives through hilltop villages searching for the perfect local restaurant, winter walks along empty beaches followed by fireside dinners, and spring mornings at village markets selecting ingredients for long lunches on your terrace. This is the rhythm of life awaiting in La Gaude, where your French Riviera vacation home becomes the setting for decades of cherished memories with family and friends. Contact Homestra today to arrange your private viewing of this exceptional five-bedroom villa and begin your journey to second home ownership in one of Europe's most desirable destinations. Our team specializes in supporting international buyers through every step of the French property purchase process, ensuring your path to Côte d'Azur ownership proceeds smoothly and successfully. Your Mediterranean escape awaits in La Gaude, where authentic Provençal living meets the sophistication and convenience that define the French Riviera experience.
