Regardless of the first time you visit the French Riviera, it will impress you. This author's first view of the French Riviera was as a midshipman from the deck of a U.S. destroyer anchored in the harbor of Villefranche-sur-Mer in the summer of 1955. I remember that I was awestruck with the clarity of the light blue sky, the brilliance of the sun's light, the dark azur blue of the surrounding sea and the beautiful pastel colors of the homes cascading up the terrain from the harbor. Without knowing anything about its history, it was obvious that it was a charmed destination. It was "love at first sight."
Later, after my career as a US Navy carrier pilot, my second career as a Pan Am pilot allowed frequent visits to this unique paradise. Now retired, two pilgrimages a year to this siren's call have resulted in many personal friendships in this charming village. In those years, new condos have been built and older ones refurbished. On this site, all the photos we display were personally taken in the property of interest. We are not the type of Owner's Agent that shows four flattering photos of a derelict property never personally visited. Such displays are prevalent on the Internet. We actually rent in Saint Jean twice per year and have done so regularly since 1997. We know the village, its citizens, its restaurants, its apartment complexes and, most importantly, the apartment and villa owners. Some of those are absentee owners for most of the year whose interests we represent when renting their properties. We also know many other non-French natives who visit regularly. Saint Jean is famous for its friendly ambiance. When one combines that with fabulous vues, nice beaches, perfect temperature of air and sea, one understands why so many return so often.
Yes, this nearly quatrième age (less eight) author is qualified to recommend where and what to rent in the village of Saint Jean and on Cap Ferrat's varied terrain. The French graciously have a special term for the ages of their "Senior" citizens. They measure seniority in twenty year increments. The term "troisième age" refers to a person in their sixties (3 times 20). And similarly, a person in their eighties is in their "quatrième age" (4 times 20.)
Please read on if you are interested in visiting the French Riviera in any level of luxury - from simple to extravagant. This website is designed to answer as many questions as possible for those who have no experience at all on La Côte d'Azur and perhaps help those whose first experience was not truly rewarding because the vendor they used had not done even their "homework," much less yours.
We emphasize the purist maxim in our informational packages of "What You See Is What You Get." We are very proud of our research, and in that process - the acquisition of our on-site French, Italian, American, English, Irish, German and other nationality friends who reside or vacation in Saint Jean-Cap-Ferrat.
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