Here's an inside look at life on the French Riviera's 'Peninsula of Billionaires,' an exclusive seaside community beloved by royalty and tech tycoons (2024)

FAQs

Where do the richest people live in France? ›

Paris (Île-de-France), Rouen (Seine-Maritime), Limoges (Haute-Vienne), Bordeaux (Gironde)... all of these towns and cities share a common trait – all of them have their richest population living on the western side and the poorest on the east.

As a tourist centre, the French Riviera benefits from 310 to 330 days of sunshine per year, 115 kilometres (71 miles) of coastline and beaches, 18 golf courses, 14 ski resorts and 3,000 restaurants.

This very scenic location can be rented under special conditions to host galas and events in the lush park and gardens. Today Saint-Jean Cap-Ferrat has probably some of the most expensive real estate in the world, and continues to attract the rich. Current residents include theatrical composer Andrew Lloyd Webber.

This is a place worth visiting for a walk around or just to be down and use the beach. Saint Jean-Cap-Ferrat is a quiet town with magnificent views over the Mediterranean. If you have car, come early as there is plenty of visitors.

A quarter of full-time employees make less than €1,670, while a half earn under €2,092. At the higher end, 23% of workers make €3,000 a month while the top 10% of earners in the country bank €4,170. The biggest pay cheques, those over €10,000 per month, are reserved for the top 1% of salaried workers.

Top earners

A total of 23 percent of workers take home €3,000 or more every month, while the top 10 percent clear €4,170. To be in the top one percent of earners in France in 2024, one person must bring in at least €10,000 per month.

Villefranche-sur-Mer: Set between Monaco and Nice, this village has one of Europe's most gorgeous bays, which is why some of the priciest homes in the world can be found here. You can also easily get to Italy from Villefranche-sur-Mer.

Hotel: Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc

Antibes is one of the most exclusive locations along the French Riviera. It has long been a sought-after destination by the rich and famous. Its proximity to Cannes makes it a popular spot during the film festival with its red-carpet events and parties.

Unfortunately, the reality is that the French Riviera is quite an expensive place to vacation, one of the most expensive in Europe.

On the western side of Paris, bordering the Bois de Boulogne, the classic old-money 16th arrondissem*nt of Paris was long considered to be the wealthiest district in Paris and one of the most expensive neighborhoods to live in Paris as well.

Which celebrities live in Cap Ferrat? ›

The old money crowd in Paris tends to live in the wealthy 16th arrondissem*nt of the city, the small town of Neuilly-Sur-Seine, just outside Paris, and the suburb of Saint-Cloud, France.

In Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, the lowest price per sq. metre for properties is 8 514 €, the average price 26 124 €, and the highest 77 311 €.

As of 2023, the current owner of Villa Maryland in Cap Ferrat is Israel Englander. The transition in ownership occurred from the late Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen to Israel Englander, who is the founder of Millennium Management.

This precious peninsula dotted with grand villas, spectacular gardens, and quaint coves bathed in sunshine has been named among the world's most expensive residential areas, second only to Monaco. But the millionaires' villas set amidst stunning gardens are not the only attractions on the cape.

The French Riviera has been a favourite stomping ground for the rich, the famous and the wannabe's since the 1850s. For decades, they've been flocking to this stunning corner of the world to be seen and to party at some of the most exclusive and legendary nightspots on the Côte d'Azur.

Paris, Lyon, and Brodeaux are the most expensive cities for residential real estate in France. In Paris, the average square meter price of an apartment was almost 10,000 euros in November 2023, while the house price was even higher.

The "Billionaires' Bay", whose real name is Anse de l'Argent-Faux, is located at the foot of Villa Eilenroc, at Cap d'Antibes. Initially only accessible by boat, it has been open to pedestrians since 2011 through a small path.

The French Riviera is known to be a playground for the rich and famous. But of all the seaside towns, the village of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat stands apart. The exclusive coastal community, known for its yacht-filled harbor and opulent historic villas, is home to only about 1,600 permanent residents.