France: Fancy living on a golf course? Fancy the good life on the Cote D'Azur Now those with the resources can combine the two with new apartments on offer at Valbonne, a Provencal village located between Cannes and Nice.
Cost isn't a particular issue, at least when compared against similar sized apartments currently on offer in Dublin. Prices start at about €145,000 for a 32sqm (344 sq ft) studio apartment plus terrace.
A one-bedroom unit offering from 37.6 sq m (404 sq ft) again with terrace starts from €176,000 and the 65sqm (699 sq ft) plus terrace two bedroom apartments cost from €285,000.
The development, appropriately named Le Swing, lies just on the outskirts of Antibes and Juan Les Pins. It overlooks the Victoria Golf Course and includes 45 studios, one, two and three- bedroom apartments.
It includes a swimming-pool and tennis courts and is currently selling off plans, with completion expected by 2006. Le Swing is just a kilometre from the middle of Valbonne, an old village that has retained its 16th century character. Yet it is also home to the "Technopark of Sophia Antipolis", which headquarters almost 900 international companies, employing 22,000 in both public and private bodies involved in research, telecommunications and multimedia activities.
This high tech activity makes these apartments desirable given the ready access to high earning, long-stay tenants. By the same token, they are good enough value to appeal to those looking for a retirement bolt-hole in the sun where golf, the sea, sun and all the rest are within easy reach.
The apartments are arranged in three blocks, all of which overlook the Michel Gayon-designed course. There is secure underground car-parking but at a price. Spaces cost from €10,000 to €13,500 and golf is also an optional extra for those hoping to use the course.
The top end unit is a 130 sq m (1,388sqft) penthouse costing from €800,000 and three-bedroom units of 90 sq m (968 sq ft) cost from €385,000.
All units have tiled bathrooms with heated towel rail, electric heating - if you ever need it - floor tiling throughout, alarm systems, patio doors onto terraces, electric shutters to keep the sun at bay and a separate cellar/storage room. The kitchens are not equipped.
Builder is Bouygues-Immobilier, one of Europe's largest developers, which ise currently involved in large commercial and residential projects in Spain, France, Portugal, Poland and Germany.
Hamilton Osborne King are the agents and will offer these apartments off plans between 11 a.m. and 5p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, October 2nd, 3rd and 4th, at their offices at 32 Molesworth Street in Dublin.
