Clearly, the ultra-luxury market is booming on TV. It must be said that in the absence of being able to access property, drooling over overpriced and imagination-defying properties remains a relatively affordable pleasure. This Thursday at 9:10 p.m., RMC Story unveils a brand new program entitled French Riviera: Luxury Villas. As its name suggests, the program sets up shop on the Côte d’Azur, between Cannes and Monaco, where the sun shines all year round and where the real estate market is beyond belief.
The chain invites us to discover “extraordinary residences” and “previously inaccessible villas”, specifies a press release. It is also a question of following three specialized agencies who bend over backwards to meet the “special requirements” of their “picky” clients, we hear in the program. A show reminiscent of successful reality TV The Agency on TMC (and Netflix), right? “20 Minutes” lends itself to the game of differences.
The feet in water
Unlike the Boulogne agency which now has an international reputation, the sector of French Riviera is by definition more restricted and delimited. The show focuses solely on properties in the south-east of France and does not deviate one iota from the Mediterranean. The “unobstructed sea view” and the infinity pools are obviously the strong selling points of these villas. If the show is there, we wonder about the sustainability of the show and its ability to renew itself season after season.
More upscale than high end
Did you think you had a blast with the Kretzes? Welcome to the heavyweight category. Disproportionately large (one of the first villas has 19 bedrooms and 17 bathrooms), with several swimming pools (it’s good to have variety in the same day), spas, gyms, golf courses, hair salons … The properties presented on RMC reach several tens of millions of euros for sale. The Agency, she generally reveals goods at a bit more “modest” prices, around a few million. On the other hand, on one side or the other we do not skimp on “noble materials” and “wow effects”.
Luxury tenants
Rich people don’t just have the word “purchase” on their lips, they also rent. Particularly in the events sector where the Côte d’Azur remains a privileged playground. An aspect that particularly highlights French Riviera through one of its rental agencies “entirely dedicated to luxury”. “No rental below 10,000 euros per week,” Justin, one of its representatives, tells us. Expect around 65,000 euros per week for a Balinese-style villa, 13,000 m² of garden, a private beach and a boxing ring. Among others.
Three agencies for the price of one
There where The agency tells the daily life of a family, French Riviera features three different agencies in the same program. There is the 100% female one where the confirmed Amanda trains her young recruit Kos. The history of Michaël Zingraf, who has been in the sector since the 1970s. Then the British agency Knight Frank and its international clientele. We lose the family side and the sympathy capital of the Kretz but we gain the competitive aspect which can be particularly juicy. However, however lovable – or hateful – they may be, none will be able to replace the mysterious Daniel Daggers (we won’t say more).
Two rooms, two atmospheres
In the world of luxury real estate shows, you have to choose your musical side. On the side of The AgencyUS hip-hop is king and has the merit of bringing a dramatic dimension to neighborhoods of the capital boring as desired (hello 8th arrondissement). At the house of French Riviera, we dance hard. A way of focusing on rhythm, nightclubs and frenzy, to illustrate a region of France where mainly people over 65 rub shoulders. We salute the effort.