The sky is gray and a cold wind is blowing over the tip of Cap d’Antibes, this peninsula 25 km from Nice. On this part of the coastal path, on one side there is the sea, on the other, a high wall of about 2.5 m with regular surveillance cameras. “It’s the castle of Croë, presents an Antibois, who walks with a friend. Look, a security guard is doing his rounds! »
This 7 ha property was bought by Roman Abramovich. The latter, future-ex owner of the Chelsea club is not (yet) targeted by European sanctions, which attack the bank accounts, villas and ships of Russian oligarchs close to the Kremlin, and has put his shares up for sale. The proceeds will go to a “charitable foundation for the benefit of all victims of the war in Ukraine”, said this close to Putin. He is at the head of a fortune of around 12 billion euros according to Forbes, including this famous Château de la Croë.
Few vehicles circulate in the avenue apart from that of the national police
The regular walker continues: “It’s not just him in the area, but this one has the largest residence. We have the impression that there is movement but ultimately, there are about forty employees who are always there to maintain the garden and the house. You never know if the billionaire is there. »
Very few vehicles have access to Avenue Mrs Beaumont, which runs along the wall, since the installation of a terminal at its entrance. The only car in circulation is that of the national police. “The police often visit this neighborhood, which is normal with these houses and these fortunes! “says a trader who has a view of this street.
If anyone knows of Mr Abramovich’s visit, it’s Malek, an employee of Plage Keller, next door to the luxurious residence. “He’s never here in the winter. In the summer, there is his helicopter which rotates and you can see his boats. He doesn’t even need to book, he calls and we arrange for him to have a table when he wants”.
“We will see if that changes this summer”
According to the employee, who has worked here for twenty years, the European sanctions “do not change much in life in Cap d’Antibes”. “In any case, for the moment, recovers Malek. We already have reservations for banquets, weddings and it is Russian customers who are providing the means”. He knows what he is talking about, 80% of his clientele is foreign and comes from the surrounding area. “We’ll see if that changes this summer,” he says, shrugging his shoulders.
For Louis too, who runs the neighborhood grocery store, it is with the summer that the consequences of this conflict will be felt. “The few oligarchs who were present left and the others did not come in the winter. It’s business as usual. The only change is that it has become a topic of conversation with customers. Some are worried because they are married to a Ukrainian or vice versa”. And for a nearby real estate agency, “apart from journalists who come to ask us questions, our daily life remains the same. We don’t have any more information! “.