The South of France is famous all over the world for being one of the most prestigious and very best destinations in the world with a large number of luxury homes. What not many know however is the true beauty of its clear waters, fantastic climate and magical capes. The South of France is dotted with a series of capes each of them with a slightly different character.

The French Riviera is a stretch of coast in the southeastern part of France that is unique in the world for its stunningly clear waters and bright sunny days. In fact the French call that part of their country the Cote D Azur which stands for the Turquoise Coast. There is little doubt that the name is well deserved as the whole region boasts a high number fantastic beaches. It doesn't come as much of a surprise that many of Europes most wealthy and powerful individuals choose to live in this region. The French Riviera first became popular in the mid 20th century when Europes elite discovered the fantastic climate. There is something magical about this land where the sea reflects a stunningly clear blue sky and where palm trees, olives and pines all make up the vegetation. One of the most captivating things to do in the Riviera is to simply drive a car out to one of its many Capes and stroll around at a leisurly pace, taking in the beauty of the environment and admiring some of the very best luxury homes. These little tracks of land projecting out into the water are like small worlds of their own. Each one of these capes boast a large number of luxury homes. The first cape after the Italian border is Cap Martin. It is perhaps the most exclusive cape in the French Riviera and is home to some of Europes very best luxury homes. It is also the only cape whose entrance is restricted, one has to be a resident to drive in. Even if one manages to drive past the barrier, the gates of the luxury homes are too high and the vegetation too dense for anything to be seem. None of these luxury homes will ever find their way to the front window of a real estate office, they are the kind of luxury homes that are either passed down from generation to generation or signed over in the offices of high powered lawyers. The best way to see these luxury homes is to cruise by on a yacht as all of these homes have unimpaired views of the Mediterranean. There owners are European industrialists whose names will be not revealed.

Just as discreet but rather more Bourgeois is Cap D Ail, in English, the Cape of Garlic. It benefits greatly from its proximity to Monte Carlo and its luxury homes are mainly of turn of the century remarkably restored belle epoque villas. Most of these luxury homes boast lush green gardens that are the ideal place to host summer parties. The Chemin des Douanier is a path that winds its way through the cape until it reaches the sea and is perhaps one of the most beautiful walks in all of the French Riviera. If we continue to proceed west we reach the largest cape, called Saint Jean Cap Ferrat, or simply Cap Ferrat. Several hundred charming villas with different architecture all try to outdo each other in the beauty of their gardens or in the elegance of their design. Many of these villas are the result of true love stories where owners from all over the world were seduced by the magical atmosphere so abundant in the Cote D Azur. Many of these people purchased old run down villas and renovated them lovingly, creating in the process fantastic luxury homes. Most of these villas have guardians and caretakers that look after the premises until the owners can retire for a few weeks each year during holidays to enjoy their private part of heaven. If you feel intrigued by these stories and are eager to experience first hand some of this magic, stay for a week at The Grand Hotel Du Cap Ferrat. It is one of the most prestigious hotels in all of the South of France and can match the opulence of any the private luxury homes.

Finally the Cap D Antibes, nestling between the busy towns of Antibes and Cannes should not be overlooked. Cap D Antibes was once divided by some of the very best mansions that could only be maintained by royalty or of heads of states during the 19th century. Some of these majestic luxury homes are still standing and have been turned into Provencial villas with all of the modern amenities such as swimming pools and tennis courts. Sadly in all this beauty there is one recurring problem, the French. Any prospective buyer should brace for a rude awakening by the champions of bureaucracy. The young generation has of course progressed in strides since the creation of European Union, however be ready to deal with quite some paper work before buying a luxury home in the South of France.

Editorial | Image Courtesy Of Rosengart