Flat-hunting on the Cote d'Azur

My aunt Tutta, who lives in Strasbourg, has been wanting to move to the Cote d’Azur for a while… Based on her experiences, seems that it’s pretty much impossible for a pensioner (foreign, anyway) to get rental accommodation. I find that rather change, since I’d have thought they are pretty safe bets (not likely to have late-night parties, or cheat on payments?). Well, that’s life…

Luckily (for Tutta), a couple of Finnish friends of mine, Pete and Anne (and little Jasmine, of course), are leaving France in a couple of month’s time, which will leave their apartment free. It’s a pretty nice place with a nice garden, located in the Domaine de Haut Vaugrenier. The domain is a bit of its own little gated community, with pretty much all services available on-site – including a 50 meter swimming pool.

After a quick photo session on-site, I sent the photos to Tutta. She didn’t hesitate very long, and booked a flight for the same week to come and inspect the place herself.

Before paying a visit to Pete’s and Anne’s place, we decided to meet up with Tutta for lunch at the Hamac, a beach-side restaurant located just next to Tutta’s hotel. And guess who we ran into at the restaurant ? Yep, that’s right, Pete, Anne and Jasmine – they were just finishing their lunch. After a laid-back lunch (with some Brazilian musicians entertaining us), we drove up to the Domaine for the visit. Clearly, Tutta was pretty much sold. Garden, swimming pool, view over the sea, peace and quiet; what more can one ask for?

We invited Tutta over for a dinner at our balcony, after which we watched the Football world cup final (seems that Tutta is a bit of a football fun, somewhat to my surprise). Spain, of course, clinched it after a rather convincing performance. Well deserved winners of the World Cup!

We got the news a couple of days later – Tutta had come to agreement with the apartment owner and will be moving in October!