Apartments with a swimming pool on the Côte d'Azur: a must-have feature

On the Côte d’Azur, it is now difficult to find a new-build property development in the high or upper-mid-range that does not highlight its swimming pool. Whether communal – shared amongst several residents – or private on a terrace or rooftop, the swimming pool has, in recent years, established itself as one of the most decisive factors for buyers, whether they are purchasing to live there or as a rental investment. The GRIMAUD – Swimming Pool & Sea View development is a prime example of this, with its contemporary villas designed around the swimming pool and the view over the bay.

This trend can be explained first and foremost by the climate: with over 300 days of sunshine a year on the Côte d’Azur coastline, the swimming pool is no longer merely a summer amenity but has become a defining feature of the lifestyle, usable for much of the year. It is also driven by the growing demand for properties that replicate, within multi-occupancy developments, the features once reserved for detached villas — a fundamental shift affecting the entire residential market in the south of France.

As for developers, several formats coexist. The communal infinity pool, often situated in the centre of a block or on a rooftop with unobstructed views, remains the most common feature in luxury developments — this is the case in CANNES - Petit Juas, where the infinity pool is integrated into the residence’s landscaped grounds. Some developments focus instead on communal spaces and greenery, such as VALBONNE - Sophia-Antipolis, which combines a swimming pool, landscaped grounds, communal gardens and green roofs. Finally, some serviced residences feature a swimming pool heated all year round, combined with a wellness area (sauna, steam room, gym), to set themselves apart in an increasingly competitive market.

Before making a swimming pool a priority, there are several points worth checking carefully: the management arrangement (a communal pool managed by the property manager, with the costs passed on to the service charges, or a private pool where maintenance is the sole responsibility of the owner), the opening hours and access arrangements, the pool’s aspect and actual amount of sunlight it receives depending on the season, as well as the impact of this facility on the annual service charges — a factor often underestimated at the time of purchase but which places a lasting strain on the owner’s budget.

Our advisers have up-to-date knowledge of new-build developments offering a swimming pool across the entire Côte d’Azur, including details of the types of pool (communal, private, heated) and the associated charges. Please feel free to mention this criterion when requesting a property dossier: we will refine the selection based on your priorities regarding budget, location and the type of swimming pool you are looking for.