I Found My Way to Saint-Tropez
By Adrian Leeds

In the summer of 2002, my closest high school buddies orchestrated a fifty-year-old celebration and reunion in what we thought was the chicest spot on the planet: Saint-Tropez. One of the six women rented a three-bedroom villa walking distance from the ocean and we arranged to meet there on the first day of the offical vacation period in France.

Not a seat was left vacant on the TGV (Train à Grande Vitesse) headed to the port of Saint-Raphael where we transferred to a "shuttle" boat timed with the trains that landed in Saint-Tropez in 50 minutes. The cool ride on the water was the first real hint of what was to come in the land of the beautiful, rich, famous, relaxed and tan. I couldn't stop humming..."Do you know the way to Saint-Tropez?..." with the wind in my face and the sun on my legs.

The villa was typically Provençal...pink stucco, red tiled roof, green shutters, terra cotta tiled floors, bougainvillea climbing up the walls, surrounded by palms, lavender and flowers...serene and warm and inviting. From the "salle a manger," you could see the pool made completely private by virtue of tall bushes, but allowing for a magnificent view of the port and its elegant yachts on the blue Mediterranean waters.

It was love at first sight, answering any question about why Saint-Tropez is the home of the jet set and those who know luxury to be the norm. We saw four silver-blue Ferraris within 30 minutes of being there and at the chic four-star Hotel Byblos, no car parked in front was less than a Mercedes.

Le Byblos, built in the style of a Mediterranean village, is just up the hill from the Place des Lices, Saint- Tropez's main shopping district and is the town's most illustrious hotel. The 47 guestrooms and 47 suites with nightly rates of 420€ to 900€, is equipped with the latest facilities, including some rooms with Jacuzzis. The outdoor heated swimming pool has been called "sensual" by journalists and is busy this time of year. So are its restaurants -- most famous are the Spoon Byblos by Alain Ducasse and its discothèque, Les Caves du Roy.

La Plage de la Bouillabaise is one of Saint-Tropez's most well-known and chicest beaches, with a half kilometer of fine sand, chaise longues, umbrellas and an excellent restaurant.

The setting could not have been a better meeting point to re-commune after more than 30 years. It was during that week that the strong image of Saint-Tropez stuck so firmly in my mind as to wish to recreate the ambiance as close as possible somewhere else...soon to come true in Paris on the 4th floor of my 17th-century building with a terrace overlooking rue de Saintonge.

Stay tuned.

 

 

Editor's Notes:

Office de Tourisme in Saint Tropez
83994 Saint-Tropez Cedex
Tel: 0 892 68 48 28
Fax: 04 94 97 82 66
http://www.ot-saint-tropez.com/

Hotel Byblos
Avenue Paul Signac
83990 Saint-Tropez
Tel: 04 94 56 68 00
Fax: 04 94 56 68 01
Email: saint-tropez@byblos.com
http://www.byblos.com

Plage de la Bouillabaisse
http://www.saint-tropez.fr/.

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Paris Residence Club Introducing First Fractional Ownership Online Conferences
Compiled by Schuyler Hoffman

In its continued effort to educate the market on the benefits of fractional ownership and investing in shared vacation ownership in Paris, France, Paris Residence Club has announced a series of interactive webinars designed to help educate and promote fractional ownership, and answer any pending questions about its Parisian program. “By using webinars as our platform, we are able to further open ourselves up to the public, in addition to helping consumers decide what product best suits their needs,” says Walid Halabi, CEO and founder of Paris Residence Club. “Of course we hope that participants will want to buy a share in Paris Residence Club, but promoting the industry is also a well-deserved shot in the arm for everyone,” added Walid Halabi.

Topics to be discussed throughout the webinars range from a basic introduction to fractional ownership, to various usage plans, and understanding the legal aspects of owning vacation property abroad, especially in Paris. "This really is for the consumer, and the direction our webinars end up taking is really up to them," Halabi adds. "I am looking forward to this face-to-face with clients with great enthusiasm."

The first webinars will be held on August 1st and 2nd. Each webinar will be recorded and subsequently posted on the company website in the form of a podcast for anyone to download and review.

Editor's Note: French Property Fractional is pleased to represent and promote Paris Residence Club properties. More information is available at http://www.adrianleeds.com/frenchproperty/fractional/prc/index.html.

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Fractional Property Offerings from French Property Fractional

www.adrianleeds.com/frenchproperty/fractional

If you are interested in traditional fractional ownership properties currently offered by our Fractional Ownership partners, see below:

Paris: LE PALACE DES VOSGES	Paris: LE NOTRE DAME
Paris: CHEZ LA TOUR	Paris: La Résidence Luxembourg
Paris: LE PETIT TRESOR	Languedoc-Roussillon: MAISON BLEUE
Paris: PARIS RESIDENCE CLUB	Languedoc-Roussillon: NOTRE MAISON DANS TOULOUGES

To see our latest Fractional offerings go to http://adrianleeds.com/frenchproperty/fractional/fractional_offerings.html

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Tips on Buying Properties in the South of France

http://www.backpackingguidetoeurope.com/

Wouldn't it be nice to buy properties in the south of France, particularly in St. Tropez? Some people are inclined to believe that investing in St. Tropez real estate would cost an arm and a leg, but you would be surprised to see that some properties actually go for a lot less than you might expect.

Aside from the price, another incentive that can pull you into buying a St. Tropez property is the fact that the weather is always mild there. The mild Mediterranean climate attracts people from the colder parts of Europe all year round, but more so during the summer months. You can treat the property as an income generator by renting it out to these holiday-goers who regularly flock to St. Tropez and the other tourist destinations in the south of France.

Buying properties in the south of France, however, is no simple matter. If you do not do it carefully, you may end up wasting a good chunk of money on a non-performing asset. You should always weigh in the factors for and against buying a St. Tropez property before you actually make the purchase.

Here are a few tips on buying property in St. Tropez:

1. Set a budget. The first thing you need to do before you buy property in St. Tropez is to set your budget. Know how much you can afford to spend and stick to that amount when shopping for the property that you want.

2. Browse listings of reputable brokers. When shopping for real estate, you should only make transactions with reputable real estate brokers. View their listings and verify the information that you get from them if you have to. Dealing with only reputable real estate brokers will save you a huge amount of trouble in the long run.

3. Visit the property. As much as possible, go and fly to the south of France so you can view the property you are about to buy with your own eyes. Do not put your trust in another person's judgment of the property, no matter how much you trust that person. In visiting the property yourself, you will be able to assess whether or not you like the property and what improvements you may need to make after buying it...

To read the entire article go to http://www.backpackingguidetoeurope.com/.

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The Advantages of Buying Your Own St. Tropez Villa

http://www.9fusion.com/

Today is just as good a time as any to invest in a St. Tropez property, particularly a villa. The real estate market all over the world is sluggish these days, no thanks to the current mortgage and credit crisis. Property developers would be only too happy to move their inventories, and thus, you may be able to score a good deal on a St. Tropez property if you play your cards right.

Of course, you may be asking yourself: Why would I even want to own a St. Tropez villa? Despite the sluggishness of the market, St. Tropez remains one of the best places to invest in real estate. The economy may be down, but it does not stop anyone from going to this holiday hotspot in the south of France. Below are a few reasons why you should consider buying a property in this part of France...

Income generation. Of course, you do not have to be the one to stay full time in your luxury villa. You can keep your primary residence and the villa as a second home. If you are not coming down to St. Tropez for a holiday, then you can make money out of your property by renting it out. There are a few tasks that you need to take care of to get this done, such as probably refurbishing the villa and hiring a management firm to take care of it while you are away, but you can certainly make money out of your property....

To read the entire article go to http://www.9fusion.com/869/the-advantages-of-buying-your-own-st-tropez-villa/.

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One-Hour Consultation with Adrian Leeds Free!

 

If you are a guest staying in any one of our luxurious Parler Paris Apartments, and would like to consider having your own "pied-à-terre" for your pleasure and profit, contact Adrian Leeds for a FREE one-hour consultation while you're enjoying the apartment in the City of Light. Visit http://www.adrianleeds.com/parlerparis/apartments for more information or email me at adrian@adrianleeds.com.

 

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Take the Risk Out of Currency Conversion

If you’re buying a holiday home or investment property overseas, when you trade your currency is crucial. The euro exchange rate is constantly fluctuating, so trading at the right time will mean your money goes a lot further. Adrian Leeds Group LLC and Moneycorp are working together to ensure you make the most of your Dollar or Sterling when buying a property in France.

For the latest exchange rate use our currency converter at http://www.adrianleeds.com/frenchproperty/loan/moneycorpconvertor.

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Why Going For Saint Tropez Real Estate is a Good Decision

http://www.articlesbase.com/real-estate-articles/

Why should you invest on a Saint Tropez real estate? What are the things that are going to make it truly worthwhile? You have to keep in mind that though there are Saint Tropez properties that are affordable, especially those that are found in farms, they are still pretty expensive. Nevertheless, they become worth the price because of the following:

1. You have access to several miles of white sand. A real estate purchase in Saint Tropez will definitely give you access to the pristine blue beaches and the powdery white sands that make this south portion of France a very popular destination. This is because Saint Tropez is actually a fishing village. In here, you can choose to stay in Saint Tropez properties that are grand: villas and resorts. You also have cheaper choices such as apartments, inns, and bed and breakfasts.

2. It brings you closer to several worth-visiting islands. When you own Saint Tropez property, it will be more convenient for you, or your renters, to move from one island to another. We are talking about Cannes, where the prestigious annual festival is being held, and Monaco, where the Grand Prix is held. What you can do is to simply charter a yacht or a boat that can take you on a cruise in the French Riviera.

3. It's a sound investment. Is it still economical to buy Saint Tropez real estate even if you're not going to be a usual tourist in France? The answer is yes. Depending on where you are located, you can earn hundreds to thousands of euros every month. You can expect it to increase if your real estate Saint Tropez home is rented out during peak seasons such as summer. Furthermore, though there is an off-peak season, you can always anticipate an influx of tourists...

To read the entire article go to http://www.articlesbase.com/real-estate-articles/why-going-for-saint-tropez-real-estate-is-a-good-decision-963899.html.

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France-- the Safest Place in the World to Buy Property

http://www.westchesterinvestment.com/

It has recently been announced that 30,000 homes are due to be torn down in Spain this year as they have been classed as illegal developments with insufficient or incorrect documentation or simply without planning permission. This sort of thing may come as no surprise to many of you who have been reading the papers over the last few years where cases such as these have been well documented. This is in addition to other problems in Spain such as the “land grab” scenario by local authorities in Valencia where hundreds of home owners have ended up losing their homes which many have their life savings locked up in. Now it seems that this type of thing is now happening in other newly “fashionable” cheap countries which promoted cheap investments with seemingly incredible projected capital growth prospects such as Bulgaria...

Unlike any other country in the world the French have a fascination with paperwork, contracts and the rule of the law and although this can be seen as a hassle at the time to comply with all their regulations and complete all the necessary paperwork it does in fact protect the purchaser to the extent not found any where else. Vast numbers of developments being torn down by mis-selling and illegal construction activity by developers in France is simply unheard of and therefore makes it the safest place to buy property.

It is therefore an excellent location to invest as it provides very reasonable capital growth with a steady rental and resale market. Some Bulgarian developers have been boasting capital growth of 20% per annum in some areas but with no way of verifying their statistics can these figures really be relied upon and will the property actually still be there in a couple of years? On the other hand capital growth in France was over 10% in 2005 (source: FNAIM www.fnaim.com ) which coupled with its very low deposits and ease of mortgage application makes it a highly rewarding and yet sensible place to invest...

To read the entire article go to http://www.westchesterinvestment.com/france-the-safest-place-in-the-world-to-buy-property/.

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PARLER PARIS APARTMENTS

Last Minute Deal at all Parler Paris Apartments. All stays of 4 nights or more will be priced at the weekly reduced rate during the month of August!

Parler Paris Apartments Welcome to your home in Paris. Home is how you will feel in a private apartment in Paris that has the "seal of approval" from Parler Paris Apartments and me, Adrian Leeds. Parler Paris Apartments offers high quality accommodations to make your stay in the City of Light as enjoyable and memorable as possible.

We at Parler Paris know each and every apartment owner or manager personally, and stand behind the quality of those we represent. We understand your needs and desires, all the small details that make a rental apartment a warm and welcoming home ­ and a much better alternative to an impersonal hotel!Parler Paris Apartments is administered and serviced by the same great team as Parler Paris, French Property Insider and French Property Consultation. You can trust that Parler Paris Apartments and all those with whom it is associated will do heir best for your 100% guaranteed satisfaction.

SPOTLIGHT APARTMENT(S): La Table du Roi

Cité Dupetit Thouars, 3rd Arrondissement
1-Bedroom (with air conditioning), Sleeps Up to 4

"La Table du Roi" ("The Kings's Table) is a one bedroom slice of old world charm, destined to please those looking for luxury and elegance. On the first floor (European) of a 17th-century building on rue du Roi de Sicile in the heart of Le Marais (4th arrondissement), it is steps from rue de Rivoli, rue Vieille du Temple, the Hôtel de Ville, Place de la Bastille, the River Seine and everything that Le Marais has to offer. Portable air conditioning keeps La Table du Roi cool through the warmest periods.

Stays of 4 nights or more will be priced at the weekly reduced rate during the month of August!

www.adrianleeds.com/parlerparis/apartments/rentals/table_du_roi.html.

Reserve now! Visit www.adrianleeds.com/parlerparis/apartments or email:apartments@adrianleeds.com.

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HOT PROPERTY PICKS: Sizzling Tantalizing Saint-Tropez

Each week French Property Insider features a range of properties which we believe are on the market at the time of writing. These properties are featured in order to give readers a sample of what is currently available and a working example of prices being asked in various regions of France and districts of Paris.

This week we focus on some interesting property opportunities in and nearby Saint-Tropez.

	***St. Tropez, Gassin: One-bedroom, approx. 30m² One bedroom apartment on the Bay of Saint-Tropez in a gated community with pool and tennis courts. Consists of a kitchen, living room, one bedroom and bathroom, and terrace. Parking space included. Needs some updating. Asking Price: € 170 000 + 2.5% Finder's Fee
	***St. Tropez, Cogolin: Two-bedroom, approx. 88m² Fully renovated apartment near Port Grimaud. Has large living room, kitchen, two bedrooms, two bathrooms and large terrace of 20m². Fully air conditioned. Asking Price: € 350 000 + 2.5% Finder's Fee
	***St. Tropez, Centre: One-bedroom, approx. 57m² Located in the town center close to the Place des Lices, in a quiet area, boasting a south-facing terrace. Consists of living room/dining area which opens onto the terrace, kitchen, bedroom with full bathroom. Asking Price: € 500 000 + 2.5% Finder's Fee
	***St. Tropez, Bonne Terrasse: 3-bedroom, approx. 95m² Located in a private, secure residence community with direct access to the sea. Recently renovated. Consist of living room, dining room, kitchen and laundry room, master bedroom and bath, two bedrooms, additional bathroom, and 116m² of private garden/terrace facing south-east. Complex includes pool, tennis courts, and min-golf course. Asking Price: € 1 200 000 + 2.5% Finder's Fee

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The Advantage of Overseas Investment Popularity

http://www.news.assetz.co.uk/

For France and neighboring Spain, it may seem to some like the property scene has become a desolate moonscape, barren and drained of life since the credit crunch hit. Yet such a view would be based on the assumption that because tourism and property are markets hit by the economic downturn, these have pushed such locations into the doldrums for a long period of time...

France may be a different case, not least as a boom-and-bust scenario would be difficult in a country which has not had a boom, particularly in property where - despite the ambitions of President Sarkozy - there is not yet at least an overwhelming desire to own property. However the property market there has seen a decline, partially because crunch-hit foreigners have been buying in smaller numbers.

Yet according to spokeswoman for ABTA stated: "It's a proximity thing and it is cheaper and easier to get to. People have properties out in those countries; they have friends who have properties out in those countries."

For this reason, she noted, France and Spain remain by far the most popular tourist destinations. In the French case, recently published data from the Office for National Statistics has shown that 10.9 million Britons alone visited the country last year. While this was a dip on 2007 figures, it suggests that there is still a large potential market for buy to rent investors.

To read the entire article go to http://news.assetz.co.uk/articles/4897.html.

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Summer Break for Notaires' Property Auctions

Notaires de Paris
Place du Châtelet
12 avenue Victoria
Paris 1st

 

Additional information on Les Ventes aux Enchères des Notaires can be found on the Web site at www.encheres-Paris.com.

To read Schuyler Hoffman's article about the property auctions in Paris, click on:
www.adrianleeds.com/frenchproperty/insider/members/content/articles/auctions1.html

	The Next Auction is Scheduled for September 22, 2009

Editor's Note: If you look at the properties on the Notaire's site (www.encheres-paris.com), when you click on the information for a particular property there is also a link to Google Maps to show you exactly where the property is located.

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Two Property Shows Announced
Compiled by Schuyler Hoffman

* Exhibition of French Property Set for London *

A French property exhibition will be held in London in September, publisher Archant has said.

Run by lifestyle magazine Archant Life France, the event will take place from September 11th to 13th at Olympia, with the company stating that the recent exhibition held in Harrogate revealed widespread optimism about the French market.

Buying the right property in France could reap dividends over the next few years, French property law specialist at solicitors Furley Page Sarah Bogard said this week. She stated that the country is a buyers' market and is offering falling prices.

* Luxury Real Estate Trade Fair Loves Paris in the Autumn *

Not everyone can afford a private island or a fancy penthouse on New York’s Upper East Side. Still, for those who can, an invitation to the Luxury Real Estate Trade Fair will be just the thing to make the autumn seem brighter. And where better to promote high-end property than Paris, the world capital of chic? This elegant ambience will be further enhanced by the venue, Paris’s famous Musée du Louvre.

On the 27th, 28th and 29th of November 2009 Prestige-Paris will celebrate its third birthday with the assistance of France Convention, a specialist in niche and luxury trade fairs. This year’s gathering will be required both to meet the visitors’ very demanding expectations and outdo last year’s exceptionally successful event.

The recent recession has failed to affect the luxury sector as much as the rest of the economy, in fact the latest figures have revealed that the Parisian real estate market has improved. It seems that the most beautiful and luxurious homes never fail to find a buyer, a thought that will encourage participants in this most prestigious property exhibition.

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SEEKING A MORTGAGE IN FRANCE?

When you make a purchase as important as a piece of real estate in a foreign country, you ant to know that you can trust the people you are dealing with. Adrian Leeds has developed a network of professionals that meet only the highest of standards. With the expertise and experience of Adrian and her team, you can depend on getting the best advice and support to feel completely confident that you are making an informed investment decision.

Let us help you secure a mortgage in France at a competitive interest rate. Visit www.adrianleeds.com/frenchproperty/loan for more information or contact Loan@AdrianLeeds.com

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HELPFUL CONVERSIONS FOR REAL ESTATE

1 square meter = 10.7639104 square feet

1 hectare = 2.4710538 acres

For more conversions, refer to: www.onlineconversion.com/

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Parler Paris Après Midi Takes Summer Break

 

www.adrianleeds.com/parlerparis/apresmidi.html

The second Tuesday of every month, Parler Paris and French Property Insider readers gather at La Pierre du Marais for a drink and a "schmooze" --It's an opportunity to meet and chat with other like-minded people and a great way to make friends! Costs nothing except your drinks. Don't miss the next gathering Tuesday, Septemeber 8th, 2009 from 3 to 5 p.m. and every second Tuesday of the month (except August).

 

 

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Managing Your French Property Insider Subscription is Easy!

We receive many emails from French Property Insider Subscribers who want to change their email address, or update personal information. But did you know that you can make these changes yourself?

It's easy...

1. Go to adrianleeds.com/frenchproperty/insider

2. Click on "Manage Subscription." You'll find it under the "Subscribers Only" section in the sidebar.

3. Enter your username and password.

4. On the Welcome Page, go to "Manage Your Account" and click on "Change Password/Edit Profile"

5. Once you've made the changes, scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on "Save Profile."

Simple!

Of course, we're always happy to help, so if you do need assistance, send an email to members@fpinsider.com

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THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

To access password protected pages: click on any of the links on the left panel of the home page of FrenchPropertyInsider.com under "Subscriber's Only," then type in your personal username and password.

Past issues of FPI are available on the Web site. You will find the
"Past Issues" link on the left under "Subscribers Only" or by going to
www.adrianleeds.com/frenchproperty/insider/membersTo receive your free French Leaseback Report or the Paris Property
Report, click on
www.adrianleeds.com/frenchproperty/insider/members

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We wanted better guides, So we wrote them!

Insider Paris Guides are written for people who love the City of Light. You'll get a Paris insider perspective on Restaurants... Making a Life... Black Culture... Expat Writers...and the newest guide, Practical Paris!

French Property Insider subscribers receive a discount of 10% off any uide and up to 25% off the entire purchase (if two or more guides are purchased at the same time). Here's how it works:

1. Click on special Web link we give you just for FPI subscribers.

2. Then order one or more guide(s) and use the promotion
code "ED762." This promotion code gives you 10% off your total
order.

3. If you order two or more guides, then an additional 15% will be
taken off automatically. There is no promotion code needed.

Here is the special "coupon" Web link just for you:
www.insiderparisguides.com/offer

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SUBSCRIBE TO PARLER PARIS

If you're not a regular reader of the Parler Paris daily e-letter, and would like to be, simply enter your e-mail address here (it's free!): www.adrianleeds.com/parlerparis

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Copyright 2011, Adrian Leeds®
Adrian Leeds Group, LLC, www.adrianleeds.com