Author: Bob Cartwright
After three years of disruption during construction work in Nice, the new tram system has revitalised the city centre and created excellent public transport links to the northern areas of the city.
The trams, which started public services in November last year, are now carrying 60,000 passengers a day for a flat fare of €1. Combine the excellent city transport system with an ever growing number of of flights from the UK - including recently launched routes from London City Airport - and it's hardly a surprise that Nice is the most visited city in France outside of Paris.
Tourism was hit by the tram's construction work but local tourist operators are now pleased with the final result. It's also providing a boost to local property market. Areas to the north where there is some beautiful property is now more appealing because of the new tram links to the city centre.
Nice is more affordable than most Riviera locations. The average price of property in Nice is reported as £2,723 per square metre, compared with £4,070 in Cannes, according to a local agent. Given that Nice properties have an excellent rental potential because of the cheap flights from the UK and elsewhere in Europe, buyers may well be tempted to the city.
Prices can hit over £7,000 per square metre in prime spots but they drop to £4,000 per square metre along the promenade towards the airport. Property specialists say the tram is really having an impact with once overlooked areas now increasing in price. More tram routes are planned, so the benefits will spread over the coming decade.