Saorge, Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur France

An unheralded aspect to the Cote D’Azur is that there Alpes are within view from the beaches. One can go for a day of skiing or snow-boarding and have apres-ski in Nice.

Scouring Airbnb for lodging where it’s easy to do a weekender, it’s not easy to spot an enticing property. This one bedroom one bath STR stands apart.

Wait, where is Saorge?

Saorge

I have been looking for properties in the Alpes-Maritimes above Nice. The territory is gorgeous and it’s so accessible from the coast. The challenge has been that it is mostly small villages like Saorge. They don’t have name recognition so it seems unlikely that international tourists will make bookings.

It’s close to the Italian French border. On the map it looks isolated but by car its 35 minutes to Ventimiglia on the Italian coast, 50 minutes to Monaco, and just over an hour to Nice. The Italian ski resort of Limone Piemonte, is about 40 minutes drive. Visitors would surely need a car so the cost of a rental would need to be factored in.

Saorge only has a population of 400, In fact, it was much larger in 1860 when it had over 3000 inhabitants.

Would we invest in a property in Saorge?

It seems like a very difficult Airbnb marketing task. There can’t be that many people searing for Saorge. So even if your property is amazing how will potential guests come across it?

Additionally, there isn’t a clear destination. There is not lake ski resort, or other landmark where a guest who is trying to find lodging near a landmark will find a property.

Investment Data

The data supports that this area neither sees high rates nor high occupency.

The vibe – Sleepy but not EMpty

Restaurants – there are only 4 restaurants in town. Half of them are vegitarian. One is a pizzeria. And one calls itself a coffee shop – Heinz Coffee – but is in fact a restaurant.

Grocery – there is one convenience store – the Vival.

There are not really any attractions other than a monastery. Hiking and biking are at hand with skiiing and beach trips within reach but certainly not within view.