Mandelieu, golf and the sea just ten minutes from Cannes.
A town west of Cannes, home to four golf courses—including France’s first, opened in 1891—and the Estérel Mountains to the west. Our owners rent to families, international golfers, and nature lovers in a market that is less saturated than the central districts, with purchase prices 25 to 30 percent lower than comparable properties in Cannes.
The golf course that put the French Riviera on the map.
Located between the Estérel Mountains and the Bay of Cannes, Mandelieu has thrived since the late nineteenth century on three pillars: golf, the sea, and the castle. For three seasons now, we have been managing properties there for owners who have chosen the western part of the town.
Mandelieu-la-Napoule is a town of 22,000 residents, stretching from Cannes-la-Bocca in the east to Théoule-sur-Mer in the west, bordered to the south by the Mediterranean Sea and to the west by the Estérel Mountains. Its history as a tourist destination began in 1891 with the opening of the Old Course Cannes-Mandelieu, France’s first golf course, created by British winter visitors who wanted to play by the sea in January. The course still exists today, just as it was designed, with its umbrella pines and bunkers offering views of the castle.
The Château de la Napoule, built in the 14th century on a rocky headland and rebuilt in 1918 by Henry Clews, an eccentric American sculptor, now serves as a museum and art foundation. Its gardens overlook the beach. Three other golf courses have since been added: the Robert Trent Jones course, the Golf Country Club, and the Riviera Golf. Four golf courses in a single town—a unique phenomenon in the region. Golfers have become a pillar of the local economy and rental market, visiting from March through November.
The rental market reflects this mixed positioning. Seaside apartments in residential complexes built between the 1970s and 1990s around Port La Napoule, villas with pools in the hillside neighborhoods of Capitou, and residences near golf courses. Purchase prices are 25 to 30 percent lower than in Cannes for comparable square footage, which makes the investment more profitable for an investor. Nightly rates start at €100 for a standard one-bedroom apartment, rise to €350 for a property with a sea view or near a golf course, and exceed €550 for villas during peak season. The active season runs from April to October for golf courses and July–August for families.
Six reasons to rent a short-term apartment in Mandelieu.
Do you own a beachfront apartment, a villa in the hills above Capitou, or a property near the golf courses? Here’s why the seasonal rental market thrives here, with a clientele and peak season that are very different from those in Cannes.
There are four golf courses in the town, including the oldest in France.
Golfers from the UK, Germany, Sweden, and Belgium come to play in Mandelieu from April through November, when the purely seaside towns close for the season. Stays of four to seven nights, with an average to high budget, and stable demand that isn’t dependent on beach weather. A seven-month active season instead of two.
For comparable properties, the seasonal net return often exceeds that of the Croisette.
A one-bedroom apartment on the Mandelieu seafront sells for €240,000 to €300,000, compared to €360,000 to €440,000 for a comparable property on the Croisette in Cannes. Net seasonal income is similar thanks to occupancy rates bolstered by the golf season. Ultimately, the net yield is one to two percentage points higher than for most comparable property types.
Families choose Mandelieu to avoid the crowds in Cannes.
Château Beach, Sweet Beach, and other public beaches are open. A mix of sand and pebbles, easy access for strollers, and nearby parking. Families with children who don’t want to deal with the crowds and high prices at Cannes’ beaches opt for Mandelieu from their very first visit.
Red volcanic rocks, hiking, and nature tourism on the rise.
The Estérel region attracts slow tourism travelers who rent properties outside the summer season to enjoy the hiking trails and panoramic views. A significant portion of our annual revenue comes from properties with easy access to the Estérel, primarily during March–May and October–November.
Fewer listings = greater visibility for your property.
On Airbnb and Booking, Mandelieu has a significantly less saturated market than downtown Cannes for properties of comparable size, with a notably smaller selection. A well-priced new listing climbs the search results faster, generates revenue more quickly, and faces less price competition.
A ten-minute drive away, with direct access to the A8 via a dedicated exit: you can enjoy Cannes without the hassle.
Travelers who rent in Mandelieu can enjoy Cannes whenever they want, without having to deal with the high prices or constant traffic jams. It’s a ten-minute door-to-door trip to the Palais des Festivals, Rue d’Antibes, and La Croisette. This is a decisive factor for discerning guests who compare prices and travel times before booking. This central location makes Mandelieu the second-most recommended destination by our repeat guests when Cannes is fully booked.
Five highlights of an underrated town.
Château de la Napoule, the Old Course (France’s top golf course), Mandelieu Harbor, Château Beach, and Port de la Rague. These five factors make Mandelieu a serious alternative to Cannes for a savvy homeowner.
Five key points covering the castle, golf courses, marinas, and access to the Estérel. The route a traveler can cover in three days without ever getting back on the highway. Upon arrival, we provide a map of the beaches, the Estérel trails, and discounted green fees at our partner courses.
Mandelieu: three seasons that follow one another.
Mandelieu benefits from three distinct seasons: golf for nine months, beaches in the summer, and nature during the off-season. This mix is more balanced than that of purely seaside towns, where revenue typically drops off from April through November.
Golf season
×1.4 (constant)Seven full months of international golfers. British, German, Swedish, and Belgian guests staying four to seven nights. Stable occupancy, steady demand, with properties near golf courses being the top priority.
Cannes Film Festival
×1.4 to ×1.6Spillover effect on villas with pools and ocean-view apartments. VIP clients seeking tranquility and more reasonable prices than a villa in Cap. Stays of seven to twelve nights.
Family Summer
×1.8 to ×2.5French and European families on mixed-sand beaches, stays ranging from seven to fourteen nights, with a reasonable turnover. Annual peak driven by the beaches and local family activities.
Hike in the Estérel
×1.3 (constant)Nature tourism continues to grow. Slow travel, photographers, active retirees. Three to five nights, average spending, a clientele that returns regularly and builds loyalty to well-located properties.
Cannes Yachting Festival
×1.4The Cannes Yachting Festival spills over into Mandelieu. Crews, buyers, and guests on business trips are looking for an alternative to the fully booked hotels just ten minutes from the Palais.
Wintering Golfers
×1.3Retired golfers from the UK and Northern Europe, a mild climate, and affordable golf rates. Seven- to fifteen-night stays in heated villas and apartments. A source of winter revenue that purely seaside towns lack.
The Mandelieu Market: three full seasons.
Data collected on our properties in Mandelieu managed from 2024 to 2026. A wide range of two-bedroom apartments by the sea at Villa Capitou, with occupancy rates supported by a mix of golf, family, and Estérel-area residents. Purchase prices are lower than in Cannes, and net returns are often higher than for comparable properties.
Two-bedroom apartment by the sea in Villas Capitou with a pool. Summer photos of the premium villas and beachfront properties.
Demand is spread out over the April–November golf season, family vacations in the summer, and the proximity to Cannes for professional events.
2- to 4-bedroom oceanfront apartments or villas in Capitou, commission-free. Prices vary widely depending on the pool, ocean view, and proximity to the golf course.
Price ranges observed in the seasonal rental market in Mandelieu-la-Napoule. Purchase prices are lower than in Cannes for properties of comparable size, and gross yields are often higher.
Estimated ranges for the local market. Sources: AirDNA, Airbtics, AirROI, Côte d'Azur market analysis for 2024–2025. Individual performance varies depending on property type, exact location, property quality, pricing strategy, and time of year.
Three services for a diverse clientele.
International golfers for seven months of the year, families in the summer, hikers in the Estérel range year-round, and British winter visitors. Mandelieu needs a concierge service capable of addressing each target audience with the right pitch. 20% commission, nothing else.
Three-season rental management
Three pricing plans: golf (April–October), family (July–August), and Estérel nature (off-season). Bilingual French-English ads with tailored headlines based on the target audience and time of year. Quarterly adjustments based on comparable rates in Mandelieu.
- The golf course is open from March through April–October
- The July–August family schedule will be available starting in February
- "Estérel" and "hiking trails" on all eligible properties
Apartment, condo, and villa cleaning
Three types of properties to manage: apartments in complexes with shared pools, villas with private pools and gardens, and Capitou homes. Tailored teams and procedures for each property type, including coordination with property management companies for apartment complexes and external service providers for villas.
- Management of apartment complexes with shared swimming pools
- Pool maintenance and landscaping services for villas in Capitou
- Systematic post-stay photo report
Golf, Family, and Nature
Three welcome kits tailored to your needs: golfers (local clubs, Wi-Fi, tee-time reservations, green fee partnerships), families (baby gear, list of beaches, local market hours), hikers (Estérel maps, seasonal safety tips, summer mountain closure schedules).
- Green fee partnerships at the four local golf courses
- Family Kit: baby gear, beaches, market hours
- Passenger hotline available 7 days a week in French, English, and German
Three key factors that make all the difference.
No one-size-fits-all guarantee. Every property has its own seasonality, exact location, and type. Here are the three strategies we consistently employ to maximize your net return.
Dynamic pricing
We adjust our rates daily based on local demand, business events, and seasonal trends. Our goal is to set the right price at the right time—without leaving profit on the table during peak season or driving away potential bookings during off-peak periods.
Cross-platform visibility
Optimized listings, professional photos, multi-channel distribution on Airbnb, Booking, Abritel, and other platforms tailored to your market segment. More visibility, more bookings, fewer empty days on the calendar.
Zero mental load
Listings, pricing, reservations, check-in, check-out, housekeeping, linens, maintenance, and guest communication. We handle it all. You collect the proceeds. A transparent 12-month contract. A one-time 20% commission, with no hidden fees.
Results vary depending on the specific property, its exact location, type, and seasonality. The ranges shown in the market section above are indicative figures based on industry trends, not individual guarantees.
From the initial call to your first week.
A proven track record with our portfolio of managed properties in Cannes and the surrounding areas. Nothing is binding until the contract is signed.
Contact
Twenty minutes on the phone to describe the property, its proximity to the golf course or the ocean, its access to the Estérel, and the target audience.
Tour
On-site visit, inventory, and heating assessment for UK golfers preparing for the winter season, with cost estimates based on the three active seasons.
Professional photos
Natural light photography, featuring the pool if available, with golf or ocean backdrops depending on the main theme. 30 to 60 images delivered.
Posted online
Bilingual French-English ads, with "France's No. 1 golf destination" and "Estérel" as taglines to appeal to both main target audiences. Three rate schedules per season.
First week
First reservation is often made within 72 hours. A welcome package tailored to the guest’s profile—a golf kit or family kit—is provided upon arrival, as appropriate.
Three Questions About Mandelieu.
The questions we hear most often when a homeowner in Mandelieu calls us for the first time, whether it’s about an apartment in Napoule or a villa in Capitou.
Mandelieu: the market where your property awaits.
Get a 60-second estimate for your apartment, villa in Capitou, or house in La Napoule. We’ll call you back within 24 hours with a detailed seasonal breakdown, a projection for the golf season and summer, and a precise comparison with equivalent properties in Cannes.
Free estimate in 60 seconds