In its 12 November report, the French Federation of Property Developers distinguishes between off-plan homes, homes under construction and homes still on sale in completed developments. We applied those categories to three Nice listings to see what a buyer can verify before reserving. Report methodology, p. 38
How do off-plan, under-construction and completed French Riviera apartments compare?
On the French Riviera, compare off-plan units if floor level and layout matter most. Start with completed homes if seeing the exact apartment will decide your choice. For an apartment under construction, check progress on its particular building and the handover terms in the draft contract.
These are three Nice examples from development pages and listings checked on 12 November 2026. Floor areas and neighbourhoods differ. Prices are the published figures. Confirm availability, total price and the date you can collect the keys for the specific unit.
| Stage and listing | What the listing says | What to check first |
|---|---|---|
| Sales launch — Cimea Verde, A303 | Three rooms (T3), 61 m², €425,000. Handover advertised for Q4 2028. | When is work on this building due to start? Are the parking space and any extras you need included? |
| Under construction — 116 Californie, A402 | Three rooms (T3), 74 m², €565,000. Handover advertised for Q1 2028. | What stage has the building reached, and how much will be due at signing? |
| Completed building — Côté Port, fifth floor | Three rooms (T3), 59.30 m², €490,000 in the listing. The developer advertises the building as ready for immediate handover. | Can you see the exact apartment? What is included, and when could you get the keys? |
If timing is tight, start with units whose developers can confirm a workable schedule. If you can wait for a particular layout, ask for current plans and full terms for two or three units. Immobleu Promotion catalogue showing the Côté Port stage
Discuss your options with IMMO BTCWhen do you pay for a new build on the French Riviera?
Compare what is due at the notarial signing, the later payments and the costs before you can use the apartment. When you buy before completion in France, payments follow actual construction progress and the contractual schedule. For a completed unit, ask the notary how much will be due when you sign the deed.
Ask the developer to clarify the apartment price and how parking, storage and extras are priced. For a home under construction, ask what is due at signing given the work already completed, and when the remaining payments are due. For a finished apartment, ask the notary for the amount payable at signing. Then add any costs you will need to cover before moving in, such as a kitchen or furniture. Service Public on payments for a purchase before completion
What can you check when viewing an off-plan, under-construction or completed apartment in Nice?
Before a new-build viewing in Nice, ask whether the developer will show you the site, the building under construction or the apartment itself. For Cimea Verde, ask for the plan of unit A303 and whether you can visit the site. For 116 Californie, check whether you can go inside A402. For Côté Port, ask to see the fifth-floor apartment. The listings do not confirm that these viewings are possible.
Which documents should you check before buying a new build in Nice?
Before buying a new build in Nice, ask for the current plan, specification, written price and draft contract with the handover timetable. For an off-plan or under-construction apartment, check the guarantees, payment schedule and handover terms with the notary. See the IMMO BTC guide to buying before completion in France.
If you are still comparing locations, total costs and construction stages, start with the guide to choosing a new build on the French Riviera.
Sources and verification date
Checked on 12 November 2026. French Federation of Property Developers report, SAGEC — Cimea Verde, SAGEC — 116 Californie, Immobleu Promotion listing on Immoneuf and Service Public guidance.
