Neighbourhood group aims to help Americans acclimatise to life in south of France 

It is a quiet and casually sunny Tuesday morning at Carré Bleu Plage, a beachfront restaurant in Cagnes-sur-Mer (Alpes-Maritimes).

Brunching around a table are Erany Plaza and the Fultons, three of a handful of Americans going over the humdrums of conversation-starters and exchanging business cards.

Mr Plaza is a 35-year-old Los Angeles native, father of three kids with his French wife, who moved to Cagnes-sur-Mer three years ago and opened a chiropractor business. 

Arlyn and Nalynn Fulton are American retirees from Denver, CO who moved around 14 months ago and chronicle their ‘Great European Retirement’ life on Youtube.

Each responded to the ‘Neighbourhood Networking Group Meeting’ event from the American Club of the Riviera.

“The association provides a basis for expats who just moved in and who are looking to get acclimated. These events are great benefits to members,” said Timothy Molyneux, the Canadian-born former president of the Club who attended the reunion.

Around the table, people shared their questions and observations of France.

Arlyn Fulton brought the usual hurdles of visa renewal applications, Erany Plaza asked business-related questions, others shared tips and connections for doctor appointments.

Observations included the usual tropes around French life such as the ‘two-hour lunch pause’, the healthcare system and the greater quality of life, mainly from the lower anxiety and stress levels compared to the American working-life.

23 nationalities are represented

Founded in 1962, the American Club of the Riviera is one of the most active and growing of a worldwide association of American clubs around the world. 

“The objective of the club is to cultivate relationships through social, cultural and patriotic events,” said Mr Molyneux, the twelfth president of the club who took office in 2022.

It has certainly been enjoying great growth over recent years. Memberships are nearing 400, the newsletter reaches 2,000 people and its Facebook page has some 2,400 followers.

A range of events

Events have grown from one to 12 per month.

In May alone, the club organised eight ‘Neighbourhood networking group meetings’ in the coastal towns of Nice, Antibes, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, Saint-Aygulf or Cannes, as well as others centred around wine tasting, the Cannes festival, hiking and happy hours.

It also includes events related to American culture such as Fourth of July celebrations, Thanksgiving or attending games of US football club Iron Mask of Cannes.

The club’s greatest attendances are in Nice and Cannes, two of the largest cities of the Riviera, where close to 80 people reunite for socials with fellow English-speakers.

The dollar/euro exchange rate and growing business opportunities around the region are the two major factors explaining the association's growth and success, said Mr Molyneux. 

Americans in the south of France

The two demographics best exemplifying the growing attraction for Southern France are early retirees, such as the Fultons, and younger working families or individuals, such as Mr Plaza.

Mr Fulton said he holds regular conversation with Americans in the United States who have been seriously considering relocating to France, whatever the reasons. 

The French government actively seeks to attract American researchers and scientists following President Trump’s crackdown on scientific funding. 300 applications for positions at Université d'Aix-Marseille were received last May, France Info reports.

The American Club of the Riviera expects to open new chapters in Budapest or Florence and move its headquarters to Var.

“We are giving people the ability to attend events around their area,” said Mr Molyneux.

Membership is for the calendar year (Jan 1 through Dec 31). The one time initiation fee is €40 per person + €60 membership dues per person.

Find out more about the American Club of the Riviera on their website and Facebook page.