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 Fulton couple, 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, as branded on their Youtube channel.
Members share their questions and observations around France
They responded to the ‘Neighbourhood Networking Group Meeting’ event from the American Club of the Riviera.
Around the table, people shared their questions and observations around France.
Arlyn Fulton brought the usual hurdles of visa renewal applications, Erany Plaza asked business-related questions, others shared tips and connections for appointments at doctor’s offices.
Observations included the usual tropes around French life such as the ‘two-hour lunch pause’, the free 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
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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 members, the newsletter reaches 2,000 people and its Facebook page boasts 2,400 followers.
There are 23 nationalities represented within the club
A range of events
Events have mushroomed 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, Cannes festival, hiking and happy hours.
It also includes events centred around American culture such as the Fourth of July celebrations, Thanksgiving or attending games of US football club Iron Mask of Cannes.
The club’s biggest attendance are the happenings in Nice and Cannes, two of the biggest cities of the Riviera, where close to 80 people reunite for socials and chit-chats with fellow English-speakers.
The weakening dollar/euro parity and growing business opportunities around the region are the two major factors explaining the association's growth and success, said Mr Molyneux.
Events have increased from one to 12 per month.
Americans in the south of France
The two demographics best exemplifying the growing attraction for Southern France are early retirees, such as the Fulton couple, and younger working families or individuals, such as Mr Plaza.
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 future certainly looks bright for the American Club of the Riviera, which is expected 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.
