This Sunday, August 10 at 9:10 PM, M6 will broadcast a new episode of the magazine Capital. The investigation, titled Billions in the Sun: Who Benefits from the Côte d’Azur Jackpot?, dives into the heart of a region where tourism and business intertwine. Journalists Mathilde Bouttemy, Xavier Luizet, and Hélène Le Baron provide an in-depth look at the economic backstage of the Riviera, amidst record profits, risky investments, and areas of uncertainty.
The Côte d’Azur attracts millions of visitors each year. While many are French vacationers, foreign billionaires significantly contribute to the local economic boom. The estimated returns amount to 12 billion euros per year. Behind these figures are intense profitability strategies.
Along the 120 kilometers of beach, the high season lasts only four months. For private beach operators, every day counts. In Nice, Beau Rivage beach exemplifies this race against time. Optimized sunbeds and a menu tailored to attract an international clientele: every detail aims to increase the average spending per customer.
The Profits and Limits of a Beachside Eldorado
However, the pursuit of profitability is not limited to the major cities. In Villeneuve-Loubet, the local government has decided to end several beach concessions to protect the coastline. A decision that has created tensions with some operators. These operators defend their activities and contest a measure they consider penalizing.
Tourist pressure also impacts the real estate market. The show reveals the rapid rise of gated communities, these secure, enclosed domains inspired by American models. Located a few kilometers from the sea, they attract clients willing to pay nearly 50,000 euros per square meter. In these residences, discretion and security are paramount.
Behind the walls, a workforce maintains this exclusive setting: gardeners, pool specialists, household staff. A portion of these employees comes from abroad. Some live in precarious conditions, without social protection and earning well below local standards.
The report thus questions the actual distribution of the profits generated by tourism. While the regional economy visibly benefits, a part of the population remains excluded from this prosperity. The authors highlight situations where labor laws are bypassed or outright ignored.
Through testimonies and figures, the show sheds light on the disparities coexisting on the Riviera: on one side, establishments that bank on the exceptional to attract wealthy visitors; on the other, invisible workers whose daily lives remain unstable.
Capital offers a nuanced view of a legendary territory. Far from the postcards, this investigation shows how the Côte d’Azur is also the stage for tense economic relations. The documentary finally questions the sustainability of this model: between preserving the coastline, respecting social rights, and seeking profits, the balance remains precarious.
