The most beautiful villas on the French Riviera
Dream villas, whether period or contemporary, are part of the French Riviera's DNA. These world-famous holiday homes, with their history and architecture, keep alive the aura of the personalities who have frequented them. These majestic residences illustrate the privileged art of living in this region, offering spectacular landscapes between the intense blue of the sea and the chiselled contours of the surrounding mountains.
Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
Built at the top of the Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat peninsula, Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild is one of the most beautiful Renaissance-style palaces on the French Riviera.
Overlooking the Mediterranean, set in an extension of formal gardens and fountains, this dream home was the brainchild of Baroness Béatrice Ephrussi de Rothschild, who was dazzled by the beauty of the setting.
It took 7 years to create the sumptuous gardens and the villa, where porcelain, master paintings and an eclectic mix of period furniture are displayed side by side.
Since 1938, this architectural gem in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat has been a museum, where visitors from all over the world flock to discover the 8 themed gardens, including the splendid rose garden at the tip of the estate.
Découvrez la Villa Ephrussi de Rotschild en cliquant ici.
Villa Kerylos in Beaulieu-sur-Mer
On the rocky headland of the Baie des Fourmis in Beaulieu-sur-Mer, Villa Kerylos is a vibrant tribute to ancient Greece.
Built in the 20th century by an archaeologist and statesman with a passion for civilisations, this sculpture in Carrara marble and stucco was inspired by the noble houses of the island of Delos. Organised around its peristyle and marble columns, the ground floor of this holiday home contains a number of ceremonial rooms.
Surrounded by pure Greek-style gardens where olive trees, vines, oleanders and myrtles flourish, Villa Kerylos, a listed historic monument, is one of the most visited villas on the French Riviera.
Découvrez la villa Kerylos en cliquant ici
Villa E-1027 d’Eileen Grey in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin
A jewel of modern architecture from the 1930s, Villa E-1027 rises immaculately through the garrigue bordering the Sentier des Douaniers, the only access to this work by designer Eileen Grey and her husband Jean Bodivici, an architect and art critic.
This holiday home on stilts, delicately set in the vegetation, reveals pure lines and reconciles refined aesthetics with the ambivalence of spaces, between outside and inside.
Freshly restored with Le Corbusier's cabanon, the Etoile de Mer and Le Corbusier's camping units, this iconic villa of the 1950s art of living can be visited on sunny days on the French Riviera, accompanied by the sound of the waves and the song of the cicadas.
Découvrez la villa E-1027 Eileen Grey en cliquant ici.
Pavillon de Flore in Cannes
A landmark of Cannes' architectural heritage, the Pavillon de Flore, formerly known as Villa Fénelon and then Villa Californie to reflect its dominant position in the city of festivals and congresses, is inseparable from Pablo Picasso, who bought it in the 1950s.
Covering more than 10,000 m2, this bourgeois villa, surrounded by Mediterranean trees in the heart of one of the resort's most luxurious districts, served as a ground-floor studio for the artist, an emblematic figure of Cubism.
He preferred Mougins in 1961, leaving hidden works within the walls of this imposing villa that were rediscovered after his death.
Découvrez le Pavillon de Flore en cliquant ici.
Villa Eileen Roc in Cap d’Antibes
Set in more than 11 hectares, Villa Eileen Roc, an exceptional neoclassical building, stands on the edge of the Cap d'Antibes coastline. Now owned by the town, it is one of the most famous villas on the French Riviera, and its grounds are marked out by the Sentier de Tire-poil, which leads to the vertiginous promenade that undulates above the Mediterranean.
This luxurious residence, completed in 1867, now overlooks the Ecomuseum, which offers visitors an enchanting stroll through the fragrant gardens, including a remarkable rose garden with over 1,000 plants.
Découvrez la Villa Eleinroc en cliquant ici
Villa des Chênes Verts at Cap d’Antibes
A favourite holiday destination for Jules Verne, who once stayed here, Villa des Chênes Verts unveils its immaculate building on Boulevard Kennedy, which winds its way down to the sea. Built in 1866, this old-fashioned villa faces the Mediterranean, its majestic columns flanking the white 3-storey building topped by a roof terrace.
Between the gates of this opulent house on Cap d'Antibes, you can see the merry-go-round at the foot of this sumptuous dwelling, a heavenly cocoon for high society and the celebrities of the 1950s.
Discover other historic villas on the French Riviera
- Villa Santo-Sospir, in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, is the epitome of Mediterranean luxury. Famous for its Cocteau frescoes, this dream villa offers breathtaking sea views, exotic gardens and an incomparable artistic ambience. A jewel for lovers of luxury villas.
- Villa Domergue, nestled in Cannes, is a 20th-century architectural gem. This artist's residence offers breathtaking views of the Mediterranean, exquisite gardens and a collection of works of art. A unique cultural and visual experience on the French Riviera.
- Le Cabanon Le Corbusier, in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, combines the harmony of modern minimalism with the sunny charm of the French Riviera. Discover the fascinating history of this emblematic site, its unique link with Villa E-1027, and Le Corbusier's legacy.
- The Domaine du Rayol, in Rayol-Canadel-sur-Mer, is a true Mediterranean haven. Themed gardens, fascinating seabeds and a lively cultural life await you. Let yourself be seduced by the unspoilt nature at the foot of the Massif des Maures and explore our article for an immersive experience.
- Château de la Colle Noire in Montauroux is a historic residence restored by fashion designer Christian Dior in the 1950s, offering a Mediterranean setting with gardens scented for Dior perfumes. It now serves as a venue for prestigious events and is imbued with Dior's art de vivre, welcoming renowned personalities.
- Mas Notre-Dame-de-Vie or Villa Picasso in Mougins, Picasso's last residence, seduced the artist in 1961 with its Provencal charm, after he had left his villa in Cannes. The property, once inhabited by the Guinness family and Winston Churchill, is marked by Picasso's artistic imprint, with its studio and elements reminiscent of his creative genius. Major renovation work has transformed the 18th-century building, preserving it as a landmark of art history.
- The Villa Hélios in Grasse, a former rest home from the 1920s, transformed after a period of artistic vacancy, has been given a new lease of life. The emblematic building is being restored to house 11 luxury apartments, preserving historic features such as the glass roof, façade and marble staircase, and offering a sumptuous wellness area. This transformation represents an exceptional promise for the city of Grasse.
- Le Grand Jardin in Cannes, the only private property on the island of Sainte-Marguerite, has reopened after major renovation investments. Former home to such luminaries as Louis XIV, the estate offers luxurious living spaces, 12 bedrooms, a vast reception area, a spa and two swimming pools, hosting exceptional private events. Accessible exclusively by boat, just ten minutes from Cannes, this Mediterranean oasis has been restored to its historic charm and splendor after months of renovation.
- Villa Les Cèdres in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat is home to the world's largest private botanical garden, created by Julien Marnier-Lapostolle. With over 16,000 species, some unique, from every continent, the garden is an exceptional collection of tropical and subtropical plants.