The Côte d’Azur is home to some of the most spectacular and architecturally diverse historic properties, from pastel villas to sleek modernist treasures and opulent Belle Époque estates.
Since the late 19th century, artists, musicians, writers and socialites have found their way to the south of France, in search of sunshine and refuge from the great artistic and cultural capitals of their time (and found inspiration in abundance). Thus “discovered”, the rustic row of sleepy fishing villages from Menton to Cannes was irrevocably transformed by this influx of wealthy aristocrats and creative types.
Given the exquisite beauty of the Côte d’Azur, with its incomparable blues and dramatic cliffs winding sheer to hidden coves and matchbox palms below, it’s no wonder that so many of the last century’s most iconic cultural figures felt so completely enchanted by its special magic.
Although today you’re more likely to come across a group of influencers than a group of bohemian writers and poets (arguably, much of the magic has been lost to the past), I still like to get a glimpse of how life was in the early 1900s by visiting some of the special properties scattered along the coast, wishing their walls could whisper something to me.
Destination South of France: why not rent a vacation home for your vacation in Saint-Tropez, Vence, Mougins, etc.?
Whether you’re looking for a typical bastide, a farmhouse or a luxury villa reminiscent of Ancient Greece, there’s an infinite choice of possibilities, in all the most beautiful villages and towns on the Côte d’Azur (Saint-Jean-Cap Ferrat, Saint Tropez, Antibes, Cannes, Monaco). There’s accommodation to suit all your dreams. Whether it’s a contemporary villa with sea view or a Belle Époque residence.
To give you a foretaste of the architectural beauty of France’s most majestic coastline, we’ve decided to do a feature on the coast’s most beautiful villas.
Here are our favorite historic residences open to the public in the south of France, each offering a unique perspective on the region’s history and heritage.
Villa Eilenroc in Antibes, an exceptional luxury villa
This magnificent residence, built by a Dutchman, is set in 11 hectares of parkland at Cap d’Antibes, with magnificent gardens and typical Mediterranean vegetation. It was later sold to a Scotsman and then to an American couple, the Beaumonts.
In 1982, Mme Hélène Beaumont bequeathed her home to the town of Antibes on condition that the Fondation Beaumont be created. Its purpose is to manage and exploit the property, on condition that the villa and its rose and olive groves are open to the public. Simply sublime.
Villa e-1027 in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, one of the most beautiful homes on the Côte d’Azur
Of Irish origin, Eileen Gray grew up in London and was one of the first women to attend the Slade School of Art. She trained in Japanese lacquer in Paris (believed to be the first Western artist to do so). She became known for her sumptuous Art Deco furniture in the early 1920s.
By the middle of the decade, under the influence of Le Corbusier, Gray had become one of the leading proponents of modernism. Today, she is regarded as a pioneer who literally blazed her own trail in the male-dominated design world of the time. One of her most famous pieces of furniture is the voluptuous Bibendum Chair (inspired by the body of the famous Bibendum), a piece so contemporary it’s hard to believe it was designed in 1926.
Villa E-1027 is a rectangular box shaped like a sugar cube. It sits on the rocky cliffs of Cap Martin, nestled between Menton and Italy to the east and Monaco to the west. Eileen Gray’s first foray into architectural design, the villa was built between 1926 and 1929 (she was 51 at the time) in collaboration with her partner and architect Jean Badovici.
The villa’s futuristic name is a cryptic amalgam of the couple’s initials: E for Eileen, 10 for Jean’s J, 2 for Badovici’s B, 7 for Gray’s G. The project is a testament to Gray’s meticulous attention to detail, as she spent over three years perfecting the functional freestanding furniture for which she is renowned.
In contrast, eight colorful cubist murals by Le Corbusier adorn the otherwise neutral space. This is thought to have been an intentional act of “disfigurement” and a source of immense frustration for Gray at the time. A friend of Badovici, Le Corbusier is said to have become fixated on E-1027, admiring Gray’s work and even trying to buy it himself. Against Eileen’s wishes, Le Corbusier (as Bodovici’s guest) painted the walls, allegedly bitter that Gray had used many aspects of his style with his own touch. In 1932, Gray and Badovici separated, and Gray inherited the house and lived there with his future wife. The murals are often cited as a key example of misogyny in twentieth-century architecture.
The house had fallen into disrepair, its walls having been used as targets by German soldiers during the Second World War. Fortunately, it is now being lovingly restored by the formidable Cap Moderne team, determined to give Eileen’s work the recognition it deserved during her lifetime. Tours are guided and by reservation only. Responses to emails can be a little cold, but it’s absolutely worth it to gain access to this little-known gem.
Vacations on the Côte d’Azur, don’t miss Villa Kerylos (Kerylos) in Beaulieu-sur-mer, Greek villa par excellence
Villa Kerylos, a sublime place to visit. It stands on a promontory overlooking Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. It is surrounded by lush gardens and the Mediterranean Sea on three sides.
Villa Kerylos was built over a period of 6 years, between 1902 and 1908, by architect Emmanuel Pontremoli, for the famous archaeologist and Hellenist (the official term for a person with a passionate love of ancient Greece) Théodore Reinach. Meticulously inspired by the noble houses on the Greek island of Delos in the 2nd century B.C., the villa’s plan is built around a magnificent central open-air courtyard.
Reinach commissioned exact copies of ancient Greek furniture from the National Archaeological Museum in Naples and, with astonishing attention to detail, together they reproduced furniture, crockery, fabrics, prints, lighting and wall coverings.
The duo incorporated early 20th-century modern technology with incredible subtlety (designing electric chandeliers that resemble oil lamps). They even concealed an anachronistic piano behind an authentic furniture facade, resulting in a place that must have been nothing short of magical in the early 1900s. It was a home for Bon Vivants, with rooms dedicated to the arts and entertainment. It’s easy to imagine nights spent under the stars in this convivial central courtyard.
It’s a simply fascinating space where you’ll enjoy spending time. The passion of its creators shines through in every tile, over a hundred years later.
On his death in 1928, Reinach bequeathed the property to the Institut de France to ensure its continued existence. Amazingly, his children and grandchildren lived there until 1967 (imagine basking in the famous octagonal bathtub until the swinging sixties).
Luckily for us, the place is now open to the public (and to weddings!). Try to get there first thing in the morning or at the end of the day, so you can have the property to yourself as much as possible. There are guided tours, but you can also take an audioguide and explore the house at your own pace.
Emblematic of the French Riviera: the Villa Ephrussi de Rotschild in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
Influenced by the opulent Palazzi of Venice, Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild is set in vast, manicured gardens overlooking Villefranche on one side and Beaulieu Bay on the other.
Built from 1905 to 1912 by the eccentric Baroness Beatrice de Rothschild, the villa is a flamboyant jewel. It is one of an already rich collection of palatial residences on the verdant Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, an exclusive peninsula jutting out into the Mediterranean. For Béatrice, the project was a creative outlet (inspired by her husband’s cousin’s Greek-style Villa Kerylos, built on the other side of the bay nearby).
The Monkey Room, dedicated to Beatrice’s two monkeys, is particularly strange. The villa is an exercise in grandiose maximalism, and the spirit of La Dolce Vita is very much in evidence.
Le Corbusier’s Cabanon in Roquebrunne-Cap-Martin
Granted, we’re a long way from the sumptuous villas of the Côte d’Azur, but this architectural mansion couldn’t be left out of this article.
You may be thinking that Le Corbusier seemed like a strange man (after what you read above about Villa E-1027). That may be the case (for Eileen anyway), but Le Corbusier’s cabin, located just above said villa, is equally fascinating. After his attempt to buy the villa failed, he made do with the small plot of land just above it and built this radically different, stripped-down cabin instead, with its sights set on the grand villa.
The tiny wooden Cabanon was prefabricated in Corsica on economical principles, with ultra-functional built-in furniture and extreme simplicity. The use of flat plywood in interiors at the time was highly unusual. The architect also built a tiny studio in the lush gardens, drawing inspiration from his Mediterranean surroundings.
How can you discover these famous Côte d’Azur villas in complete tranquillity?
If your budget doesn’t allow you to rent one of these villas, or if you prefer your own peace and quiet, you can book a solar boat. Whether it’s a boat rental without a license or an organized tour, this peaceful and elegant experience is in perfect harmony with the charm of the Côte d’Azur. And, as you’ll see, there are plenty of other villas to discover on your little cruise, like David Niven’s iconic villa or the James Bond villas.
