The Côte d’Azur, with its dazzling Mediterranean coastline and timeless allure, is home to some of the most breathtaking historic residences in France. From opulent Belle Époque palaces to groundbreaking modernist masterpieces, these iconic villas offer a glimpse into the region’s rich artistic, architectural, and cultural heritage.
Whether you’re drawn to the classical beauty of Villa Kérylos, the lavish gardens of Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, or the futuristic curves of Maison Bernard, each home tells a unique story of visionaries, aristocrats, and avant-garde pioneers who left their mark on the Riviera.
Here are some of the best historic villas to visit on the Côte d’Azur — each a testament to the elegance, innovation, and charm that define this enchanting part of the world.
Historic Villas on the Côte d’Azur
Villa Kérylos, Beaulieu sur Mer
Perched on the edge of the tranquil Baie des Fourmis in Beaulieu sur Mer, Villa Kérylos is a magnificent homage to ancient Greek elegance and sophistication.
Built between 1902 and 1908, this extraordinary early 20th-century villa was the brainchild of French archaeologist and statesman Théodore Reinach, who collaborated with architect Emmanuel Pontremoli to create a faithful reimagining of a 2nd-century BC Greek noble house from the island of Delos.
Every detail, from the white Carrara marble columns to the intricate mosaics depicting mythological scenes, reflects Reinach’s passion for classical antiquity. Inside, the rooms are furnished with meticulously crafted replicas of ancient Greek furniture all based on archaeological findings.
The villa also integrates modern conveniences of the early 1900s, such as running water and central heating, blending antiquity with the comforts of the Belle Époque era.
Surrounded by a small but lush garden filled with olive trees and fragrant Mediterranean flora, Villa Kérylos transports you back to the grandeur of ancient Greece, all while enjoying breathtaking views of the sparkling azure sea.
Price: Adult 13€, under 18 free, 18-25 EU residents free, disabled free. The price includes an audioguide.
Hours: Open every day of the year except public holidays, 10.00 – 18.00 May – August, 10.00 – 17.00 Sept – April. There are 2 free guided visits in French every day at 11.00 and 15.00
Tickets can be booked online. Please check the website for up-to-date information.
Address: Rue Gustave Eiffel, 06310 Beaulieu-sur-Mer Website: Villa Kerylos
Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, St Jean Cap Ferrat
Located on the lush peninsula of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild is a masterpiece of Belle Époque elegance, offering a glimpse into the opulent lifestyle of the early 20th century.
Built between 1905 and 1912 by the wealthy socialite and art collector Baroness Béatrice de Rothschild, this stunning pink-hued palace is a harmonious blend of Renaissance, Venetian, and French architectural styles, inspired by the grand palaces of Italy.
Inside, the villa is a treasure trove of priceless antiques, from Louis XVI furniture and Sèvres porcelain to rare tapestries and Old Master paintings, reflecting the Baroness’s impeccable taste and passion for art.
Beyond its lavish interiors, the estate boasts nine meticulously designed themed gardens, including a tranquil Japanese garden, a fragrant rose garden, and an exotic garden brimming with rare plants from around the world.
The highlight, however, is the grand French garden, designed in the shape of a ship’s deck where musical fountains dance in perfect synchronicity with classical music.
The villa hosts evening events during the summer and annual events such as the Fête de la Rose in May. It also houses a lovely restaurant open for lunch and tea, with gorgeous views of the surrounding Riviera coastline.
Price: Adult 17€, 7-18 12€, full-time students up to 25 12€, family pass 48€ (2 adults, 2 under 25) Price includes audioguide
Hours: Open every day of the year 10.00 – 18.00 except July – Aug 10.00 – 19.00 and Nov – Jan 10.00 – 18.00 weekends & 10.00 – 16.30 weekdays
Address: 1 Av. Ephrussi de Rothschild, 06230 Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat Website: Villa Ephrussi
Villa E-1027 Cap Moderne, Roquebrune Cap Martin
Hidden away on the rocky coastline of Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, accessible only by foot or boat, is Villa E-1027, a striking example of visionary modernist architecture.
Designed in the late 1920s by the pioneering Irish designer Eileen Gray in collaboration with her partner Jean Badovici, this iconic villa is a testament to functional elegance and avant-garde design. The name “E-1027” itself is a coded tribute to their relationship — E for Eileen, 10 for the letter J (Jean), 2 for B (Badovici), and 7 for G (Gray).
The villa’s minimalist white exterior, open-plan interiors, and built-in furniture reflect Gray’s visionary approach to living spaces, emphasizing flexibility, light, and a profound connection to nature. Each element, from the modular furniture to the ingenious use of space, was designed with both aesthetics and practicality in mind.
Over the years, the villa became a gathering place for some of the greatest minds of the 20th century, including Le Corbusier, who controversially painted colorful murals on its pristine walls — an act that sparked much debate in the architectural world.
Within the gardens lies Le Corbusier’s Cabanon, a tiny yet ingenious wooden cabin designed in 1952 as his personal retreat. Despite its modest 3.66 x 3.66 metre footprint, the Cabanon embodies Le Corbusier’s philosophy of minimalism and efficiency, showcasing his belief that a well-designed space can meet all of life’s essential needs.
It is listed by UNESCO World Heritage as part of Le Corbusier’s outstanding contribution to the modern movement.
Today, Villa E-1027 and the nearby Cabanon stand as beautifully restored cultural landmarks, offering visitors a rare glimpse into the revolutionary ideas of modernist design.
Price: Adult 19€, reduced entry 10€ (includes architecture students)
Hours: April – October 2 visits at 10.00 and 2 visits at 14.00 (1 in French, 1 in English). Visit by guided tour only, tour lasts 2 hours. Closed on Mondays in October
Booking online obligatory. Note that the villa is only accessible by a 10 minute walk along a narrow path.
Address: Cap Moderne hangar, Esplanade de la Gare, 06190 Roquebrune Cap Martin (meet here to walk to the villa) Website: Cap Moderne
Villa Eilenroc, Cap d’Antibes
Located on the exclusive Cap d’Antibes just next to the baie des milliardaires, Villa Eilenroc is a magnificent Belle Époque mansion that embodies the glamour and elegance of the French Riviera.
Built in the 1860s by the wealthy Dutchman Hugh-Hope Loudon and designed by the renowned architect Charles Garnier—famed for his work on the Paris Opéra—the villa is a stunning example of neoclassical architecture.
Its name, “Eilenroc,” is an anagram of Cornélie, the name of Loudon’s wife, adding a personal touch to its grandeur. Over the years, the villa changed hands among aristocrats and wealthy socialites, each contributing to its refinement and opulence. In 1982 the then owner Madame Beaumont bequeathed the house to the city of Antibes.
The villa is surrounded by an 11-hectare estate featuring a beautiful rose garden with 1000 rose plants cultivated in the Côte d’Azur and a magnificent olive grove. Today, Villa Eilenroc is open to the public every Saturday and its position makes it an ideal addition to the Coastal walk around the Cap d’Antibes.
Price: 2€
Hours: Open Saturday 10.00 – 17.00 (last entry 16.30)
Address: 460 Av. Mrs Beaumont, 06160 Antibes Website: Villa Eilenroc
Le Château de la Napoule, Mandelieu-la-Napoule
Sitting directly on the picturesque shore of Mandelieu-La Napoule, Le Château de la Napoule is a captivating blend of medieval heritage and 20th-century artistic vision. Originally built in the 14th century by the Counts of Villeneuve, the château witnessed centuries of history before falling into ruins.
In the early 20th century, the American artist and philanthropist Henry Clews Jr. and his wife, Marie, lovingly restored the château, transforming it into an enchanting retreat that fuses Gothic architecture with whimsical artistic elements.
The couple infused the estate with their creative spirit, adorning it with intricate sculptures, mysterious gargoyles, and hidden inscriptions that reflect their love for romance and fantasy.
Marie, a passionate gardener, designed the château’s lush gardens, which are now recognized as a “jardin remarquable” of France, featuring manicured terraces, tranquil fountains, and beautiful sea views.
These days, Le Château de la Napoule stands as a unique cultural landmark, hosting an art foundation dedicated to fostering creativity through artist residencies and exhibitions.
Price: Guided visit of castle and free visit of gardens: Adult 7€, Group (15+ people) 5€, Under 18, students and unemployed 5€, free under 8
Gardens only 4€, free under 7
Hours: April – September 10.00 – 18.00. Guided tours 11.30, 14.30, 15.30, 16.30. Also open during school holidays 10.00 – 17.00 from Wed – Sun, guided tours 11.30, 14.30, 15.30. At other times it is possible to visit on Fridays at 15.00 with a reservation (book by email or phone: message@chateau-lanapoule.com or +33 4 93 49 95 05)
Maison Bernard, Théoule sur Mer
Photo credit ©Yves Gellie for The Maison Bernard Endowment Fund
Tucked away in the dramatic red cliffs of Théoule-sur-Mer, overlooking the sparkling Mediterranean, Maison Bernard is a visionary masterpiece of organic architecture that seamlessly blends with its natural surroundings.
Designed in the 1970s by the renowned Hungarian architect Antti Lovag for industrialist Pierre Bernard, the house is a striking example of “bubble architecture,” a radical departure from traditional forms, embracing curves, fluidity, and an intrinsic connection to the landscape.
Photo credit ©Yves Gellie for The Maison Bernard Endowment Fund
Lovag, known for his belief that architecture should be adapted to human movement and comfort, created a living space composed of interconnected, rounded modules that evoke a futuristic yet harmonious feel.
The vibrant, earthy tones of the exterior echo the region’s famous Esterel rock formations, while the interior is an imaginative interplay of light, space, and color, with organic shapes and custom-designed furniture enhancing the immersive experience.
Photo credit ©Yves Gellie for The Maison Bernard Endowment Fund
Maison Bernard’s playful yet functional design features panoramic openings that frame breathtaking sea views, blurring the boundaries between indoor and outdoor living.
Today, the house remains a privately owned (and lived in) residence, but it opens its doors to visitors by appointment twice a week. A guided tour is the only way to see this house and no photos are allowed. The photos here are provided by Maison Bernard.
Price: Adult 25€, under 18 and students 15€ (Must be over 15)
Hours: Guided group visits every Tuesday and Thursday by appointment from September to June. Must book online. Visits in English can be arranged for groups of 8 or more.
Address: Port la Galère, 06590 Théoule sur Mer Website: Maison Bernard
Such a variety of historic villas to visit!
These villas offer the visitor such a variety of different styles. Personally my favourites are Villa E-1027 and the “bubble house”. They are both so original and unlike any structures I’ve seen before. Eileen Gray was such a visionary, it’s hard to believe the villa was built 100 years ago and not in the 21st century. It’s also incredible to realise she had no architectural training.
Likewise Antti Lovag had an extraordinary and unique vision of living spaces, taking 40 years to get the bubble house to his exacting standards. I can’t imagine living in one of his houses despite him calling himself a “habitologist” but I’d love to stay a while.
These two villas are more complicated to visit, setting up guided tours but I urge you to make the effort, you won’t be disappointed. Which ones would you like to visit?
Further Reading
13 of The Best Hill Villages Near Nice
From Russia (to Nice) With Love
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What a range of architectural styles. I can’t say I like all of them but I would happily visit all of them to learn more about their architecture and history. I once visited a NT castle and the guide asked me what I thought it if. I told her I didn’t particularly like the castle but that I loved visiting to learn more about it. She was really huffy and could not understand that I could enjoy a visit even if I didn’t actually like the building.
What a rubbish guide! Different tastes and opinions are so interesting and what make the world go round. How could she not understand that? Did you like the look of any of these buildings? My least favourite architectural style is La Napoule castle but its position right on the water is rather lovely.
The interior of Villa Kérylos looks amazing but I am not sure I would actually want to live in any of these. The rose garden at Villa Eilenroc looks right up my street but I would not want to be responsible for an 11ha estate!
I could live in Eilenroc! (As long as I didn’t have to do the housework!) The rose garden at Villa Ephrussi is amazing too. I think you’d rather like it.