A work of art in the French Riviera

Some properties go beyond being simply a home. Michaela Black explores Théoule-sur-Mer and finds a property that could have been built by an artist.

Théoule-sur-Mer, commonly abbreviated to Théoule, is a lovely resort village in the ProvenceAlpes-Côte d’Azur region of Southeastern France. It lies a mere 40 kilometres from Nice, and just 10 kilometres from Cannes, in a delightful French Riviera setting below the Esterel massif and fronted by the sea.

Théoule may only be a small town, but it features an attractive harbour and several ports, and offers easy access to beaches and the dramatic rocky coastline that characterises the region. It’s the kind of place made for strolling and sipping coffee – or perhaps something a little stronger – at a local café or bar. There is a harbour for pleasure boats and a good selection of cafés and restaurants. If simply relaxing isn’t your thing, there are ample opportunities for hiking in the hills and forests behind the town or the region can be explored by bike.

Of course, being the Riviera, there is also a choice of sandy beaches available, and these are the principal local attraction. The main beaches along the Théoule headland include the Plage du Vallon de l’Autel and the Plage du Château, which are the two main beaches in the town centre. A 5-minute walk east along the promenade from the centre of Théoule takes you to the Plage Petite Fontaine, a small sandy beach, while the Plage de l’Aiguille, a rather popular sandy beach, sits a further 5 minutes’ walk along the promenade. For those wanting more walking, the option exists to continue along the coast to reach the more isolated beaches of the Crique Aiguille. West of town there is also the Plage de Suveret, a pretty sandy beach that tends to be somewhat less crowded than the central beaches.

If you’re more about the walking than the water, there is a coast path that runs from Théoule-sur-Mer towards Mandelieu-la-Napoule, passing the Château de Théoule and a couple of small coves, and crossing some rocky sections with views across the sea to Cannes.

Château de Théoule is now a hotel, but was originally a soap factory built in 1630. It fell into ruin and an elegant residence was built on its site and named “Le Château”. The Château has been rebuilt and transformed several times, but rumour has it there are still some vestiges of the old soap factory in the basement,

If you’d prefer to drive, part of the coastline near Théoulesur-Mer is followed by Corniche d’Or, a road that traces a path along the coast below the Esterel massif. This is known for being one of the most attractive stretches of road in France, passing beautiful landscapes with the deep blue sea to one side and red cliffs on the other.

It’s fair to say, it’s a pretty part of the country and for the ultimate residential view, there is a stunning property on the market that offers breathtaking 360-degree sea views of almost the entire French Riviera, including the Bay of Cannes and out to sea, with the Alps as a backdrop. Due to its rare and dominant position, the property merges with the landscape; despite offering 1,000m2 of internal living space, the unique design and architecture blends beautifully with the Esterel Mountains.

The villa has a total of 13 bedrooms – six of which are en suite, four independent apartments, and staff accommodation with three bedrooms. All of the bedrooms offer their own unique style and the property is designed so they are in different areas of the villa to guarantee maximum privacy.

The main living area, with an adjoining bar and office, leads onto the exceptional upper terrace, perfect for relaxing in the sun or casual dining al fresco. From this upper terrace, the leisure terrace below can be directly accessed. This area features a rim flow pool, the indoor gym and a beautifully appointed spa area with a sauna, hammam and Jacuzzi.

Landscaped gardens of 24 hectares surround the villa, with creative and artfully decorated areas that marry effortlessly with the architecture of the house and the rock on which it is built. Various leisure areas offer an environment ideal for maximising the Mediterranean lifestyle; from secluded hideaways in the garden to grandiose reception areas overlooking the sea.

A sophisticated German security system, thoughtfully integrated air conditioning, an emergency generator, eight garages, several outdoor parking spaces and a private petrol station, with 5000l diesel and 500l premium petrol, bring this property to an incredible standard, far beyond the usual.

This magnificent home is a fine and extremely rare work of art. From the ornate iron gate to the tasteful design, the exquisite views, and the beautiful gardens, this home enjoys a harmonious flow, leaving nothing to be desired. n

Théoule-sur-Mer

Price: €39,000,000

Fine & Country French Riviera

Tel: +33 4 925 925 93

Email: cannes@fineandcountry.com