Sylviane EstateFrance, Cote d'Azur, Cannes, Valbonne
- 10
- 20
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What we love
- 5 minutes from the picturesque Valbonne village
- Private tennis court and swimming pool
- Steeped in history
Peer through the looking glass into the past at Sylviane Estate, a magnificent hideaway that can accommodate up to 20 people. Built by monks in the 17th century, this palatial residence in the Alpes-Maritimes region of Southeast France was once home to Napoleon’s generals and the Grimaldi family. Follow in their footsteps as you discover the estate's secrets amid a landscape of 500 olive trees. The property is situated in the heart of the French Riviera, with a host of gorgeous destinations at your fingertips. Walk the idyllic cobbled streets of nearby Valbonne, immerse yourself in the culture of Cannes just 10km away, or travel an hour or so by car to take in the glamour of Monaco.
The bedrooms of this country retreat are spread over four buildings, creating a great set-up for a memorable reunion. You'll stay in the spectacular main house, waking up in one of five sunlit bedrooms where heritage architecture meets the clean lines of modern décor. Your guests will be well catered for in the three other guest houses. The two independent apartments of La Ferme feature striking rustic detail and are perfect for whiling away an afternoon with a book. Le Pigionnier is a three-bedroomed former dovecot where loved ones can gather around the family kitchen table or host afternoon tea in the beautiful saloon. The oldest building on the property, La Bergerie, is where your more independent visitors can make quality time really count. It features two bedrooms, a large outdoor table for entertaining, and its own access to the garden and pool.
This is a place that really promises to ignite the imagination, as you walk in the footsteps of monks, French generals and European royalty. Spend the morning exploring the immaculately manicured gardens, take a dip in the pool after a a leisurely game of tennis, or jet off to Monaco to try your luck at the tables, Kir Royale in hand. After wandering the shops and cafés of Valbonne, end the day by gathering the troops for an extravagant al fresco dinner under a canopy of colourful blooms and lanterns.
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Features
- Maid
- Private Pool
- Tennis Court
- Family Friendly
In-Depth Villa Details
The Main House
The principle building where the monks ate, slept and prayed, had at the time, twelve cells, a dining room and a kitchen. The kitchen is almost original in layout as is the winter dining room with its open fireplace. There are five double bedrooms with bathrooms ensuite and a nanny's room with half bathroom. There is a bar, reception area, TV room and two dining rooms, an eat-in kitchen and a summer dining terrace.
La Ferme Downstairs and Upstairs
Downstairs has a master bedroom with bathroom on suite, a living/dining area and a further double bedroom with bathroom. It has its own driveway and access to one of the main lawns.
The Bergerie
It comprises the master bedroom with bathroom ensuite and a further bedroom with bathroom ensuite which has two double beds. It also has an independent door to the gardens and swimming pool. There's an office, a living room and an eat in dining room with an old refectory table outside capable of seating fourteen.
The Tower
The tower was actually the granary but is now two floors of double bunk beds with shower rooms en suite
History of the property
The property was laid out and built in 1697 by the monks of St. Honorat who had established themselves in the village of Valbonne some years earlier. Planted with olive trees and vines, it began life as an agricultural monastery which provided the produce for the immigrant builders of the village of Valbonne and its monastery. Being a silent order, a tunnel was built to allow the monks to travel between the two monasteries and attend services in the village church. A part of that tunnel can still be seen.
Subsequently the Order moved to the Iles de Lerins off the coast of Cannes, where they remain to this day.
In the early 19th Century, the property was given by Napoleon to one of his generals. It was during this period that Sylviane Estate acquired its present name. The general had two daughters, Sylvie and Louise, he gave them each a property in the area hence Estate Sylviane. During the second world war, the property and its tunnel and cellars were used by the "resistance" to hide prisoners of war and Camille Royan, head of the resistance on the Cote d'Azur, spent much of his time here. More recently the property belonged to the Grimaldi family where the aunt of the late Prince Rainier of Monaco lived until she died in the 1970s. It's been in the hands of the same family for the last forty years.
La Sylviane has been renevating olive groves since 2005 and now produces close to 1000 litres of olive oil. Oranges picked from the organe groves are made into orange juice concentrate, marmalade, jam and all sorts of ices, slices and sweets.