Le Grand JardinFrance, Cote d'Azur

Le Grand Jardin is a rare triumph: a hidden sanctuary on the Cote d’Azur that is eco-friendly, era-defining and rooted in the region’s colourful history.

It is the sole private property on the island of Sainte Marguerite and has been designed to kick all senses into action; sweet-smelling citrus trees, tranquil and trickling natural pools and a 14,000m2 botanic garden that calls for slow strolls.

Arrive by boat to this 13th century private walled estate and enter a haven of your own. Sainte Marguerite has long allured the world’s elite, with previous owners including Louis XIV and the 15th-century Dukes of Guise. Many believe the infamous Man in the Iron Mask, rumoured to be the brother of Louis XIV, was once held captive in the island’s fortress. Legend also has it that Napoleon once grazed his horses in the garden while cannonballs were prepared elsewhere on the island before being fired at passing ships.

​There are 12 bedrooms across six separate buildings in the three-and-a-half-acre property: the Governor’s House, three cottages, a guest house, and the old fortress tower.