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The estate in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin was opened to public access over 100 years ago and served as a place for walks and relaxation for locals and tourists. However, in 2020, it was closed to public access. The reason for the closure was the decision of the owners, who deemed it necessary to restrict access to the area for security reasons and to preserve private property.
The closed domain of Roquebrune-Cap-Martin is famed for its unique villas, each with a rich history, distinctive style, direct access to the sea, and views of Monaco. Let's consider some of the most notable properties in this region.
In this article, we will tell about the most popular villas in the region: their history, architectural distinctions, unique features, and famous personalities who lived in them.
Villa del Mare
Villa "Casa del Mare" or "Villa del Mare"—an outstanding example of Belle Époque architecture. Built in 1904 by Danish architect Hans-Georg Tersling, known for his works in Monte Carlo, the villa combines elements of Italian Renaissance and French style.
The original owner of the villa was Osborn O'Hagan, who held concerts there featuring famous musicians. After his disappearance in 1930, the property was sold at auction. Later, the villa came into the possession of an English citizen, then was acquired by Italian producer Dino De Laurentiis and his wife, actress Silvana Mangano. In the early 1990s, the villa belonged to Mobutu Sese Seko, the President of Zaire, who used it as one of his many luxurious hideaways. The villa was later bought by a Russian businessman.
The total area of the estate is 3.2 hectares and includes a four-story mansion of 1200 m2 and two guest houses of 400 and 200 m2. The property features an aviary with peacocks, a helicopter pad, as well as an open and covered swimming pool. The landscaped garden has direct access to the sea.
Villa Les Rocher
The four-story mansion of 850 m2 in the Belle Époque style is located on a plot of 4000 m² with a well-maintained garden, filled with rare plant species. The pink exterior is surrounded by direct beach access, a swimming pool, ancient trees, and a botanical garden, which includes rare cacti. From its spacious terraces, there are views of the Mediterranean Sea and the Principality of Monaco. A quality renovation, carried out by the current owners, harmoniously combines modernity with the preservation of the original design.
Villa l'Eclaircie
L'Eclaircie —one the private mansions of the closed domain of Cap-Martin, with a living area of about 700m2. This three-story villa, built in 1889 by architect Hans-Georg Tersling, is also located in a closed domain with direct access to the sea. The gardens of the villa, designed by famous landscape architect Jean Mus, occupy 3,384m2 of the territory and offer panoramic views of the sea. The villa includes 14 rooms and has 6 bedrooms, as well as a cottage for friends. In 2022, the villa was completely renovated and modernized with the latest technologies and luxurious design.
Villa Torre Clementina
Villa "Torre Clementina" — a luxurious estate located between Avenue Empress Eugenie and the coastal path "Sentier des Douaniers". The total area of the territory is 8081m2. Built after 1904 by architect Lucien Hesse for writer Ernesta Stern, who published under the pseudonym Maria Star, the villa combines elements of Venetian and Eastern architecture.The interiors and gardens of the villa were designed by Italian artist Raffaele Mainella, whom Ernesta Stern invited from Venice. The gardens feature winding paths leading through geometrically designed plots, adorned with various architectural elements such as fountains, pergolas, and gazebos.
In 1991, Villa "Torre Clementina" was listed among France's historical monuments. It also served as a filming location for the 1964 movie "Joy House" featuring Alain Delon and Jane Fonda.
Villa Trianon
Built in 1893 by Danish architect Georg Tersling, Villa Trianon combines elements of Italian Renaissance and French Belle Époque elegance. Tersling is known for his works such as the Grand Hotel in Cap-Martin, the Metropole Hotel in Monte Carlo, and many villas ordered by European aristocracy on the French Riviera. The villa of 1,000m2 is located on a territory of 1.6 hectares.Originally, the villa was erected for French diplomat Georges de Montgomery and his wife Lucy. Among the famous guests of the villa was Empress Elisabeth of Austria, better known as "Sisi", who often visited this place. Later, the villa came into the possession of Prince Danilo of Montenegro. Afterwards, for many years it was inhabited by Princess Orusova, the wife of the Russian ambassador to Paris, and later - a well-known international business couple.
Architectural features of the villa include a monumental facade with a semicircular rotunda adorned with red marble columns, leading to Italian gardens through a double staircase reminiscent of Venetian palazzos. The semicircular terrace connects the villa to the Italian gardens through a dramatic double staircase flight. The interiors are distinguished by elegance and luxury, reflecting the style and taste of their owners. At night, the facade is effectively illuminated by ground lights.
Villa Cyrnos
Designed by Danish architect Hans-Georg Tersling, Villa Cyrnos was erected in 1892 for Empress Eugenie de Montijo, wife Napoleon III. The name "Cyrnos" comes from the ancient Greek name for Corsica, the homeland of Napoleon I. Queen Victoria was also a close friend of Eugenie and visited the villa annually.The luxurious garden, covering about 2 hectares, was designed and created by German gardener Ludwig Winter and Italian Giovanni Pizzi at the request of Empress Eugenie herself.
In 1920, the villa passed by inheritance to Marie-Letizia Bonaparte, who, having become a widow, entered into a relationship with a military Norberto Fischer, younger than her by 20 years. In 1926, according to her will, Fischer became the sole heir of the villa and lived there with his wife, opera singer Vina Bovi, until his death in 1950. In 1960, Bovi sold the villa. The total area of the territory is 28,396 m2.
Villa Cypris
Villa "Cypris" with a total area of about 3 hectares was built in 1904 in a Neo-Byzantine style by architect Edouard Arno for Cyprienne Duberne, the widow of the owner Grands Magasins du Louvre, Olympe Erio.Located next to Villa "Cyrnos", it stands out with its gardens descending to the sea, and a gallery leading to the coastline. The gardens and interiors were designed by Italian artist Raffaele Mainella.
A feature of the garden is a covered colonnade, connected to the villa by a bridge and a long staircase adorned with columns. These elements created picturesque views, allowing the lady of the house to watch her daughter's yachts, Virginie Erio, a renowned yachtswoman, in the bay below. In 1990, the villa together with the gardens was registered as a historic monument, it is currently closed to the public.
Villa St Tryphon
The three-level Villa St Tryphon with a floor area of more than 800 m², located on a plot of more than 1HA, was built for banker Albert Kahn, who between 1897 and 1925 acquired more than 13 Ha of land in the center of Cap-Martin.The purchased property combined the villas Zamir, Miramar, and St Tryphon, which were visited by many famous personalities, including poet Rabindranath Tagore, British Foreign Secretary Austin Chamberlain, Wilhelm von Schen and others. Kahn desired that all three villas be connected by a natural garden, lush vegetation, and Mediterranean flora.
The stock market crash in 1929 severely hit the financial status of Albert Kahn, therefore subsequently the residence was put up for sale.
Villa Zamir
The four-story Villa Zamir with a floor area of 1200 m2 was built in the early 20th century by the aforementioned famous financier Albert Kahn.Located on a plot of 2.6 hectares, the villa is surrounded by a magnificent garden, created with the participation of the best landscape designers of the time, Edouard Andre and Achille Duchene. The gardens were inspired by the work of the gardeners of the French Empress Eugenie, who often stayed here. The landscape park of the villa has retained elements and exceptional specimens of plants planted at the time of the park's creation by Albert Kahn.
Villa Zamir is dedicated to a chapter in the book by Etienne Chilo "A Garden for Eugenie - the last empress at Cap Martin" with a foreword by His Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco.
Villa Les Zoraides
Villa "Les Zoraides" — one of the largest and most impressive estates on Cap Martin, located on a plot of about 6.5 hectares. Built in 1910 by American industrialist Kenneth Clark, the residence reflects the architectural trends of the early 20th century and serves as an example of luxurious country living at that time.The main residence is a four-story building with a basement and two underground levels. The property also houses the building "La Tropezienne", the building "La Louisiane", a guard house, workshop, orangery, swimming pool, and tennis court.
Villa Cynthia
The villa was designed by architect Tersling, which he named after his wife Cynthia. The total area occupies 8,182m2, the living space of the villa - 400m2. The owner often rented the residence to prestigious guests, for example, Joseph Pulitzer, an American journalist and owner of the newspaper New York World. Prince Heinrich de Pless, the fifteenth ruler of the principality of Pless in Silesia and former secretary of the German embassy in London, also stayed here for several seasons, often accompanied on vacation by his sister, Duchess of Westminster.
Villa Serena
This two-level Villa with a floor area of 500m2, located on a total area of 2100m2, was designed in 1897 by famous architect Georg Tersling and listed in the "Société d'Art et d'Histoire du Mentonnais".
The villa's features include original marble fireplaces and elegant staircases, ceilings 5 meters high, and the grandeur of the late 19th century. The estate was restored in 2000.
Conclusion
Roquebrune-Cap-Martin represents a unique combination of rich history, architectural magnificence, and natural charm. Each villa on this coast carries traces of past epochs, reflecting the taste and style of its owners — from emperors and kings to famous artists and entrepreneurs.
Today, these villas continue to inspire, maintaining their aristocratic refinement and remaining a place of attraction for those who seek to touch the historical heritage of the French Riviera.
Our company ServiceAzur has been assisting clients in buying and selling luxury real estate on the French Riviera for over 20 years. We specialize in the Roquebrune Cap Martin region and will help you find the property of your dreams according to your wishes — leave a request on the website or by phone, and our managers will contact you!
