Property: Seven trés chic French homes
As the Cannes Film Festival kicks off on 17 May, we look at seven stunning French properties from Riviera mansions to elegant chateaux.
These homes have that "je ne sais quoi" you can only find across the Channel, along with A-list price tags.
1. Cannes, Provence Alpes Cote d'Azur, €80m (£68.4m)
This stunning eight-bedroom villa allows you to look over the Bay of Cannes from the comfort of your own home.
Located in the exclusive area of La Californie, the property has been designed in Balinese style with light, airy interiors, Chinese printed wallpaper and numerous terraces off the main rooms.
This home really is made for a film star, with a cinema room, dance studio, spa, staff quarters, gym and wine cellar among its 1,600 square metres of living space.
Outside is equally as impressive as there’s over two acres of manicured gardens, a summer kitchen, Jacuzzi and infinity pool. Just what you need to unwind after walking the red carpet. Find out more by contacting Knight Frank International.
2. Paris 16 Passy, Île-de-France, Paris, €31.5m (£27m)
This 15-bedroom Parisian mansion oozes French style and sophistication.
Built at the beginning of the 20th century, it has parquet or marble floors throughout, original fireplaces and gilded mouldings.
This is a house designed to make you look up, with a sweeping staircase in the entrance hall and signed frescos on many of the ceilings, one of which reaches a height of five metres.
As you’d expect from a house this grand, there’s secondary accommodation, plus a terrace and double garage. Contact Knight Frank International.
3. Cannes, Provence Alpes Cote d'Azur, €9,6m (£8.2m)
It’s amazing to think that while you might be surrounded by sea views and lush vegetation this contemporary villa is only a few minutes from Cannes’ famous La Croisette and its shops, yachts and beaches.
The five-bedroom property has views of the Esterel mountains and the Bay of Cannes, and most of the rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows. These allow you to make the most of the incredible panoramas and watch the yachts coming in and out of the bay.
While the location is incredible, the house delivers on luxury with an infinity pool, guest apartment and gym. Through Home Hunts SARL.
4. Beaumont-sur-Dême, Pays de la Loire, €2.2m (£1.88m)
Escape to your very own chateau with this stunning 18th century mansion in Loire.
There are period features galore, with elegant fireplaces, beautiful mouldings and sash windows, but it’s been decorated in a contemporary style, so there are no draughty corridors or antique central heating systems to sort out.
For such an enormous property (it has 400 square metres of living space), it has a lovely cosy feel with light, bright rooms and neutral colours.
This is the perfect oasis from the busy, outside world and there’s everything you could possibly want, including a home cinema, one-bedroom studio, gym, seven bedrooms and library.
Outside, you’ll find over 17 acres of beautiful gardens, lawns and woodland, plus a pond and river frontage. To find out more contact Maxwell Baynes, Christie's International Real Estate.
5. Super Cannes, French Riviera, €12m (£10.2m)
There’s something very LA about this contemporary Cannes mansion. The latest technological innovations have been used to make it the height of comfort and luxury and you’ll find a lift, state-of-the-art kitchen and five bedrooms, all with en-suite bathrooms.
This isn’t a house to get bored in, thanks to the entertainment that’s on offer. Keep active in the gym and indoor and outdoor heated pools or chill out in the home cinema and hammam.
Outside there are panoramic views of Cannes and an enormous, landscaped garden with several terraces to while away your time on. Get in touch with Savills International.
6. Ménerbes, Provence-Alps-Cote d`Azur, €3.95m (£3.38m)
This 18th century manor house in Provence ticks all the boxes if you’re in search of some "joie de vivre".
It sits in a one-hectare park that’s about as French as it gets — olive trees, truffle oaks, lavender and rose bushes have been planted to give a gorgeous aroma, plus just the right amount of shade.
There are two swimming pools and several terraces which offer the perfect place to take in the view of the Vaucluse hills with a glass in hand. Talking of wine, that’s all taken care of thanks to a sizeable wine cellar.
The interiors offer a mix of modern and period styles, with beams and tiled flooring, and the village is just a ten-minute jaunt away. For sale with Home Hunts SARL.
7. Cannes, French Riviera, €2.25 (£1.9m)
If you want the best views of the film stars, the Boulevard de la Croisette, is where it’s at — and this apartment has a balcony overlooking the famous street.
Even outside of Cannes Film Festival, La Croisette boasts plenty of action, with picturesque beaches, designer boutiques and award-winning restaurants along its pavements.
This modern apartment is on the top floor and has an open plan kitchen, sea views and two bedrooms and shower rooms. It also comes with a useful cellar and garage. Contact Savills International.