From the Mediterranean Sea, the Cap d’Antibes looks wilder than the neighbouring shores of Antibes and Juan les Pins, but don’t be fooled. Tucked in amongst the sweet-smelling pines and rocky, tranquil coves are prestigious villas, well-groomed gardens and Belle Époque hotels. This undulating slice of the Cote d’Azur draws in celebrities, nature lovers and pleasure-seekers alike, with a mix of coastal paths and luxury digs. But for those looking to play the part of a long-time, well-heeled local, there’s Cap d’Antibes Garden Villa.
This sprawling 1930s residence has six bedrooms, five bathrooms, a well-stocked kitchen, sea views and a verdant, layered garden with a palm-shaded pool. Think of it as more of a friend’s summer home than a polished-for-purpose rental - with some of the quirks that come with an old house. But what it lacks in modernisation it more than makes up for in character and charm. From the black and white tiled floors and high ceilings to the columned terraces wrapped in climbing vines (perfect for candlelit dinners), this place lets you step back in time. That is, when you’re not stepping out to explore the idyllic stretch of the French Riviera it calls home.