The French Riviera is a dreamy destination that, no matter how many times you visit, consistently casts its enchanting spell. It has, not surprisingly, fascinated generations of poets, writers, and artists, as well as royalty, aristocrats, and countless tourists from all over the world. The French Riviera—and the cities and towns along this stretch of the Mediterranean, including Cannes, Saint-Tropez, Monte Carlo, and Antibes—has the power to charm anyone with an eye for beauty. Decade after decade, it consistently offers a mixture of magic, inspiration, and peace that convince many to stop and stay for a while.
Pablo Picasso was one of the many bewitched by the French Riviera. During one of his visits in 1924, the painter chose to stay at Villa La Vigie (Vigie translates as “the lookout”), which is now on the market for $27 million. Listed through the real estate agency Knight Frank, the villa also hosted guests such as Jean Cocteau, Estée Lauder, and Charlie Chaplin.
According the property’s listing, it is rumored that Picasso painted the walls of the garage with his tempera pigments during his stay. As the story goes, the owner asked the artist for compensation for the damage he had done.
The residence was built in 1912, a little over a decade before Picasso stayed there. A short walk from the celebrated Art Deco Hotel Belles Rives, the villa is surrounded by gardens, decks, and terraces overlooking the waterfront, a pier with a boathouse, an infinity pool, and a pool house. Large windows maximize the house’s waterfront views, and an entertaining area, dubbed the tower lounge, overlooks the sea.
The early-20th-century villa has eight bedrooms. The principal one has a spacious en suite bathroom with a large bathtub, a private sitting room, a dressing room, and an entertainment area, all with spectacular views of the Mediterranean. There is also a lounge, formal dining room, game room, and office. Other amenities include a wine cellar, staff quarters, a brick courtyard, and parking for five cars. Among all of the luxuries the villa holds, there is one disappointing note. If the reports are true and Picasso did paint the walls of the garage, they were long ago repainted, leaving no trace of the celebrated artist’s work.
