With three spectacular villas, sophisticated interiors by Monaco-based studio Casamanara and expansive gardens overlooking the coast, Domaine de la Belle Étoile brings the pleasures of a five-star resort into a private Cap d’Antibes estate.
The most striking at Domaine de la Belle Étoile might be the main villa’s principal suite, with its grand terrace overlooking the estate’s expansive grounds. Then again, it could be the games room, with a window into a three-car show garage. Equally telling is the cocktail bar, with its Amazonite Quartzite counter and sculptural lighting. Even the spa makes a statement, pairing an ice room with a chromotherapy shower. At this impressive estate, there is no single showstopper: instead an extraordinary range of spaces and amenities gives Domaine de la Belle Étoile the feel of a private resort.
Set across almost one and a half hectares on Cap d’Antibes, Domaine de la Belle Étoile was developed by Caudwell as a contemporary take on the grand Riviera estate. The property comprises three villas, led by the six-bedroom Villa La Belle Étoile. Its expansive living spaces open onto sea-facing terraces and gardens, while a cocktail bar provides a natural gathering point within the house.
Two independent guest houses also sit within the estate: the two-bedroom Villa Céleste and one-bedroom Villa Capella, each giving visitors a place of their own within the grounds. Villa Céleste carries a piece of Riviera history. It occupies the restored clubhouse of the Hôtel Provençal’s former tennis club, once part of a glamorous social scene that attracted names including Coco Chanel and Jackie Kennedy. Villa Capella, meanwhile, occupies a former fisherman’s cottage that has been transformed into a contemporary two-level retreat, with a rooftop terrace looking across the estate and out towards the Mediterranean.
Much of life at Domaine de la Belle Étoile takes place outdoors. A 23-metre pool looks towards the marina, while olive trees frame rose gardens and a three-tier vineyard. Nearby, a chef’s garden feeds into the outdoor kitchen, creating a natural setting for long lunches and dinners, while a boules court adds a distinctly Provençal touch.
There is plenty for quieter moments, too. A private cinema pairs velvet seating with a large projection screen, while the spa includes a treatment room, beauty salon, sauna, steam room and ice room, alongside a chromotherapy experience shower. A gym and separate yoga and Pilates studio complete the wellness offering.
Across all three villas, Monaco-based studio Casamanara, founded by Piero Manara and Debla Manara-Berger, has dressed the interiors in a Côte d’Azur-inspired palette, pairing bespoke furniture with materials chosen to complement the Mediterranean setting.
It is perhaps fitting that a property built on the site of one of the Riviera’s former social hubs should once again revolve around bringing people together. Domaine de la Belle Étoile has all the scale expected of one of Cap d’Antibes’ great estates. Its more interesting proposition, though, is how that scale has been shaped around the art of entertaining.
Domaine de la Belle Étoile is currently offered for sale at €58.95 million.
