Villa: 300m2
People: 10/11
Bedrooms: 5
Bathrooms: 4
Separate WCs: 1
Min Stay: 7 nights
The Romans had a term for it: "Rus in Urbe" - Countryside in the City. That's exactly what Villa Aquilegia has to offer. Situated on the lower slopes of Cannes' prestigious Croix des Gardes district, this fully renovated former farmhouse is a calm haven from the hubbub of the Côte d'Azur's most glamorous and lively town. And yet you'll be less than 10 minutes by car, 15 minutes by bus or 30 minutes on foot from the Old Port and the Croisette, while the local sandy beach is only 6 or 7 minutes' walk away.
The approach to Villa Aquilegia is along a shady lane that winds up from the main road beside a stream. The ambience is almost rural. The villa itself is sufficiently elevated to afford wonderful sea views while remaining within easy reach on foot after a trip to the beach or if returning from town by public transport.
Access to the villa is through remote-controlled electric gates to a single garage and gravelled parking area with space for up to four cars. From there, a dozen or so steps lead up to the garden level, then a further three or four to the dining terrace and entrance to the house itself.
Dating from the mid 19th century, the villa retains much of its historic charm while incorporating all of the comforts of modern living. On the ground floor is a 60 square metre, beamed open plan living/dining room, with multiple sets of French windows leading to the south facing dining terrace, with lovely sea views, and a west facing terrace also with views of the sea as well as the Esterel mountains.
As in all of the living spaces and bedrooms, there is reversible airconditioning/heating, while an open fire (logs included) provides extra cosiness in the cooler months.
The wide-screen TV is internet enabled and has access to Netflix, a range of UK Freesat channels, and French TV. There is also a DVD machine, and two portable bluetooth speakers for use around the house or by the pool.
Glazed doors lead though to a spacious kitchen. Equipment levels are what you would expect of a house that was once home to a boutique cookery school run by a celebrated Scandinavian chef, with multiple ovens and hobs, two fridge/freezers, a small ice-making machine and a comprehensive range of food preparation equipment and attractive tableware. In the garden immediately outside the kitchen is a gas barbecue.
Accessed from the living room are a guest cloakroom, and stairs leading down to the basement, where you will find the laundry room, with washing machine and tumble drier, iron and ironing board. This is also where beach and pool equipment are kept: umbrellas, chairs, inflatable pool beds, beach towels etc. A door leads through to the garage.
From the living room, a single flight of stairs leads to the first floor and its two bedroom suites, both featuring superking beds with supremely comfortable mattresses.
The master bedroom has beamed ceilings, windows to the south and west, and French doors opening onto a large furnished terrace with fabulous views south over the sea, and west to the Esterel mountains. Its en suite bathroom, also with lovely views, features twin hand basins and a large tub with hand shower.
Next door, the principal guest suite, also with beamed ceiling, shares access to the south facing terrace. Its en suite bathroom, with stained glass windows, has a walk-in shower.
A further flight of stairs leads up to the remaining three bedrooms, all with lovely views south over the sea. Two of the bedrooms have very comfortable king-size beds, while the third can be made up with either two singles or a superking. The three share two bathrooms immediately across the hall, one with walk-in shower, the other with tub and hand-held shower.
Also on this floor is a den with colourful beanbags, internet-enabled TV with Netflix, and DVD player. An inflatable single bed is provided that can transform this room into a makeshift bedroom for a child/teenager
Outside the house, the beautifully planted gardens - magically lit at night - feature a 10-metre pool on the upper level, surrounded by lawns and paved areas. (The pool can be heated, at extra cost, in the cooler months.) Depending on the season of your visit, you'll be surrounded by the colours and scents of hibiscus, bougainvillea, oleander, roses, wisteria, jasmine and much more.
Steps lead down to a full-size boules court on the lower level, with lighting for night games.
To sum up, Villa Aquilegia is a characterful home within easy reach by car, public transport or on foot of everything Cannes has to offer. The house is equipped with all you'll need to serve as a comfortable base for exploring the town and beyond, or just to spend time relaxing by the pool or, in winter, by the fireside.
Linens are changed, and the villa cleaned, once a week, but more frequent housekeeping is available at extra cost, paid for locally - please enquire. Any extra services you require can be arranged and paid for locally - private chef by the meal or by the day, driver, massage or yoga by the pool, babysitter, grocery shopping, boat charter etc.
Your booking will be handled personally by the owners, but while at Villa Aquilegia you will be looked after by our friendly and highly professional local team, who are just a phone call or email away.
House rules
Check-in: 1600
Check-out: 1000
Parties/events
In exceptional circumstances, subject to approval
Smoking
Outdoors only
Pets
No
Children
Welcomed
Maximum guests: 11 (including up to 10 adults)
Rental
Payable in full at time of booking
Security deposit
€2,000, payable 60 days before check-in date, or at time of booking, whichever is later. Refundable less a reasonable deduction for any damage or loss
Cancellation
100% refund of rental and security deposit for cancellations more than 60 days before check-in date. For cancellations less than 60 days but more than 30 days before check-in date, 100% refund of security deposit and 50% refund of rental. For cancellations less than 30 days before check-in date, 100% refund of security deposit only.
Access & Transport
Uber is available in Cannes and taxis are plentiful and reasonably priced. And while a car is useful for excursions further afield, Villa Aquilegia's convenient location means it is no way essential to enjoying all that Cannes itself has to offer.
Regular buses, including night buses, are an easy 5-minute walk away and will get you to the old port in 10 minutes and the Croisette in 15 minutes.
There are even two local railway stations: Cannes La Bocca, just 15 minutes' walk from the villa, offers direct stopping services as far as Marseille to the West and Ventimiglia, in Italy, to the East, while Le Bosquet, a further 5 minutes’ walk, has a spur climbing to the famous perfume town of Grasse in the hills above Cannes.
Cannes' mainline station, Cannes-Ville, is a 10-minute taxi ride from the house, or 20 minutes by bus, and gives access to the TGV network for links throughout France and further afield.
The nearest international airport for scheduled services is at Nice, 35 minutes away by car (but also accessible by express bus, or by train and tram via Nice or Nice St Augustin railway stations), while Cannes-Mandelieu airport, 20 minutes from the villa by road, serves private aircraft only, including jets.
Activities
Villa Aquilegia's location makes it an ideal base for all the activities this beautiful region of France has to offer. In the summer months, water sports of all kinds are on your doorstep: next to the local beach club and restaurant, less than 10 minutes' walk away, you'll find sailing, windsurfing, water skiing and towed inflatables. Other nearby locations offer parascending, kite surfing and jet skiing, while the beautiful Lérin islands are within easy kayaking distance from the beaches of the Pointe de la Croisette.
Outside the hottest months of July and August, there's easy access to wonderful hiking and mountain biking country in the hills of the Esterel - there are routes to suit all levels starting as close as 20 minutes' drive from the villa. An hour away, the magnificent Parc National du Mercantour, close to the Italian border, offers terrain to test the keenest of long-distance walkers, while closer at hand, the Parc Naturel de la Croix des Gardes, an energetic 20-minute uphill walk from the villa, or 5 minutes by car, offers a network of paths, and an outdoor fitness trail, with views over Cannes and to the Alpes Maritimes mountains - snowcapped for much of the year - beyond.
In the winter, a dozen downhill and cross country ski resorts - the best known being Isola 2000 - are within 90 minutes' drive of Cannes, while golfers will be spoilt for choice year round, with a number of excellent courses within easy reach.
For gastronomes there's no shortage of excellent eating options in and around Cannes, from the multi-Michelin-starred to more homely options within walking distance of the villa. Fish and seafood lovers are especially well-catered for by a number of outstanding restaurants close to the Old Port, while keen cooks can take advantage of the outstanding fresh produce on offer at the legendary Forville market.
