Cannes Villa Belle Rive, An Exceptional Historic Beachfront Property

In the heart of a privileged setting between Cannes and La Croix-des-Gardes, just steps from the beaches, Villa Belle Rive embodies the elegance and refinement of the Belle Époque. Built in 1863 for Henri Courmont, director of Fine Arts under Napoleon III, by the famous architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc, this iconic residence was later acquired by François-Henri Lavanchy-Clarke, a cinema pioneer and the first representative of the Lumière brothers in Switzerland. In 1910, he entrusted its expansion to Cannes architect James Warnery, giving it the majestic volumes admired today. Perfectly preserved, the property has retained all the authenticity and charm of its era: high ceilings, large openings, abundant light, and a unique atmosphere where history blends with Mediterranean living. The main villa offers generous reception spaces. The ground floor opens onto an elegant entrance leading to a 47 m² bright reception lounge. To the east, there is an office, a bathroom, a toilet, and a bedroom. To the west, a dining room, kitchen, and pantry provide an ideal layout for entertaining. The first floor houses five large bedrooms, including four suites. Four of these have direct access to terraces with magnificent sea views. The second floor includes five additional bedrooms, a shower room, and toilets. Currently used as guest rooms, this level offers many possibilities for customization. The garden level offers nearly 166 m² of additional space that can accommodate a gym, a wellness area with sauna, a cellar, archives, or other activities. It is currently set up as a training center. The property also includes an independent caretaker’s house with three bedrooms, a living room with open kitchen, and a private patio featuring a pizza oven. The former stables contain three horse stalls, a carriage garage, and a laundry room. Upstairs, a pleasant one-bedroom apartment completes the ensemble. A decorative water tower, a large greenhouse, and a spacious garden shed bring the total built area to approximately 826 m². Outside, the landscaped park of about 4,000 m² is carefully maintained and adorned with majestic palm trees and fruit trees. A recently renovated 15 x 8 meter swimming pool with Bavarian stone terraces blends harmoniously into this green setting. Direct access from the garden allows you to reach the beach in moments, a rare privilege on the Cannes market. An exceptional heritage property, a witness to the history of the French Riviera, destined for lovers of character homes and unique places.
Information on the risks to which this property is exposed is available on the Géorisques website: https://www.georisques.gouv.fr/