A Listed Italian Renaissance Style Residence Set In 6 Ha Of Grounds In Nice, With Panoramic

A listed Italian Renaissance-style residence set in 6 ha of grounds in Nice, with panoramic views stretching out to the sea. Accessible via a discreet and winding track, the villa was built between 1884 and 1887 by architect Vincent Levros, renowned for designing the Hôtel Vendôme as well as two palaces, a church and a dozen prestigious villas in Nice and the surrounding area. Extensive earthworks preceded the construction of the villa, which is perched on the hillside, parallel to the neighbouring observatory. The former agricultural ”restanques” (terraced grounds) were enlarged to accommodate the impressive building and its surrounding gardens.

The villa takes the form of a rectangular body measuring 25x15m, built over three storeys and topped by a four-pitched roof with interlocking tiles. The architectural style of this ’urban palace’ on the hillside is inspired by the villas of the Italian Renaissance, an aesthetic reference immediately discernible. The facade features simple lines formed by chamfered cornices separating the three storeys and by symmetrical rows of large arched or rectangular windows topped by decorative lintels, with a central balcony above the entrance. The decorative elements – balustrades, medallions, cornices, sculpted brackets – are arranged around this axis. Finally, while the dressed stone window surrounds have the typical light beige texture and colour of local limestone, the rest of the facade is rendered in an ochre-orange hue that matches the roof tiles perfectly, contrasting with the green of the shutters and the surrounding vegetation.

There is a landscaped garden in front of the building and two paved terraces on either side. It was the intention of the villa’s first inhabitants to preserve as much of the natural environment as possible in the direct vicinity, without overcultivating the grounds. Nevertheless, there is an old olive grove in need of vitalisation.
Information on the risks to which this property is exposed is available on the Géorisques website: https://www.georisques.gouv.fr/