Class And Comfort On French Riviera
Class And Comfort On French Riviera
The French Riviera has lost none of its allure for travellers and holidaymakers over the years when it was mainly known as the playground of the rich and famous.
And while the glamour of Cannes and St Tropez still immediately come to mind when we think of the Riviera, the region is much more than starlets and massive yachts.
There are still quintessentially ‘undiscovered’ French villages and towns that deserve to be explored and enjoyed for the perfect short break.
Just 15 minutes drive from Nice airport, driving south down the A8 motorway to Cannes is the coastal town of Cagnes-sur-Mer and there you will find it’s oldest and most architecturally beautiful district, Haut-de-Cagnes.
The medieval hilltop village is literally steeped in history with its narrow, flowered shaded streets that lead you to usual views of the Mediterranean.
No doubt attracted by the celebrity of the Impressionist Master, a lot of painters also came to settle in this picturesque village. Nicknamed ‘the Montmartre of the French Riviera’, Haut-de-Cagnes attracted celebrities of the arts and show world until the 1960s.
One of its best known places to stay is Villa Estelle, a 14th century mansion that was gracefully transformed into an elegant guesthouse by leading French interior designer Estelle Réale.
Villa Estelle has large guestrooms and personalised suites, each tastefully furnished and decorated with both antique and contemporary pieces with the designer’s flair for detail and comfort.
The Salmon and Ochre guest rooms are all inspired by their individual colours while the three bedroom suites, the Rose, Blue Junior and Celadon, further benefit from more skilled styling and stunning sea views.
All rooms have ensuite bathrooms, satellite TV (sixteen channels), mini bar and air conditioning that would expect from modern high grade accommodation but the comfort and the intimacy of each room and the entire guesthouse is entirely created by a deft personal touch.
In the common areas of the house, a subtle mix of valuable objects, contemporary art and older paintings, rich velvet draperies and fine linen curtains co-exist in harmony to present a guesthouse with a difference to the seasoned traveller.
A sumptuous breakfast is either served in the main dining room or outside in one of the house’s terraces with gardens in bloom for six months of the year.
Estelle’s daughter-in-law Céline Garcin manages the guesthouse today and ensures that the former’s legendary reputation for hospitality is maintained.
“Our visitors to Villa Estelle appreciate the comfort and individual style of the house while giving them a perfect base to see the rest of the Côte d ’Azur.
“It’s a special, restful place to visit and one that we know consistently charms our guests.”
If you feel up to dragging yourself beyond the guesthouse, the district and town of Cagnes-sur-Mer - a designated historical town - has a lot to offer over and above the range of restaurants, bars, shops and market days you would expect to find at such an attractive location.
With its 3.5kms of beach, the town offers the usual array of sunshine water sports for visitors but the avid fisherman can also cast a line or two.
Culture, both music and visual arts are more than well catered for with a visit to the Renoir Museum to view 11 original paintings by the great artists an absolute must. And for those who like a bet, the local casino and Hippodrome race course can provide some of the excitement and glamour of the Cannes set.
With the choice of two airlines running flights departing from Belfast to Nice, Easyjet and Aer Lingus, a weekend break to Cagnes-sur-Mer is not only affordable but recommended, both for its own charms and as a base for visiting Cannes, St Tropez, Antibes, St Jean Cap Ferrat, even Monte Carlo and Italy is only 45 minutes away.
Prices for double occupancy rooms (including breakfast) per night range from €130 to €195 euro for guestrooms or suites in high season (April 1 - Oct 31).
For further information visit: www.villa-estelle.com
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