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    In the South of France, a Former Home of Charles de Gaulle Charges Onto the Market

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    A hillside estate along the Côte d’Azur that was once home to Charles de Gaulle has hit the market for $30 million. The decorated military officer and statesman, who served as President of France from 1959-69 and died in 1970, occupied the property in Beaulieu-sur-Mer, between Nice and Monaco, shortly after WWII. Indeed, as the story goes, he wrote his famous speech about the liberation of France while staying here.

    The 1.2-acre spread sits behind imposing gates in the rocky foothills that rise above the charming seaside commune. Indeed, the house is just a block from the wealthy resort village’s main square, Place du General de Gaulle. Though he’d likely recognize the estate’s various Tudor-style outbuildings, it’s unlikely de Gaulle would recognize the main residence today, as it’s been transformed into a glass-walled contemporary villa that is now for sale with an asking price of $30 million. The property is represented by Andrea Wohl Lucas at Douglas Elliman.

    With its contemporary updates, it’s unlikely de Gaulle would recognize the Tudor home today.

    Just inside the gates, there’s a carriage house and a parking area. A cobblestone drive sweeps up the hill, through professionally lighted and landscaped grounds, to the front of the approximately 11,000-square-foot residence. An elevator services all three floors of the home, which has nine ensuite bedrooms and a total of 11 bathrooms.

    Glass towers, one of which houses a floating staircase, flank the glass front door. There are wood floors and floor-to-ceiling picture windows in a trio of reception rooms, including an enormous living room that overlooks the pool and a spacious formal dining room with built-in cabinets for linen and tableware storage. According to listings, there are two state-of-the-art kitchens on the main floor.

    Curtain walls of glass overlooking the mosaic-tile pool fill the house with natural light.

    All nine of the bedrooms are on the upper two floors, each with extensive storage, a dressing room, and a private bath. The principal suite spans nearly 1,000 square feet and includes two dressing rooms and a large bathroom, while a penthouse-level guest bedroom is housed within an all-glass aerie that opens to a private terrace with gorgeous coastline views.

    There’s a large terrace for relaxing and entertaining, a mosaic-tiled zero-edge swimming pool for cooling off, and meandering, impeccably maintained grounds that have a stunning lighting program. In addition to the main house, the property includes caretaker’s accommodations and several studios for guests or household staff. 

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      Grace Kelly Vacationed at This Historic French Riviera Villa. Now It Can Be Yours.

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      Always wanted to live like royalty? Now’s your chance, because the picturesque villa where the late Princess Grace of Monaco loved to blissfully while away her days has just popped up for sale.

      Known as “Les Moulins du Villars,” and nestled on a 5-acre parcel in the village of Gilette on the French Riviera, between Nice and Monaco, this stunning estate is now on the market for $12.5 million (€11.5 million) with Peter Illovsky of Côte d’Azur Sotheby’s International Realty.

      Especially charmed by a presentation of locally made cheeses and olive oil on one of her first trips to the historic villa with her daughter Princess Caroline in 1980, the Oscar-winning actress befriended the owners and returned alone several times before her September 1982 death in a car accident at age 52. She even donated two statues that are still on display today.

      This antique water mill wheel stationed in a living room is powered by one of the property’s streams.

      Côte d’Azur Sotheby’s International Realty

      Originally built in the 14th century as an olive oil and flour mill, and resting amid a nature reserve aside the shores of the Latti River, the property was transformed into a luxe retreat by Count Jean Fernand Joseph Gouin de Roumilly in the late 1970s. The deed has changed hands in the years since, with the most recent owners acquiring the place in 2006 and subsequently giving the main villa an extensive renovation.

      Spanning four stories and around 6,000 square feet of living space, the seven-bedroom main house is highlighted by an elevator to all levels, plus living and dining areas linked by a vintage working water mill wheel encased in glass, two kitchens, an office, a media room, wine cellar and laundry room.

      A heated infinity pool rests beside an open-air cabana outfitted with an inviting living room.

      Côte d’Azur Sotheby’s International Realty

      Outdoors, the grounds are laced with olive, fruit and cypress trees, and host a heated infinity pool flanked by an open-air cabana, as well as two vegetable gardens, a greenhouse, gym and tennis court that doubles as a helipad. There’s also a two-room guesthouse, four-car garage and partially restored ruin dating from Roman times that serves as an event space.

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