Villa Germaine
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Overview
Stay in a beautiful 19th century residence in an upmarket neighbourhood of Grasse with easy reach to Cannes and the beaches of the French Riviera.
Built by an American banker and philanthropist working in Paris, wishing to own a family home in the Côte d'Azur, Villa Germaine has had many prestigious residents over the years including a famous impressionist artist and the jeweller Jacques Cartier who married the owner’s daughter. When sitting back in the drawing room or relaxing on the bougainvillea-clad terrace, you will be following the footsteps of house guests such as Renoir, Degas, Ravel and Picasso.
Nowadays, this Belle Époque maison is a fine holiday villa for up to 12 guests with magnificent views over the Côte d'Azur hinterland towards the Mediterranean from its hillside position in Grasse’s ‘Quartier Rothschild’.
It’s a home full of history and charm set within private Mediterranean gardens featuring a large swimming pool and pool house with summer kitchen for al-fresco dining by the barbecue. Inside, the interiors are traditional with modern touches, allowing guests to soak up the ambience of the villa’s heritage whilst remaining comfortable across its inviting living and dining spaces and five pretty bedrooms. There’s even a brilliant gym across from the characterful courtyard.
Upstairs, you will find three en suite double bedrooms, two with king-size beds, whilst the spiral staircase continues up to a fourth double and a quad for flexible sleeping arrangements beneath the sloping ceilings. At the very top, gaze at the incredible 360-degree views of countryside, mountains and sea from the house’s unique viewing tower.
It’s a short drive or leisurely stroll into the heart of Grasse’s old town with its medieval lanes of restaurants, café terraces, pretty squares and daily flower market. Admire the work of Reubens in the town’s cathedral, now classified as a monument national, and learn all about Grasse’s fascinating perfume heritage.
Visit idyllic villages such as Cabris, Gourdon and flower-filled Mougins, appreciate contemporary artwork in Vence and St-Paul-de-Vence and head to market towns such as historic Valbonne on a Friday morning. Drive through landscapes that have inspired French artists over the many years, then find yourself by the shores of the French Riviera with Cannes only 20km away.
Potter around the old town of Antibes, enjoy lunch by the beach in Juan-les-Pins, hike across the coastal trails of Cap d’Antibes and spend the day in the grand city of Nice. Or perhaps you’d rather walk through the woodland of Lac de Saint-Cassien or play golf in picturesque surroundings as you make the most of your time in this captivating part of southern France.
What you should know…
- Air-conditioning is featured in the bedrooms only.
- The leisurely stroll into the heart of Grasse takes just under half an hour (just off the road that connects Grasse and Villeneuve-Loubet, note that part of the route is without a pavement).
Property Features
Villa Interiors
Main Level
- Living room with French windows opening to covered terrace
- Adjacent office area with bureau
- Dining room with French windows opening to courtyard
- Open plan kitchen, fully-equipped including coffee machine, toaster, kettle, fridge-freezer, gas stove, electric oven and dishwasher
- Breakfast room
- Fitness room (bike, treadmill, cross trainer, free weights and yoga mat)
- Small office
First Floor (via spiral staircase)
- Bedroom with king-size double bed and en suite bathroom
- Bedroom with king-size double bed, access to terrace and en suite bathroom
- Bedroom with queen-size double bed, access to terrace and en suite shower room
Second Floor (via spiral staircase)
- Bedroom with queen-size double bed (sloping ceilings)
- Bedroom with four single beds (sloping ceilings)
- Bathroom with bath/shower
Top Floor (via spiral staircase)
- Viewing tower with views of mountains, countryside and sea
Basement
- Wine cellar
- Storage and utility room
Outside Grounds (3000m2)
- Swimming pool (15x7m, depth: max 3m) with safety alarm
- Pool house with summer kitchen, gas barbecue, shower room and WC
- Terrace with al-fresco dining area
- Mediterranean garden
- Parking
Facilities
- Air-conditioning (bedrooms only)
- Gas-lit fireplaces (x2)
Location
About the surrounding area of Villa GermaineIn the ‘Quartier Rothschild’ of Grasse with a 460m elevation, Villa Germaine enjoys incredible views over the Côte d'Azur hinterland towards the Mediterranean – you may even be able to see as far as Corsica on a very clear day.
It’s just a 5-minute drive to Grasse or some guests may enjoy the leisurely stroll into the heart of the old town, taking just under half an hour (just off the road that connects Grasse and Villeneuve-Loubet, note that part of the route is without a pavement). Grasse is such a beautiful town with its medieval lanes, little squares, the daily flower market and a wealth of pretty restaurants and café terraces. Potter around its weekly market on a Wednesday morning and admire the Reubens artwork in the 12th century Cathédrale Notre-Dame du Puy.
Known as the perfume capital of France, you can visit perfume studios and factories in Grasse with brands such as Galimard and Fragonard alongside the Musée International de la Parfumerie. Look out for workshops taking place and create your very own fragrance during your stay in Grasse.
In every direction there are gorgeous landscapes and picture-perfect villages to discover. Overlooking the Vallée du Loup, perched Gourdon (11km) is one of France’s most stunning villages whilst nearby Cabris (9km) is home to a Michelin starred restaurant. St Paul de Vence and Vence, both around half an hour by car, are a must for art lovers whilst slightly closer to home is historic Valbonne (10km) which hosts one of the region’s best markets on a Friday morning.
Follow Picasso’s footsteps in the flower-filled lanes of Mougins (13km), an artistic village with a fine gastronomic reputation, before driving down to Cannes (20km), home to the grand boulevard La Croisette, as well as palm-fringed beaches, glitzy marina, bustling markets, boutiques, upmarket restaurants and the famous Palais des Festivals.
From Cannes you can partake in a range of seasonal watersports or organise a skippered yacht for a tour of the French Riviera coastline. Ferries take you across to the picturesque Lérins Islands for more wonderful scenery and swimming opportunities.
There are further fantastic beaches around Juan-les-Pins (26km), a chic resort loved by Parisians in the height of the summer, well known for its many beachside restaurants and atmospheric nightlife. The old quarter of Antibes (27km) is full of historic charm, a real gem of the French Riviera and home to the Musée Picasso, whilst Cap d’Antibes is a paradise for hikers with its coastal walking trails.
Continuing east, passing the grand city of Nice, admire the beauty of Cap Ferrat (43km), home to the impressive Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, stop off at one of the beaches near Beaulieu-sur-Mer (44km), gaze at the views from hilltop Éze (55km) or head as far as Monaco (65km) for an amazing day out.
Away from the Côte d'Azur shores, Lac de Saint-Cassien (23km) is home to scenic walking trails and other outdoor adventures including summer watersports, biking, horse-riding and more. Meanwhile, golf lovers have a choice of courses from nearby Golf du Claux Amic Sa to the prestigious surroundings of Royal Mougins Golf Resort.
| Local Amenities | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nearest Airport |
Nice Airport
(30km) |
||
| Nearest Airport 2 |
Marseille Airport
(187km) |
||
| Nearest Restaurant |
Central Grasse
(2km) |
||
| Nearest Town |
Grasse
(2km) |
||
| Nearest Supermarket |
(2km) |
||
| Nearest City |
Cannes/Nice
(20km/44km) |
||
| Nearest Golf |
Golf du Claux Amic Sa
(8km) |
||
| Nearest Beach |
Cannes
(20km) |
||
| Nearest Train Station |
Grasse
(3km) |
||
| Nearest Tennis |
Tennis Altitude 500 Grasse
(4km) |
||
Region
Fall in love with Grasse and its surrounding villages as you experience the Côte d’Azur hinterland staying in one of our handpicked villa rentals in and around Grasse. Pass lavender, jasmine, roses and flower farms as you drive into the hills of the Provence-Alpes-Maritime – no wonder Grasse is known as the ‘perfume capital of France’.
As well as the Museé International de la Parfumerie, visit the perfume houses of Galimard, Molinard and Fragonard for guided tours and even perfume-making workshops. Elsewhere, explore the historic winding lanes and come across artisan shops, café terraces and the impressive Rubens frescoes inside Cathédrale Notre-Dame du Puy de Grasse. There’s a lovely daily flower market at Place aux Aires whilst Place aux Herbes hosts the larger twice-weekly market on a Wednesday and Saturday morning.
A short drive from Grasse, encounter a wealth of picture-perfect villages and beautiful landscapes for walking, hiking, horse-riding and cycling. The perched village of Cabris is especially bucolic with incredible vistas over the Tanneron forest and Lac de Saint-Cassien. There are more glorious views from the small village of Spéracèdes with its pastel-coloured houses and olive trees.
Discover century-old hiking trails through the Siagne valley as well as pretty villages, ancient bridges and idyllic swimming spots. Visit the illuminated caves of stalagmites and stalactites just outside Saint-Cézaire-sur-Siagne before pottering around the authentic village admiring its fountains, café terraces and inviting food shops showcasing goats cheese, honey, olive oil and other products of the region.
South of Grasse, drive to the charming hilltop village of Opio, also famed for its olive oil, and don’t miss the Friday morning market in Valbonne, a very charming town dating back to the 16th century, home to a wonderful town square with pavement cafes and restaurants.
Golf lovers have a great choice of courses in the region including Golf du Claux Amic, once a 17th century hunting estate with stunning views and Golf Grande Bastide just south of Opio as well as prestigious courses close to Mougins and Cannes. As well as endless hiking trails across Grasse’s surroundings, other activities include a range of land and water-based activities in and around Lac de Saint-Cassien, only 15km from Grasse, as well as tree-top adventures and zip-lines with French Riviera views at Riviera Nature just north of the town.
Kids
Best Suited For: All AgesThere is a lot for families to see and do around Grasse and the Côte d'Azur hinterland.
Some children may enjoy creating their own fragrance at one of Grasse’s perfume studios or learning all about the town’s perfume heritage at the Musée International de la Parfumerie.
In terms of outdoor adventures, Riviera Nature is just north of Grasse, offering a range of tree-top adventures whilst you will also find paint-balling and go-karting within a short drive.
Heading towards Villeneuve-Loubet, there are two theme parks called Le Bois des Lutins and Le Village des Fous. North of Antibes is another area known for its family attractions – look out for Marineland, Aquasplash, Kid’s Island and Adventure Golf around half an hour by car.
Not to mention the glorious beaches, watersport opportunities and boat trips along the French Riviera, especially around Cannes and Juan-les-Pins.
Baby and Toddler Equipment
- Cot(s)
- High Chair(s)
Kids Activities Close-by
- Water park
- Theme park
- Forest park/High-rope course
- Easy By Train
- <1hr to Airport
- Watersports
- Tennis Nearby
- Cycling
- Horse Riding
- Outdoor Pursuit & Activities
- Tourist Towns & Villages
- Historical Sites
Onsite Facilities
- Child-Safe Pool
Services Available
- Maid Service Available
Extras
Oliver's Extras
- Maid Service Available
At Oliver’s Travels we pride ourselves on going that little bit further for our guests. From private chefs to babysitters we can help you arrange those little extras that make it a truly memorable holiday. Simply fill in the concierge request form or contact the Oliver’s Concierge Team who will be happy to help. We can typically help you arrange any of the following:
- Maid service/extra cleaning
- Private chef/cook/catering
- Welcome hamper/pre-stocked fridge
- Local day-trips or tours
- Airport pick-up/drop-off
Extras available at this property (payable locally):
- Extra cleaning
Please note that all extras are subject to availability and must be requested in advance of the holiday (prices on request). Due to some rural/remote locations, not all services will be available at all properties. However, we will always do our best to fulfil your requests!
Oliver's Travels Chef Service: A Gourmet Dining Experience
Make hosting a memorable dinner party at your villa an absolute breeze with our superb Chef Service. Our chefs will take care of everything for you from start to finish so you can just sit back and enjoy the gastronomic experience. They will bring all the necessary ingredients, cook and serve the food and even clean up afterwards. To find out more visit www.oliverstravels.com/chefs
| Security deposit | €2000 charged to client’s credit card as a pre-authorisation one month before arrival and refunded two weeks after departure, subject to full inspection. |
| Arrival time | 4.00 - 6.00 p.m. |
| Departure time | 10.00 a.m. |
Terms & Conditions
These terms and conditions may be amended from time to time.
| Security deposit | €2000 charged to client’s credit card as a pre-authorisation one month before arrival and refunded two weeks after departure, subject to full inspection. |
| Arrival time | 4.00 - 6.00 p.m. |
| Departure time | 10.00 a.m. |
| Energy costs included? | Yes. |
| Heating costs included? | Yes. |
| Linen & towels included? | Yes. |
| Pool towels included? | Yes. |
| End of stay cleaning included? | No. Extra €400, paid to Oliver's Travels at the time of booking. This is for a standard changeover clean. Guests are required to leave the accommodation clean, tidy and in the same condition as on their arrival. Any extra cleaning, laundry, maintenance and/or garbage disposal required will be charged against the security deposit |
| Tax | French Visitors Tax payable to Oliver's Travels at the time of balance payment. (typically costs around €17 per adult per week- please enquire if exact amount is required). |
| Pool opening dates? | Please note that pool opening dates are subject to local weather conditions and pool maintenance requirements and that cooler months may not be suitable for swimming. |
| Changeover day | Saturday. All other changeover days on request. |
| Minimum stay | 7 nights. All other durations on request. |
| Pets welcome? | Not allowed. |
| Smoking Allowed? | No. |
| Other Ts and Cs | Weddings, stag/hen parties and any special events are not allowed. |
| Other Ts and Cs | Air-conditioning is featured in the bedrooms only. |
Rental Rates
Prices based on an occupancy of 12 people:
| Rental period | Weekly |
|---|---|
| Nov 29th 2024 - Jun 30th 2025 | £11,677 |
| Jun 30th 2025 - Jun 2nd 2026 | £11,677 |
Please note that these prices/rates are a guide only and may not be correct at the current date. For an accurate quote, please enquire.
When did you become the owner?
May 2021.
What was it about the property that you first fell in love with?
Views, Interior layout, natural light, garden, swimming...
Owner Profile
When did you become the owner?
May 2021.
What was it about the property that you first fell in love with?
Views, Interior layout, natural light, garden, swimming pool, location
Have you ever had any famous guests staying?
Some well-known business people in the wine business and in tea business have stayed.
For anyone coming to stay, is there anything you suggest that they really…
Must do?
- Lancôme Domaine de la Rose (just below the villa, 5mins drive) - acquired in 2020 by Lancôme, the “Domaine de la Rose” in Grasse grows centifolia roses, used in the manufacture of its perfumes.
- Fragonard Perfume Museum in Grasse.
- Wonder the medieval streets of Grasse and discover the local boutiques and perfume shops.
- Eat at one of the cafés on the Place aux Aires.
Must eat?
Great local restaurants: La Bastide Saint Antoine, L'hotel Particulier des Jasmins, Restaurant L'Initial (at the Caffé Cesar).
Must see?
Villages to visit in close proximity: Gourdon, Valbonne (Friday market), Tourette sur Loup. Obviously, Cannes and Antibes are close by too
What insider tip would you pass on about the property or the area?
The train from Grasse goes straight to Monaco, Menton and Ventimilia in Italy for a comfortable day trip.
Reviews
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Highly recommendable place
Villa Germaine is a very picturesque, traditional villa on a large estate with a marvellous view on the olive grove of the opposite hill, very well-equipped & maintained by the owner and the local keeper. Outstanding is the large covered terrace/pergola with its nice view, the huge and sufficiently deep swimming pool (including very nice pool house) as well as the beautiful garden. The house is staffed with a mixture of very nice old furniture in the background suiting the style of the house whereas the frequently used furniture as well as the kitchen being rather new and practical, so you are not all the time concerned something expensive may break. The beaches can be reached in 30-40 minutes. The city of Grasse can be reached by foot in 25 minutes. All-in-all, a highly recommendable place.
-
Very good stay in a beautiful villa
Very good stay in a beautiful villa.
Beautiful house.
Beautiful garden.
Quiet environment.
Pool +++
Very well organized, responsive, and friendly welcome.
All facilities are perfectly functional.
In short, very nice place for a holiday in a superb area. -
We'd definitely go back!
We stayed here for two weeks in July and it was a fantastic holiday. The villa is lovely, the pool amazing, and the view to die for! It's incredibly private so you aren't overlooked, very spacious of space and fantastic rooms, a perfect property if you are after a quality stay and fantastic view. The site manager was incredibly responsive and very helpful. We'd definitely go back!
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