Brigitte Bardot’s Former Vacation Villa ‘Le Castelet’ Is for Sale

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4/1/2022Updated: 4/1/2022

High on a hilltop outside Cannes, France, Le Castelet is a historic and luxurious villa transformed into a 21st-century paradise. Once a vacation home of actress Brigitte Bardot, this glamorous estate overlooking the incredibly beautiful countryside is now listed for 5.9 million euros ($6.5 million).

Located in the medieval village of Cabris, just half an hour from Cannes, this hilltop villa was the vacation hideaway of iconic actress Brigette Bardot in the late 1950s. (Courtesy of the villa owners & Carlton International) — Located in the medieval village of Cabris, just half an hour from Cannes, this hilltop villa was the vacation hideaway of iconic actress Brigette Bardot in the late 1950s. Courtesy of the villa owners & Carlton International

Originally a defensive castle during the Roman period, Le Castelet was later expanded in medieval times. Now completely modernized, the elegant compound is situated on 5,870 square meters (1.45 acres) of manicured gardens. The main “bastide”—a name given to historic Provençal homes found in southern France—has seven luxurious bedrooms. A second residence, an extraordinary guest house, features another four bedrooms, for a total area of 550 square meters (5,920 square feet) of living space.

The country kitchen continues the warm, welcoming, and practical feel the designers intended. The villa has every luxury and convenience, without being ostentatious. The guest house also has its own kitchen. (Courtesy of the villa owners & Carlton International) — The country kitchen continues the warm, welcoming, and practical feel the designers intended. The villa has every luxury and convenience, without being ostentatious. The guest house also has its own kitchen. Courtesy of the villa owners & Carlton International

From the front entrance of the main house, visitors are welcomed into a high-ceilinged living space connecting to the grand staircase that leads to the upper floor. Adjacent to the entry, there are several reception rooms, a living room, a lounge, an open-plan kitchen, and a formal dining area. In one living area, there’s a cozy fireplace, and throughout the downstairs, there are original wood beams and exposed stone walls. Large windows throughout flood the villa with natural light, and classic interiors convey intimacy and grandeur. Recent renovations include state-of-the-art WiFi and an elevator connecting the different levels.

Here, one of the villa’s bathrooms looks out over the French countryside. A light and airy atmosphere is created with blue and white tiles and fixtures inside. (Courtesy of the villa owners & Carlton International) — Here, one of the villa’s bathrooms looks out over the French countryside. A light and airy atmosphere is created with blue and white tiles and fixtures inside. Courtesy of the villa owners & Carlton International

Outside, a paradise overlooking the Esterel mountain range features two pools, an outdoor spa, a hammam steam bath, and numerous terraces for entertaining and al fresco dining. There’s an outdoor kitchen, a BBQ with an Italian pizza oven, and even a big-screen cinema. Additional guest houses, a giant garage, a wonderful olive grove of more than 90 mature trees, a vineyard, tall plane trees, cyprus trees, and a classic boule court punctuate this fabulous estate offering. The guest house also features a sumptuous living room, a kitchen, a bath, and its own covered terrace.

Surrounded by some of Provence’s most stunning nature, Le Castelet offers uncompromising luxury and convenience, as well as unmistakable architecture, ambiance, and a certain mystique. (Courtesy of the villa owners & Carlton International) — Surrounded by some of Provence’s most stunning nature, Le Castelet offers uncompromising luxury and convenience, as well as unmistakable architecture, ambiance, and a certain mystique. Courtesy of the villa owners & Carlton International

The villa is located in the countryside near the small town of Cabris, a medieval village between Cannes and Antibes. Bardot’s co-star in “School for Love,” Jean Marais, lived right up the road from Le Castelet during this time. Novelist Marcel Pagnol was also a neighbor.