• Charming Bourgeois Villa from the Belle Epoch – Circa 1900.
• 300m² of garden.
• 6 bedrooms.
• 3 bathrooms.
• Aspect south and west.

I sent a photo to a very good friend of ours who knows so much more than me, and I asked her to tell me a little about what she saw. This is what she has just replied:

(Bear in mind that until 1860 this region of France was an Italian dominion. The city of Nice celebrated 150 years of being part of France last weekend and Vicky and I went through there to enjoy some of the festivities that were put on for the occasion. The point is that Italian influences are everywhere in this part of the world). 

What a fabulous villa.  The carving is often called a "Festoon", which is carved out of cement, plaster or porcelain.  It can be left natural, or it can also be a painted ornament usually in the form of a garland of fruit and flowers tied with a ribbon and suspended at both ends. It can also be called a "swag", and in Italy it is often referred to as "della robbia”, from original designs made by Andrea della Robbia, and thus named after him.  It is very often found on Italian villas and the design can be the "family crest" or coat of arms.   They also use this design in porcelain figures, large porcelain jugs, etc. They can be left in the natural cement, or porcelain, or they can be painted bright colours. 

The painting looks like a "fresco" design.  There is a last layer of mortar that is placed over stucco that is called "Intanaco", upon which a fresco is painted.  Fresco is a technique of painting in which paint, usually watercolours, is applied onto fresh wet cement, stucco, plaster, or Intanaco, and the colours are absorbed into the surface.  

Frescos can be painted inside or outside of a building.  You often find them inside on walls and also entire ceilings painted with them in old buildings in Italy.  The old frescos are really magnificent.

What a wonderful property....a real treasure.  Thanks for sharing the photo with me.

Thank you Mary for your insights!

Right in the heart of the lovely suburb of Petit Juas, just 10 minutes or less on foot to the Palais des Festivals and the shops, restaurants and beaches of central Cannes is this truly beautiful villa. 

It was built in approximately 1900 and used as a hotel for a part of its history, but has been a family home for many years now.

The villa is set amongst classic buildings in a classic suburb – perhaps the prettiest and certainly the most authentic suburb of Cannes. It consists of three floors, and the ground floor consists of a large and light and comfortable (and air conditioned) living room which opens onto the front terrace and garden. The old living room is a lovely dining room today, with a separate kitchen, and a guest toilet.

On the first and second floors there are three rooms and a bathroom on each level, and separate toilets.

In the basement there is a large storage area and a laundry, and another complete bathroom – useful when the house is full. Once long ago this lower level must have been servants’ quarters.

Also on the ground floor and at the back where the hotel dining room used to be is a two car garage – the dining room floors are still there!

The garden is easy-maintenance, with lovely old trees and palms and automatic watering.

This is a beautiful building, oozing with charm, just 500m from the very heart of Cannes. Look at the decoration – the mouldings, the frescoes and the intricate woodwork under the eaves! It is in beautiful condition and whilst it has preserved all the charm of the belle epoch in France, it is a comfortable modern home today.