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Day: 20 August 2023

La Rêve d’Azur, the €55 million château up for sale in Villefranche 

by: Elsa Carpenter
20/08/2023
55 villefranche

The Côte d’Azur is home to many a luxury property, but it’s still rare for a place like this to go up for sale. Here’s everything you need to know about La Rêve d’Azur.

If you’ve ever been to Villefranche-sur-Mer, a gorgeous seaside enclave between Nice and Monaco, you’ll know that space comes at a premium. The town centre and almost all of the properties here cling to the hillside, broken only by streets that, in many cases, are too small to fit a car down.  

So picture this: 16,500 square metres of stunning landscaped gardens with views out over the bay, 800 square metres of living space, six incredible bedrooms and suites, rooftop entertaining facilities, a swimming pool… And it’s just a three-minute walk from the beach. 

That’s but a snippet of the features included in the sale by Sotheby’s International Realty for a mind-blowing €55 million.  

The Belle Epoque château was built in 1911. Photo credit: Sotheby’s International Realty

A history 

La Rêve d’Azur was built in 1911, but was almost entirely renovated to modern luxury standards in 2016 by notable Italian architect Alberto Mariotti.  

The Belle Epoque château, as it’s being marketed by the Côte d’Azur branch of the international real estate agency, was once owned by the Voisin brothers, Gabriel and Charles, who were aviation pioneers and designed and constructed the first manned aircraft in Europe.  

What dreams are made of 

The main house has four spacious bedrooms over three floors as well as large living and dining rooms and a fully equipped Miele kitchen. Balconies and terraces extend from many of these spaces, and the east-facing aspect of the property provides some truly exceptional views out to the Cap Ferrat peninsular. There’s also a generous roof terrace that comes with its own adapted kitchen. Elsewhere, staff or guest quarters provide additional bedrooms and storage space.  

Outside living reigns supreme here and anyone will be impressed by the exquisite gardens and grounds, not to mention the swimming pool and its “plage” or the 69 square metre covered veranda that houses a gym and massage room.  

For more information, please click here.  

To see more photos of the €55 million property, click on the images below:

 

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Photo credits: Sotheby’s International Realty

Football: Takumi Minamino-inspired Monaco ease to win against Strasbourg

by: Luke Entwistle
20/08/2023

A reborn Takumi Minamino played a starring role as AS Monaco eased to a comfortable 3-0 victory against Strasbourg at the Stade Louis II on Sunday.

Adi Hütter couldn’t have asked for more on his home debut as Monaco manager. After a six-goal thriller against Clermont Foot last week, the Principality club continued their 100% record, swatting aside an unambitious Strasbourg side, who according to manager Patrick Vieira “showed a lack of personality.”

AS Monaco President Dmitry Rybolovlev and Prince Albert II at the match. Photo source: AS Monaco.

Minamino, who looked a shadow of his former self last season, has started the season in scintillating form. After a strong performance and an assist against Clermont, he netted twice, whilst also assisting the third.

Heatwave leads to a change in the schedule

The Japanese international’s stunning long-range strike opened the scoring midway through the first half. He soon added a second, expertly guiding Caio Henrique’s cross past Matz Sels.

The half-time break didn’t curb the Principality club’s momentum. Wissam Ben Yedder got on the end of Minamin’s pass to make it three and Monaco were coasting. Due to the ongoing heatwave, the match was moved from 17:00 (CEST) to 19:00 (CEST), but conditions were still stifling. On a humid, energy-sapping night at the Stade Louis, Monaco didn’t have to overly exert themselves, especially in the second half.

Takumi Minamino and Adi Hütter. Photo by Luke Entwistle, Monaco Life.

In front of President Dmitry Rybolovlev and Prince Albert II, the Principality club lived up to the occasion, securing a well-deserved three points, which takes them top of Ligue 1.

“It was a very clear victory because we controlled the game for 90 minutes. I was happy with the team because it was a completely different game than against Clermont,” said Hütter post-match.

He added, “Two games, six points, but slowly, slowly. It’s been a good start to the season. We won more battles, were much more aggressive, and saw lots more positivity.”

Monaco next face FC Nantes on Friday as they look to retain their perfect start and their place at the top of the table.

 

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Photo source: AS Monaco

Basketball: Monaco’s Kemba Walker hoping to “increase the notoriety” of the Euroleague

by: Luke Entwistle
20/08/2023
Kemba Walker in training with AS Monaco Basket

Kemba Walker is a man on a mission. The American is the blockbuster signing of the summer for AS Monaco Basketball, with whom he is looking to “increase the notoriety” of the Euroleague. 

Walker, who has featured in the NBA All-Star game on four occasions, became arguably the biggest signing in the Roca Team’s history earlier this summer. His arrival at the Principality club will not only be of benefit to Monaco, who will have designs on winning the Euroleague this season but also to European basketball in its entirety.

That is at least the intention of Walker, who having arrived in Monaco, has stated a desire to grow the European game. “I hope I can increase the notoriety of the Euroleague, to increase the style of play and just build it up more,” Walker told AS Monaco Basektball’s social channels.

“What better place to be than Monaco.”

Walker’s arrival at Monaco is indicative of Monaco’s new prominence on the European scene. In just nine years, the Roca Team has gone from toiling in the third division of French basketball to reaching the Euroleague Final Four.

“It’s a big step. Something different. I’m just looking forward to the opportunity. I just want to play basketball and what better place to be than Monaco? It’s going to be fun times,” said the American.

Currently in Bormio, the Roca Team are preparing another run at the Euroleague title. Walker could be the final piece in an expensively assembled puzzle at Monaco.

 

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Photo source: AS Monaco Basket

Getting to know Monaco: La Rousse, where old and new collide

by: Stephanie Horsman
20/08/2023

Home to some of the Principality’s tallest high-rises as well as traditional buildings of yesteryear, the La Rousse neighbourhood in the east of Monaco is an interesting mix of the old and the new.

La Rousse-Saint Roman, as it used to be known, overlooks the Larvotto coastal district and is bordered by the Boulevard d’Italie, the Saint Roman interchange and the boundary shared with France.  

It is primarily a residential and office district with a population of 7,087 – the second highest density after Monte-Carlo – and is where you will find some of the most emblematic recent real estate developments in the Principality.   

MODERN ARCHITECTURAL MARVELS 

At 170 metres high, the Tour Odéon is the Principality’s tallest structure and the second tallest building on Europe’s Mediterranean coast, after the Gran Hotel Bali in Benidorm, Spain. 

Construction started on the building in 2009, under the watchful eye of Prince Albert II himself, and was completed in 2105. It has 259 flats, including a penthouse of over 3,500m2, restaurants, office spaces, a fitness centre, spa and swimming pool, and 10 floors of parking that can securely store almost 550 vehicles.  

At 170 metres high, the Tour Odéon is the tallest building in the Principality

Another amazing building in the quartier is the Testimonio II complex. The entire site is set to be completed by the end of 2024, though much is already finished and sold. It houses 378 state-owned apartments, a 50-space crèche, 56 private residences and five villas 

The building is also where the new International School of Monaco will be located, which will welcome and educate 700 students in a gorgeous, light and bright space replete with a state-of-the-art gym and auditorium. Some of the classrooms even have sea views! 

MONTE-CARLO COUNTRY CLUB 

Being right on the border with France and the commune of Roquebrune Cap Martin, La Rousse also has excellent proximity to the famous Monte-Carlo Country Club, which is where the annual Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters tennis tournament takes place. World-renowned players such as Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, who incidentally lives in Monaco, have graced this court in the past. 

tennis monaco
The iconic Monte-Carlo Country Club is just a stone’s – or a tennis ball’s – throw from La Rousse. Photo by Monaco Life

La Rousse is certainly a quieter part of town, but with its impressive seascape views and peaceful streets, it is a perennial favourite with residents looking to settle down. Great access to the beach thanks to the many lifts and escalators, restaurants such as MoNa and good transport networks complete its appeal.  

 

Check out all the other Monaco neighbourhoods covered so far in this series:

Getting to know Monaco: Le Rocher, The Rock of Monaco

Getting to know Monaco: Monte Carlo, the centre of glamour and opulence

Getting to know Monaco: The lively La Condamine, a favourite with locals

Getting to know Monaco: Fontvieille, a neighbourhood reclaimed from the sea

Getting to know Monaco: Exploring the Jardin Exotique neighbourhood

 

 

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