Villa L'Abri
constructed in 1903 by an award winning Italian architect, was commissioned
by a prominent Cannes family, the family Picaud. When the second generation
took over ownerhip, the head of the family, Dr Raymond Picaud, was appointed
Mayor of Cannes during the 1930's and the main road, Avenue Dr Raymond
Picaud on the road towards La Bocca is named in his honour.
The house remained in the family's ownership through three generations until two year's ago when it was acquired by the present owners who have lovingly restored it to it's full splendour.
The elegant,
belle epoque style of architecture of the external facade was the height of
fashion when it was constructed and considered very modern. However, the principal
rooms on the ground floor were designed to imitate the grandeur and elegance
of the eighteenth century with intricate plasterwork on the walls and ceilings.
Special features were commissioned by the owner, for example he requested that a large window be placed directly over the huge oak fireplace in the sitting room so that he could sit in front of his log fire in winter and look out on a much loved ancient olive tree. The window and the olive tree are still here for you to enjoy today.
Villa L'Abri, on four floors with more than 750 square metres (8,000 sq ft), offers grand, spacious accommodation. The house has been carefully restored to a very high standard retaining all the original period features with the addition of state of the art amenities essential for 21st century luxury living including air conditioning throughout.
Entrance Porch
Pillared Reception Hall
Formal Library (with high speed internet & fax)
with Sea/Garden/Pool ViewsFormal Dining Room with Sea/Garden/Pool
Views with large terrace suitable for entertainingFormal Sitting Room with Sea/Garden/Pool
Views with balconyFully equipped American Pool Room
with Garden/Pool ViewsLarge Cloakroom with 2 WC's
marble staircase down to
Shower/Cloakroom/WC for swimming pool use
with direct access via corridor to terrace and through gate to poolLaundry Room
Eat-in Kitchen, professionally appointed, with state of the art appliances,
cupboards in oak with granite surfaces with matching oak dining table seating 14 with door to terrace and through gate to poolFamily Sitting Room/TV Room with Satellite TV and High Speed Internet
with door to terrace and through gate to pool
door through to separate corridor
Family Bathroom comprising, WC, bidet, washbasin, shower unit and bath
Cloakroom with WC and washbasin
Double Bedroom with 140m wide bed (can be twin beds)
Double Bedroom with 140m wide bed (can be twin beds)
Double Bedroom with 160m wide bed
From Ground Floor Reception Hall wrought iron & marble staircase to
door through to separate corridor
Master Suite
Bedroom with 2m wide bed
Large English Dressing Room with Daybed
Kitchenette with sink unit and refrigerator
Bathroom with WC, bidet, double washbasin, bath and multi jet shower unit
Terrace with sea/garden/pool viewsBedroom 2
Bedroom with 2m wide bed
Dressing Room
Bathroom with WC, bidet, double washbasin, bath and shower unit
Balcony with sea/garden/pool viewsBedroom 5
Bedroom with 1.40m wide bed
Bathroom with WC, bidet, washbasin, bath and shower unit
Terrace with garden/hillside views
door through to separate corridor
Family Suite comprising 2 bedrooms with 1 bathroom
Bedroom 3 with 160m wide bed (can be twin beds)
Balcony with sea/garden/pool viewsBedroom 4 with 160m wide bed (can be twin beds)
with garden/hillside viewsBathroom with WC, bidet, double washbasin, bath and shower unit
From First Floor wrought iron & marble staircase to
Second Floor Apartment - self contained
Bedroom with 2m wide bed
Sitting Room / Extra Bedroom
Kitchenette with sink unit and refrigerator
Bathroom with WC, bidet, double washbasin, bath and multijet shower
Terrace with sea/garden/pool views
All the rooms are beautifully furnished with antique furniture, crystal chandeliers, original paintings and antique rugs complementing the original, ornate plasterwork decoration of the walls and ceilings of the villa giving a sumptuously, grand and elegant feel to the surroundings.
The majority of the rooms face south towards the sea, the gardens and the pool and with floor to ceiling doors and windows the house is full of sunshine and light.
A large, 23 metre, Terrace runs the length of the south side of the villa for drinks and al fresco dining and is perfect for entertaining.
An ornamental balustraded wall with a gate separates the Heated Swimming Pool from the main terrace providing important security for children. The Pool Terrace, with colonial style wooden sun loungers is spacious and ideal for poolside parties. At night, with the pool and the surrounding palm trees floodlit, the terrace takes on a new, dramatic, dimension. The elegant 12 x 6 metre heated, infinity pool seemingly cascades into the gardens below.
The Gardens are planted with 100 year old olive trees, rare palm trees, bamboo, fruit trees and a myriad of flowering shrubs and plants, with shady grassed areas for those who wish to sit in the shade.
The grounds are fully enclosed and security of access is provided via electronic entrance and exit gates.