FAMILY PROPERTY WITH COASTAL VIEWS COMES TO MARKET IN HISTORIC VILLEFRANCHE-SUR-MER

Ahead of the summer season, a stunning refurbished four-bedroom maisonette on the French Riviera has come to the market offering views of the Mediterranean sea. The home is located on Chemin du Vinaigrier in the understated medieval town of Villefranche-sur-Mer and comes with a residents’ pool, three private terraces and parking spaces. This exceptional property is on the market through Finlay Brewer International for €895,000. There is also a private garden demised to the apartment.

Ideally located between Nice and the Principality of Monaco, Villefranche-sur-Mer benefits from excellent access to some of the Côte d'Azur’s key areas, whilst providing its own fair share of cultural and historical monuments coupled with a serene and secluded beachfront.

The property benefits from 132 m² of internal space, configured over two floors and accessible both directly from the underground parking area or the upper floor. The higher storey comprises a spacious open-plan reception boasting cove lighting, oak wood flooring and doors onto a 60 m² decked terrace. This floor also plays host to a further terrace, fully-fitted kitchen, master bedroom with own dressing room and ensuite bathroom and a separate guest WC.

The lower floor of the property provides three additional bedrooms with direct access to a third terrace, bathroom, shower room and utility room. Copious storage throughout the property includes built-in wardrobes in all four bedrooms, and there is a cellar included with the purchase of the property to provide additional storage. The property sale includes two parking spaces and access to a residents’ pool.

Adored by French and overseas purchasers alike, Villefranche-sur-Mer is renowned for its postcard-picture scenery, with buildings tiered around the port as the town rises steeply from sea level to an altitude of 577 metres. Known for being home to one of the deepest natural harbours in Western Europe, much of the town’s history is linked to its maritime past.

Popular as a stopping place with the Ancient Greeks and Romans, the ownership of the town has changed hands many times due to its ideal position as a military stronghold. Many of the town’s monuments stem from this turbulent and varied history, including the Citadel, built in 1557 as a stronghold against attack, and the Observatoire Oceanologique de Villefranche, which was originally built by the Sardinian army in 1769 and later leased to the Imperial Russian Navy to use as a residence for royalty or wealthy visitors.

The town has glamorous tales to rival that of its neighbours as it sets the backdrop for Villa La Leopolda, a Belle Epoque villa built by King Leopold II of Belgium and alleged to be the most expensive house in the world. The Rolling Stones also recorded their formative album, ‘Exile on Main St.’ in the basement of Villa Nellcôte, an imposing mansion located in the town, while it was leased to the band’s guitarist, Keith Richards.

Rista Backovic, Head of International at Finlay Brewer, comments, “This is a really exceptional opportunity to buy in one of the Côte d'Azur’s hidden gems at a very reasonable price. The home is in a very tranquil area and I expect it to be very popular with families with an affinity for French culture.

 “Villefranche-sur-Mer has a lively community and offers good value in comparison to neighbouring Nice, Monaco and Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. It has excellent connectivity to Nice airport so would be great for those who want to use the home for weekends and longer trips to soak up the Mediterranean sun.”

Nice Côte d'Azur Airport is less than thirty minutes’ drive from the property, and is served by 44 direct flights per day to London terminals.

This exceptional property is on the market with Finlay Brewer for €895,000. For further information on Chemin du Vinaigrier or Finlay Brewer International and its South of France offering contact Tel: 020 7371 4166 or visit: www.finlaybrewer.co.uk/international