Le Grand Jardin

Arrive by boat to this 13th-century, private walled estate and enter a haven of your own. You will be in good company. Sainte Marguerite has long allured the world’s elite, with previous owners including Louis XIV and the 15th-century Dukes of Guise. Many believe the infamous Man in the Iron Mask, rumoured to be the brother of Louis XIV, was once held captive in the island’s fortress. Legend also has it that Napoleon once grazed his horses in the garden while cannonballs were prepared elsewhere on the island before being fired at passing ships.

Without hesitation, this is the most exclusive property in the South of France. Couple the history of not only Sainte Marguerite Island but the French Riviera, with the signature design, and the estate has more than one story to tell, with views that can’t help but make the heart happy.
There are 12 bedrooms across seven separate buildings in the one-and-a-half-acre property: the Governor’s House, three cottages, a guest house, and the old fortress tower. Savour a moment in the sun-beaten days while exploring the garden and wine cellar.

It has all been thoughtfully created with sustainable materials including rock flooring, white and grey marble and neutral beige and teak wood floors. Its clean-lined architecture is synonymous with the South of France, but the property’s significance runs much deeper than that. You can reveal its medieval history as you host dinner for extended family and friends, and launch momentous parties that overlook an idyllic pool dotted with water lilies.