Penthouse Atop a French Riviera Hotel that Hosted Ernest Hemingway to Coco Chanel Lists for €40 Million
The former Hôtel Provençal in resort town Juan-les-Pins is now luxury apartments, including this three-story unit with lots of outdoor space
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A lavish penthouse on the French Riviera within a former Art Deco hotel that was frequented by a veritable who’s who of writers, artists and actors has hit the market for €40 million (US$43.4 million).
The three-level unit sits atop Le Provençal, a residential development converted from the Hôtel Provençal, which was built in the mid-1920s at the direction of American millionaire Frank Jay Gould.
In its prime, the 290-room hotel in the resort town Juan-les-Pins was the place to see and be seen.
“Chanel invented pyjamas as beachwear there. Ernest Hemingway sat at the bar, and Edith Piaf partied in the ballroom. Picasso painted the beach scenes, and Man Ray photographed them,” according to The New York Times.
Caudwell
The hotel shuttered in 1977, and its transformation into 39 residences by British developer Caudwell is expected to be completed next year.
Entered via private elevator and spanning upward of 9,000 square feet, the six-bedroom penthouse, which hit the market earlier this week, spans the east wing of the building across the eighth, ninth and 10th floors.
For its interiors, the developer aimed to channel the glamour for which the area is renowned, and turned to the outfits of famous names who frequently visited, along with the colours of the French Riviera, as inspiration.
The primary bedroom suite, for example—which has two bathrooms, dressing rooms and a private terrace—pays homage to the pink hues of the surroundings and the elaborate caftans that Elizabeth Taylor wore on one of her many visits to the area.
Caudwell
The home also boasts a family room, a home cinema, a gym, a family kitchen and breakfast room, a sculptural oval staircase, vast living and entertaining spaces, and impressive views along the French Riviera.
There’s a whopping 3,789 square feet of private terraces across the home—making its outdoor space larger than many single-family homes—a private pool and six parking bays in the development’s secure parking garage.
“With their private terraces, swimming pools and far-reaching panoramic views the penthouses at Le Provençal are the jewels in the [development’s] crown,” said Lars Christiaanse, group director of sales at Caudwell.
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Buyer demand, seller confidence and the First Home Guarantee Scheme are setting up a frantic spring, with activity likely to run through Christmas.
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The spring property market is shaping up as the most active in recent memory, according to property experts Two Red Shoes.
Mortgage brokers Rebecca Jarrett-Dalton and Brett Sutton point to a potent mix of pent-up buyer demand, robust seller confidence and the First Home Guarantee Scheme as catalysts for a sustained run.
“We’re seeing an unprecedented level of activity, with high auction numbers already a clear indicator of the market’s trajectory,” said Sutton. “Last week, Sydney saw its second-highest number of auctions for the year. This kind of volume, even before the new First Home Guarantee Scheme (FHGS) changes take effect, signals a powerful market run.”
Rebecca Jarrett-Dalton added a note of caution. “While inquiries are at an all-time high, the big question is whether we will have enough stock to meet this demand. The market is incredibly hot, and this could lead to a highly competitive environment for buyers, with many homes selling for hundreds of thousands above their reserve.”
“With listings not keeping pace with buyer demand, buyers are needing to compromise faster and bid harder.”
Two Red Shoes identifies several spring trends. The First Home Guarantee Scheme is expected to unlock a wave of first-time buyers by enabling eligible purchasers to enter with deposits as low as 5 per cent. The firm notes this supports entry and reduces rent leakage, but it is a demand-side fix that risks pushing prices higher around the relevant caps.
Buyer behaviour is shifting toward flexibility. With competition intense, purchasers are prioritising what they can afford over ideal suburb or land size. Two Red Shoes expects the common first-home target price to rise to between $1 and $1.2 million over the next six months.
Affordable corridors are drawing attention. The team highlights Hawkesbury, Claremont Meadows and growth areas such as Austral, with Glenbrook in the Lower Blue Mountains posting standout results. Preliminary Sydney auction clearance rates are holding above 70 per cent despite increased listings, underscoring the depth of demand.
The heat is not without friction. Reports of gazumping have risen, including instances where contract statements were withheld while agents continued to receive offers, reflecting the pressure on buyers in fast-moving campaigns.
Rates are steady, yet some banks are quietly trimming variable and fixed products. Many borrowers are maintaining higher repayments to accelerate principal reduction. “We’re also seeing a strong trend in rent-vesting, where owner-occupiers are investing in a property with the eventual goal of moving into it,” said Jarrett-Dalton.
“This is a smart strategy for safeguarding one’s future in this competitive market, where all signs point to an exceptionally busy and action-packed season.”
Two Red Shoes expects momentum to carry through the holiday period and into the new year, with competition remaining elevated while stock lags demand.
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