Château de la Croë is large, prestigious and from 1927
Château de la Croë is a large and prestigious villa located in the exclusive area at the tip of Cap d’Antibes, next door to another famous villa in the area, Villa Eilenroc.
The villa was built in 1927 in Victorian style to the English aristocrat Sir William Pomeroy Burton, general manager of the Associated Newspaper. The architect was Armand Albert Rateau who built the property on the seven acre plot that extends all the way down to the sea.
The Duke and Duchess of Windsor – and Churchill
In 1938, the property was acquired by the Duke of Windsor, the former and abdicated King Edward VIII of England.
The Duchess, Wallis Simpson, spent huge sums on updating the property, making it more reminiscent of the surroundings the Duke was accustomed to when he lived in the Royal Palace of England. Expensive furniture, silver and porcelain were purchased from England.
Sumptuous receptions were held at the castle and guests were to be found among the royal, the political elite including Winston Churchill, and many other significant and famous people.
Winston Churchill and his wife also celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary at the castle with the Duke and Duchess of Windsor.
Onassis takes over
In 1950, the Greek shipping king Aristotle Onassis bought the castle and held it until 1957, when it was taken over by Onassis’ brother-in-law Stavros Niarchos.
Roman Abramovich takes over
The wealthy Russian Roman Abramovich has been the owner of Château de la Croë since 2001.
The villa was in a pretty bad shape and rumour has it that he spent more than 33 million euros on bringing it back to its current condition. The job was completed in 2008.
As part of the work, a 15 m long swimming pool was built on the roof of the building, and a fitness center and a cinema were installed in the basement.
Also read about Villa Eilenroc and Château de la Garoupe
In addition to the Château de la Croë, there are two more magnificent historic mansions on the Cap d’Antibes. One is Villa Eilenroc, which today is open to the public and contains a fantastic garden.
The second is the Château de la Garoupe, which is today seized by the French state after the owner, the Russian oligarch Boris Berezovsky, committed suicide in 2013.
Read more about the two historic mansions here: Villa Eilenroc & Château de la Garoupe
By Tommy Sverre – 2022
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Gismondi Gallery Antibes
Gismondi Gallery in Antibes is pleased to be able to open its doors after 30 years of closure, reviving this mythical place with breathtaking art.
The Villa Eilenroc
The elegant and opulent Villa Eilenroc, in Antibes, had its heyday during the famous period, which the French refer to as “La Belle Époque” and is today open to the public.
Saint-Bernardin chapel
The beautiful and almost magical chapel Saint-Bernardin is located in the middle of the old town of Antibes, and built on Roman foundations and dates from 1581.
Museum for History and Archeology
Historical objects dating back to Roman times are exhibited in the Bastion Saint-André built by the military architect Vauban in 1698 and which is a historical monument.
Chateau de la Garoupe
This magnificent property is today part of a legal settlement and has been seized by the authorities after the suicide of the Russian oligarch Berezovsky.
Picasso museum & Grimaldi castle
At one of the best-located addresses in the old town of Antibes is the Grimaldi Castle, which today houses the Picasso Museum.
Port Vauban
It is a port full of contrasts that gathers behind its 16th century bastion walls called ‘Les Remparts’, from small fishing boats to pleasure boats …
Marineland Antibes
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Le Nomade
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Notre-Dame-de-l’Immaculée-Conception
This magnificent neoclassical church is built on the remains of a Roman temple dedicated to Diana and Minerva.
The statue of Poilu
Fort Carré also houses the monumental statue of “Poilu”, erected in honor of the soldiers who died for France during ..
Coastal walk around Cap d’Antibes
This coastal walk around Cap d’Antibes is simply fantastic and a pearl row of beautiful impressions awaits on the approx. 4.8 km long trip.
Chapelle de la Garoupe
At the Garoupe Plateau, the highest point of Cap d’Antibes, you will find the most beautifully situated chapel on the entire Côte d’Azur.
Fort Carré
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Antibes market – one of the best in the world
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The wash-house i Antibes
There were originally 3 wash-houses in Antibes, of which only this one located in rue du Lavoir, has survived
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- Churches & chapels
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Monastery Notre-Dame de Cimiez
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Coastal walk Nice – Villefranche-sur-Mer
This coastal walk from Nice to Villefranche-sur-Mer is one of the most beautiful coastal paths along the French Riviera and you’ll be treated to breath taking sceneries that are long remembered.
Museum of Modern Art – MAMAC
Located in the heart of the city, close to Place Garibaldi, the MAMAC Museum exhibits modern and contemporary art from the 1950s to the present day.
Cannes Underwater Museum
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Fort Royal & “The Man with the Iron Mask”
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La Malmaison Art Center
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Villa Masséna museum
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Bellini Chapel
This beautiful chapel completely surprises, filled with art and dedicated to one of Cannes’ beloved artists, Emmanuel Bellini.
Cannes Sea Museum
Cannes Sea Museum, Musée de la Mer, is located on the small island of Sainte-Marguerite. It is located in a unique historic setting in the old Fort Royal.
Matisse Museum Nice
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Russian church in Nice – Cathedral Saint-Nicholas
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Marc Chagall museum Nice
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