Château de la Croë

Add Remove
Add Remove

Château de la Croë

The wealthy Russian Roman Abramovich has been the owner of Château de la Croë since 2001 and has spent more than 33 million euros on restoring the castle. The video says it all.

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

Other experiences in Antibes
  • All
  • Art
  • Castles and palaces
  • Churches & chapels
  • Hiking
  • Markets
  • Monuments
  • Museums
  • Ports & Islands
  • Wash-houses
  • Zoos
Art

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.

Castles and palaces

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.

Churches & chapels

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.

Museums

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.

Castles and palaces

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.

Art

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.

Ports & Islands

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 …

Zoos

Marineland Antibes

The marine park is known for its great shows and educational activities. In addition to giving visitors an unforgettable experience, the park’s mission is to pass on…

Monuments

Le Nomade

It is now the giant figurehead of the bastion and today stands as a modern landmark for a city with an ancient history.

Churches & chapels

Notre-Dame-de-l’Immaculée-Conception

This magnificent neoclassical church is built on the remains of a Roman temple dedicated to Diana and Minerva.

Monuments

The statue of Poilu

Fort Carré also houses the monumental statue of “Poilu”, erected in honor of the soldiers who died for France during ..

Hiking

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.

Churches & chapels

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.

Castles and palaces

Fort Carré

Fort Carré is one of Antibes’ historic landmarks and offers many experiences in one visit. The walk alone from Port Vauban, through the…

Markets

Antibes market – one of the best in the world

Antibes market – Marché Provencal Antibes, is in a class of its own. It has been placed on CNN’s top 10 list of the world’s best fresh markets.

Wash-houses

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

Selected experiences in cities close to Antibes
  • All
  • Churches & chapels
  • Hiking
  • Museums
Nice

Monastery Notre-Dame de Cimiez

If you feel like venturing away from the sea and strolling in the hills behind Nice, don’t hesitate to take a trip to colline de Cimiez, or Cimiez hill, to visit the magnificent monastery of Notre-Dame de Cimiez.

Vandretur Nice

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.

Nice

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.

Underwater Museum Cannes

Cannes Underwater Museum

Cannes has got France’s first underwater museum, which is wildly fascinating in every way. 6 great sculptures below the sea surface connect…

Cannes

Fort Royal & “The Man with the Iron Mask”

At Fort Royal, the legendary Man with the Iron Mask was imprisoned for 11 years. Today, the fort houses the Cannes Sea Museum and is a city-must-xee gem.

Cannes

La Malmaison Art Center

Great art welcomes you in historic premises that used to be part of the Grand Hotel. In 1863, when the hotel was built, this building served as a games room and tea room.

Nice

Villa Masséna museum

Villa Masséna is an architectural jewel from the Belle Epoque period and today houses a museum of the history of Nice and the memorabilia of Napoleon.

Cannes

Bellini Chapel

This beautiful chapel completely surprises, filled with art and dedicated to one of Cannes’ beloved artists, Emmanuel Bellini.

Cannes

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.

Nice

Matisse Museum Nice

The Matisse Museum in Nice is a city museums and it’s dedicated to the life and works of Henri Matisse as he spent much of his life in Nice and in the Côte d’Azur region.

Nice

Russian church in Nice – Cathedral Saint-Nicholas

This is one of the most beautiful Russian churches of its kind outside of Russia. It is like a section of St. Peter’s Square in Moscow, just located in the middle of Nice.

Nice

Marc Chagall museum Nice

Chagall Museum Nice is the first national museum built to pay homage to an artist while he was still alive. It is located on the Cimiez Hill.

Scroll to Top

Subscribe to newsletter