La Maison Moderne, Cap d'Antibes, southern France - Explore & Book

"The Cap may be tiny, but here is proof that small is beautiful. The dreamy pine-clad peninsular separates Antibes from Juan-Les-Pins and ticks to a slower beat than the rest of the Côte d’Azur. It was developed by European nobility in the 19th century, painted by Monet and Picasso, then colonised by film stars, who made it their summer playground. It retains a feel for its own past and occasionally you get the impression you’re walking through a Jean-Luc Goddard movie. Those looking for a taste of the old Riviera will love it. This simple 1960's modernist villa makes a great base. Set in a quiet leafy residential area, you can walk down to the boulangerie or up to the butcher; laze by the pool and top up your tan; potter off to Keller Beach Club or Le Rocher for lunch and a swim; or climb up the hill to the Cap’s totemic lighthouse for fine views east and west. Contemporary simplicity is the virtue within. Stylish rooms come in white, there are terraces galore, a decked pool shaded by palm trees and a practical kitchen with all the kit. Brilliant. Highs The Cap itself, one of the loveliest spots on the Riviera with sandy beaches and Antibes' charming old town, just a 25-minute walk from the villa This is a chic minimalist villa with a homely arty vibe, ideal for a week in the sun with lovely sea views The beautiful, airy sitting room that opens onto a dining terrace The decked pool, which shimmers at the foot of palm trees The Mediterranean gardens, planted with olive trees, yuccas, lavender and grasses Lows Bedrooms don’t have the wow factor of a fancy hotel Real estate on the Cap is vastly expensive so the garden is compact Few shops on your doorstep; head into town for the market and groceries Not ideal for the less mobile or small children (no handrail on the staircase, several steps down to the pool and no shallow end) You’ll need a car to get here, but you won’t use it much; people on the Cap tend not to stray far" - Tom Bell