Azurite Estate
Cassis, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France
- 22 guests
- 11 bedrooms
- 11 beds
- 11 bathrooms
There are properties on the French Riviera that impress through scale, and others through setting. Azurite Estate has the rare distinction of possessing both.
Set across 60 private hectares beneath the immense limestone cliffs of Cap Canaille, the estate occupies an extraordinary position within the Calanques National Park, looking uninterrupted across the Mediterranean. Cassis harbour is less than fifteen minutes away on foot, yet from within the grounds there is a genuine sense of being somewhere entirely private.
The house itself has been part of this coastline for generations. Formerly the Revestel Hotel, it once welcomed guests including Virginia Woolf and Winston Churchill before being transformed into the private residence seen today. A meticulous renovation completed in 2017 preserved the character of the original building while introducing the comfort and facilities expected of a contemporary Riviera estate.
The result is a 600-square-metre home that feels elegant without becoming overly formal. High ceilings, pale walls, timber floors and large French windows create wonderfully light interiors, while carefully chosen contemporary furniture and artwork give the house a more relaxed character than its history might suggest.
Much of life here naturally moves towards the sea. A remarkable 400-square-metre terrace runs along the Mediterranean-facing side of the property, creating space for long breakfasts, lunches beneath the Provençal sun and dinners overlooking the water. Below, a private path winds through the estate towards the beach, reached in approximately five minutes.
Eleven bedrooms are included as standard, with two additional bedrooms available when required. The rooms deliberately differ in character and scale, from intimate guest bedrooms to an exceptional 60-square-metre principal suite overlooking the Mediterranean. Most can also be configured as either doubles or twins, giving the house considerable flexibility for families and larger groups.
Yet it is the breadth of experiences within the estate that makes Azurite particularly special. A 13-metre heated swimming pool overlooks the Mediterranean, while a year-round hot tub, hammam and sea-view sauna create a private wellness setting within the grounds. A fitness area allows guests to train at home, and yoga, Pilates, massages and private classes can all be arranged.
Elsewhere, there is a private cinema, games room and pétanque court, while after dark an entirely different side of the estate emerges. Hidden within the basement is the private Canaille Club, a 20-square-metre nightclub equipped with a Bose sound system and designed for evenings that need not end when dinner does.
Art has also been woven into the experience of the grounds. Installations include Frank K.'s mirrored work reflecting the Mediterranean during the day and Bruce Munro's Fireflies, which illuminate the gardens with light and music after sunset.
Azurite Estate works equally beautifully as a private family home, a place to bring several generations together or somewhere to celebrate properly. Private receptions, weddings and corporate retreats can be considered, with larger events accommodating up to 100 guests by prior arrangement.
Despite everything within the estate, Cassis remains wonderfully close. Walk into the harbour for lunch, take a boat into the Calanques, spend an afternoon among the vineyards or dine at three-Michelin-starred Villa Madie before returning home along the coast.
Azurite Estate offers something increasingly difficult to find on the Riviera: scale without isolation, history without formality and exceptional privacy without sacrificing the ability to walk into one of Provence’s most beautiful seaside towns.
Amenities
Living Spaces
Azurite Estate combines the proportions of a historic Riviera mansion with a much more relaxed contemporary character. Pale walls, timber floors and generous windows keep the principal rooms light, while understated furniture and carefully selected artwork allow the Mediterranean setting to remain the focus. The house extends across approximately 600 square metres, providing enough space for larger groups to gather without requiring everyone to spend the day together. Some rooms open directly towards the sea, while quieter corners of the house provide somewhere to read, work or retreat from the main group. The history of the property remains visible without overwhelming the interiors. This is not a formal château experience, but rather a historic Mediterranean house that has been carefully adapted for modern private living.
Bedrooms & Laundry
Eleven bedrooms are included within a standard stay, with two further bedrooms available at additional cost. The bedrooms vary considerably in size and character, which works particularly well for multigenerational families and larger groups. Several can be arranged with either a queen or king bed or separated into twins, allowing the room configuration to be adapted to the group. The principal suite is the standout, extending across approximately 60 square metres with a king-size bed, additional single bed and private en-suite bathroom. The remaining bedrooms range from approximately 13 to 30 square metres. Most have their own en-suite or private bathroom, while the first and second bedrooms share a Jack and Jill bathroom. Air conditioning is provided throughout the principal bedrooms, with the exception of two bedrooms within the annex.
Kitchen & Dining
Food is an important part of the experience at Azurite Estate. Continental breakfast is included each morning, while during July and August six dinners prepared by the estate’s chef are included within a week-long stay, excluding groceries and service. The house provides beautiful settings for both indoor and outdoor dining, but it is the Mediterranean-facing terraces that naturally become the centre of longer lunches and evening dinners. Private cooking classes and wine tastings can be arranged at the estate, while more elaborate meals and additional chef services can also be organised. For evenings away from home, Cassis has an excellent restaurant scene, including three-Michelin-starred Villa Madie approximately five minutes away on foot.
Bathrooms
The majority of bedrooms benefit from their own private en-suite bathrooms, allowing larger groups to retain a good degree of independence. Bedrooms one and two share a Jack and Jill bathroom, while bedroom seven has access to a private bathroom. The principal suite and the remaining principal guest rooms have en-suite facilities. A hammam and sea-view sauna provide additional wellness facilities separate from the bedroom bathrooms.
Entertainment
Azurite Estate has an unusually comprehensive collection of entertainment spaces. A dedicated home cinema provides a private setting for films in the evening, while the orangery houses a games area with table tennis and other arcade-style games. Outside, a pétanque court provides a more traditional Provençal way to spend an afternoon. After dark, the private Canaille Club transforms the experience entirely. Hidden within the basement, the 20-square-metre nightclub is equipped with a Bose sound system and provides a completely private setting for late evenings without leaving the estate. The grounds themselves incorporate significant art installations. Frank K.'s mirrored artwork reflects the surrounding Mediterranean landscape during the day, while Bruce Munro's Fireflies illuminate the estate with light and music after dark.
Heating & Cooling
Air conditioning is provided throughout the principal bedrooms, with the exception of two annex bedrooms. The swimming pool is heated to approximately 26°C from April through October and can be heated outside these months by request. The outdoor hot tub is maintained at approximately 38°C throughout the year.
Internet & Office
Wi-Fi is available throughout the estate, allowing guests to remain connected during their stay. The scale and privacy of the property also make it particularly suitable for executive stays, board meetings and corporate retreats, with quieter spaces available for working away from the principal entertaining areas.
Location Features
Azurite Estate occupies 60 hectares beneath Cap Canaille within the extraordinary landscape of the Calanques National Park. The property looks directly across the Mediterranean, with panoramic sea views extending from the house, terraces, swimming pool and grounds. Despite the privacy of the estate, the picturesque harbour of Cassis can be reached in less than fifteen minutes on foot. A private path leads from the estate towards the coastline, reaching the beach in approximately five minutes. The route incorporates steps and steeper sections as it descends towards the water.
Outdoor Spaces
The grounds are exceptional in both scale and setting. Approximately 60 hectares surround the residence, creating an extraordinary degree of privacy so close to Cassis. A 400-square-metre sea-facing terrace provides one of the principal outdoor living spaces, looking directly across the turquoise Mediterranean. The 13-metre swimming pool occupies an equally beautiful position overlooking the sea and is heated to approximately 26°C between April and October. Sun terraces provide space to spend the day beside the water, while mature Mediterranean trees offer natural shade around the grounds. A year-round hot tub is positioned to take advantage of the sea views, while the pétanque court, landscaped gardens and private path to the beach provide further spaces to explore without leaving the estate.
Parking
Private on-site parking is available within the estate grounds.
Gallery
Location
Essential Information
Home Policies
Azurite Estate is available throughout the year, with minimum stays varying according to season from three to seven nights. Eleven bedrooms are included within the standard rate, while a twelfth bedroom and separate thirteenth-bedroom apartment can be added at additional cost.
An €8,000 security deposit is required by credit card pre-authorisation, alongside an €850 end-of-stay cleaning fee and applicable tourist tax.
Private celebrations, receptions and events are considered with prior authorisation and are subject to separate pricing. Larger events are intentionally limited in frequency and may accommodate up to 100 guests.
Location & Getting Around
Azurite Estate enjoys an exceptional position immediately outside Cassis, combining the privacy of a 60-hectare estate with the ability to reach the town on foot.
The picturesque harbour of Cassis is less than fifteen minutes away on foot, while the beach below the estate can be reached in approximately five minutes using a private access path.
The surrounding Calanques National Park provides immediate access to some of the most dramatic landscapes on the Mediterranean coast, while Marseille and Aix-en-Provence are within reach for longer days away from the estate.
The wider region is equally rewarding by road or boat, with Provençal villages, vineyards and the Côte d'Azur providing numerous possibilities for day trips.
House Rules
Azurite Estate is first and foremost a private residence, and guests are asked to respect both the property and its surrounding environment within the Calanques National Park.
Private celebrations, weddings, birthdays and larger gatherings must be agreed in advance. Events are carefully controlled to preserve the privacy of the estate and its neighbours, with larger occasions limited throughout the year.
Guests should also be aware that the private route towards the beach includes steps and some steeper sections, making access less suitable for those with reduced mobility.
Experiences Nearby
The best way to experience Cassis is often from the water. Private boat trips can be arranged through the Calanques, with the option to stop for lunch on an island or remain aboard for an evening aperitif as the light changes across the cliffs.
On land, guided hikes and electric mountain bike excursions offer a closer look at the surrounding national park, while kayaking, paddleboarding and scuba diving provide different ways to explore the coastline.
Cassis itself can be explored with a private guide, while days further afield might include Marseille or Aix-en-Provence. For those interested in the region’s food and wine, private wine tastings, vineyard lunches and even excursions by classic car can be arranged.
The nearby Circuit Paul Ricard at Le Castellet offers driving and karting experiences, while helicopter excursions can take guests along the coast towards Saint-Tropez.
Closer to home, an aperitif at Les Roches Blanches can be followed by dinner at three-Michelin-starred Villa Madie, approximately five minutes from the estate on foot.
There is equally enough within Azurite Estate to spend several days without leaving. Begin with yoga overlooking the Mediterranean, walk down to the beach for a morning swim and return for lunch on the terrace. The afternoon might be spent beside the heated pool or in the hammam and sea-view sauna before dinner at the house. As night falls, Bruce Munro's Fireflies illuminate the grounds, before the evening continues with a film in the private cinema or downstairs in the Canaille Club.
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