Cover The traditional villa has been updated with an open, fluid space that connects to its landscape
The traditional villa has been updated with an open, fluid space that connects to its landscape
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A measured renovation by Marcoux, Mathern & Associés transforms a 1980s Mediterranean villa in Mouans-Sartoux, France into a fluid retreat connected to its surrounding
Located between Cannes and Grasse in France, Mouans-Sartoux is one of the French Riviera’s most intriguing yet lesser-known towns in the region.
Home to approximately 10,000 residents, the Provençal village lies just a short drive from the glamorous Côte d’Azur and Grasse, the historic perfume capital of the world.
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Amid the historic village–formed through the union of two former communities in 1858 under the order of Napoleon III–the present-day commune retains its intimate Provençal character.
Buildings with pastel façades line narrow streets, while the surrounding landscape and local initiatives remain dedicated to the cultivation of jasmine, roses and other aromatic plants integral to fragrance production.
Villa Elaïa sits within a three-hectare-plus estate overlooking Cannes
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Perched atop a hill overlooking Cannes, Villa Elaïa unfolds within a preserved site punctuated by olive groves and maritime pines.
Originally built in the 1980s, the Mediterranean-style villa has undergone a meticulous and highly architectural reinterpretation, introducing a succession of outdoor spaces designed to maximise stretching views of the three-hectare-plus estate.
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“The real challenge was to take an ‘80s architectural style and completely modernise it while preserving its soul,” explains Pierre-Guillaume Mathern, architect and partner of Cannes-based architectural firm, Marcoux, Mathern & Associés. “We didn’t want to distort this traditional villa, but rather reveal what it could become: an open, fluid space connected to its landscape.”
An exterior gallery connects the main residence to the guest villa
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An exterior gallery connects the main residence to the guest villa. Clad in bronze, the metal volume is deliberate yet restrained, featuring wooden screens that subtly envelop the structural columns and rhythmically frame views without ever obstructing them–a modern intervention that combines the preserved traditional façades with a contemporary touch.
“Our intervention focuses on a contemporary, deliberate, yet measured gesture that engages in a dialogue with the existing rather than replacing it,” Mathern adds.
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A radical reorganisation of the original layout gives way to expansive open-plan spaces
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Above Bespoke elements include mineral plasters with rounded contours
Above The bronze sculptural staircase with custom parquet flooring
Bespoke elements include mineral plasters with rounded contours
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The screens of the metal structure continue throughout the interiors, where the recurring motif is woven through the three-storey residence. Here, a radical reorganisation of the original layout gives way to expansive open-plan spaces.
On the ground floor, an open-plan living area incorporating the kitchen and dining space extends onto the terrace, offering unobstructed views of the surrounding greenery.
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A palette of beige, chocolate and bronze camaïeu tones inspired by the Mediterranean character of its setting
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This level also accommodates four bedroom suites, while the upper floor is dedicated entirely to the master suite. The residence is further complemented by a separate guesthouse complete with its own garage and two additional bedroom suites.
Each bedroom benefits from a custom-designed bathroom, establishing a coherent design signature while cultivating a distinct atmosphere within every space.
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Above Views from the master bathroom suite
Above Travertine with resin-filled cavities
Views from the master bathroom suite
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Above Custom-designed bathrooms with a coherent design theme
Above Distinct spaces in dialogue with the surrounding greenery
Custom-designed bathrooms with a coherent design theme
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Drawing inspiration from the Mediterranean character of its setting, a palette of beige, chocolate and bronze camaïeu tones unfolds, while parquet flooring–created specifically for the project, and laid in a random pattern–lend subtle vibrancy to the open spaces.
Additionally, natural materials such as wood, stone and vegetation extend the presence of the landscape into the interiors; whereas bespoke elements include mineral plasters with rounded contours, micro-mosaic surfaces in the bathrooms, and travertine with resin-filled cavities incorporated into the master suite.
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The master bedroom suite opens into a private terrace on the first floor
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Finally, the pied-à-terre also features a generous array of contemporary amenities, including a cinema room, gym, wine cellar and private office on the basement level.
Outdoors, spaces interwoven with the landscape include a pool pavilion, a lounge adjoining a preserved ruin, a pétanque court, a playground and a golf practice area.
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The pool pavilion with a lounge area adjoining a preserved ruin
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“For this villa, we obviously had to tick all the functional boxes, but we wanted to go further,” Mathern concludes. “Each space had to have its own personality and unique detail, telling the story of a place that has been transformed without ever denying its origins.”
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Credits
Photography: Marcoux, Mathern & Associates
As senior writer at Tatler Homes, Celeste Goh covers architecture, interior design, luxury homes and emerging design trends. She also serves as digital content manager for Tatler Malaysia, overseeing the brand’s digital editorial strategy and social media presence across its platforms.
