A landmark Art Deco property in Nice on the French Riviera, once owned by legendary Bond actor Sean Connery, is back on the market; and could be yours for a cool 23.5-million euros ($26.4-m). The villa’s official name is Le Roc Fleuri (flowering rock) but locals refer to it as the Bond Villa or Sean’s Place after Connery owned it in the ’70s and ’80s, living there with his wife Micheline Roquebrune, who was born and raised in Nice.
According to the villa’s real estate agent, Century 21: “In a luxury market driven by strong international demand—particularly from Americans, Scandinavians and British—this villa embodies everything that lovers of the French Riviera are looking for: charm, rarity, and history.”
In fact the property started out British in the 19th century when British citizen Robert Smith built it as a guest pavilion to his Villa Smith (now known as Château de l’Anglais) in Nice’s Mont Boron district, one of the most exclusive residential areas on the Côte d’Azur. The Château is now a famous landmark and a listed historical monument on the Cap de Nice (seen in the video below on the far right, with Villa Roc Fleuri to the left, in the middle).
Villa Le Roc Fleuri, beside it, is set within a 5,000 square metre gorgeously landscaped park; and with its elevated, south-facing position it ensures privacy and breathtaking views over the Nice Port, the Bay of Angels and all the way to Cap d’Antibes and the Estérel mountains.
The home was featured in several scenes of Bond classic ‘Never Say Never Again’, in which Connery (who passed away in 2020) starred alongside his wife Micheline.
Measuring more than 1,000 square metres, the six-level villa has been renovated since the famous couple lived in it. According to Century 21, the main villa includes ten rooms with elegant ensuite- bedrooms, luxurious living areas, wellness amenities (hammam, indoor and outdoor pools, jacuzzi, fitness room), studio, cinema room, wine cellar, office, balconies, patio and garden.
The estate also includes two guest-houses.
There is also an option to acquire an adjoining 160 m² semi-detached house held in co-ownership, says Century 21. This includes a living room, kitchen, four main rooms, garage, and swimming pool.
The price tag for Sean’s Place may be hefty but it’s less than the previous 30-million euro price in 2020, and the location is priceless. Situated within minutes of Nice’s city centre, Old Town and the coastline, the property offers a rare combination of space, privacy, and proximity in a highly desirable location. And the views are some of the most spectacular on the French Riviera.
