Wallis Simpson's French Riviera Suite Is a Study in Vibrant Art Deco Glamour inside a Converted 1920s Hotel
Now listed for $33.58 million, Villa Jardin marries original 1920s grandeur with sun-bleached interiors inspired by the Côte d’Azur
It’s hard to imagine a property that captures the high-society glamour of the French Riviera quite like Villa Jardin. And actually, if there is another estate on the Cap d'Antibes that rivals its pedigree, it almost certainly won’t look this chic.
The residence, located inside Le Provençal, once served as the home of the Duchess of Windsor, Wallis Simpson, while she and the Duke were house-hunting on the French Riviera in 1938. They stayed in this suite at what was then the Hôtel Provençal. They were guests of the hotel's owner, socialite Florence Gould.
This space has recently been reimagined by Caudwell Design, the acclaimed London-based architectural studio. The designers redecorated to honor the building’s storied history while creating a space that feels deeply personal and luxe – a testament to its Riviera zipcode.
Design lovers may already be familiar with Le Provençal’s legacy as a playground for F. Scott Fitzgerald and Coco Chanel, and Villa Jardin is among its most notable Art Deco estates. Let’s take a look inside.
The primary living space is structured around its original Art Deco-inspired columns – a deliberate homage to the Duchess of Windsor’s favorite architectural style. The primarily white interiors are accented by textured green, blue, and neutral accessories to achieve a resort feel that feels so coastal.
Each living area also features custom L-shaped sofas upholstered in white textured linen, paired with teak-and-fabric armchairs and a bespoke rosewood bench designed in-house by Caudwell.
Beyond the main living and dining areas, the kitchen features clean white lacquer cabinets and a central island that doubles as a breakfast bar. Around this, custom stools by celebrated Australian furniture designer Rachel Donath introduce warmth through retro-style wicker – a nod to the material's enduring charm.
The villa features five ensuite bedroom suites (across the duplex and its private guest wing), anchored by a dual-aspect principal retreat on the upper floor. This space has dual walk-in dressing rooms, a private balcony, and two bathrooms.
Other bedrooms include bespoke four-poster beds, custom wallcoverings like taupe Abaca seagrass, and thoughtful nods to the Riviera’s artistic legacy – including a guest suite wrapped in 'Wallis Blue' with a Picasso-inspired sculptural headboard.
Outside, the spaces are similarly designed to maximize the legendary indoor-outdoor lifestyle of the French Riviera. The residence boasts 9,900 square feet of private balconies and garden terraces, many of which offer views of the manicured gardens and the Mediterranean Sea.
There's a private pool and pool house at the center of the exterior, serving as the ultimate summer entertaining space. However, if you don't have $33 million spare, you can bring a sense of its vintage charm to your own pool area with these picks.
With its scalloped detailing, convenient wheels, and sunshine-striped cushion, this sun lounger perfectly captures retro-inspired style. It oozes the same vintage charm that this home is loved for.
This is an especially great find from Anthropologie. Designed to withstand both sunshine and unexpected showers, its cream colorway feels far more elevated than the average outdoor accessory.
This windmill palm is carefully grown and shipped by experienced nursery professionals to ensure exceptional quality. Cold-hardy and adaptable, it thrives in a range of climates, for a tropical look all summer long.
Recreate Wallis’s timeless style with a vintage-inspired pool ring like this chic design from Anthropologie. Its pink and green hues add a playful yet elegant touch that's so old-school.
Upholstered in stain-resistant bouclé fabric, this chair offers a sophisticated look that’s easy to maintain, while the generously padded oversized seat creates a cozy, sink-in feel you’ll never want to leave.
This contemporary take on the classic metal frame look has an effortlessly European feel. It pairs beautifully with retro furniture and prints, making it a versatile choice with vintage-inspired charm.
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