Tour JFK's vacation villa in the South of France – now available for rent
Look inside the elegant estate where the former president spent his childhood summers in the late 1930s
A luxe Southern French hangout that was a favorite of former president John F Kennedy is now available for rent, meaning you can live like one of the most iconic figures of American history.
See: World's best homes – tour the globe’s most beautiful houses
Villa Valbonne, a nine-bedroom mansion that is oozing with continental sophistication, was a frequented by the young Kennedy family in the late 1930s when JFK's father, Joseph P. Kennedy, worked as the ambassador to Great Britain.
Throughout his service, the family frequently vacationed in the opulent commune of Grasse in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of the French Riviera. Reports suggest that the young former president learned to swim in Villa Valbonne's 20-meter marble pool.
Nestled amid 44 hectares of forestland, at the peak of a verdant hill, the property sits between the provincial villages of Valbonne and Mougins. The estate has welcomed a host of famous guests across its courtyard – but no more notable than John F Kennedy.
The esteemed family indulged in the property's grand period features, including a hallway, living room, and dining room that are blessed with historical artworks and crowned with hanging chandeliers.
See: Living room ideas – clever ways to decorate living spaces
Sign up to the Homes & Gardens newsletter
Design expertise in your inbox – from inspiring decorating ideas and beautiful celebrity homes to practical gardening advice and shopping round-ups.
Other remnants of the estate's rich heritage are further showcased throughout the home's decor, from its antique furnishings to original fireplaces – designed by the celebrated French architect Jacques Couëlle.
See: Traditional bedroom ideas – wonderful ways to combine tradition, luxury and comfort
The property also boasts a kitchen, sauna, and terrace. Each of the nine bedrooms are also complete with a private ensuite. Meanwhile, the estate's sprawling exterior is equally as spectacular, with its maze of landscaped Mediterranean gardens and timeless cypress trees.
Alongside the marble pool, there is also a tennis court, olive grove, and several outbuildings. The estate, in all its vast entirety, is currently available for short-term rent with a luxury vacation-home platform, Onefinestay.
See: Obama house: tour Barack and Michelle's new Martha's Vineyard home
Plus, if you can ever pull yourself away from the grandeur of Villa Valbonne, the property sits just 20 minutes from the sparkling celebrity playground of Cannes, while the center of Nice is approximately half an hour away.
We'll be fantasizing about the French Riviera escape of our dreams until further notice.
Megan is the Head of Celebrity Style News at Homes & Gardens. She first joined Future Plc as a News Writer across their interiors titles, including Livingetc and Real Homes, before becoming H&G's News Editor in April 2022. She now leads the Celebrity/ News team. Before joining Future, Megan worked as a News Explainer at The Telegraph, following her MA in International Journalism at the University of Leeds. During her BA in English Literature and Creative Writing, she gained writing experience in the US while studying in New York. Megan also focused on travel writing during her time living in Paris, where she produced content for a French travel site. She currently lives in London with her antique typewriter and an expansive collection of houseplants.
-
How to make towels soft without a dryer – using pantry essentials
Get your towels full, fresh and fluffy with this expert-approved method
By Ottilie Blackhall Published
-
6 things roofing pros recommend checking as the rainy season gets underway to avoid leaks, mold and pests
Maintaining a roof before heavy snow and rain could save you thousands, experts say
By Chiana Dickson Published