Celebrity Homes in and around the Principality

In the Principality

Monaco, a hub of high society, has welcomed numerous celebrities who have chosen to establish their residence in the Principality. Artists, writers, businesspeople, and fashion designers alike have been drawn to this lifestyle that blends luxury with the Mediterranean art of living.

The Villa Lestra, Marcel Pagnol :

Located on Boulevard des Moulins and Avenue de Grande-Bretagne, this charming villa stands out as one of the most prestigious residences in the neighborhood. Its elegant architecture subtly blends modernity with Monegasque traditions, creating a harmonious and refined whole. Behind its meticulously maintained facade, the villa houses luxurious amenities designed to guarantee optimal comfort and an exclusive atmosphere for its residents. Its prime location in the heart of the Carré d’Or allows residents to fully enjoy the vibrancy of Monte-Carlo: it is just steps away from the Métropole Shopping Center, the Place du Casino, and many of the Principality's iconic landmarks.

^{Photo credit: Acoustique & Conseil}

Villa Lestra also possesses a strong historical and cultural dimension. Indeed, it was home to Marcel Pagnol in the 1950s, when the writer, playwright, and filmmaker was seeking a peaceful place to live and work. Settling in Monaco with his family, Pagnol found an ideal environment to pursue his work, a blend of Mediterranean inspiration and daily serenity. This residence still bears the mark of his presence, adding further charm to a place already steeped in prestige. Characterized by a unique atmosphere, Villa Lestra remains a symbol of elegance, culture, and history in the heart of Monaco.

Discover this magnificent 4-room apartment for rent at Villa Lestra

Villa Echauguette, François Blanc :

Villa Echauguette is one of the few independent villas in Monte-Carlo. Overlooking the Vallon Sainte-Dévote, it offers exceptional views of the sea, Port Hercule, the Prince's Palace and the Formula 1 Circuit. Renovated in 2008, this residence, in perfect condition, combines refined materials and modern amenities, enhancing its elegant neo-classical architecture.

This splendid villa belonged to François Blanc, born in 1806 in the Vaucluse countryside with his twin brother Louis. They quickly became millionaires thanks to their activities as stockbrokers and their early use of the telegraph. After establishing a casino in Luxembourg, François lost his brother and then his first wife, before marrying Marie Hensel, a future cultural figure in Monaco. In the 1860s, when the Principality was in crisis, Prince Charles III invited him to found a casino there: in 1863, the concession contract was signed, and Monte Carlo was born. François Blanc developed luxury hotels, gaming rooms, and fashionable venues, becoming the Société des Bains de Mer de Monte-Carlo and transforming the Principality.

Built on 6 levels, the villa features landscaped terraces, a jacuzzi and a 22-meter swimming pool. The discreet entrance leads to the different floors served by two elevators: one for the residential areas, the other for the technical areas including the kitchen, the staff apartment and a garage for two cars.

The reception area is arranged over two levels. The garden level comprises a spacious reception room with high ceilings opening onto a panoramic terrace with a summer kitchen, a shower room, a swimming pool, and a sauna. It also includes a modern kitchen, a pantry, and a guest bedroom with an en-suite shower room. The ground floor offers a living room with a bay window, a cloakroom, a guest toilet, a storage area, and a studio apartment with a kitchenette.

The upper floors are dedicated to the sleeping quarters: three bedrooms on the first level, the Master Suite and an additional bedroom on the second. The top floor houses a large library adorned with frescoes, opening onto a terrace overlooking the Port of Monaco.

On the Côte d’Azur

Although many historic villas of famous personalities are located in the Principality, many are located just a few minutes away, such as in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, Cap d’Antibes, etc.

Villa Pausa, Coco Chanel :

After several years of historic restoration work led by architect Peter Marino, La Pausa has reopened as a private home and place of creation, inspiration and culture, continuing CHANEL’s commitment to artistic patronage.

La Pausa est la seule maison qui fut entièrement imaginée par Gabrielle Chanel, à une époque où la Côte d’Azur était l’épicentre de l’art moderne et attirait les grandes figures internationales. Construite sur la colline de Roquebrune-Cap-Martin en 1928 comme un symbole du succès et de l’indépendance de Chanel, la villa lui offrait une pause loin de la frénésie de ses activités parisiennes.

^{Photo credit : Fashion Network}

La Pausa was a country house particularly cherished by Chanel, where she spent some of the defining moments of her life, welcoming guests from all walks of life to play tennis, dance, or simply relax. The greatest artists of the era stayed at La Pausa, including Salvador Dalí, who spent a particularly prolific four months there in 1938, during which he created some of his most important paintings. At La Pausa, Chanel cultivated an art of living that blended refined relaxation with invigorating freedom, a way of breaking with the protocols and traditions of the early 20th century.

Villa La Vigie, Karl Lagerfeld :

Villa La Vigie, a true architectural gem in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, was built in 1902 by Sir William Ingram as a summer residence before becoming, in 1952, the property of the Société des Bains de Mer de Monaco, which transformed it into one of the symbols of the Belle Époque and one of the most prestigious on the seafront. Unique in its kind, it has hosted numerous personalities from the world of art and fashion over the decades, notably Karl Lagerfeld, who rented it for several years and transformed it into an iconic creative space.

Karl Lagerfeld, the great German couturier and stylist, was a multi-talented artist, photographer, illustrator, designer, director, and publisher. A prolific creator, he oversaw around twenty collections a year across all his brands during his later years. A postmodernist, he blended elements of the past and the history of the fashion houses he directed with modern references.

Its neoclassical style is distinguished by majestic columns, elegant balconies, and symmetrical facades, while its interior reveals ornate ceilings, marble floors, vast bay windows overlooking the Mediterranean, and exceptional living spaces exceeding 600 sqm. The manicured gardens, terraces of approximately 237 sqm, and reception areas lend the property a timeless charm, blending history and modernity thanks to renovations led by Lagerfeld. Spread over three levels, the villa houses numerous living rooms, a dining room, a library/billiard room, a fully equipped kitchen, and several bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, dressing rooms, and offices. A true sanctuary of style and elegance, La Vigie remains a place steeped in history, where the glamorous evenings and moments of creativity that have marked the French Riviera still resonate.

^{Photo credit : Société des Bains de Mers de Monte-Carlo}

Now available for seasonal rental, it offers services worthy of the finest palaces, including breakfast on the terrace, daily cleaning, on-site security and even an electric car to reach the Monte-Carlo Beach Club, where a private tent and dedicated catering service extend the experience of rare luxury on the Riviera.

Looking to live in the Principality? Contact our Monte-Carlo Sotheby’s International Realty agency to assist you in your search.

^{Published the 10/12/2025}