Roll out the red carpets and brace for the white-hot blaze of paparazzi flashes. Look both ways for limousines: Yes, it’s mid-May, and the stars are coming out for the most prestigious film festival in the world, the Festival de Cannes. 

This is the 77th edition of the event, where actors, directors, producers and the who’s who of cinema converge on the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès in pursuit of the Palme d’Or, awarded to the best film, and a host of juried prizes. 

Black tie, beautiful gowns, and glitterati abound. With all the daytime diversions of the French Riviera, beaches, boutiques, cafe culture, need we mention the nightlife or that Cannes has the third-most Michelin-starred restaurants in France?   

Here we present stellar homes worthy of the limelight: Whether a Belle Époque château, a beachfront mansion, or a backcountry bastide, all of them reside in the heart of the Côte d’Azur, mere moments from the glitz and glamor of the ultra-chic, sun-kissed city on the French Riviera.  

Cannes, are you ready for your closeup? 

1. Château Louis XIII in Cannes, Alpes-Maritimes, France 

A masterpiece of Belle Époque architecture, Château Louis XIII was built in 1895 in homage to the châteaux of the Loire Valley—but in what would become “the hill of millionaires” La Californie, the most sought-after neighborhood in Cannes.  

 The four-story chateau occupies a significant plot of private land, with about 1.5 acres of landscaped gardens, with dramatic views of the city below, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Massif de l'Estérel.   

In 1982, the property underwent complete renovation by the current owners, adding a modern swimming pool to the terraces. Its interior spaces (totaling 7,911 square feet) underwent a complete redesign by the celebrated Roman architect and decorator Toni Facella Sensi.  

Chateau Louis XIII is just five minutes’ drive from the famous Boulevard de la Croisette and 20 minutes from Cannes Mandelieu Airport. 

2. 1920s Bastide in Mougins 

This 1920s bastide, or French country manor house, sits on a terraced hillside in the village of Mougins, with panoramic vistas of the countryside, the mountains, and the sea.   

Big arched windows and glass walls frame the views. Native stone walls and a tile roof enclose about 14,400 square feet of interior space. A meticulous renovation has preserved the period style while adding 21st-century amenities and creature comforts.   

The 6.4-acre gardens, designed by celebrated landscape architect Jean Mus, were planted with a blend of Mediterranean species, fruit and olive trees, and have ponds and fountains.  

The home’s 13 bedrooms include a separate guest house of about 2,185 square feet and a comfortable staff house. A 1,500-square-foot workshop, a tennis court, a swimming pool terrace with a fully equipped pool house, and a six-car garage with a washing station complete the amenities.  

Steps from the medieval village of Mougins and its shops and restaurants, the bastide is 15 minutes’ drive from Cannes and 20 minutes from Nice International Airport. 

3. Beachfront Mansion in Cap d’Antibes 

On a verdant hillside above the sea, this chic 1940s villa has a spectacular and private coastal location on the exclusive Cap d’Antibes peninsula. 

With its large, columned interior spaces (including seven spacious bedrooms), marble floors, high ceilings, and refined finishes and details, the three-story residence comfortably accommodates a large family or multiple guests.  

The lovely landscaped gardens frame the pool terrace—with a mini palm stand inset—and a full pool house offers seascape vistas. There’s also a cabana and a garden pavilion. Just beyond the pool house is a private beach.  

The property also includes a caretaker's apartment and several garages.  

Related: Discover Prominent Homes with Unique History 

4. Luxurious Villa in Saint-Paul-de-Vence 

This hillside villa has a peaceful setting in the private, gated environs of Les Hauts de Saint-Paul in the hinterlands between Nice and Cannes.  

The five-bedroom, five-bathroom residence is arranged over three luxurious levels, appointed with bespoke finishes, fine furnishings, and a fully integrated Crestron smart-home system to control audio-visual, lighting, and security. 

The great room, kitchen, and formal dining room are on the second level to take advantage of the views. The principal rooms all have access to a wraparound balcony overlooking the pool and the Mediterranean gardens.  

The lower level opens to the pool terrace and an elegant pavilion with shaded lounge seating overlooking the medieval town of Saint-Paul-de-Vence, a former artists’ colony and home to The Maeght Foundation, a world-class museum of modern and contemporary works. 

5. Florentine Villa in Super-Cannes 

This gated estate is a haven of peace in Super-Cannes, an exclusive residential area in the heights of Cannes—a world apart yet just 10 minutes from the Promenade de la Croisette.   

The main residence is a modern interpretation of a Florentine villa. Sliding glass doors and balconies on the lower and upper levels provide a breathtaking panorama stretching from the Bay of Cannes to the Cap d’Antibes.  

The grand foyer has a wrought-iron staircase linking the upper and lower floors. The main level is dedicated to opulent entertaining with its grand reception rooms and gleaming chef’s kitchen. Downstairs is a pool atrium, a wellness suite, movie theater, and 15-car auto showroom. 

The primary suite and several guest suites are on the upper floor (among seven total bedrooms, complemented by four full and two partial bathrooms).  

The gardens embrace the French Riviera lifestyle with a vast outdoor pool and tennis court overlooking the Bay of Cannes and the Lérins Islands. A caretaker’s cottage completes the amenities. 

Find a glamorous home on the French Riviera here.