Sun, sea views and all that Jazz

French Riviera: €300,000pmA luxury villa on Cap Martin has been restored by an Irish businessman and is available to rent for €300,000 a month

As one of the grand villas of Roquebrune, Villa Egerton on the French Riviera was close to the legendary party scene, frequented by Coco Chanel, F Scott Fitzgerald, Man Ray, Greta Garbo and Salvador Dali, that raged from the Jazz age in the 1920s to the 1950s. As to whether any of them actually partied at Villa Egerton, it’s not quite clear but it’s believed that Winston Churchill spent several summers there writing part of his memoirs in the shade of the tree-lined gardens.

Whatever the real story, it is an original Belle Époque property in Roquebrune, Cap Martin that’s available for rent. It is owned by Irish businessman Michael Maye, who bought it in 2007 when the asking price was around €8 million. His company Connaught Whitehall has since spent millions restoring it to its former glory .

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If the Cap fits: hidden bar at Villa Egerton

The 7,500sq m villa comes with two housekeepers, daily continental breakfasts, interior and exterior WiFi, satellite television and a media library with hundreds of movies. And “guests can rest assured that discretion and privacy are key at the villas”.

But it all comes at a price.During high season a month’s stay costs a cool €300,000 or you can rent it for €90,000 per week. In low season – November to April – it is €150,000 per month or €45,000 per week.

Guests can opt for the “ luxury service package”, which includes three housekeepers, a butler, chef, chauffeur and a twice-weekly fresh flower service. This package costs a mere €11,000 a week extra, €18,000 for two weeks and €30,000 per month. Minimum stay is one week and “commission is included.”

Perks of the villa include a secret bar disguised behind a bookcase in the library, a travertine pool terrace bar, a heated swimming pool and a hot- tub Jacuzzi.

The interiors aren’t exactly minimalist – they feature fresco murals and gold leaf detail hand painted by a team of Italian artisans.

There are seven bedrooms, five of which are en-suite; two individual bathrooms; three lounges; a grand dining hall; two luxuriously (what else?) appointed kitchens, a sunroom and an office. Villa Egerton also has more than 1000sq ft of entertainment space including a large hall, a state-of-the-art cinema, and an Italian wine cellar .

First named Villa Roque, the property was built in 1902 by architect du jour George Tersling for British politician Reginald McKenna who later became Home Secretary and Chancellor of the Exchequer,

It was then was passed on through marriage in 1910 to Lord Egerton of Tatton and stayed within the dynasty until the peerage ended with the fourth and last Lord Egerton.

Villa Egerton, Roquebrune

Belle Époque seven-bed villa with heated pool.

Website: reservations@ villaegerton.com