cannes

Fantasy Villa in Mougins: Estate of the Day

It's no exaggeration to say that the grand Villa L'Imperiale fulfills every fantasy of a lavish French manor.

Built in 1980 and totally renovated, this magnificent villa has almost three and one-half acres of landscaped gardens with sweeping views of the countryside. Located in Mougins, a snap five miles north of Cannes, it is totally removed in spirit and sensibility from the chaos of the French Riviera port. Mougins, which has preserved some of its medieval walls, is serene and quiet yet boasts some great restaurants where chefs like Alain Ducaisse got his start. No wonder Picasso spent the last 12 years of his life here.

The villa is perched on a hilltop within a gated community in what is widely considered the most desirable and prestigious residential area of Mougins. Along with seven bedrooms, new kitchen, gym, and guest quarters, the property also has an attractive screening room. The large pool, pool-house, and outdoor dining area fit in seamlessly in the manicured gardens.

Admittedly, the French owner, who is selling because of relocation, is a Napoleon "fanatic." In a private Napoleon museum next to the wine cellar, he displays original and authenticated helmets, swords, rifles, and documents as well as many paintings from the Napoleonic era. Details at estatenetfrance.com.

Gallery: Villa L'Imperiale in Mougins

Tags: Cannes, estate, Estate of the Day, French Riviera, Mougins, Picasso, villa

Dream World Villa on the French Riviera, Estate of the Day

by Bobbie Leigh (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

If you are willing to empty your wallet and bank account, the place to live is La Californie in Cannes. Dotted with exclusive Belle Epoque and contemporary villas, this is probably the most beautiful place to live in the balmy, tropical region.

Tags: Cannes, Cannes Estate Sale, Estate of the Day, La Californie, villas

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Annie Scott's Incredible Journeys in 2010

by Annie Scott (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

This year, I am thankful and fortunate to have traveled to 16 countries for my work with Luxist, AOL Travel and Gadling, including Austria, Belgium, Dominican Republic, Barbados, England, Scotland, Switzerland, France, Aruba, Curacao, Spain, Zambia, Mexico, Italy, South Africa and within the United States. Some trips were press trips, and others were my own adventures, like my honeymoon in Florence. Each trip had its own merits, but, as this is Luxist, a year-end roundup of the most luxurious places I was lucky enough to visit is called for.

Here are the top five most lavish and thrilling experiences I had in 2010, where I stayed, and a little more information about each of the trips. Perhaps you'll be inspired to take one of these journeys yourself in 2011!

Tags: Abercrombie Kent, Annie Scott, cannes, Lausanne, luxury travel, Montreux, Montreux Jazz Festival, Oscar de la Renta, Punta Cana, Sanctuary Retreats, Swiss Riviera, Vienna, Zambia

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Ridiculously Luxurious Portable Toilets

by Annie Scott (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor, Luxury Travel & Hotels

"Sexy" and "Portable Toilet" don't normally exist in the same sentence, or even the same article. It is for this reason that I cannot resist telling you about the amazing porta johns I encountered at the Cannes Film Festival. They were, by a landslide, the sexiest, most luxurious I've ever encountered.

Located behind the Palais de Festivals at the back of a VIP lounge area, the loos looked, at first glance, like some kind of unobtrusive staff utility trailer; perhaps a kitchen or a storage room. I had followed the signs to find the restrooms and was concerned I'd passed them accidentally -- until I noticed the stylized, but clear man and woman symbols on the two outer doors.

Intrigued, I ventured inside to find clean, well-ventilated facilities adorned with wooden seats, an ornate mirror, L'Occitane handsoap, a fancy hand dryer and even artwork on the walls. Imagine! After a mildly uncomfortable conversation in broken French and broken English with the management, I was able to glean the name of the company who provided the uniquely sophisticated stalls: Axe Environment.

Check out more photos below for proof that with the right savvy, anything -- anything at all -- can be made elegant and comfortable:

Gallery: Ridiculously Luxurious Portable Toilets

My trip to Cannes was sponsored by Stella Artois, but the ideas and opinions expressed in the article are 100 percent my own.

Tags: cannes, cannes film festival, portapotty, toilet

Bid to Attend The Vanity Fair Party in Cannes

by Jonathon Ramsey (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Auctions, Charity

Charitybuzz auctions all kinds of goods, none of them are the random thingamabobs you're used to bidding for on eBay: one of Lady Gaga's autographed pianos, seven days in a spa in the Maldives, or tennis lessons from John McEnroe, for instance. That's the "buzz" part; the charity comes in the fact that portions of every auction go to help... well, a given charity.

One of the auctions nearing its end is for tickets to two parties during the Cannes Film Festival: the Vanity Fair soiree hosted by magazine editor Graydon Carter and Gucci's Frida Giannini to honor Martin Scorsese, and The Weinstein Company party to fete the festival entrant Blue Valentine. At the time of writing the bidding was up to just $3,750. If you're going to be in Cannes anyway and you're free those nights, you'll be hard pressed to find a better use for a few grand. The auction benefits the Center for the Advancement of Women, but hurry – the auction ends tomorrow.

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Tags: auction, cannes, cannes film festival, charitybuzz, the weinstein company, vanity fair

Blancpain 500 Fathoms Cannes 2009 Limited Edition Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Once again Blancpain is hanging out at the Cannes (32nd annual) International Boat Show. This time to officially release their previously announced Blancpain 500 Fathoms timepiece. In addition, they will release a special limited edition version of the Blancpain 500 Fathoms watch in celebration of the event. The limited edition of 50 pieces watch features a specially engraved caseback. I really love the 500 Fathoms' rotor. Not only do you get a propeller shape, but you also get hand perlage polish on it, and a different style of polish on the bottom that is meant to look like bubbles. The Caliber 1315 movement is extremely accurate and the watch itself is 1000 meters water resistant. The case is 48mm wide and in titanium.

I don't think that the dial of the limited edition is any different than the standard model. That is OK, as I have been a fan of the new dial look for a while. The torpedo hands and lots of lume are an interesting choice for the luxury brand. The titanium make up of the watch will make for a light and strong timepiece, but I am concerned about the case's ability to get scratches. The rotating diver's bezel has a sapphire crystal over it. Prices will likely be around $15,000. The International Boat Show in Cannes will be open September 9-14, 2009.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Gallery: Blancpain 500 Fathoms Cannes 2009

Tags: 500 fathoms, 500Fathoms, blancpain, cannes, diver, limited edition, LimitedEdition, watch

Custom Camouflage Ferrari 599 GTB

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

There seems to be something about the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano that induces those with more money than sense to customize them in ever more ridiculous ways. Last month we wrote about Fiat scion Lapo Elkann's 599 with a custom denim interior. Now a desert camouflage version has been spotted on the famed Croisette in Cannes. Our first guess would be that this automotive confection hails from the UAE, where overkill exotics flourish in the desert heat and oil revenues. However it also calls to mind avant-garde Japanese Bathing Ape designer Nigo's camo Mercedes 300SL Gullwing - another aesthetic travesty, but fully in keeping with his modus operandi. Which doesn't mean you should try it at home.

Tags: Cannes, custom cars, CustomCars, Ferrari

Take a Luxury Tour of France on a Ducati

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Luxury Cars & Autos

A new company called Columbus International based in Cannes is offering luxury tours of France via various different Ducati motorcycles including the latest Streetfighter, Monster S2R 1000, Hypermotard 1100 and Supersport 848. Among the various programs on offer combining other luxury travel elements are a Gourmet Tour (eating at starred Michelin restaurants), a High Octane Tour (driving a F1 car on the racetrack), Offshore Ride Tour (luxury yachting, barracuda fishing) and Nature Tour (natural parks, private yacht, restaurants). Special winter packages allow you to ride your bike in the morning and ski in the afternoon. Tour package prices range from €5,696 to €11,696.

[via Motorbiker.org]

Tags: Cannes, Columbus International, ColumbusInternational, Ducati, France, motorcycle, tour

Overmarine Mangusta 165 Superyacht for Sale at $40 Million

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Yachts & Sailing

The world's largest open yacht, the gorgeous Overmarine Mangusta 165 (above), has surfaced for sale from the Rodriguez Group via global online luxury marketplace JamesList for about $40 million. The 165-ft. superyacht can hit a top speed of 33 knots with its twin MTU 16V 4000 M93 engines producing 4556 hp. The craft breaks the open yacht record previously held by Rodriguez Group with the Mangusta 130'. The interior of the yacht, first shown at the Salon Nautique in Cannes, features five staterooms and is finished in a luxurious, elegant combination of neutral fabrics and dark woodwork. The 165's interior includes an expansive main salon with cocktail tables, a long bar, and a surfeit of seating. Two pop-up, back-to-back flat-screen televisions face the main salon and the adjacent dining room. The craft's aft deck covers a garage that contains tenders and toys and opens hydraulically at the push of a button.

Tags: Cannes, JamesList, Mangusta, Overmarine, Rodriguez Group, RodriguezGroup, superyacht, yacht

One-of-a-Kind Fiat 500C by Diesel to be Auctioned at Cannes AIDS Fundraiser

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Charity

Special-edition premium retro hatchbacks seem to be all the rage at AIDS fundraisers these days. Every year Mini teams up with a different designer for a one-off vehicle donated to the LifeBall event. Diesel lent a hand one year, but this year the Italian jeanswear house has teamed up with Fiat and the Cinema Against AIDS Gala to produce the one-of-a-kind 500C you see here. Like the fixed-roof Diesel edition Fiat 500, this special example features a unique metallic green paintjob, a denim-upholstered interior and plenty of Diesel logos, but upgrades with a cloth folding roof and a 100-horsepower engine in the place of the 75hp unit on the regularly available fixed-roof version. Just one example of the special-edition Fiat 500C by Diesel will be made, joining big names like Sharon Stone, Harvey Weinstein, Annie Lennox and former U.S. President Bill Clinton in helping the American Foundation for AIDS Research break last year's record $7 million raised at the gala held in conjunction with the Cannes Film Festival later this month.

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Tags: aids, aids fundraiser, AidsFundraiser, american foundation for aids research, AmericanFoundationForAidsResearch, amfar, cannes, cannes film festival, CannesFilmFestival, cinema against aids, CinemaAgainstAids, fiat, fiat 500, fiat 500 by diesel, fiat 500c, fiat 500c by diesel, Fiat500, Fiat500ByDiesel, Fiat500c, Fiat500cByDiesel, fundraiser

Chopard Launches Cascade With Cannes Event

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Cosmetics and Fragrance

Jeweler Chopard launched its latest fragrance, Cascade, this week in conjunction with the Cannes Film Festival. The event at Cannes' Eden Roc Hotel also included an haute jewelry collection specifically for the event. The new scent is an oriental with notes of Belle de Nuit, pink pepper, grapefruit, mandarin and orchid. It will launch in July (although a bottle has just popped up on eBay already). Over at perfume blog, Now Smell This, they are currently debating the merits of the bottle which features a design that looks a bit like a 1980s-style rhinestone earring has been draped over the top.

The Cannes event featured beautiful women and beautiful jewels, check out a few in the gallery below.

Gallery: Cannes Chopard Cascade Event

Chopard designer Caroline Gruosi-Scheufele

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Tags: cannes, chopard, chopard cascade, ChopardCascade, perfume

Hollywood's Finest Prefer Majestic Barrière in Cannes

by Laura Malesich (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Events

The Cannes Film Festival in a couple weeks will bring the silver screen's best to the French Riviera which makes me wonder where do all the fancy stars stay while in town? Offering both elegance and luxury it isn't surprising that the Majestic Barrière on Avenue La Croisette is a favorite among the Hollywood crowd. Recently emerging from a winter of renovations, the Majestic Barrière is sporting a new lobby area and freshly decorated rooms which each face the sea. The deluxe hotels also allows guests to stay within walking distance of the Palais des Festivals. This exclusive resort is sure to be a paparazzi hotspot beginning May 13th when the film festival is kicked off.

Gallery: Majestic BarriÃ¨re in Cannes

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Tags: cannes, cannes film festival, cannes france, CannesFilmFestival, CannesFrance, majestic barriere, MajesticBarriere

The Classicist: Cannes Gives Up on Glam

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Yachts & Sailing, Events, The Classicist, Wealth

Sad but true: the recession has hit the upcoming Cannes Film Festival in the South of France next month, an international symbol of glamorous excess. Cutbacks are being made everywhere, from ritzy parties to the type of food being served, the AFP tells us. For starters, Vanity Fair has canceled its annual star-studded party, the social highlight of the festival, while the VIP nightclub Jimmy'z lost two key sponsors, Fendi and Swarovski, and Louis Vuitton said it would skip AmFar's big-ticket AIDS charity fundraiser.

"We're experiencing an unprecedented world crisis and it's also affecting the Riviera and Cannes," says Michel Chevillon, head of Cannes' hotel association. "Companies are sending fewer people, for shorter periods." 70% of the area's hotels have frozen their room rates compared to last year, and many are taking bookings for less than the full 12-day period, something normally unheard of at festival time, Chevillon tells the AFP.

Overall attendance at the festival is expected to be down for the first time in decades. "People are afraid it will hurt their image to be seen in a place associated with wealth," Cannes deputy mayor David Lissnard tells the AFP. Yacht charters are also suffering, as brokers struggle to find clients in Cannes' port, where all 60 berths for megayachts were booked up in anticipation. "There's a lot less demand this year for yacht rentals and a lot of pressure on prices," says broker Valerie Ruiz, who rents out yachts up to 200-ft. for the festival.

Gallery: Cannes Film Festival

Tags: Cannes, Cannes Film Festival, CannesFilmFestival, celebrity, entertainment, Fendi, festivals, France, Hollywood, hotel, LOreal, Louis Vuitton, LouisVuitton, movies, Riviera, South of France, SouthOfFrance, Swarovski, Vanity Fair, VanityFair, yacht

Continue reading “The Classicist: Cannes Gives Up on Glam”

The World's 10 Most Expensive Hotel Suites

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

The Wealth Bulletin has compiled a new list of the World's Top Ten Most Expensive Hotel Rooms, and the first and second both cost over $30,000 per night. And despite glum economic prospects, demand for these costly suites is as strong as ever, with waiting lists stretching from now until the end of December. Also worth noting is the appearance of Dubai (the Burj Al Arab's Royal Suite, above) and Moscow hotels on the list, which would have been unheard of just a couple years ago. Here are the Top 10:

1. Ty Warner Penthouse, Four Seasons, New York; $34,000 per night
2. Royal Penthouse Suite, President Wilson Hotel, Geneva; $33,000 per night
3. The Presidential Suite, Hotel Cala di Volpe, Costa Smeralda, Italy; $21,000 per night
4. Royal Suite, Burj Al Arab, Dubai; $18,000 per night
5. Royal Armleder Suite, Le Richemond, Geneva; $17,500 per night
6. The Ritz-Carlton Suite, The Ritz-Carlton, Moscow; $16,500 per night
7. The Royal Suite, Four Seasons George V, Paris; $16,000 per night
8. The Imperial Suite, Park Hyatt-Vendôme, Paris; $15,500 per night
9. Brook Penthouse, Claridges, London; $10,000 per night
10. Penthouse Suite, Hotel Martinez, Cannes; $9,300 per night

Gallery: World's Top 10 Hotel Rooms

Tags: Burj Al Arab, BurjAlArab, Cannes, Claridges, Dubai, Four Seasons, FourSeasons, Geneva, Hotel suites, Hotels, HotelSuites, Le Richemond, LeRichemond, Moscow, Ritz-Carlton, Ty Warner Penthouse, TyWarnerPenthouse

R�sidence Sup�rieur "Extreme Luxury" Concept

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor, Luxury Travel & Hotels, Luxury Cars & Autos, Real Estate Developments

Financial whiz turned "lifestyle designer" Richard Nilsson apparently felt that plain old luxury had lost its luster, so he decided to focus on "extreme luxury." When he was running a business empire Nilsson was only able to take one week off per year, so for his first project he came up with the "Résidence Supérieur" concept as an ultimate retreat where vacationing moguls and movie stars could pack as much luxury and privacy into their vacation as possible, cost be damned.

The first RS is the Villa Oxygene in Cannes on the French Riviera. In addition to ultra-luxe surroundings, it includes exotic sports cars, a private jet and helicopter, yacht, butler, chef, bodyguards and basically anything else you could wish for. Desperate Housewives star Eva Longoria recently shot an ice cream commercial there, and Nilsson is now planning other equally outrageous outposts. See the gallery for pix.

Gallery: Residence Superieur