Accessible via a discreet and winding track, the villa was built between 1884 and 1887 by architect Vincent Levros, renowned for designing the Hôtel Vendôme as well as two palaces, a church and a dozen prestigious villas in Nice and the surrounding area. Extensive earthworks preceded the construction of the villa, which is perched on the hillside, parallel to the neighbouring observatory. The former agricultural "restanques" (terraced grounds) were enlarged to accommodate the impressive building and its surrounding gardens.
The villa takes the form of a rectangular body measuring 25x15m, built over three storeys and topped by a four-pitched roof with interlocking tiles. The architectural style of this 'urban palace' on the hillside is inspired by the villas of the Italian Renaissance, an aesthetic reference immediately discernible. The facade features simple lines formed by chamfered cornices separating the three storeys and by symmetrical rows of large arched or rectangular windows topped by decorative lintels, with a central balcony above the entrance. The decorative elements - balustrades, medallions, cornices, sculpted brackets - are arranged around this axis. Finally, while the dressed stone window surrounds have the typical light beige texture and colour of local limestone, the rest of the facade is rendered in an ochre-orange hue that matches the roof tiles perfectly, contrasting with the green of the shutters and the surrounding vegetation.
There is a landscaped garden in front of the building and two paved terraces on either side. It was the intention of the villa's first inhabitants to preserve as much of the natural environment as possible in the direct vicinity, without overcultivating the grounds. Nevertheless, there is an old olive grove in need of vitalisation.

The residence

The interior layout of the villa is based on a classical plan, with each level arranged around a central corridor that symmetrically serves the reception areas on the piano nobile and the bedrooms on the upper floors. The interior decor, a rare display of eclecticism, offers a visual promenade reminiscent of Moussorgsky's 'Pictures at an Exhibition': the entire villa has been treated with great care, offering, from floor to ceiling, various finishes, always original, arranged in linear compositions that emphasise the various spaces. Some walls are covered with period wallpaper, others painted with characters or creatures conceived by overflowing imagination, without reference to any known mythology. The covered patio and terraces, as well as many other features, have recently been restored with appropriate skill and observance of regulation.

The ground floor
The reception level is accessed directly from the gravel area surrounding the house and linking it to the front garden, via a double flight of approach stairs protected by the first-floor balcony. The large entrance hall immediately reveals the eclectic decorative approach taken when designing the interior spaces, combining an avant-garde Art Deco style, particularly in the lines that define the spaces, with antique references. The floor is fully tiled with marbled mosaics arranged in geometric patterns. The painted ceiling represents drapery, bringing the eye back to a centre featuring a large glass chandelier. It is edged by a cornice with decorative mouldings. The walls are punctuated by mural paintings of striking figures and animals, as well as high wainscoting, the woodwork at the back featuring glass doors opening onto a monumental staircase. The three arched openings in the entrance hall are delicately framed by stained glass panes with floral motifs following their contours. The staircase is particularly generous in size, providing access to the upper floors in a more light-hearted decorative ambience that enhances the wide marble steps and wrought-iron guardrails. Surrounding the reception hall, there are a dining room, a music room, a billiards room and, at the back, a large kitchen with its scullery. The flooring is of various types: parquet, flagstone or quarry tile. Finally, the more sober ceilings feature painted skies and the walls are covered with period wallpaper.
The first floor
This is the sleeping area, with seven bedrooms, including the master bedroom with tall rectangular glass doors opening onto a balcony facing south. It is accessed by a monumental staircase leading to a wide corridor serving the various rooms. The only exception to the symmetry that reigns throughout the building is the central bedroom, which is wider than the others and contains a smaller volume serving as an adjoining study area. The generous dimensions of this bedroom extend out onto the villa's only balcony, whose stone paving conceals a discreet but interesting rainwater collection system. Most of the bedroom floors are herringbone parquet, contrasting with the stonework in the large hallway. The walls are covered with floral wallpaper, and the ceilings depict different types of skies, more or less adorned with various motifs. The rooms have marble fireplaces complementing the central heating system.
The second floor
The second night-time level, also reached by the main staircase, has seven bedrooms, four of which are on the south side. The layout is similar to that of the first floor, except that the central bedrooms are of the same size, there being no study. The decorative features are broadly the same as those on the other floors, but here, the floors are laid with quarry tiles. The windows, which are just as tall as those on the second floor but arched like those on the ground floor, offer the best views of the sea, given the elevated position of this level. Last but not least, all the bedrooms have marble fireplaces.
The attic
The attic is accessed exclusively via the service staircase, which serves all floors of the building. Although the attic extends over the entire floor area, it is slightly smaller than the lower levels due to its sloping ceiling. The solid timber frame, which is still exposed, is raised high enough to accommodate a high central corridor with arched doorways, five spacious rooms and a large lavatory. There are still remains of a period kitchen and sanitary fittings. The volumes are interesting and untouched, as the service floor was clearly not decorated. It therefore offers a large floor area awaiting to be converted, without any limitations.
The garden-level floor
This is the ground floor of the building, accessed through a door under the double flight of approach stairs leading to the main entrance. It consists of a service area that includes technical rooms - in particular a boiler room - a caretaker's flat and former staff lodgings. Although somewhat dark, it has an impressive floor area that could be redeveloped as additional accommodation, a screening room, exhibition space or workshop, or perhaps as an indoor swimming pool with thermal baths, similar to the basements of Budapest hotels.