Villa Athena

There is a particular light over the bay of Pampelonne in the late afternoon, and Villa Athena is positioned to catch all of it. This contemporary seven bedroom house sits above La Croix-Valmer, at the quieter southern end of the peninsula, where the coastline softens into pine and vineyard and the pace slows noticeably.

The architecture is clean and current, all open volumes and wide glass that pull the view indoors. Fourteen guests are accommodated across seven bedrooms, making it a natural fit for an extended family or a group of friends taking a week together. The living spaces flow easily onto the terraces, so the distinction between inside and out tends to disappear by the second morning.

What defines the villa is its balance of seclusion and access. Pampelonne, with its legendary beach clubs and long stretches of sand, is only a short distance away, yet the house itself is tucked into a truly private setting, screened and calm. Days can be spent entirely at the villa, moving between the pool, the shade and the view, with a household team on hand to keep everything effortless. The vineyards and coastal paths of La Croix-Valmer are on the doorstep for anyone who wants to explore between long afternoons at the villa.

As the sun drops, the terraces come into their own. This is a house made for entertaining, for long tables and later nights, for the kind of evening that starts with an aperitif and loses track of time. La Croix-Valmer rewards those who want the glamour of the peninsula without living inside it. Here you get both, on your own terms.