Be Our Guest villa exterior with swimming pool on timber deck and coastal views, Cassis, France

This Mediterranean villa features a swimming pool set on wooden decking, framed by pine trees with views across the French Riviera coastline.

Be Our Guest three-storey villa on hillside with terraces overlooking the sea, Cassis, France

The three-storey villa rises from a verdant hillside, its traditional Mediterranean architecture featuring multiple terraced levels and elegant balustrades facing the sea.

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Be Our Guest

VILLA • CASSIS, FRENCH RIVIERA, FRANCE

12 Bedrooms • 11 Bathrooms • Sleeps 24

Private PoolPrivate ChefBeach AccessSea ViewHome Theatre

Be Our Guest is a magnificent 12-bedroom villa in Cassis that sleeps 24 guests, perched dramatically on cliffs within the Calanques National Park with sweeping Mediterranean views. This extraordinary property has a storied past as a former hotel that once hosted literary luminaries Virginia Woolf and Winston Churchill, now transformed into a spectacular private estate. The villa offers direct access to Plage de l'Arène via a seven-minute walk down a private path, whilst the charming fishing village of Cassis lies just 21 minutes on foot. The heated swimming pool commands the same breathtaking Riviera panorama that makes sunset viewing an unforgettable experience. With a professional kitchen designed for private chefs, comprehensive staff quarters, home cinema, gym, and 24/7 concierge service, the property caters perfectly to large groups seeking luxury and privacy. The villa's clifftop position within the protected national park creates an oasis-like atmosphere that feels worlds away from everyday life, yet remains wonderfully accessible to Cassis's acclaimed restaurants and the dramatic Calanques coastline. This is a property where scale, location and heritage combine to create something genuinely special on the French Riviera.

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Best time to visit

summer

18-28°Cjun · jul · aug

peak crowdpremium value

Summer maximises both the heated pool experience and access to the full range of water activities around the Calanques, whilst the long daylight hours showcase the villa's spectacular sunset views to their fullest advantage.

peak crowdpremium value

Late spring through early autumn represents the optimal visiting window, when the Mediterranean climate delivers reliable sunshine and the heated pool operates at its finest. July and August see peak summer crowds in the village, whilst May, June, September and early October offer excellent weather with fewer visitors and better restaurant availability.

winter

dec · jan · feb

Mild Mediterranean winter with occasional rain and cooler temperatures. Generally pleasant but the pool remains unheated.

8-14°C

low crowdexcellent value

Excellent value during the quietest season. The pool is not heated, but the villa's indoor amenities and dramatic coastal setting remain spectacular.

spring

mar · apr · may

Increasingly warm and sunny with mild sea breezes. The pool heating begins in April, making late spring particularly appealing.

12-20°C

moderate crowdgood value

April and May offer excellent weather with the heated pool operational. Book early as this represents good value before peak summer pricing.

summer

Recommended

jun · jul · aug

Hot, dry and reliably sunny with warm sea temperatures perfect for swimming. Peak Mediterranean climate.

18-28°C

peak crowdpremium value

Peak season requires booking 6-12 months ahead for preferred dates. July and August see maximum crowds in Cassis village, though the villa's private position provides complete tranquillity.

autumn

sep · oct · nov

Warm and generally dry in September and October, with cooler November temperatures. Pool heating continues through October.

10-22°C

moderate crowdgood value

September and October offer excellent weather with lower rates than peak summer. November can be variable, so check recent weather patterns before booking.

Why we chose it

Unlike most large villas that prioritise size over setting, Be Our Guest occupies one of the most dramatic clifftop positions on the entire French Riviera, within the protected Calanques National Park where new development is impossible to replicate. The property's literary heritage as a former hotel that welcomed Virginia Woolf and Winston Churchill gives it a cultural provenance that most luxury rentals simply cannot match. What sealed our decision was the combination of genuine historical significance with practical luxury for large groups: private beach access, professional chef facilities, and that extraordinary heated pool suspended above the Mediterranean, creating sunset experiences that rival anything we've seen along this coast.

Reviewed by The Chosen Stay · 2026

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01The Architecture

Be Our Guest retains the grandeur of its original incarnation as a distinguished hotel, with architecture that speaks to the golden age of Riviera hospitality. The villa's clifftop construction required considerable engineering to secure the building into the limestone geology of the Calanques, resulting in multiple levels that follow the natural contours of the dramatic site. Floor-to-ceiling windows throughout the…

02The Interior

The interior design honours the villa's distinguished heritage whilst providing contemporary luxury for today's discerning guests. Twelve bedrooms accommodate up to 24 guests across multiple floors, with thoughtful configuration allowing beds in rooms two through seven and nine through twelve to separate into twins upon request. The home cinema provides entertainment for the entire group, whilst the professional gym ensures…

03The Outdoor

The villa's clifftop terraces command some of the most breathtaking views along the French Riviera, with uninterrupted panoramas across the Mediterranean towards the distant horizon. The heated swimming pool, operational from April through October, shares this magnificent outlook and provides an infinity-like experience suspended above the azure waters below. Multiple terrace levels offer various vantage points for different times of…

04The Location

Cassis occupies a unique position on the French Riviera, where dramatic limestone cliffs meet azure Mediterranean waters in one of France's most protected natural settings. The villa's location within the Calanques National Park ensures absolute privacy and protection from development, whilst remaining just a 21-minute walk from Cassis village with its acclaimed restaurants and picturesque fishing port. The famous Calanques…

05Ideal For

This villa serves large groups exceptionally well, particularly multi-generational families or groups of friends celebrating milestone occasions who value privacy, space and dramatic natural beauty. The professional kitchen facilities and staff quarters make it ideal for those who prefer private chef service, whilst the multiple bedroom configurations accommodate various family structures and preferences.

Amenities

Private PoolGymAir ConditioningWiFiBeach AccessSea ViewTerraceHome TheatrePet FriendlyPrivate ChefConciergeHousekeepingStaff QuartersLaundry

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TheChosenStay's Guide

dining

La Vieille Auberge

Family-run restaurant by the port serving exceptional Provençal seafood paired with local Cassis wines. The bouillabaisse and daily catch preparations showcase why this coastline is revered by seafood lovers.

18 minutes on foot

experience

Calanque boat tours from Cassis port

Take a boat from Cassis port to explore the dramatic Calanques of Port-Miou, Port Pin and En-Vau. The limestone cliffs and turquoise waters are best appreciated from the sea.

21 minutes to port

activities

Calanques hiking trails

The GR51 trail system offers spectacular coastal hikes directly from the villa's location within the national park. Early morning or late afternoon timing avoids the heat and crowds.

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Frequently Asked

Click the booking link to be taken directly to our booking partner, where you can check availability and complete your reservation.

The villa sleeps up to 24 guests across 12 bedrooms with 11 bathrooms. An additional two guests can stay on extra beds that can be placed in the office or on the ground floor.

Your stay includes personalised welcome, continental breakfast, daily housekeeping, and 24/7 concierge service. The professional kitchen is available for private chef arrangements.

The private swimming pool is heated from April through October, providing comfortable swimming throughout the warmer months whilst enjoying the spectacular Mediterranean views.

Well-behaved pets are welcome to join you at the villa, making it suitable for families who wish to holiday with their four-legged companions.

The villa is located just a 21-minute walk from Cassis village, where you can explore the charming fishing port, waterfront restaurants, and local shops.

The nearest commercial airport is Marseille Provence, approximately 45 minutes by road. For private aviation, Nice Côte d'Azur accepts larger aircraft year-round (2 hours), whilst Cannes-Mandelieu serves smaller aircraft (1.5 hours).

Yes, the villa works well for families, though the clifftop location requires supervision of young children. The private beach access via a seven-minute walk down a private path provides safe, uncrowded swimming away from busy public beaches.

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