Villa Nellcote, 19th-century coastal villa in Villefranche-sur-Mer, France
Villa Nellcote is a 16-room mansion perched on a headland above the Mediterranean with marble Ionic columns framing its facade. The building's refined architecture and commanding position above the water make it a striking landmark in the coastal landscape.
The house was built in 1899 as Château Amicitia by banker Eugene Thomas as an elegant private residence. In 1919, the Bordes family purchased the property to use for their shipping and commodity trading operations.
The villa gained fame when a legendary British rock band recorded a landmark album in its basement during their stay in 1971. This musical connection remains central to how people know and remember this Mediterranean property today.
The property remains closed off from street access and is not open to visitors on foot. The best way to see the building is from a boat on the Mediterranean, where you can view its exterior and appreciate its setting above the water.
French authorities seized the property in 2022 from a Russian oligarch following international sanctions. This confiscation marked a dramatic turning point in the building's recent history.
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