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There are a few places on Earth where luxury feels as natural and deeply woven into daily life as it does in France. This guide explores the billionaires’ favourite destinations in France, places they don’t just visit, but invest in, return to, and make part of their lifestyle year after year.
Whether it’s the golden hush of a Saint-Tropez morning or the velvet-draped calm of a Parisian salon, France doesn’t merely host wealth – it speaks it fluently. For the ultra-wealthy, the country is a series of rituals: summers anchored off Cap Ferrat, winters spent gliding through Courchevel’s slopes, and autumns strolling through Provençal vineyards where the art is as curated as the wine.
1. Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat & Cap d’Antibes
Along the celebrated Côte d’Azur, these peninsulas offer exceptional privacy paired with breathtaking scenery. Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, among Europe’s most exclusive addresses, is dotted with Belle Époque villas and secluded estates nestled among pines. It’s prized for its discretion and seamless proximity to Monaco and Nice.
Cap d’Antibes balances cinematic history with quiet elegance. The iconic Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc, set amid 22 acres of manicured gardens, has hosted everyone from Picasso to the Rockefellers, and remains a summer pilgrimage site for global tastemakers.
2. Saint-Tropez & Ramatuelle
Though synonymous with summertime glamour, Saint-Tropez appeals to those who appreciate a more curated luxury. Nearby Ramatuelle offers hillside estates with panoramic views of the Mediterranean. Properties like Cheval Blanc St-Tropez provide refined, understated service. Meanwhile, Le Club 55 on Pampelonne Beach continues to represent the epitome of effortless elegance – casual, yet unmistakably elite.
3. Neuilly-sur-Seine, 7th and 16th Arrondissements
In Paris, real estate is defined not by size but by story and status. Neuilly-sur-Seine, just outside the city’s heart, offers stately mansions and leafy streets that attract legacy families and those seeking discretion.
Within Paris proper, the 16th and 7th arrondissements house some of the city’s most prestigious residences. Picture wrought-iron balconies, hand-carved panelling, and Eiffel Tower views through silk curtains. Ownership here is more than property – it’s a mark of belonging to Paris’s most elite circles.
4. Saint-Germain-des-Prés & Le Marais
Rich in character and culture, these districts blend historic charm with modern flair. Art galleries, boutique fashion houses, and chef-led restaurants give these neighbourhoods a magnetic pull. For billionaires, they offer not just location but lifestyle, where 18th-century architecture meets 21st-century design.
5. Chateau La Coste, Aix-en-Provence
This estate is where art, architecture, and viticulture coalesce. Owned by hotelier Paddy McKillen, Château La Coste offers a sensory retreat, featuring villas by Tadao Ando, contemporary art by the likes of Louise Bourgeois, and biodynamic wines served with expert precision.
6. Courchevel 1850
Courchevel 1850, the crown jewel of Les Trois Vallées, is a winter sanctuary for the world’s wealthiest. Helicopter arrivals, ski-in/ski-out chalets, and Michelin-starred mountain fare define its allure. Many own private homes with spas, private cinemas, and full-time staff, ensuring every alpine escape is as seamless as it is spectacular.
7. Burgundy’s Hidden Wine Estates
In Burgundy, the pace is slower and the luxury more intimate. The village of Pommard is emerging as a refined alternative for wine connoisseurs, where estates like Château de la Commaraine offer both oenological heritage and contemporary comfort.
8. Villas and Off-Market Estates
Iconic properties like Villa Les Cèdres on Cap-Ferrat – once the world’s most valuable home – capture the essence of elite French living. For the billionaire class, these homes are not just addresses; they are legacies, often complete with rare gardens, historic chapels, and museum-quality interiors.
9. Yachts and Summer Rituals
No billionaire summer itinerary is complete without a presence along the Mediterranean coast. Superyachts moored in Monaco, Antibes, or Cannes are more than transportation – they’re floating palaces. Daytime lounging at Loulou Ramatuelle or fashion-forward beach clubs curated by Dior and Loro Piana has become as much a ritual as the sunset aperitif.
From ski chalets to vineyard estates, France offers billionaires a deeper kind of luxury – rooted in heritage, elevated by discretion, and enriched by experience. These destinations don’t shout; they whisper – and that’s precisely why they endure.
