Sir Sean Connery was the quintessential James Bond, and his taste in homes is as suave as the iconic character he portrayed. The star of classics like Goldfinger and Diamonds are Forever lived in Spain for a number of years before moving to the South of France into one of the region’s most stunning and well-located villas, with views overlooking the city of Nice and the Mediterranean Sea from a hill on the Cap de Nice.

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The picturesque home was actually used in several scenes of the Bond movie Never Say Never Again, which was filmed in Nice and nearby Monaco. Sitting majestically on over one acre, Connery’s home includes landscaped terraces that flank a winding path to the sea, green strips of lawn, a saltwater pool at the edge of the cliff with amazing views over Nice, the Promenade des Anglais and the Old Port, and two complete two-bedroom guest houses. Set behind the entrance gate for complete privacy, the main stone mansion, styled in the classic Belle Epoque French architecture of the 1920s, is dressed in colourful wisteria vines adding more romance to its already idyllic setting. Built on five levels with an elevator and rooftop terrace, its five bedrooms and baths are distributed between all the floors. The entrance opens into the grand hall with floor-to-ceiling windows capturing more views of Nice, mountains and sea. Period details like wide-planked parquet floors run throughout the building. The dining room and kitchen are located on the lower floor and open to a garden terrace.

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The upper-level master suite has his-and-her baths, a dressing room and private balcony. The bottom level has a fitness complex with gym, hammam and large indoor swimming pool that opens to the gardens, shower and dressing areas. See more of the beautiful property below:

ENTRANCE

White walls and marble floors ensure the main hallway and corridor stays cool in summer. We can just imagine James Bond sweeping up this driveway in an Aston Martin. Palm trees and a living wall of shrubs line the way. See: John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s former Palm Beach house is for sale – it is a classical paradise

BATHROOM

Striped wallpaper, fine furniture and lashings of marble make for a grand his-and-hers bathroom.

SNUG

This cosy sitting room has a vaguely nautical look with ticking-striped linen-covered sofas and wood floors. 

GARDEN AND GROUNDS

Wrap-around and garden terraces create the perfect spots for lounging, sunset cocktails and dining under the stars. We can only imagine who Mr Connery might have entertained in this outdoor dining area. Friends and locals alike loving referred to the property as Sean’s Place, belying its grand appearance and majestic views. 

SWIMMING POOLS

Wrought-iron gates open onto a round outdoor pool. Lean out over the side and you can look down on the Med below. And when the weather is inclement, or a more serious workout is in order, an indoor lap pool is available. Royalty, celebrities, writers and artists have always gravitated to the South of France for its staggering beauty, cultural offerings, clean beaches and vibrant festivals. Notable residents have included Tina Turner, Elton John, Coco Chanel, Pablo Picasso and Grace Kelly. So it certainly seems like a fitting spot for everybody’s favorite James Bond. The villa is listed for sale for €30,000,000 (£27,217,056) via Knight Frank and highlighted on toptenrealestatedeals.com.