Villa Amalie | 15-Bedroom Villa in Frejus Bagnols-en-Foret

Thirty-two guests arrive at Villa Amalie in Frejus and immediately understand why the French Riviera commands such devotion. This 15-bedroom, 16-bathroom château rises from the Esterel foothills where pine forests meet the Mediterranean horizon, a location so positioned between nature and culture that you can breakfast overlooking mountain crests and dinner by the sea the same evening. Built by Lord Amherst in the early 1900s, Villa Amalie retains the architectural bones of its era—soaring ceilings, antique furnishings, the grand staircase—yet functions as a thoroughly modern estate for groups seeking both history and comfort.

Inside Villa Amalie

Villa Amalie sleeps 32 guests across 15 bedrooms and 16 bathrooms, distributed across four levels designed to suit both intimate groups and large celebrations.

Ground Floor anchors the property with three interconnected reception rooms capable of seating 80 for formal dinners or casual gatherings. The grand salon features antique pieces and a substantial fireplace; the petit salon provides a quieter gathering space. A fully equipped family kitchen opens directly to a terrace overlooking gardens, while a separate professional kitchen handles larger events. A guest bathroom with wheelchair access and additional WC complete this entertaining level.

First Floor hosts ten guest suites arranged to maximize privacy. Bedroom 1 offers a 180cm double bed with en-suite bathroom, separate WC, and views across the cloister toward mountains. Bedroom 2 pairs twin 90cm beds with forest and distant sea views. Bedrooms 3 and 4 command pool and sea vistas—the first with a 180cm double, the second with a 160cm bed. Bedrooms 5 and 6 form a connected pair: Room 5 has twin 90cm beds with a sea-view balcony and en-suite shower; Room 6 (junior suite) offers a 160cm double, seating area, walk-in shower, and a balcony angled toward St. Tropez. Bedroom 7 is the owner’s suite—a 180cm double with open-plan bathroom, separate living room, shower room, and two WCs, capturing sea and mountain light from multiple exposures. Bedrooms 8, 9, and 10 round out the first floor with 160cm, 180cm, and 160cm doubles respectively, each with en-suite facilities and views of mountains or cloister gardens. An office with printer and dedicated laundry room serve the practical needs of large groups.

Second Floor provides family-friendly sleeping. Bedroom 11 and 13 are compact doubles (140cm beds). Bedroom 12 functions as a family room with two double beds, ideal for parents with children. These three rooms share one bathroom and one shower room, each with separate WC. A living area with sofa-bed offers additional sleeping flexibility, while a roof terrace delivers unobstructed views across the estate to the Esterel peaks.

Garden Level contains Bedrooms 14 and 15—both 180cm doubles with en-suite bathrooms and private outdoor access. Bedroom 14 opens to a private terrace; Bedroom 15 connects to the garden. This level also houses a gym equipped for cardio and strength work, and a home cinema with an adjoining games room featuring a pool table and table-tennis setup.

Outdoor Spaces and Living

The grounds unfold across terraced levels, each revealing a different relationship to light and landscape. The heated infinity pool dominates the central gardens—a crystalline rectangle that reflects the Esterel ridge by day and glows warmly on summer evenings. Pool-side seating accommodates 30 guests across loungers and shaded pavilions. The cloister courtyard, framed by loggias, provides al-fresco dining under cover with a traditional fountain as its centerpiece; this space holds the romance of European garden dining while remaining practical for events in variable weather. Boules courts occupy the woodland periphery, allowing guests to engage in this Provençal tradition with genuine Côte d’Azur authenticity. Mature trees—pines, oaks, and cedars—create natural boundaries and cooling shade across what is genuinely a landscape rather than merely a garden. Electric gates and security fencing protect the property, while ample parking accommodates visiting cars. Direct woodland walking paths lead immediately into the Esterel National Park, transforming the villa boundary into a threshold rather than a barrier.

Location: Frejus and the Surrounding Area

Villa Amalie occupies a rare position within the Côte d’Azur. The ancient Roman city of Frejus lies 5km south—a destination with layered identity. The amphitheatre at Frejus remains substantially intact from the 2nd century; the old town maze reveals medieval gates, a cathedral complex, and narrow shopping streets. The twice-weekly Provençal market in Frejus old town stocks local herbs, produce, and prepared foods that define French Riviera eating. A 10-minute drive reaches Saint-Raphaël, the adjacent coastal town known for its casino (Casino Barrière), waterfront dining, and working harbor atmosphere where fishing boats still operate daily.

Cannes—the iconic city of film festivals and the Croisette promenade—sits 35km west. The drive takes roughly 45 minutes by car. Le Suquet, Cannes’ ancient quarter, preserves fishermen’s lanes and offers restaurants with character distinct from the seafront glamour. The Lerin Islands (Île Sainte-Marguerite and Île Saint-Honorat) lie offshore, reachable by daily ferries from either Cannes or Saint-Raphaël. Grasse, the perfume capital, rises 45km northwest in the limestone hills behind the coast, where fields of jasmine, rose, and mimosa sustain centuries-old fragrance manufacture. Sainte-Maxime, a family-friendly beach town, sits 27km south with sandy strands and a more relaxed pace than Cannes. Saint-Tropez, the legendary resort village, occupies 42km south of Frejus—a 50-minute drive via coastal roads or alternatively a boat charter from Saint-Raphaël harbor.

The Valescure Golf Club lies 5km away by car, offering 18 holes through Mediterranean pine and cork oak. Agay Plage and Saint-Aygulf beaches (8-10km) support water sports: sailing, windsurfing, and kite-surfing. Trekking and mountain-biking routes penetrate the Esterel massif directly from the villa’s woodland access. Restaurant Stéphane Léger, a Michelin-regarded establishment, operates in the locality for guests seeking fine dining beyond the estate.

Explore our luxury villas throughout Europe and our full collection of French properties. For broader destination context, consult our comprehensive France travel guide, which details seasonal highlights and cultural events across the Côte d’Azur.

Who This Villa Suits Best

Extended Family Gatherings: The 15-bedroom layout accommodates three generations with private suites, shared family rooms, and connecting doors between rooms. Parents with teenage children occupy the first-floor master suites; younger children and grandparents use the ground-floor and second-floor family rooms. The grounds provide enough space for privacy and enough shared spaces—terraces, pool, cinema—for collective meals and entertainment.

Corporate Groups and Team Retreats: The office space with printer, WiFi throughout, and capacity to host 80 in seated arrangements make Villa Amalie functional for business groups seeking an inspirational setting. The cinema room serves presentations; the pool and boules courts structure informal bonding.

Wedding Parties and Celebration Events: The three reception rooms accommodate 80 seated guests; the cloister courtyard handles al-fresco receptions under cover. The property sleeping 32 allows wedding parties to accommodate a wedding party, family, and close friends under one roof. A dedicated service team manages catering and logistics.

Couples and Smaller Groups: While Villa Amalie scales to 32, smaller parties renting a subset of bedrooms enjoy the full grounds, staff services, and chef availability at proportionally lower intensity. The location suits romantic getaways or small friend groups seeking Riviera immersion.

Practical Information

Capacity & Layout: 32 guests, 15 bedrooms, 16 bathrooms across four levels. The ground floor includes ground-floor bedrooms accessible without stairs via an installed lift serving all levels.

Nearest Airport: Nice Côte d’Azur Airport (Nice-NCE) lies approximately 50km northeast of Villa Amalie—roughly 55 minutes by car via the A8 motorway. Alternatively, Marseille Provence Airport (MRS) operates 140km west (approximately 90 minutes driving) and sometimes offers competitive fares from international routes. Professional car services and chauffeured transfers are arranged as part of the concierge service.

Nearest Supermarket & Services: Casino Supermarché and Carrefour operate in central Frejus, approximately 5km away. A local market square in Frejus offers fresh produce, meats, and prepared foods daily. The concierge arranges provisioning prior to arrival or coordinates shopping delivery.

What is Included: Accommodation for 32 guests, all utilities (electricity, water, heating), WiFi and sound systems throughout, pool heating, housekeeping (daily maid service), linens and towels, use of all grounds (pool, boules courts, games room, gym, cinema, fitness equipment), and full kitchen access. Optional services—private chef, butler, on-site security guard, babysitting, chauffeur services, and yacht charter arrangements—are booked separately through the concierge team.

Check-in & Flexibility: Standard check-in operates at 16:00 on arrival day; check-out at 11:00 on departure day. Early arrival and late departure can be negotiated depending on prior bookings. The property maintains an on-site concierge available throughout your stay to manage requests, arrange activities, and coordinate staff.

Frequently Asked Questions about Villa Amalie

How many guests does Villa Amalie sleep?

Villa Amalie accommodates up to 32 guests across 15 bedrooms and 16 bathrooms. The bedroom breakdown includes 10 double beds on the first floor (ranging from 140cm to 180cm widths), 3 shared rooms on the second floor (including one family room with two doubles), and 2 garden-level doubles. Additional flexibility arrives through the second-floor sofa-bed, expanding capacity if needed for groups with younger children sharing beds with parents.

What is the nearest airport to Villa Amalie in Frejus?

Nice Côte d’Azur Airport (Nice-NCE) stands approximately 50km northeast of the villa, with typical transfer times of 55 minutes by private car under normal traffic conditions. The journey follows the A8 motorway. Marseille Provence Airport (MRS), located 140km to the west, requires roughly 90 minutes driving and can serve as an alternative for guests arriving from certain European or international routes. Villa Amalie’s concierge coordinates airport transfers and can arrange private car services or helicopter transfers if preferred.

What is the best time of year to rent Villa Amalie?

April through June offers optimal conditions on the French Riviera: warm daytime temperatures (22-26°C), calm seas for boating, and manageable crowds before July peak season. The Cannes Film Festival (mid-May) and various cultural events animate the region. September and early October provide a secondary window—pools and sea remain warm, summer heat moderates, and the region settles into a more relaxed rhythm. July and August deliver guaranteed sunshine and sea temperature above 25°C but attract maximum tourism and higher hotel rates. Winter (November-February) brings occasional rain but mild temperatures (8-12°C) and empty beaches; this suits contemplative getaways rather than beach swimming.

Is Villa Amalie suitable for families with children?

Yes. The property features a heated pool with lounging areas (suitable once children reach swimming age or with lifeguard supervision), boules courts for garden play, a games room with pool table and table-tennis for older children, and a cinema for rainy afternoon entertainment. Nearby Frejus and Saint-Raphaël offer child-friendly beaches; Agay Plage (10km) features shallow zones ideal for younger swimmers. Family bedrooms on the second floor share a bathroom, enabling parents to monitor children easily. Babysitting services can be arranged through the concierge to allow parents private time. The estate’s grounds are secure behind electric gates, providing a contained play environment.

What is included in the rental price at Villa Amalie?

The nightly rate includes accommodation for your full party, all utilities (electricity, heating, water), WiFi and internet throughout the property, pool heating, daily housekeeping and maid service, bed linens and bath towels, and unlimited access to all facilities (heated pool, boules courts, games room with pool table and table-tennis, gym equipment, home cinema, and grounds). Optional upgrades—a private chef, butler service, chauffeur, security guard, babysitting, and arrangements for private yacht chartering or activity bookings—are available at additional cost and booked through the concierge team.

What restaurants and shops are near Villa Amalie?

Frejus town center (5km south) concentrates shopping—boutiques, pharmacies, wine merchants, and supermarkets including Casino and Carrefour. The twice-weekly Provençal market in Frejus old town offers seasonal produce, local cheeses, charcuterie, herbs, and prepared foods. Saint-Raphaël (8km south) extends dining options along the harbor—seafood restaurants, casual bistros, and the Casino Barrière restaurant. Restaurant Stéphane Léger, a respected establishment in the locality, provides fine-dining alternatives to cooking at the villa. For gourmet provisioning or specific dietary needs, the concierge can pre-order from specialty suppliers in Nice (50km, roughly 55 minutes) or arrange delivery from local artisans producing Provençal oils, wines, and preserves.