CELEB HOMES
French connection
The late Sir Sean Connery was not only one of the most famous actors in Hollywood, he was also named the Sexiest Man Alive by People magazine in 1989. The screen’s original James Bond was smart, handsome, refined and debonair. He was also by far the most popular of the eight actors who took on the classic spy role created by British naval intelligence officer Ian Fleming in 1953.
The Scottish born star was one of the world’s most cherished celebrities. He won numerous American and British film awards including an Academy Award, three Golden Globes and an American Film Institute (AFI) Life Achievement Award. In 2000, he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II.
His house in the South of France was recently put up for sale at US$ 33.87 million. Still referred to by locals as ‘Sean’s place,’ Connery’s former home is one of the French Riviera’s prettiest and best located villas with views overlooking Nice and the Mediterranean Sea. Adding a touch of reality to his English spy roles, the first Bond’s home was used in several scenes of his 007 movie Never Say Never Again when it was filmed in Nice and Monaco.
Sited on over 4,000 square metres, the house is located on a winding path at the edge of a cliff with views of Promenade des Anglais and the Old Port. Behind an entrance gate, the stone mansion is styled in classic French architecture of the 1920s and bestowed with colourful wisteria vines that add romance to its already idyllic setting.
Built on five levels with an elevator and rooftop terrace, the five bedrooms and baths are distributed between the floors. The entrance opens into the grand hall with floor to ceiling windows capturing more views of the mountains and sea.
The main level also has a family room as well as second room and kitchenette, while the dining room and kitchen are located on the lower floor, and open onto a garden terrace.
Located on the upper level is the master suite with his and her baths, a dressing room and private balcony. There’s also a fitness complex with a gym and an indoor swimming pool that opens onto the gardens, and shower and dressing areas in the bottom level of the house.