Jean Nouvel Designed This $40 Million Home on the French Riviera to Disappear Into the Landscape
- Architect Jean Nouvel's glass-and-steel villa on the Cap Ferrat peninsula has been relisted at a reduced price of $40 million, down from its original $49 million, showcasing minimalist design and integration with the French Riviera landscape.
A striking example of Jean Nouvel's architectural prowess has quietly returned to the market on the Cap Ferrat peninsula, and this time it's doing so with a slimmed-down price tag. Originally listed about two years ago at $49 million , the glass-and-steel residence is now asking $40 million with Savills, a notable drop for one of the most architecturally significant homes on the Côte d'Azur.
Completed in 2020, the villa is classic Nouvel: minimalist in form, rich in detail, and fully attuned to its surroundings. Set across just over an acre of terraced land, the 6,400-square-foot glass and steel home was designed to follow the natural topography, its long, linear volumes blending into the hillside. The result is a house that feels private, understated, and intimately connected to the French Riviera landscape.
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The primary bedroom has views of the Bay of Villefranche.
West-facing glass walls frame panoramic views of Villefranche Bay, Nice, and beyond—especially stunning at sunset. Four internal levels and one outdoor level are all organized around open-plan living and entertainment spaces. A double-height reception area, sleek kitchen, and expansive terraces lead out to a 40-foot swimming pool, while six bedrooms, including a detached guest suite, offer plenty of space for family and friends.
What sets the property apart isn't just its location or its layout, but the sensitive ways it engages with light and nature. The glass roof is fitted with strands of air plants suspended on stainless steel wires that provide dappled shade while eliminating the need for watering. Of course, sometimes darkness and an enclosed sense of privacy are required or desired, so the bedrooms feature double blackout blinds on both the interior and exterior sides of the glass walls, offering full control over privacy and light.
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Air plants strung along the glass roof create an abstract pattern of shadows across the great room.
The grounds include a well-considered mix of Mediterranean gardens, fruit trees (including an evergreen bergamot orange tree), and even a two-bed vegetable garden. A 750-square-foot garage with stone flooring is tucked discreetly beneath the primary suite and provides space for five vehicles.
In recent years, the luxury real estate markets along the Côte d'Azur have seen sustained demand driven by international buyers seeking privacy, coastal views, architectural pedigree, and, increasingly, golden visas . Cap Ferrat continues to stand out as one of the most exclusive and resilient luxury real estate markets on the French Riviera. Between 2019 and 2023, transaction volumes increased by 25 percent, according to Savills . As of early 2025, average prices for villas in the area hovered around €36,500 ($41,460) per square meter, with top-tier properties, especially those offering direct sea access, commanding up to €71,000 (or $80,650) per square meter.
Click here to see more photos of the Côte d'Azur home.
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