VillaAlmanarre: A Unique Story
Built in 1885, this exceptional residence embodies more than a century of aristocratic vacations, high society life, and quiet transformations.
Perched on the hills above Costebelle, Villa Almanarre is much more than a vacation home—it is a living testament to a bygone era, the golden age of winter vacations on the French Riviera.
Designed by Parisian architect Marcel Deslignières for British Colonel Samuel William Clowes, the villa gracefully embodies late19th-century vacation home architecture—with projecting bay windows, Lœbnitz glazed ceramic friezes, and a subtle alternation of brick and stone.
Its history, reconstructed from exceptional archival sources—notarized deeds and original plans preserved at the Hyères Municipal Archives—reveals a fascinating journey, marked by the major transformations of the20th century, leading up to its contemporary revival.
The Acquisition of the Land
On April 23, 1883, Colonel Samuel William Clowes purchased a wooded plot on the hills above Hyères for 50,000 francs. He entrusted the design of his winter villa to Marcel Deslignières, whose architectural style would leave a lasting mark on the Hyères landscape.
The Villa's Origins
Villa Almanarre is now complete. With 500 m² spread over three levels, polychrome facades, bay windows overlooking the Mediterranean, a terrace supported by stone arcades, and a 3,000 m² garden, it is a prestigious residence in every detail.
Queen Victoria's Visit
On April 10, 1892, Queen Victoria paid a visit to Madame Clowes. Adelaide Cavendish-Waterpark, the colonel’s wife, was the daughter of Lady Waterpark, the queen’s lady-in-waiting. The villa became part of the legend of the French Riviera.
The Clarke Era & the War Years
Ownership passed to Captain Charles Mansfield Clarke, who turned it into a hotspot of Hyères high society. World War II brought this era to an abrupt end: occupied first by Italian and then by German forces, the villa sustained significant damage.
Serving the Community
Renamed “Clair Logis,” the villa housed a health resort for children and later a summer camp. For nearly fifty years, this place of aristocratic distinction became a space for community and public education.
The Rebirth
Alexandre and Céline Lafourcade are breathing new life into Villa Almanarre. Art Nouveau colors, ornamentation, and motifs are being preserved and highlighted. The villa is entering a new era, one as radiant as its history.
The beauty of the architecture, the magic of the gardens, and the subtle interplay of bold colors and timeless materials all contribute to the joy of living in these places.Villa Almanarre · Hyères
An eclectic style with a classic flair
Marcel Deslignières designed the villa in the spirit of “classicism without ostentation”—with rigorous proportions, refined details, and an overall sense of simplicity.
Lœbnitz Earthenware: A Unique Signature
Glazed ceramic crown moldings, white tiles punctuated by blue rosettes, and turquoise cabochons—all unique pieces from the Jules Lœbnitz Manufactory in Paris.
Facing the Mediterranean
The south facade features bow windows and a terrace with arcades, designed to make the most of the light and the ocean views.
Entertainment Areas & Living Spaces
Living room, kitchen, solid wood floors—living spaces designed for elegant entertaining.