Unique Belle Époque Villa Near Avignon, Overlooking the Papal Palace
What makes this property unique is the Moorish-inspired details seen in the Belle Époque architecture —arched loggias, carved columns, and decorative tilework— which exemplifies the Orientalist hybrid fashionable in late-19th-century France.
Set on the heights of Villeneuve-lès-Avignon, it commands panoramic views across the Rhône Valley, the Alpilles, and the Papal Palace of Avignon. Listed with Emile Garcin, the price is available upon request.
The residence extends to approximately 700 m² (7,535 sq ft) arranged over a ground floor, two upper levels, an attic, and a basement with cellar. It comprises nine bedrooms alongside a monumental entrance hall, multiple reception rooms, a grand marble staircase, and high ceilings with period paintings. A long orangery opens onto a wide south-facing terrace overlooking the gardens.
Set within 4,368 m² (47,018 sq ft / 1.08 acres) of terraced grounds planted with ancient trees, the property also includes a swimming pool and a small annex at the entrance.
While the structure requires restoration, many of its architectural details reflect the eclecticism that defined Belle Époque Orientalism. Horseshoe and pointed arches reinterpret Islamic motifs, while red marble and carved stone columns recall palatial references from the Alhambra. A striking ceiling with honeycomb and lattice geometries echoes muqarnas ornamentation, and the orangery features ceramic tilework reminiscent of Moorish azulejos.
This is not a pure Moorish residence but a Belle Époque Orientalist hybrid, blending neoclassical villa architecture with revivalist ornament. Eclectic and theatrical, such villas were particularly fashionable in France at the turn of the 20th century, when Avignon’s historic prestige and the landscapes of the Rhône Valley drew artists, writers, and the elite.
Today, Avignon is increasingly considered one of France’s up-and-coming destinations. Beyond its UNESCO-listed Palais des Papes and summer theatre festival, the city benefits from its location in the southern Rhône Valley, a region synonymous with acclaimed vineyards and historic villages. The Alpilles hills—linked to Van Gogh and the Provençal landscape tradition—are within easy reach, while Marseille-Provence International Airport is under an hour away. For buyers, the area combines cultural cachet with growing appeal among international second-home owners.
Now in need of restoration, the property offers a rare opportunity to revive an architectural time capsule—one that bridges Belle Époque grandeur with the orientalist imagination, set against the extraordinary backdrop of Avignon and the Rhône Valley.
All photos courtesy of the listing agency.
