Estates, domaines and bastides

In the hills behind the coast, from Mougins and Opio to Grasse and Saint-Paul-de-Vence, a domaine usually means a main house with one or more guest houses, a pool house and grounds large enough for privacy. A bastide is the traditional Provençal country house of stone, often extended over the generations. Some estates sit within gated private domains whose owners share the cost of roads, gates and security. In the official DVF records for 2024 and 2025, 59 houses in Mougins and 55 in Antibes sold for more than €2 million, the highest counts among the western communes.

Before making an offer on an estate, a buyer should check:

1. the planning status of every building, since an outbuilding turned into living space needs its own planning consent (pools, extensions and planning);
2. the zoning of the land in the commune's PLU, which sets what may be built or extended;
3. the brush-clearing obligation in fire-risk areas, which on large wooded grounds is a real annual cost;
4. drainage, water supply and the condition of each building's systems (property diagnostics);
5. in a gated domain, the rules and the annual charges of the owners' association;
6. the best way to hold the property, discussed in our guide to buying through an SCI.

Opio

Exceptional Estate

Co-exclusive estate within a gated private domain of eleven villas in Opio, close to Valbonne and a golf course. A main villa of about 300 m² is accompanied by a 93 m² independent house and a 42 m² guest house, suited to multi-generational living.

7 bedroomsMain villa approx. 300 m², independent house 93 m², guest house 42 m²Pool

2 950 000 €

Last updated: 11 October 2026