Step Inside Ella Fitzgerald’s Former French Riviera Retreat – Now a Luxury Residence

The French Riviera has always been a haven for icons, and now one of its most storied addresses is back in the spotlight. The former suite of American jazz legend Ella Fitzgerald at the illustrious Le Provençal in Cap d’Antibes has been transformed into a glamorous turnkey residence – and it’s on the market for $9.7 million (€7.75 million).

Known as the “First Lady of Song,” Fitzgerald would retreat to the Côte d’Azur for respite, and in 1963 famously sang from the window of her fourth-floor suite, serenading the crowd below. Today, that same suite has been reimagined by developer John Caudwell as part of a £300 million redevelopment of the landmark property, which now houses just 35 private residences.

Le Provençal was once the playground of Pablo Picasso, Coco Chanel and Hollywood royalty before closing its doors in 1977. Acquired in 2014 by Caudwell, the grand hotel has since undergone a meticulous transformation – blending Riviera nostalgia with modern luxury.

The Fitzgerald-inspired show apartment spans 2,180 square feet with an additional 562 square feet of terraces and loggia, overlooking the yacht-dotted Mediterranean. Interiors honour the Riviera’s golden years with a palette of warm tones, gilded accents, and contemporary artwork.

Design touches pay subtle tribute to Fitzgerald’s style: purple and dark-gold cushions in the bedrooms, cream sofas, a timber dining table, and coffered ceilings in the living room. The kitchen features bespoke timber cabinetry, Miele appliances and a marble island, while each bedroom suite includes marble bathrooms, walk-in dressing rooms, and private terrace access. A third bedroom doubles as a study.

Residents enjoy access to an array of shared spaces with Art Deco flair, including a cinema, spa, restaurant, retail boutiques and six acres of landscaped gardens complete with a 98-foot pool – all moments from the famous Hôtel Belles Rives beach club.

Fitzgerald first stayed at Le Provençal in 1960 when she inaugurated the Festival Jazz à Juan in nearby Juan-les-Pins. She returned for performances in 1963, 1964 and 1967, leaving behind a cultural imprint that is woven into the new apartment’s design.

As Caudwell’s group director of sales, Lars Christiaanse, explains:

“This residence is a striking mixture of vibrancy and understated elegance, paying homage to the Golden Years of the Riviera and the illustrious career of Ella Fitzgerald.”

With its storied history and breathtaking views, the apartment is not just a home – it’s a piece of Riviera heritage, reimagined for a new era of luxury living.