La Muse d'Orphée - Jean Marais' former villa in the Cannes hinterland

In Cabris, in the hinterland of Cannes, discover the former home of Jean Marais, one of the world's most famous movie stars, where Jean Cocteau also stayed.

This luxurious residence, La Muse d'Orphée, is nestled in a 15,000 m² landscaped garden and embodies the perfect union between the rich history of the Côte d'Azur and contemporary luxury. French cinema icon Jean Marais and multi-faceted artist Jean Cocteau left their indelible mark on this property, where friendships with Gabrielle Chanel, Pablo Picasso and Pierre Cardin were forged around their shared passion for art and theater.

Jean Marais and Jean Cocteau on the Côte d'Azur

Jean Marais, born in 1913, left his mark on French cinema with a brilliant career and a unique artistic reconversion, from theater stage to potter's studio in Vallauris Golfe Juan, as well as through his relationship with mentor and dear friend Jean Cocteau.

From the start of their relationship, Cocteau recognized Marais' talent, offering him tailor-made roles in the theater and encouraging him to turn to the cinema. Their collaboration gave rise to such iconic films as "L'Eternel Retour", "La Belle et la Bête", "L'Aigle à deux Têtes", "Les Parents Terribles" and "Le Comte de Monte-Cristo".

At the same time, Marais embarked on a distinguished theatrical career, joining the Comédie Française in the late 40s.

In the 50s, Marais acquired a plot of land in the Cannes hinterland, which he fell head over heels in love with for its incredible panorama and exceptional bucolic setting, and on which he built this property. It was in this property that he lived with Cocteau, an emblematic figure of cinema and the arts who maintained close links with Cannes, presiding over the Film Festival there on several occasions before his death in 1963.

The 60s also saw Marais' fame grow thanks to his roles in adventure and cloak-and-dagger films such as "Le Bossu", "Capitan", "Les Mystères de Paris" and "Fantômas", attracting a new audience. He left behind a remarkable cinematic legacy, having appeared in 79 films and 72 plays.

Around 1973, as his film career slowed down, Marais developed an interest in pottery and discovered the charming commune of Vallauris. Inspired by Picasso, he made a major artistic shift to become a self-taught potter.

In 1975, he opened a gallery in Vallauris, now called Espace Jean Marais, where he exhibited his work. He left La Muse d'Orphée and settled in Vallauris in the 1980s, buying a property called "Le Préau".

The Cocteau museums in Menton and Antibes, and the Espace Jean Marais in Vallauris, bear witness to their cultural influence in the region. These museums offer an immersive dive into their lives, celebrating their unique contributions to art and film, and offering visitors an immersion into their lives and their exceptional contributions to art and film.

Architects of the Côte d'Azur image

Close friends with Gabrielle Chanel, Pablo Picasso and Pierre Cardin, Cocteau and Jean Marais helped build the prestigious image of the Côte d'Azur today, marked by luxury and architecture as elegant as it is daring. Gabrielle Chanel, known as Coco, stayed at La Pausa, her property in Roquebrune Cap Martin, with her husband Paul Eribe, who was closely involved in the world of cinema. At the time, Coco was designing and creating costumes for theater and cinema. She would always have friendly words for Jean Marais:

"Jean Marais... His curiosity and outspokenness appeal to me" Coco Chanel

As for Pablo Picasso, he worked in several of the Côte d'Azur's most emblematic locations, helping to shape his artistic imprint on the region. In Vallauris, where he settled in the 1940s, he immersed himself in the art of pottery and ceramics, opening up new artistic perspectives.

His collaboration with the Madoura workshop in Vallauris produced a remarkable series of ceramics. Picasso also spent time in Antibes, where he was artist-in-residence at the Château Grimaldi, now known as the Musée Picasso. There, he created several major works, capturing the spirit of the Mediterranean in his paintings and drawings.

These places were inexhaustible sources of inspiration for Picasso, profoundly influencing his art and leaving a lasting mark on the Côte d'Azur art scene.

For his part, French designer Pierre Cardin, probably the most renowned of the '60s, was quick to collaborate with the film world, meeting Cocteau and Marais in 1946 on the set of Beauty and the Beast, for which he designed the costumes and masks. He also dubbed Jean Marais, the lead, for the action scenes. An iconic name on the Côte d'Azur, Pierre Cardin was the owner of the Palais Bulle in Théoule sur Mer, designed by the famous Antti Lovag. It's all of them, among others, who give the Côte d'Azur its aura of prestige and global art scene.

The Muse d'Orphée property: A Provencal property of the highest standing

This 511 m² residence, entirely imagined by Jean Marais alongside a Parisian architect, and completely renovated in 2001, reveals timeless elegance. In addition to its history linked to Jean Marais and Jean Cocteau, this exceptional residence boasts some outstanding details, notably the main entrance door crafted by renowned ironworker Jean Jacques Tosello. His ornamental works, elegantly punctuating the space, testify to the architectural refinement of this residence.

The main building includes a majestic master bedroom, a refined living room, a convivial dining room and a fully equipped independent kitchen. Three further bedrooms guarantee privacy and comfort. The outdoor area - with its superb saltwater swimming pool lined with extremely rare river stone imported from Corsica - offers an outdoor lounge and summer kitchen with bar and barbecue, and extensive outdoor terraces.

The guest pavilion includes a fully equipped kitchen, a living room with fireplace and bar, three spacious bedrooms, a functional laundry room and a garage. Ideally situated in a dominant position with superb views all the way to the sea, the property enjoys the peace and quiet of the hinterland while being just 30 minutes from the beaches of Cannes and Nice international airport.

Details by Jean Jacques Tosello

Jean Jacques Tosello, a renowned master wrought-iron craftsman, is renowned for his goldsmith's work in the field of artistic wrought-iron. A native of the Côte d'Azur, his creations have left their mark on many prestigious residences in the region, including the Commanderie de Peyrassol, notably through his remarkable achievements in artistic ironwork.

His exceptional craftsmanship is reflected in meticulously crafted works, subtly blending tradition and modernity. Tosello has infused his creations with a singular aesthetic, offering a unique stamp to the spaces he has embellished, testifying to his talent as an exceptional craftsman.

Côte d'Azur Sotheby's International Realty: The assurance of worldwide exclusivity

This exceptional property, offered exclusively by Côte d'Azur Sotheby's International Realty, embodies our commitment to luxury, comfort and elegance. Our agency, part of the world's #1 luxury real estate network, is established on the Croisette, as well as in 4 other strategic locations on the Côte d'Azur: Saint-Tropez, Nice, Saint Jean Cap Ferrat and Beaulieu sur Mer.

We thus offer a privileged position for showcasing exceptional properties such as La Muse d'Orphée. We are proud to present this rare opportunity on the market, uniting cinematic history with contemporary sophistication.

To find out more, contact Frédéric Barth, CEO of Côte d'Azur Sotheby's International Realty and member of the Private Desk.