Villa du Roc Fleuri – that roughly translates to Villa of the Floral Rock. When I saw that name flash across my screen while searching for a B&B in Cannes France, I was intrigued. It definitely sounded like a unique Cannes accommodation option. I looked it up, and sure enough it was the cutest and most un-Cannes hotel I’d seen.
While I’d never been to Cannes before, Charles has, as well as several of my colleagues and friends, since that’s where the famous advertising festival is held every year. And considering all I’d ever heard were stories of yachts, the Croisette and all sorts of debauchery, a picture of Cannes was pretty well-formed in my personal opinion. Villa du Roc Fleuri was about to change all of that.
Getting there
I’d emailed the owner of this cute B&B in Cannes letting her know we’ll be arriving into Cannes pretty late at night, half expecting to be told it was far too late an hour for a check-in. Instead, Fanny replied, apologizing profusely for being unable to welcome us in person at such a late hour since she needed to be awake early in order to make breakfast for the guests. She left us some very detailed instructions on how we were to get into our room. Which was such a saving grace, considering my friend and I missed the last train from Nice to Cannes (thanks to our delayed Ferry from Corsica) and ended up having to take a taxi in the wee hours. We found the cute ivy lined gate at the end of a steep stop, and trundled up the stairs, tired and sleepy. We barely got a good look at our surrounds or even the room, until we woke up the next morning.
The room
The next morning, I woke up fresh and early, with sunlight streaming into the bright and happy room. I looked around at the clean white space, feeling well-rested and ready to go! A pretty desk under the window stocked a whole lot of visitor guides and tourist information, no doubt left there by the rather thoughtful Fanny. My friend and I poured through the brochures, marking out all the things we’d like to see and do. The most helpful page was Fanny’s personal recommendations of the best beaches in Cannes, with detailed descriptions with the pros cons and prices on each. The bathroom was a step above the room, which gave the room a wonderful sense of space.
The Villa
Having gotten ready rather quickly, I couldn’t wait to explore the rest of this hilltop villa. I’d only gotten a teeny glimpse of it the previous night, and it certainly looked very quaint. I stepped out into the Riviera sun, and saw a terrace with wooden slats and comfy cushions shining bright, warm and inviting. I turned the corner and realized our room was on the first level of a multi-level, cut-into-the-rock home. I found myself standing in the cool, green shade of an ivy canopy, and made my way across to the winding staircase that descended into the street and ascended to the rest of the villa. Climbing up, I passed a floral world of potted plants, shrubs, vines and cacti towards a gorgeous glass house. Finding Fanny seated at one of the tables outside the glasshouse, I went up to her and introduced myself, delighted to be able to use my French. She was warm and welcome, much like her adorable dogs. She ushered me upstairs through a little garden, up a set of wooden stairs to a little treehouse terrace of sorts, saying, “You’re just in time, the light here is beautiful at this time of day.” (It just doesn’t sound as magically lyrical in this English translation as it did when she said it in French). I spent some time basking in the glowing morning sun, enjoying every minute of it, until my stomach growled, reminding me I hadn’t had a chance to eat dinner the night before owing to our missed train calamity. She seemed to read my mind, at once asking if we were ready to have breakfast.
The Breakfast
I followed Fanny into the glasshouse where a beautifully shabby chic breakfast setting sat glinting in the sun. Beautiful crystal goblets for juice, fresh pots of cream and home-made jams, a selection of Viennoiserie and the divine smell of coffee wafting through the air. She served us eggs and coffee made to order, with pots of chilled yoghurt while we helped ourselves to fruits and cereal. It felt like just the right balance of rustic wholesomeness and elegant summer lightness.
The Verdict
We enjoyed the two days we spent at the Villa du Roc Fleuri and couldn’t recommend it enough for where to stay in Cannes France. And I know that of all the B&B in Cannes France, if I were to return for a Cannes France holiday, this is where I’d want to stay. At the top of the hill, on a floral rock, just a short bus ride from all the action of the Croisette, but cut off enough to enjoy a quiet, slow breakfast.
This post was made possible by Villa du Roc Fleuri. Opinions as always, are our own.
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