Why book Le Grand Jardin Cannes – Ultima Collection

Cannes in summer is many things, glamorous, frenetic, sun-drenched, and unapologetically high-gloss. But peaceful? Not usually. That’s what makes Le Grand Jardin Cannes (a property by the doyens of luxury private rentals, Ultima Collection) so compelling. This 13th-century estate turned ultra-private residence feels like another world entirely, set on its own private island just 10 minutes by boat from the Croisette.

It has 12 en-suite bedrooms, its own wellness centre, swimming pool, dining spaces and oodles of tropical gardens for sunbathing, reading, relaxing and hiding away. Île Sainte-Marguerite is at your fingers tips and you’re a short boat ride from the mainland. When you book Le Grand Jardin, you get the boat (a sleek, teak-decked Venetian-style launch), the skipper, and the whole island at your fingertips to explore. Ultima Collection is known for its impressive properties and Le Grand Jardin Cannes takes it to new heights. Guests can enjoy the likes of Augustinus Bader and Zuma on site, in a remote and idyllic setting. This is one of the French Riviera’s best kept secrets, and a property for those who want to do this stunning coastline without comprising on anything.

Le Grand Jardin Cannes, Good to Know

• Rates: From €150,000/week (exclusive hire only)
• Vibe: Private island chic meets Provençal elegance
• Best for: Multi-gen families, milestone celebrations, ultra-private group retreats
• Avoid if: You want hotel-style service or buzzing nightlife on your doorstep
• Getting there: 10-minute boat ride from Cannes old port (private boat and skipper included); helipad on site
• Rooms: 12 en-suite bedrooms across main villa, garden cottages and spa suites
• Facilities: Large outdoor pool, gym, spa with sauna, steam and hammam
• Spa treatments: Seed to Skin therapies, Augustinus Bader facials
• Don’t miss: Poolside aperitifs, morning swims off the rocky island coves, guaranteed reservations at La Guérite Cannes

Set the scene

Le Grand Jardin sits on Île Sainte-Marguerite, the largest of the Lérins Islands just off the coast of Cannes. Though the island is open to the public during the day, the estate is walled and totally private – shielded by centuries-old cypress and eucalyptus trees and bordered by the sea. Once the summer day-trippers have left by evening, it’s yours alone.

Getting here is part of the charm: a 10-minute boat ride from Cannes’ old port whisks you to the island, where staff greet you at the private dock. From there, a short walk through citrus groves and palm-lined paths leads you to the estate: an ivy-covered historic stone house with a low-key grandeur that feels more Medici than movie mogul. Peace and isolation is the modus operandi here, but if you’re craving a little Riviera buzz, Cannes’ famously hard-to-book party restaurant La Guérite is just a 15-minute stroll away through the pine trees. The estate has a partnership with the restaurant, meaning you’ll always have a table, even in peak season.

The rooms

Much like the estate itself, Le Grand Jardin’s accommodations are anything but uniform. 12 en-suite bedrooms are spread across the grounds in a series of individual cottages, suites and restored stone buildings, each one distinct and offering various degrees of privacy.

There are garden cottages tucked under olive trees, modern and minimalist spa suites with direct access to the wellness zone, and a beautifully appointed suite in the original main villa, which comes with high ceilings, a fireplace, and arched French windows that open onto manicured lawns. Interiors are warm and natural, with limewashed walls, oak beams, pale linen, and antique detailing throughout. Think Provençal heritage meets understated Riviera elegance. The most unique is the historic fort tower itself, which has a plush main bedroom that’s accessed by a narrow winding stairway. The pièce de résistance is its own rooftop complete with tiny cannon, overlooking the boats bobbing inthe azure bay. The layouts make the estate ideal for group stays. Each guest has their own space and privacy, but communal terraces and dining areas bring everyone together when needed.

Rooms are stocked with Ultima Collection toiletries and have a coffee machine, supply of bottled Evian and a button to discreetly call for service – giving the pleasures and comforts of a hotel, in a private rental. Our spa suite has a charming outdoor terrace, looking into the walled gardens, and we can hear the buzz of the pool terrace upstairs, but also hide away down with a book – finding the perfect balance for a family or group escape… Elsewhere, there’s a beautiful indoor lounge area, opening up onto the gardens, indoor dining area for if the weather turns, and a ‘gaming’ style space in the fort.

The spa and facilities

For an estate designed for privacy and off-grid escapism, Le Grand Jardin delivers more facilities than you might expect. There’s a large outdoor swimming pool surrounded by lavender and palms, a modern, fully equipped gym, and plenty of lounging areas throughout the gardens—some in full sun, others hidden in dappled shade.

The wellness area is a highlight, complete with a sauna, steam room and hammam, plus an indoor-outdoor treatment space where massages, scrubs, and facials are carried out using Seed to Skin products. Skincare devotees will be pleased to find Augustinus Bader facials on the treatment menu too – rare to see at a private property, and a nice touch that elevates the offering (all part of Ultima’s new drive to create meaningful and impressive partnerships for its guests with elite brands). Our spa suite is conveniently round the corner, so we tumble from bed, into fluffy robe, onto spa table, and back. Feeling like we’re in a private home.

What makes Le Grand Jardin so special, and unlike a hotel, is that everything operates on your time. There are no spa hours or rigid schedules, nop other guests to content with – your concierge will arrange it all to suit your rhythm. Want a facial before breakfast or a massage after a late dinner? Just say the word.

Drinking and dining

This section is brief, and that’s because dining can be anything you want it to be. All Le Grand Jardin Cannes bookings come with a a private chef, who can cook up anything you like, or suggest menus. The chef is included, but ingredients are down to the guest, which also means more freedom and flexilibty to have whatever from wherever. We enjoy fresh salads and wholesome vegetables, colourful fruits, fish, meats, breakfasts of pancakes and eggs, and after a day of Provence rosé, plates of French fries.

As part of Ultima Collection’s exclusive collaboration with Zuma, guests of groups of 10 or more can also enjoy what feels like an almost fantastical indulgence – a four-course menu of Zuma classics crafted on site by a dedicated Zuma chef, complete with curated music, tableware, lighting and more. The experience is completely designed around the guest, and available (when booked in advance) from €580 per guest.

The experience

What sets Le Grand Jardin apart isn’t just the setting, it’s the seamless, behind-the-scenes service. There’s a private chef available, and an in-villa concierge who handles everything from provisioning to boat excursions, wine tastings, and candlelit dinners in the gardens. The boat (and skipper) are on standby throughout your stay, ideal for morning coffee runs to Cannes, afternoon swims off the coast of Antibes or spontaneous trips to Saint-Tropez.

During our stay, mornings were slow – yoga in the gardens, breakfast by the pool, reading under citrus trees. One morning, French perfumers Fragonard even popped over from nearby Grasses to run a leisurely perfume workshop, each of us creating our own signature scent. Afternoons drifted between the sea, the spa, and we lunched at La Guérite, soaking up its inimitable joie de vivre. Evenings meant long dinners, quiet music and total stillness.

Why Book It

Le Grand Jardin offers something incredibly rare on the Riviera: complete seclusion with seamless access. You’re 10 minutes from Cannes but feel a world away. The estate is historic without being stuffy, luxurious without trying too hard, and entirely private without losing service or comfort. And the fact that you get your own island – with 12 bedrooms, a spa, a gym, and your own boat – makes this one of the most unique and exclusive rental properties in the Mediterranean.

It’s not cheap, and it’s not for everyone. But for the kind of guest who’s done the hotels, skipped the crowds, and wants somewhere just for them – this may be the best-kept secret on the Côte d’Azur.

ultimacollection.com, @legrandjardin_cannes

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