Belle-Époque Villas - Fréjus Tourist Office

Long before its golden age, Saint-Aygulf was a peaceful hamlet of fishermen, farmers and coral divers. These inhabitants lived to the rhythm of the tides, surrounded by wooded hills and fertile lands, where orange, lemon and olive trees thrived.

Located in a privileged natural setting, this little corner of Fréjus quickly attracts attention. Since the Belle Époque, visionaries and lovers of unspoiled nature have been seduced by this place. They appreciate its location by the sea, its mild climate and its landscapes, where land and water meet harmoniously.

Seaside elegance and literary heritage

In the 1880s, the arrival of the Société Anonyme des Terrains de la Méditerranée (SATM) marked a decisive turning point for Saint-Aygulf. The town was rapidly transformed: the first housing developments were created and an ambitious network of boulevards began to take shape. Thus, a new seaside resort was born.

This development quickly attracted the attention of influential figures. Writers and artists in search of peace and inspiration made Saint-Aygulf a true haven of peace. The place then became a popular refuge for the elite, in search of rest and beauty.

The Belle Époque villas, majestically installed on the edge of the forest and facing the sea, embody the elegance of the seaside style. Built among pines and eucalyptus trees, they are distinguished by their brown sandstone walls, wrought iron gates and finely worked balusters, thus offering a discreet but refined architecture.

The Belle-Époque Villas,

a refuge of inspiration

Some of these residences still exist today, bearing witness to a past where neat fences and gates welcomed prestigious guests. Among them, the writers Alexandre Dumas fils, Victorien Sardou, and especially Guy de Maupassant, who stayed there frequently. Indeed, Maupassant, who returned regularly to Saint-Aygulf, was deeply enchanted by the striking beauty of nature.

In this context, he found an inexhaustible source of inspiration for his evocative descriptions. He often visited the Siegfried family at the Grands Châteaux estate and let himself be lulled by the spectacle of the reeds and birds near the ponds. In addition, on board his sailing ship Bel Ami, he contemplated the lights of twilight reflected in the calm waters. He was thus captivated by the beauty of this “little Camargue”, both wild and soothing.

Over time, Saint-Aygulf gradually became a popular destination. In 1927, Economic and financial illustration describes it as one of the most beautiful on the Maures coast. Doctor Donnadieu, resident of the villa "Mosella", then compares the Gulf of Fréjus, seen from Saint-Aygulf, to that of Naples. He is dazzled by the mild climate and the splendor of this preserved coastline.

Thus, Saint-Aygulf, a district of Fréjus, still embodies the timeless charm of the Belle Époque. This place, where the beauty of nature and architectural elegance harmoniously respond to each other, continues to seduce new visitors.

Belle Epoque villas

Marius Coullet Avenue Saint-aygulf

83600 Fréjus

04 94 53 82 47

06 37 67 73 73

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