Construction of the villa 1661 (≈ 1661)
Edited by the Peyre family.
XVIIIe siècle
Major renovations
Major renovations XVIIIe siècle (≈ 1850)
Add decors and garden.
24 octobre 1994
Historical monument classification
Historical monument classification 24 octobre 1994 (≈ 1994)
Total protection of the villa.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
Villa, in full (Box EY 74): by order of 24 October 1994
Key figures
Famille Peyre - Historical owner
Marquis de Châteauneuf, sponsors.
Origin and history
The villa of Châteauneuf is an aristocratic house built in 1661 on the hill of Gairaut in Nice. It belonged to the Peyre family, Marquis de Châteauneuf, one of the oldest lines in Nice County. This type of domain reflects the enrichment of the Nice nobility from the 16th century, which adopted the model of genoese villas for their rural residences.
The villa, renovated in the 18th century, retains a typical plan of Genoese villas, with a portico on the ground floor supporting a terrace accessible from the first floor. Its triangular pediment with a triple row of genoese and its high position give it an architectural charm and a panoramic view of Nice. These elements illustrate Genoa's influence on local architecture.
Classified as a historic monument on 24 October 1994, the villa of Châteauneuf embodies the heritage of the Nice elites. Its history is part of that of villas built by the nobility to escape urban agitation, while affirming their social status. Subsequent developments (garden, chapel, stables) bear witness to its evolution over the centuries.
The site is now fully protected, including the villa and its outbuildings. Its official address, 170 avenue de Gairaut, and its ranking underline its heritage importance in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. The villa remains an emblematic example of Nice civil architecture from the 17th and 18th centuries.
