The allure of a seaside villa: enjoy direct access to the sea from your property

“Pieds dans l’eau” (true waterfront) villas form a complex segment of the coastal property market—one that demands perfect command of coastal regulations, marine technical constraints, and in-depth knowledge of the local network of owners.

At Estate Prestige Knight Frank, over the years we have built privileged relationships with the owners of these exceptional homes—places where you step onto the beach from your garden, where the surf rocks you to sleep, and where the terrace turns into a natural pontoon.

We combine this relationship capital with technical expertise in the specificities of the coastline, enabling us to navigate this market’s complexity efficiently.

Villas with private access to the sea, the beach, and private pools: exclusivity within reach

The “pieds dans l’eau” villas offered by Estate Prestige all feature direct access to the sea, allowing residents to enjoy the beach or the water just a few steps from their property.

This unique feature lets you relax on the sand, swim, or take part in water sports with ease—while staying within the intimate, private setting of the villa.

Private access to the sea: an exceptional investment

Buying a seafront villa with direct access to the sea is an investment that blends natural beauty, exclusivity, and quality of life.

Every villa in our Estate Prestige Knight Frank selection offers private access to the water, delivering a unique, privileged living environment—a truly differentiating asset.

Whether for a primary or secondary residence, these properties are ideal for anyone wishing to invest as close to the sea as possible while retaining the privacy, tranquility, and luxury that an exclusive access provides.

Property prices on the seafront have trended upward in recent years, particularly along the Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts. The scarcity of these homes, combined with strong demand, has helped stabilize prices and even produce slight increases in some areas. Although the market slowed briefly during the pandemic, it rebounded quickly, buoyed by renewed interest in second homes.

Private pools: an essential asset for seaside villas

Seaside villas with direct access to the water often stand out thanks to their private pools, which add an extra touch of luxury and privacy.

Whether it’s an infinity pool offering breathtaking sea views or a traditional pool in a landscaped garden, these features let you fully enjoy aquatic pleasures while preserving tranquility.

Beyond their aesthetic and functional appeal, private pools increase the value of these properties, making them a preferred choice both for personal use and for high-potential rental investment.

The geography of properties with direct sea access

Luxury real estate on the Cap d’Antibes is home to some of the last truly “pieds dans l’eau” villas on the Mediterranean. Villa Eilenroc—with its private pontoon and gardens descending to the rocks—embodies the harmony buyers seek between architecture and shoreline.

More discreet, the Giens peninsula retains around a dozen properties accessible only via private paths, where gardens end at wild coves. Between Nice and the luxury market in Cannes, a few historic villas also maintain this ultimate privilege of true waterfront living.

On the Atlantic coast, the Cap Ferret peninsula nurtures a tradition of oyster huts, an increasing number of which have been transformed into luxury residences.

These former wooden structures, refurbished with noble materials, offer direct access to the Arcachon Bay. Their stilted terraces overlook the water at high tide, creating the sensation of floating on the lagoon.

Between the luxury markets of Biarritz and Saint-Jean-de-Luz, the coastal path reveals properties clinging to the cliffside:

• 1930s villas with stairways cut into the rock, leading to private beaches
• Renovated former fishermen’s houses, with direct launch points for small boats
• Contemporary stilt houses engineered to withstand winter storms
• Estates with pebble beaches effectively privatized through century-old concessions
• Architect-designed refuges nestled within rocky crevices

This geography of absolute privilege is rarely discovered from the land. It is by sea—cruising along the coast—that these secret havens reveal themselves, invisible from coastal roads.

Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat illustrates this access complexity, with properties hidden behind pines, reachable only by private paths or from the sea. Such a layout requires perfect knowledge of the terrain and access points—expertise our teams have developed over the years.

Architecture versus the elements: the challenges of true waterfront (“pieds dans l’eau”)

Building and maintaining a villa directly on the shoreline draws on specialized technical expertise—quite different from a luxury villa with merely a sea view. Foundations sometimes anchor directly into maritime rock, requiring in-depth geotechnical studies and specific construction techniques.

On the Basque coast, for example, some properties rest on substructures in Bidache stone, capable of withstanding the repeated assaults of the Atlantic. This mastery of concrete is especially evident along the Côte d’Azur, where the constraints of limestone terrain compound those of the marine environment.

Here, materials are chosen with stringent marine-resistance standards in mind. Marine-grade 5 anodized aluminum joinery, 316L stainless steel fastenings, and natural hydraulic lime renders—every element is selected to resist salt and sea spray.

Outdoor layouts follow the same logic of adaptation:

• Terraces in Bali stone or porcelain stoneware, unaffected by salt
• Planting schemes with halophytic species: tamarisk, pittosporum, atriplex
• Pools with filtration systems reinforced against sand intrusion
• Outdoor showers in copper or solid brass with natural patina
• Gates and fences in rot-proof composite materials
• Outdoor lighting rated IP67 for absolute watertightness

These technicalities are rarely visible—but they are essential. They guarantee the longevity of these exceptional properties. Construction and maintenance costs—significantly higher than for set-back villas—reflect this technical excellence. An investment that only connoisseurs fully appreciate.

Estate Prestige Knight Frank expertise for outstanding properties

Looking to acquire a seaside villa?

Your oceanfront villa exists—somewhere between the calanques of Cassis and the coves of Cap Corse, between the Landes beaches and the Breton cliffs.

Contact our experts to benefit from our technical command of the coastal market and our long-standing network.

We will guide you safely through the regulatory and technical complexity of these exceptional acquisitions. Title verification—particularly complex on the maritime public domain—requires meticulous analysis.

Rights of way and beach rights are just some of the legal aspects we master to perfection.

FAQ: common questions about acquiring a seaside villa villa au bord de la mer

What’s the difference between a sea-view villa and a true waterfront (“pieds dans l’eau”) villa?

A true waterfront villa offers direct, private access to the sea from the property—typically via steps, a pontoon, or a private beach. A sea-view villa may be set back or elevated. “Pieds dans l’eau” implies an immediate physical relationship with the shoreline, specific technical constraints, and absolute rarity that strongly enhances value.

How do you protect a seafront villa from erosion and storms?

Protection relies on several measures: rock armoring and retaining walls to stabilize the land, breakwaters to reduce wave energy, and sophisticated drainage to evacuate water. Reinforced joinery, storm shutters, and ballasted roofs complement these protections. Regular inspections by coastal-engineering specialists are, in our view, essential.

Can you privatize the beach in front of your villa?

In France, the maritime public domain is inalienable. However, some properties benefit from historic rights or temporary occupation concessions for light installations. Access to the beach may be private from the property, but the public generally retains a right of passage along the coastline, except in particular geographical configurations.

Which areas are best for a true waterfront villa?

The Côte d’Azur concentrates the most prestigious properties, notably in Cap d’Antibes and on the Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat peninsula. The Basque coast offers spectacular villas facing the Atlantic. The Arcachon Bay appeals with its preserved character.