With the advent of summer, visions of vacation are top of mind. Whether you gravitate towards a beach or countryside escape, there is nowhere more fascinating to stay than a property rich in provenance, especially one that has doubled as a movie set. We have rounded up five extraordinary European residences available for rent that combine centuries-old history with the best modern indulgences to set the scene for the most unique getaway imaginable.
Belvoir Castle, Leicestershire, England
With the conclusion of the The Crown last year, fans craving more of the hit Netflix series can stay at Belvoir Castle, the filming location of Windsor Castle in the show's third season. Located in Leicestershire, England, about a three-hour drive north of London, Belvoir Castle was built in 1826 in the Gothic Revival style. The original castle on the estate was first built in 1066 after the Norman Conquest and was reconstructed three times. The current pile was designed after the third castle, which housed priceless works by art by Titian, Rubens, and Reynolds, was destroyed in a fire in 1816.
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Today, Belvoir Castle is the seat of the Dukes of Rutland and encompasses an estate of 15,000 acres, including exceptional gardens and a natural amphitheater. Inside the castle's fortifications is a treasure trove of period furniture, rich tapestries, and fine paintings (the Picture Gallery features works by Thomas Gainsborough and David Teniers the Younger). Here, you can overnight in opulence: the castle can sleep up to 27 guests in 14 sumptuous bedrooms, all fit for royalty.
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Villa Balbiano, Lake Como, Italy
The shores of Lake Como have long been lined with elegant villas, but the Villa Balbiano is arguably the most iconic and glamorous of them all. Built in the 16th century by the Cardinal Tolomeo Gallio, who also built Villa D'Este in Cernobbio, the Villa Balbiano is the largest residence on the Italian lake. Experience the pinnacle of la dolce vita inside the gracious main palazzo, which boasts magnificent Baroque frescos, precious antiques, and floor-to-ceiling windows.
The villa's six suites, sleeping up to 12 guests, were restored and refreshed by acclaimed designer Jacques Garcia and are framed by panoramic views of the lake and mountains. The property itself spans over two acres, including manicured English gardens, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, and a private pier and boathouse. If this all sounds cinematic, that's because it is: Villa Balbiano was used as the home of Aldo Gucci in the 2021 film House of Gucci.
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Château de Villette, Condécourt, France
Only 25 miles from Paris, Château de Villette was designed in the 1680s by the same architects as the Palais de Versailles and was often referred to as "Le Petite Versailles." During the 18th century, the grand residence was home to Sophie de Condorcet, a celebrated society hostess, who welcomed luminaries of the time, such as Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson. Its history of hospitality has endured: the château has hosted numerous glittering fêtes and was used as a filming location for The Da Vinci Code (2006).
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The curated interiors transport guests to the elegant milieu of 18th century France, with furnishings from the reigns of Louis XIV, Louis XV, and Louis XVI. The seven ornate suites are resplendent with silk damask chaises, Rococo panels, crystal chandeliers and marble bathtubs. Outside, the splendor continues with 185 acres of woodland, including two lakes, classical gardens with tiered fountains, and a swimming pool.
Le Grand Jardin, Cannes, France
An ultra-exclusive escape, Le Grand Jardin is accessible by a 15-minute boat ride or helicopter. The estate is the only private property on the island of Sainte Marguerite, off the coast of Cannes. The forested island in the Mediterranean Sea has been inhabited since Roman times and is known for its Fort Royal, a famous prison where a mysterious prisoner was housed during the reign of Louis XIV, immortalized by Alexander Dumas in Man in the Iron Mask (1850).
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Spanning over three acres, Le Grand Jardin is anchored by a 13th-century medieval fortress in the center of the property, fringed by botanical gardens and groves of citrus and fruit trees. Sleeping up to 24 guests, the property includes one suite in the crenellated fortress, a main villa, guest house, and three cottages, all with chic, contemporary interiors. The private paradise sacrifices no luxuries: also on site is a spa, wine cellar, and swimming pools, all within a short distance of the glamorous shopping, restaurants, and beach clubs of the Côte d'Azur.
Quinta da Bella Vista, Sintra, Portugal
Crowning a hilltop in Sintra, the UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its opulent palaces of Portuguese royalty, Quinta da Bella Vista was once part of the grander Montserrate estate, including a Gothic Revival-Moorish palace built in the late 18th century by British baronet Sir Francis Cook. Cook was once one of Britain's wealthiest men in the 18th century, and his art collection even featured Leonardo da Vinci's Salvator Mundi. He reportedly built the Palladian villa of Quinta da Bella Vista on his Portuguese estate for his second wife, the American feminist stockbroker Tennessee Claflin.
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However, the most famous owner of Quinta da Bella Vista was Arthur Conan Doyle, the legendary author of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, who lived there from 1924 until his death in 1930. Today, Quinta da Bella Vista captivates with its five residences, which can sleep up to 36 guests in total, all overlooking the rolling countryside of Portugal. Renovated and reopened in 2021, the idyllic 10-acre retreat also features two swimming pools, lush gardens, and a working farm.
You can book these extraordinary rentals through LVH, the prominent luxury super home chartering company that provides access to thousands of elite homes in hundreds of global destinations.
