Villa Magdala

Originally an agricultural property, the Villa was transformed during the 19th century into a holiday residence by English aristocrats. Its history is closely linked to that of the town, which became a renowned winter resort for the British community. Acquired and renovated in 1875 by English aristocrats, Mas Bocage welcomed prestigious guests, including the most famous, Queen Victoria, when she came to Hyères in March 1892, as well as writers such as Edith Wharton and Joseph Conrad, and friends like Marie-Laure and Charles de Noailles. Between 1892 and 1949, the estate was ceded to the English colony. In the second half of the twentieth century, the history of the site is linked to Mr. Chatel de Brancion, a pilot at the Hyères naval air base, who occupied it as a staff accommodation before purchasing it. He kept the estate intact and maintained it until his death in 2012.
The first architectural transformation was that of a bastide, consisting of two buildings joined together to form a vast villa with a terrace on the second floor and numerous reception rooms, offices and bedrooms. The 3-hectare park was designed around an irrigation system with numerous basins, underground vaulted channels between the well and a reservoir near the magnolia tree, with meadows dotted with rare species of trees, copses and flowers, not to mention an orchard and vegetable garden. The Villa and grounds have remained unchanged since the English took over more than one hundred and fifty years ago. Rich in this past, Villa Magdala is currently being restored. Its new owner, Marie-Magdeleine Lessana, wishes to give it an artistic and cultural identity, while preserving the beauty of the site, its heritage interest and the magnificence of its park.
The site is currently being developed as a bed & breakfast and residency, open primarily, but not exclusively, to individuals or groups involved in cultural activities. Readings, exhibitions, concerts, workshops in writing, painting, drawing, theater and many other artistic events are scheduled to take place after the construction phase, which begins in October 2023. During this construction period, the Villa will remain open for B&B and residential use.

Reservations on 06 03 59 81 80 or via contact@villamagdala.fr