With the highly anticipated film Downton Abbey – A New Era opening May 20, Red Savannah Villas invites guests to embrace their inner aristocrat by staying at some of Europe’s most elegant estates. From a French chateau to a villa near Monaco, these properties offer the refined comforts and scenic backdrops that evoke the world of the Crawleys—cocktail terraces, manicured gardens and Riviera boat rides included.
La Casella © Red Savannah
La Casella, Côte d’Azur
Set just inland from the Riviera, La Casella sits in the tranquil countryside of the Côte d’Azur’s arrières-pays. This Neoclassical pavilion, once the home of former Colefax & Fowler chairman Tom Parr, enjoys some of the region’s finest garden views.
The house features a bright drawing room lined with windows and a terrace ideal for pre-dinner drinks or a leisurely morning coffee. Winding paths scented with roses and lavender lead to a pergola draped in wisteria. The gardens, designed by Claus Scheinert, capture the relaxed elegance and sunlit vistas that define the French countryside.
Villa Napoleon © Red Savannah
Villa Napoleon, Sainte-Maxime (near St. Tropez)
Close to the marina of Sainte-Maxime, Villa Napoleon spans three floors of terraces and open living areas overlooking the Gulf of St. Tropez. The villa has 11 bedrooms, each with an en-suite bathroom and a private terrace, plus entertainment spaces that cater to larger groups.
Facilities include a games room, gym, pool table, table tennis, a cinema/media suite, an outdoor kitchen and three dining terraces. The villa’s proximity to Sainte-Maxime’s shops and restaurants makes it easy to step out for an evening while retaining the privacy of a grand family retreat.
Woodstock Lodge © Red Savannah
Woodstock Lodge, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
Located near the village of Woodstock in Oxfordshire—about a 45-minute drive from the area used for the original Downton Abbey—Woodstock Lodge sits on the grounds of Blenheim Palace, the ancestral seat of the Dukes of Marlborough and the birthplace of Winston Churchill. The lodge is an ideal base for exploring the rolling hills and charming villages of the Cotswolds.
The estate offers a heated pool, an AstroTurf tennis court, a gym, pool table, cinema/media room and a Jacuzzi. Stroll the surrounding meadows, watch sheep grazing and enjoy the rural serenity that feels distinctly English and timeless.
Chateau Margui © Red Savannah
Chateau Margui, Côte d’Azur
Chateau Margui is a grand estate featuring 18 bedrooms and an award-winning vineyard. Though it lies within easy reach of Aix-en-Provence boulevards and St. Tropez beach clubs, the 115-hectare property—complete with oak woodlands and olive groves—often feels like its own secluded world.
Accommodation is spread across the Bastide, Moulin and Bergerie. A shaded terrace overlooks the gardens and vines, creating an ideal setting for entertaining. On-site amenities include a wine cellar, a games room with a pool table, a gym, a sauna, a pool, a yoga studio and an 18-seat movie theater.
Villa Mont Charles © Red Savannah
Villa Mont Charles, near Monaco
Perched in the hills of Cap d’Ail, just three miles from Monte Carlo, Villa Mont Charles is a six-bedroom property offering sweeping views of the Cap Ferrat peninsula and the Mediterranean. Bright, modern interiors open onto terraces and landscaped lawns, while a dedicated staff prepare breakfast on the terrace and evening cocktails at sunset.
The villa’s terrace includes a heated infinity pool and direct indoor-outdoor living. For cozy nights at home there is a private cinema, while the glamour of Casino de Monte Carlo and acclaimed restaurants like Le Louis XV are a short chauffeur drive away for those seeking an elegant night out.