Demand Booming In France For Homes With Private Pools

The definition of the ultimate luxury property has evolved, and across France, high-net-worth buyers are prioritising a singular, refreshing amenity: the elite private swimming pool.

According to the latest data from France’s swimming pool industry trade organisation, the Fédération des Professionnels de la Piscine et du Spa (FPP), the country boasts nearly 3.7 million private swimming pools. With one private pool for every 19 inhabitants, France stands as the largest market in Europe and the third largest globally, comfortably leading European neighbours like Spain (1.3 million) and the UK (210,000). Over 90,600 pools were installed during 2025 alone, with the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region holding the highest concentration. The FPP attributes this historic surge to warmer summers and a fundamental shift in the luxury market, where affluent consumers increasingly favour home-centric comforts over long-haul travel.

Capitalising perfectly on this booming demand, luxury developer Caudwell has unveiled an exceptional collection of private-pool residences across two flagship French Riviera developments: Domaine de la Belle Étoile and Le Provençal.

These properties take poolside living to a grand scale, integrating private pool houses, outdoor kitchens, cabanas, and custom changing facilities directly into their architectural blueprints.

The European pool leaderboard (total private pools)

1. France: 3.7 Million
2. Spain: 1.3 Million
3. Germany: 770,020
4. Italy: 700,000
5. United Kingdom: 210,000

(Source: Fédération des Professionnels de la Piscine et du Spa)

At Domaine de la Belle Étoile on Cap d’Antibes—a 3.65-acre gated estate boasting a 14,200 sq.ft. primary villa—the in-house construction team has engineered a spectacular 23-meter in-built pool. The design features an underwater window crafted from a 10cm-thick acrylic glass wall, allowing residents to gaze into the depths of the pool from the adjoining entertaining terrace.

It's all about marquee residences and private rooftops

Nearby at the newly completed Le Provençal, a £300 million-plus transformation of a historic 1920s hotel has delivered 35 ultra-prime residences. While the estate features a magnificent 30-meter communal pool within its six acres of gardens, the development’s marquee homes offer absolute aquatic autonomy:

- Villa Jardin: This 6,458 sq.ft. trophy home boasts a 11.11-meter private swimming pool backed by its own detached pool house, bar, and outdoor dining terrace styled by Belgian and Italian design houses.
- Villa Gabrielle: Highlighted by a triple-height living room, its garden level opens onto an outdoor oasis complete with a 9-meter private pool, poolside club room, and luxury teak loungers by Harrison and Nicholas Condos.
- Villa Zelda: Spanning two floors around a historic double-height rotunda, this villa offers a 9-meter private pool with a dedicated ground-floor pool bathroom suite for seamless indoor-outdoor transitions.

For the ultimate vantage point, Le Provençal’s three palatial penthouses each feature private, rooftop mosaic-lined swimming pools ranging up to 14 meters in length. Paired with home cinemas, private fitness suites, and lifestyle services managed by the adjacent five-star Hôtel Belles Rives, these residences prove that on the modern Côte d’Azur, longevity, wellness, and the private pool reign supreme.

Photo Credit: CAUDWELL