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Seeking space for serenity, meditation, and fertile land, the Chalaisien monks planned the property and completed construction in the late 17th century. All of their buildings still stand today. They planted gardens, olive trees, and a vineyard creating an agriculturally abundant estate that fed the neighboring village of Valbonne.
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As a silent order, the monks communicated with their brethren only via pigeon carriers. If you look at the Pigeonier Maison you'll note the distinct orientation of the tiles, this was so the pigeons knew to return to this property.
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The monks also constructed a tunnel connecting this property to their monastery in Valbonne. The tunnel's entrance, as well as the monks' original bread oven, wine cellar, olive press, are all still on the property. The monks' order ultimately outgrew the estate and they moved to the Iles de Lerins off the coast of Cannes where they remain to this day. In their absence the land fell to Napoleon.
Napoleon, in the early 19th century, bequeathed this property and a neighboring estate to one of his generals. The general had two daughters, Sylvie and Louise. Sylvie inherited this estate, hence the origin of this domaine's name. La Louisiane is on the road to Biot.
The Domaine in the 1950s, before the pool, tennis court, and elevator were installed
During WWII, the Domaine, its tunnel, and cellars were used by the Resistance to hide prisoners of war. More recently, the property belonged to the Grimaldi family. The late Prince Rainier of Monaco's aunt, Princesse Josephine de Polignac, lived here until her death in the 1970s. It was then sold to the Kissin family who still holds and preserves Domaine de la Sylviane, three generations later.
This place imbues history and all those who visit this land feel its powerful, positive, significant energy.
