À Upon arrival at the property, a dragon in bas-relief appears before those who dare venture into its lair. Built by Jacques Couëlle (1902-1996) in 1964 – the same year as the inauguration of the Maeght Foundation in Saint-Paul-de-Vence – the troglodyte villa in Mouans-Sartoux unfolds in unexpected and generous organic forms, which the pioneer drew from his observation of nature. This architectural masterpiece is one of a group of five landscape houses in the Castellaras development. Acquired by a London-based holding company, it has been a haven for international artists since 2024, far from the hustle and bustle of the city. "The architect made his models with wire, and he shaped these volumes in a spontaneous and rapid artistic gesture, as evidenced by the arched peaks of the rooms," explains Maxime Combot, director of this artists' residence and former director of Domaine du Muy.

At the crossroads of fine craftsmanship and design

Other emblematic features of the house include its central patio, punctuated by the gentle flow of a waterfall, and its light-filled opening at the front, which offers a panoramic view of the horizon. “Couëlle has always been a major influence on me, and I have incredible childhood memories of playing hide-and-seek in the nooks and crannies of the La Galère harbor, which he built in Théoule-sur-Mer,” explains Olivia Cognet. Invited to exhibit her pieces there until November, the ceramic designer drew inspiration from the cavities, recesses, and irregular volumes. A specialist in habitable sculptures, she placed a sofa with curved, graphic lines in the living room, following the undulation of the walls. Even in his time, the French architect collaborated with the designer-sculptor François Thévenin to create the ironwork that defines the villa's distinctive character.

A home-studio in harmony with the artists

Jacques Couëlle was a friend of Picasso and Salvador Dalí, and wandering through this labyrinth, one could easily imagine oneself in Catalonia, so pervasive are the echoes of Gaudí. Polychrome ceramics cascade down in tiers towards windows with their raw, stained-glass panes. To the villa's original sprayed concrete structure, its wall-mounted sofa, and its niche fireplace have been added the traces of its various occupants. The first owners commissioned wooden shutters inspired by the stylized faces of Jean Cocteau. In the bathroom, dozens of mosaic tesserae gleam like the sun reflecting off those in Barcelona's Park Güell. The house now hosts a hybrid residency project for visual artists and writers. "We welcome cohorts of visual artists and curatorial figures, thinkers, and commissioners. Over the course of their stays, Dragon Hill organizes exhibitions showcasing the results," says Maxime Combot with delight. Antony Gormley, Tony Cragg, Thomas Houseago, Alicja Kwade… so many big names gathered in the sculpture park in the garden. Thus, the contemporary project aims to extend the spirit of freedom instilled by Jacques Couëlle.