Villa Les Chenes Verts, meaning 'The Green Oaks,' is one of the oldest and most literary villas on Cap d'Antibes. Built in 1866 by architect Auguste Abeille for the French playwright Adolphe d'Ennery, who had purchased the plot the previous year, the villa occupies a prominent position on the eastern coast of the Cap overlooking the Golfe Juan.
The villa's greatest claim to fame is its association with Jules Verne. From 1874, the legendary science fiction author spent several winters at Les Chenes Verts, where he collaborated with d'Ennery on stage adaptations of his novels, most notably the wildly successful theatrical version of Around the World in 80 Days. The peaceful setting of the Cap, with its panoramic sea views and sheltering oak trees, provided an ideal creative retreat for one of the 19th century's most imaginative writers.
In 1938, the house was significantly refurbished and modernized by architect Louis Bensa, updating it for 20th-century living while preserving its essential character. The villa was purchased in 1953 by manufacturer Jean Joannon and became a favored venue for high-society gatherings. Today it remains a private residence, a tangible link to the literary heritage that helped establish Cap d'Antibes as a destination for the creative elite.