Driving the Grande Corniche, the highest of the three serpentine and superbly engineered roads that traverse the hills between Nice and Monaco, is an experience that resonates in the hearts of any experienced visitor to the Côte d'Azur. There is a special power and beauty about this particularly dazzling stretch of Mediterranean coastline. The brilliance of the sunshine, the lightness of the air, the breathtaking views, the vastness of the sea - these are unsurpassed anywhere on the Mediterranean when encountered from a lofty vantage point such as the Grande Corniche.

And such is the experience from Villa Ciel et Mer, which is tucked into the sun-bleached hills above Monaco near Eze-Village. The villa is below the Grande Corniche and above its counterpart lower down on the hillside, the Moyenne Corniche. It would be difficult to imagine a more ideal location for a hillside villa on the Côte d'Azur.

Guests at Villa Ciel et Mer have two ways to reach the villa or to take up luggage from the parking area: by a wide and not unusually steep stairway of 53 steps, or, more conveniently, by a funicular that holds up to four persons and rises directly to the main terrace. Thanks to the funicular visitors enjoy the commanding view across the Mediterranean that comes from the villa's position on the steep hillside, but without the discomfort or inconvenience of having to negotiate the steps.

The living space at Villa Ciel et Mer, entirely air-contioned, is on two levels. The upper level includes the living and dining rooms, kitchen, master bedroom and two guest bedrooms. The flooring throughout is a cream-colored marble, with the exception of the master bedroom, which has plush wall-to-wall carpeting.

The living and dining rooms are furnished in a comfortable modern style that emphasizes cool, bright colors. These spacious rooms open onto a large terrace and balcony that runs the length of the front facade.

The modern and fully equipped kitchen has granite countertops and a full complement of top-quality appliances, including a four-burner stove, dishwasher and large double-door refrigerator. On the lower level there is a laundry room with an American-style washing machine and separate dryer.

The master bedroom, which opens directly onto the front terrace through sliding glass doors, has a king-sized bed and full ensuite bath with tub and stall shower. The two guest bedrooms on the main level, both with ceiling fans, have twin beds that can be pushed together to form a king-sized bed. The guest bedrooms share a bath with tub, overhead shower and WC.

On the lower level is an additional bedroom with a king-sized or twin beds, and an ensuite bath with a stall shower and WC. Like the master bedroom, this bedroom has long-range sea views.

The central heating system with separate thermostats for the upper and lower levels, plus individual electric heat in all rooms, provides abundant heat even on the coldest winter days. The property is protected by a sophisticated security system with video camera at the front gate and a remote device for lowering all window shutters at once. There is also a safe large enough for a camera bag and laptop computer.

The gardens, terraced and landscaped to take full advantage of the exotic vegetation indigenous to the Côte d'Azur, offer shady places for reading and sunny nooks for sunbathing. Even the parking area is beautified with a custom-made pergola laced with bougainvillea and bamboo to provide shade for cars. The walls and shrubbery around the swimming pool (4m X 8m, 13' X 26') have been designed to provide complete privacy.

For outside dining there is a flagstone terrace shaded by parasol pine trees, and for breakfast there is a smaller terrace with equally fine sea views. From the villa one can see the sun rise over Monaco and Italy to the east, and in the evening watch spectacular sunsets over Cap Ferrat and the Baie des Anges to the west.

Amenities include two televisions with VCR and satellite reception, a full stereo system, barbecue and windwo screens. Guests also have a computer with high-speed Internet access, as well as a scanner, printer and a fax machine at their disposal. Rental rates include a weekly cleaning.

With its unique situation between the two Corniches, Villa Ciel et Mer offers a tranquil setting for a seaside vacation where relaxing days by the pool merge into casual evenings dining on the terrace or in many of the fine area restaurants. With its location between the Grande and Moyenne Corniches, the villa is also conveniently situated for exploring the beaches, villages and museums for which the Côte d'Azur is famous.