Published:
15:52 February 16, 2022
Update:
10:54 am February 17, 2022
A new Downton Abbey film, partly shot in France, is due to be released in UK cinemas on April 29, 2022, then in US cinemas on May 20, 2022 (delayed from the original release date).
This time, the British period drama gets an injection of French flair as the Crawley family and staff take a trip to the South of France.
Downton Abbey: A New Era, the sequel to the first Downton Abbey film released in 2019, will see the main cast reunited and joined by new faces Hugh Dancy, Laura Haddock, Nathalie Baye and Dominic West. Read till the end of this article to see the trailer.
Downton Abbey: A New Era was partly filmed on location at Villa Rocabella in France
– Credit: Rocabella / Studio Courmont
The trailer tells us that a mysterious man has offered the Dowager Countess of Grantham, played by Dame Maggie Smith, a villa in France which she gladly accepts. “Do I look like I want to refuse a villa in the south of France? she says. Well, would any of us do it?
Part of the family stays at Downton as the director, played by Hugh Dancy, who shows up to make a home movie. Others take full advantage of the opportunity to leave for The beautiful France to peek into the estate, explore the mysteries of the Countess’ past when she was just Lady Grantham and enjoy a French holiday in the sun!
Villa Rocabella is in Le Pradet on the south coast of France
– Credit: Rocabella / Studio Courmont
The film was shot in a real French villa in the Var, in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur. Villa Rocabella (which appears to be called La Villa des Colombes in the film) is on the coast municipalities du Pradet, near Toulon.
Incredible views of the Mediterranean Sea from Villa Rocabella
– Credit: Rocabella / Studio Courmont
Surrounded by a three-hectare wooded park, enjoying a spectacular sea view, and giving access to a Mediterranean cove, the magnificent villa was built in the 19th century in a Belle Époque style.
One of the amazing meeting rooms that can be booked for events
– Credit: Rocabella / Studio Courmont
Inside are several impressive reception and meeting rooms and a hall with a majestic marble staircase leading to 11 uniquely charming rooms in Napoleonic decor.
The majestic marble staircase
– Credit: Rocabella / Studio Courmont
If you want to have a vacation like the Crawleys, you can book a place at one of the wellness retreats in the Villa Rocabelle, from €490 per person per day, and enjoy luxury full-board accommodation and access to the swimming pool and jacuzzi. Rocabella is also expected to open other accommodations in its new “cottage” and “bastide” this spring.
One of the villa bedroom suits
– Credit: Rocabella / Studio Courmont
Does this incredible property ring a bell? Downton Abbey is not the only film to use the villa for filming, the house has also featured in A perfect man (2015), The summer house (2019) and The man who sold his skin (2020) and more.
Get an extra look at the villa as well as the parties and boat rides the Crawleys enjoy while vacationing in France, in the trailer for Downton Abbey: A New Era from the debugging features. It promises to be “The biggest escape of the year”.
