Europe's most expensive real estate

France, €95 million Palais Venitien, Cannes 12 bedrooms, indoor and outdoor pool, tennis court, five-bedroom staff villa Knight Frank (020–7629 8171)

This palatial villa, whose architecture was inspired by the palazzi of Venice, has views both up to the Alps and down to the Mediterranean. By any standards, this house is vast (more than 23,000sq ft) and it’s been finished with all the state-of-the-art trimmings, including a fully equipped La Cornue kitchen.

Is it worth it? You could host quite the party during the Cannes Film Festival

Italy, €42 million Villa Norella, Lake Como 9 bedrooms, guest villa, gym, private boathouse, 2ó acres Savills (020–7016 3842)

With a 100% organic vegetable garden, olive grove and orchard, as well as a mountain stream, this estate is almost self-sufficient. It offers spectacular views of Bellagio directly across the lake.

Is it worth it?

Villa Norella is one of Mantegazza’s late-19th-century grand villas on this most exclusive lakeside stretch

Spain, €32 million La Favorita, Marbella 6 bedrooms, staff house, pool, Jacuzzi, cinema, spa

Aylesford International (020–7349 9772)

This immaculate villa in the hills above Marbella has a dramatic backdrop of mountains and looks out over the Mediterranean. It has been designed for entertaining in grand style, with two dining rooms, four reception rooms and a vast entrance hall.

Is it worth it?

If size matters, yes—the pool alone is 292sq m (3,143sq ft)

Mallorca, €38 million Castillo Mallorca, Puerto Andratx Three-bedroom main house, four-bedroom guest house, pool, megayacht dock, 1.85 acres Engel & Völkers (00 34 971 67 47 80)

Sitting on its own peninsula at the mouth of the harbour entrance to one of the island’s most fashionable resorts is this expansive villa, which played host to Diana, Princess of Wales, in the 1980s. The house was built in 1965 by an Englishman, but is now in the hands of a German businessman. A boat of up to 30m (100ft) can dock just below the house.

Is it worth it? Although the setting is unique for the island and it comes with three private access points to the sea and a spectacular west-facing cave (complete with music system) for sunset cocktails, the interiors require some updating

France, €75 million Château Mallet, Cap d’Ail 8 bedrooms, 2 caretaker’s cottages, 14 acres Emile Garcin (00 33 4 97 97 32 10)

Just over half a mile from Monaco lies this substantial château, which is believed to have played host to Queen Victoria. The house was built in 1896 by a British diplomat and has been with the current owners for more than 30 years.

Is it worth it?

Gardens of such a substantial size in this heavily populated part of the Riviera are few and far between

Spain, €40 million Monte del Duque, Casares Main house, second house, guest houses, helipad, 5,247 acres Aylesford International (020–7351 2383)

This superb hunting estate is in pristine condition. The Majada de Madrid is at its heart and it’s been designed along the lines of a traditional Spanish village, with a pebbled courtyard at the centre.

Is it worth it? Yes, for anyone looking for seclusion: the main house is a 15-minute drive from the gatehouse

France, €20 million Château de Montbrun, Limoges 17 bedrooms, 6 houses, tennis court, 400 acres Leggett Prestige (00 33 5 53 56 62 54)

This 12th-century château is rumoured to be where Richard the Lionheart died after receiving a fatal injury from an arrow during battle. It’s been meticulously and sympathetically restored and has a cinema room, two lifts, a helipad and a golf course.

Is it worth it? If you’ve yearned to be a landlord, this estate comes with its own licensed pub

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