- Living by the water appeals to an almost universal desire to be at one with nature.Whether it"s an exclusive villa on the Ctte d"Azur, a minimalist holiday home by the Atlantic Ocean, a Mediterranean beach house in a protected nature reserve, an idyllic house with a view of the Indian Ocean, all of the owners and architects have gone in search of the essence of living close to the sea: a relaxed style of living, simple and pure, in keeping with the constantly changing natural elements and the boundless horizon.