The Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, on the Côte d’Azur is a nugget as much for the visit of the interior as for its marvelous gardens.
An historical monument
Built on the narrowest part of the Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat peninsula, the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild dominates the bay of Villefranche on one side and the bay of Beaulieu on the other. It is one of the most beautiful historical monuments of the Côte d’Azur. Born in 1864, Béatrice Ephrussi de Rothschild, daughter of Baron Alphonse de Rothschild, left an exceptional legacy to the French people. Raised near Paris in the sumptuous Château de Ferrières, she received an exemplary education and was interested in the fine arts at a very young age. This passion developed during her marriage to the banker Maurice Ephrussi. An enlightened art lover, she built up an invaluable collection and organized splendid receptions.
A life worthy of Marie-Antoinette
In her home in Cap-Ferrat, initially named Île-de-France in homage to the liner of a memorable voyage, the baroness leads a life worthy of Marie-Antoinette : she is entirely dressed in pink, which is also the dominant color. of the villa, surrounds himself with exotic animals (parakeets, monkeys, gazelles or flamingos) and adorns the furniture with flamboyant roses. Extremely wealthy by birth and then by her marriage to Maurice Ephrussi, she spends her life exploring the world and brings back from each trip works of art that she has in her villa. Without an heir, she bequeathed to the Academy of Fine Arts her property, which has now become one of the jewels of the Côte d’Azur. The villa overlooks 9 dream gardens, the main one being a French garden. It is imagined like the deck of an ocean liner allowing it to constantly admire the sea on both sides… to date one of the most beautiful viewpoints on the Côte d’Azur.
A French garden recalling that of Versailles
Fifteen architects succeeded each other to create the residence that best represents the wishes and reminiscences of the Baroness’ travels. The living rooms and private apartments are decorated with memories collected throughout her life, but also many works of art that she sends to herself by train and that she selects directly on the Beaulieu station platform. The result perfectly illustrates the eclecticism of his tastes by bringing together in one place the splendours of the greatest eras. Located directly in the extension of the residence, the French garden recalling that of Versailles, dominates the 8 others. Of Spanish, Florentine, Japanese, exotic or Anglo-Provençal inspiration, the property offers a real journey across the continents. Most impressive ? A rose garden that gave rise to the Rose Festival which takes place there every year during the month of May.
1 Av. Ephrussi de Rothschild, 06230 Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
