Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild is an Italian Renaissance-inspired villa with nine gardens, each with a different theme. The 1912 pink villa in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat (the Peninsula of Billionaires) is the most popular place on the peninsula. It draws tourists from Nice and Monaco eager to see lesser-known places on the French Riviera.
Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat is about 3.5 miles from Nice, so it is the ideal place to visit on a day trip. Long associated with wealth and luxury, the peninsula is home to many grand villas, including the famous Villa Les Cèdres (once the most expensive home on the planet), which is just a two-minute drive away from Villa Ephrussi.
You can't visit Villa Les Cèdres since it's private property, but many agree that Villa Ephrussi is the best villa on the peninsula. Its current function as a museum and event venue means all visitors can enjoy the best of Saint Jean Cap Ferrat.
History
Baroness Béatrice Ephrussi de Rothschild visited her cousin Theodore Rienach at Villa Kerylos in 1902 and fell in love with the location. After her father passed away in 1905, she bought a plot of land in Cap Ferrat, aiming to build a house there. She selected Jacques-Marcel Auburtin to design the villa after rejecting proposals from renowned architects Claude Girault and Henri-Paul Nénot. It was completed in 1912.
Beatrice, a member of the Rothschild banking family, was an avid art collector, following the family motto, "ars patriae decus", which translates to "art is the honor of the country." She furnished the villa with many artistic pieces, including paintings by many famous artists.
After her death, she left the villa to the Academy of Fine Arts (Académie des Beaux-Arts). The new owners hired Louis Marchand, a notable landscape architect, to transform the gardens to their current state. He designed the Spanish, Florentine, Japanese, and Mexican gardens and restored the French Garden.
Work stopped during the Second World War (1939-1945), but Louis returned to complete the update after the war. The villa’s color was a soft shade of yellow before the post-war update when it changed to the popular pink color.
Visiting the Villa
If you're visiting Nice, Monaco, or Cannes, there are many reasons to take a trip to Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild. Not only is the Tuscan villa a sight to behold, but it is also home to a wide range of artwork and period furniture. These include the '19 Masterpieces of Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild' which feature artwork from artists such as Jean-Frédéric Schall, René Dubois, and François Boucher.
Popular parts of the villa include the courtyard with beautiful arches where Baroness Beatrice welcomed her visitors. It has pillars made of Verona marble to support the arches. Another is the large living room filled with woodwork from Hotel de Crillon in Paris, carpets made at the Manufacture de la Savonnerie, and gaming tables by René Dubois.
Beyond these, visitors can enjoy light meals and fine wine at the Beatrice Restaurant and Tea Room. This room, which served as the Baroness' dining room offers a wonderful view of the Bay of Villefranche. Here, you can indulge in culinary delights prepared under the guidance of Chef Aude Romero-Filipowski, who learned his art from famous Michelin-starred chefs like Alain Ducasse and Patrick Raingeard.
The Gardens
Though the building and artwork draw a lot of attention, many visitors flock to the villa because of the gardens. The best include:
The French Garden
The French Garden is said to be inspired by the Palace of Versailles and other iconic French gardens. It is shaped like a boat deck and features a pond and floral displays.
The Spanish Garden
The Spanish Garden is a smaller, enclosed space. It is home to many Mediterranean plants, such as pomegranate and olive trees. This is further elevated by the small canal which runs through the middle of the garden, creating a tranquil atmosphere.
The Rose Garden
The Rose Garden features an array of roses, centered around a small temple.
The Japanese Garden
The Japanese Garden features many plants, such as Bonsai trees and a pond. While this was recently redesigned, work began on the garden during Beatrice's time at the villa. The Garden is also named "Cho-Seki-Tei", which means "garden where one can quietly listen to the pleasant sound of the waves at dusk."
The Exotic Garden
The Exotic Garden, formerly named the Mexican Garden, features a wide range of seasonal plants and flowers. The garden's best feature is the variety of giant cacti within it.
Driving to Villa Ephrussi from Nice or Monaco offers some of the best views of the French Riviera with the added benefit of an opportunity to visit other popular towns and villages in the area. These include Eze Village, Villefranche-sur-Mer, and Beaulieu-sur-Mer.
With a nice exterior, well-preserved rooms, and well-kept gardens to charm visitors, Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild is the best reason to visit Saint Jean Cap Ferrat. It will likely win the hearts of all visitors, particularly history buffs and anyone who likes Italian Renaissance buildings.
