Visit to the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild: an exceptional residence on the Cap Ferrat peninsula
Perched proudly atop the Cap Ferrat peninsula, the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild is an exceptional building on the French Riviera. Built between 1907 and 1912 at the behest of Baroness BĂ©atrice de Rothschild, this Italian Renaissance-inspired residence boldly combines a love of art with exoticism. Nicknamed the "Villa ĂŽle-de-France," this pink palace houses priceless royal collections amassed by the Baroness during her travels around the world, as well as nine gardens classified as "Remarkable Gardens."
A little history about the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild
Villa Ephrussi was created at the instigation of Beatrice de Rothschild Between 1907 and 1912, she was the wife of French banker Maurice Ephrussi, from whom she separated in 1904. She possessed an exceptional financial fortune stemming from this marriage as well as from her inheritance from her father, Baron Alphonse de Rothschild, which allowed her to travel the world and bring back works of art on each of her trips. She developed a particular affinity for the 18th century.e 19th century French art, or exoticism, and she joined the very exclusive circle of the greatest art collectors of the time, including Édouard André and Nelly Jacquemart, Henri Cernuschi, and Moïse de Camondo. In addition to her particular love of art, Béatrice de Rothschild also collected residences. She then decided to combine these two passions by creating the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, located at the top of the Cap Ferrat peninsula. Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferratin which she displays all her treasures.
The architectural features of this prestigious villa
The house is built on a rocky and barren plot of land, located on the narrowest part of the peninsula. The construction was entrusted to the architect Jacques Marcel Auburtin and was inspired by the Italian Renaissance.
Its main garden is unique in that it resembles a ship's deck, which is why the Villa Ephrussi is also nicknamed the "Villa Ile-de-France" in homage to the steamship. Ile-de-France with whom the extremely wealthy heiress experienced memorable journeys. It is even said that she made the gardeners wear sailor berets to give the impression of sailing on an ocean liner around the world.
For its exterior facades, she decided to paint everything pink. The Gothic-inspired entrance porch is reminiscent of that of the Saint-Maclou church in Rouen. The colonnades here and there, meanwhile, are inspired by Florentine cloisters.
Visit to the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild: what will you discover inside?
A glimpse into the grand salon
The Villa Ile-de-France is arranged around a series of galleries, salons, studies, bedrooms, and boudoirs. Among the highlights is the grand salon, which immediately immerses visitors in the refinement of the 18th and 19th centuries. Its walls, adorned with sumptuous painted wood paneling, some of which came from the Hôtel Crillon in Paris, serve as a showcase for an exceptional collection of gilded bronzes by the masters Gouthière and Thomire. Every detail of this room tells a fascinating story: its overdoors and boudoir door once belonged to Madame de Pompadour at the Château d'Aunay, before being acquired by Honoré de Balzac in 1846 to grace his famous Parisian residence. Walking through the living room, one discovers the baroness's love of entertainment through a set of Louis XVI chairs stamped Parmentier, a backgammon table by François Hache and a whist table that belonged to Queen Marie Antoinette.
Beatrice de Rothschild's apartments
Entering BĂ©atrice de Rothschild's private apartments is to discover her intimate daily life. You access them through a boudoir with neo-Pompeian woodwork, a setting for a bonheur-du-jour by Riesener, cabinetmaker to Marie Antoinette, and a table by Adam Weisweiler.
The oval-shaped room opens majestically onto the bay of Villefranche. It houses a Venetian bed draped in embroidered Chinese silks, an echo of the family business that began in 1838. An Aubusson carpet follows the shape of the room, while an 18th-century Venetian painting adorns the ceiling and a chest of drawers by Nicolas Petit covers the wall.
In the wardrobe, display cases exhibit 18th-century French costumes as well as 19th-century Chinese clothing and tiny shoes, a reminder of the painful tradition of wearing minuscule feet that the baroness imposed upon herself. Finally, the rotunda bathroom reveals wood paneling painted by Leriche, concealing a sink and storage beneath a gilded wooden trellis.
The porcelain collection
Villa Ephrussi also houses a porcelain room, another of Béatrice de Rothschild's passions. The collection of Vincennes and Sèvres porcelain comprises exceptional treasures that make it truly special. For example, the display cases are adorned with uniquely rare lapis lazuli porcelain. You can also admire pieces from the Sèvres manufactory known for its "musical scores." A pink porcelain clock "à la du Barry" also sits majestically on the mantelpiece.
Visit to the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild and its nine gardens
In addition to its breathtaking views, architecture and works of art, the Villa Ephrussi is also distinguished by its nine exceptional gardens, which have been awarded the "Remarkable Garden" label.
- The central part is occupied by the French-style garden with the Temple of Love, its pools adorned with water hyacinths, its fountains and its tiered waterfall.
- A cool grotto, a pergola, and a canal adorned with aquatic plants make up le Spanish garden.
- Le lapidary garden is enhanced by a camphor tree with arches, fountains, capitals, etc.
- Le Japanese garden “Cho-Seki-Tei” brings together traditional ponds populated with koi carp, a pavilion, a bridge and lanterns that evoke Japanese tradition.
- Le Florentine garden gives way to an iron staircase which extends into a cypress-lined avenue overlooking the bay of Villefranche-sur-Mer.
- Also worth discovering: the rose garden, the exotic garden, the Provençal garden et the garden of Sèvres.
Prepare your visit to the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild
Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild welcomes you every day of the year. Opening hours vary according to the seasons:
- July and August : 10 p.m. to 00 p.m.
- From February to October: 10 p.m. to 00 p.m.
- From November to January: from 14:00pm to 18:00pm on weekdays (and from 10:00am to 18:00pm on weekends and public holidays).
To extend your experience in the world of Baroness Beatrice, the site offers you a bookstore and a tea room-restaurant.
- Address: 1 Avenue Ephrussi de Rothschild, 06230 Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
- Official website: villa-ephrussi.com
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