Why is this villa pink? The Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild stands before us. It is a testament to a woman’s vision. This impressive villa was built by Béatrice Ephrussi de Rothschild. She was a wealthy French socialite. The Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild overlooks the Mediterranean sea from Cap Ferrat. It is full of antique furniture and Old Master paintings. Sculptures and a collection of rare porcelain are also housed here. The gardens are classified as Notable Gardens of France.
Béatrice was the daughter of Baron Alphonse de Rothschild. He was a banker and renowned art collector. At 19 she married Maurice Ephrussi. He was a Parisian banker of Russian origin. Maurice was 15 years her senior and a friend of her parents. The marriage quickly turned sour. Béatrice contracted a serious illness from Maurice. It prevented her from having children. Maurice was a gambler. In 1904 his debts totalled over 12 million gold francs. That equals about 30 million euros today.
She divorced Maurice in 1904. Béatrice then dedicated herself to her passion. That passion was art collection. She inherited her father’s fortune. Béatrice decided to build her dream home in Cap Ferrat. Work started in the garden. It took seven years to complete. The villa began in 1907. Jacques-Marcel Auburtin was the architect. He satisfied the demanding Béatrice. He built it with an Italianate northern façade. This façade had Renaissance influences. It also has a Venetian-influenced southern façade.
She moved into the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild in 1912. It became her winter residence. Inside are clever trompe-l’œil paintings. They disguise the metal columns. The villa retains much of its opulent and rich furnishings. The Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild was initially christened Villa Ile de France. This was after a luxurious liner. She remembered a cruise on board in 1890.
You can now visit the villa’s stunning landscaped gardens. They include spaces in traditional French style. There are also Spanish Florentine and Japanese gardens. Inside you can witness the villa’s luxury. See its reception areas. Admire Béatrice’s private apartments. They are sumptuously decorated and full of works of art.
The villa looks out toward Beaulieu and the Villa Kerylos. It also looks to the harbour of Villefranche and the Cap de Nice. Although the Baroness is associated with the colour pink the villa was yellow-ochre in her time.
A train would arrive from Paris. It was loaded with furniture and works of art. The Baroness would select the pieces she desired. She chose them on the platform at Beaulieu.
From the loggia Béatrice de Rothschild could survey her team. Thirty gardeners wore berets with a red pompom. Originally designed by Harold Peto and Achille Duchêne the grounds were later entrusted to Louis Marchand. He added to the formal French and Florentine gardens. He also created Spanish Provençal Japanese and Mexican gardens.
Every 20 minutes in the French-style gardens the Musical Fountains start to play. Don’t miss it.
There is a lovely tea room and restaurant. It is set in the room that Béatrice used as a dining room. It has a terrace overlooking the Bay of Villefranche. You can stop here for a snack. At lunchtime they serve light meals. Salads quiches and a daily special are served. When the weather is nice they set tables in the garden under the orange trees.
If you are visiting Nice Monaco or Cannes 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. The French Garden is said to be inspired by the Palace of Versailles. It is shaped like a boat deck.