Built in 1787 for Lady Penelope Atkins this is Villa Furtado-Heine. Imagine her elegant life. A grand Italian-style villa overlooking the azure waters. This was her escape. A haven of peace and luxury.
The French Revolution changed everything. The French Army seized Nice. Lady Penelope fled abandoning her villa. Declared the property of an emigrant it was nationalized. The villa then changed hands many times. It was known as Villa Grandis. Pauline Borghese Napoleon’s sister stayed here twice. Princess Marie-Louise a royal resident lived here under surveillance.
Later it was owned by wealthy Niçois men. Monsieur Guiglia then the banker Carlone. He left it to the city of Nice. In 1882 Madame Furtado-Heine purchased it. The widow of a Hamburg banker she transformed the villa. She added a floor. A wrought-iron gate overlooking the Promenade des Anglais was also added. She had an architect Sébastien-Marcel Biasini do the work. This was a testament to her wealth and taste.
Madame Furtado-Heine was known for her philanthropy. She donated generously to many causes including the Pasteur Institute in Paris. Her generosity was legendary. She received the Legion of Honour.
In 1895 she gifted the villa to the French Ministry of War. This was during the Madagascar campaign. It was intended as a rest home for officers. It became known as the Villa des Officiers. It was renamed to honour her memory. A testament to her kindness and generosity. She never returned to Germany. She preferred to remain in Nice.
Today Villa Furtado-Heine is a listed building. It remains a privileged retreat. A place where you can experience the beauty of the French Riviera. A legacy of a remarkable woman. A woman whose generosity is still remembered today. A beautiful villa with a fascinating history.