Have you ever wondered what it’s like to step back in time to Monaco’s Belle Époque? Right here before us stands Villa Paloma. It is one of the Principality’s most beautiful aristocratic residences. Today Villa Paloma is one of two exhibition spaces for the Nouveau Musée National de Monaco. Its sister location is Villa Sauber.
Let’s delve into the story of Villa Paloma. In 1913, an American named Edward N Dickerson acquired six plots of land. He wanted to construct a villa with a garden. Some say the villa’s architect was Sébastien Marcel Biasini. But since he died in 1913, that seems unlikely. Dickerson named the villa Villa Coquette.
In 1920, the villa was sold for the first time. Then in 1925, Englishman Robert W Hudson purchased it. Hudson’s father had founded a liquid soap factory in England. After his marriage to Béatrice Sabina Gaudengio in 1932, it became Villa Paloma. Béatrice already owned a house named Villa Paloma in Cap d’Ail. She wanted to keep the name for the Monaco villa. Robert W Hudson was known for his generosity. In 1937, he created a foundation to promote English language learning in Monaco.
During the Second World War, the villa suffered severe damage. Joseph Fissore bought it after Mrs Hudson’s death in 1950. The Fissores renovated the villa. They added a swimming pool and restored the abandoned garden.
In 1993, a Monegasque company purchased Villa Paloma from the Fissore family. The State of Monaco bought it two years later. In 2008, it was decided that Villa Paloma should be part of the Nouveau Musée National de Monaco.
While the exact date of its creation is uncertain, we do know about the garden. Octave Godard designed Villa Paloma’s garden. He was a talented student of landscape artist Édouard André. Godard created a classical-style garden. Master glazier Fassi Cadet of Nice made the stained-glass windows in the entrance hall.
Villa Paloma offers temporary exhibitions of contemporary art. The villa is a green lung for Monaco, near the Exotic Garden. Workshops are organized for all ages throughout the year. These include activities for family weekends. Treasure hunts let you explore the gardens and admire the art. The museum also organizes guided tours.
Villa Paloma is open daily during exhibitions. It is usually open from 10 am to 6 pm. But in July and August, it stays open from 11 am to 7 pm. Villa Paloma is closed on certain holidays. These include January 1, May 1, and December 25.
Visiting Villa Paloma provides a unique experience. The villa combines art, history, and beautiful gardens. As you explore its rooms and grounds remember the people who shaped its story. From Edward N Dickerson to Robert W Hudson and Béatrice Sabina Gaudengio. Each owner left their mark on this beautiful villa. Villa Paloma stands as a testament to Monaco’s rich cultural heritage. It also stands as a legacy of the Belle Époque.