It is both one of the most beautiful residences on the Côte d'Azur, but also one of the most beautiful gardens in France.
The Villa Éphrussi de Rothschild,
in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat (Alpes-Maritimes), is in fact distinguished as much by its architecture as by its varied exteriors which testify to Baroness Béatrice Éphrussi de Rothschild's love for mixing genres.
Here's everything you need to know about this magical site.
Temple of Love and Dolphin Fountain
Nine plots make up this unique set, all inspired by different styles.
The largest, in the extension of the villa, is a French garden, reports the website of the Most Beautiful Gardens of France.
It perfectly highlights the architecture of the building and offers a “magnificent perspective, closed by the Temple of Love, inspiration for that of Trianon”.
Large vases from the Italian Renaissance mingle with Catalan sculptures, right in the middle of lawns and large ponds decorated with lotuses and water lilies in summer.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild (@villaephrussi)
These Spanish and Italian touches are nevertheless found more in their two dedicated gardens.
The Spanish Garden, accessible from the main steps, is decorated with datura, jasmine and honeysuckle, giving it uplifting scents.
At the end of this plot, behind the pink marble columns, it is possible to enter a cave where the dolphin fountain is hidden.
Also read: These extraordinary gardens, a jewel of topiary art in France, will impress you
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild (@villaephrussi)
Beyond this pool, you can then discover the Florentine garden, which also has a rock cave as well as a magnificent marble statue hidden behind philodendrons and water hyacinths.
A true journey of the senses
Then comes the stone garden, or lapidary garden.
It is the one that brings together the most works of art, “of various origins and periods”.
This place protected by a camphor tree in fact brings together all the elements which could not find their place inside the villa: bas-reliefs from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, fountains, gargoyles etc.
The estate also has
a Japanese garden
designed by Professor Shigeo Fukuhara.
Named “Cho-Seki-Tei” (“garden where one quietly listens to the gentle sound of the waves at dusk” in French), it includes a pavilion, a bridge, lanterns and traditional wooden pools.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild (@villaephrussi)
The exotic garden completes this wonderful journey for the senses.
“Kingdom of cacti and succulents”, it also has a splendid rose garden to pay homage to the Baroness’s favorite flower.
The walk can end in the Provençal garden whose paths are lined with “olive trees, mastic trees and pines bent by the wind”, we can read on the villa's website.
The estate can be visited all year round.
The price of the full price ticket is €17.