Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild Blooms into Spring Festival of Flowers

Images from La Belle Èpoque (1871-1914) on the French Riviera generate the impression of a whimsical golden era brimming with pleasurable pursuits and indulgences. It was a time of pure fantasy; the stuff little girls might dream of — castles, palatial homes, ball gowns and glass slippers. For Madame Ephrussi, who was born a Rothschild and married into a banking family, she was exposed from a young age to luxury goods and fabulous artwork.

By 1904, she was divorced, but her family’s inheritance was in tack.

Long after Béatrice Ephrussi purchased seven hectares on Cap Ferrat, in 1905, the peninsula continues to attract discerning international travellers. On her parcel of land, Madame Ephrussi commissioned the construction of an extravagant, Italian Renaissance-style villa bearing both of her names. The project which included magnificent gardens took seven years (1905 to 1912) to complete and a succession of 10 architects who attempted to deliver her vision.

Pink was Madame Ephrussi’s favourite colour and also hue chosen for the exterior (and much of the interior) of Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild. This regal structure commands a strategic location on “The Cap” with views of the Mediterranean from almost every direction. She was a collector of fine china and exquisite art, much of which is on display at the Villa today.

However, it is the gardens that might have been her real passion. The grounds were designed to make the best use of a linear plot of land and to maximize the sea views. In actuality, there are nine distinct gardens within the compound, beginning with the French garden and ending with the rose garden. Here is a map.

More detail on Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild can be found on the website here.

If you are a flower lover, mark May 7th and 8th in your calendar for the 7th annual Rose and Plant Festival. The event includes over 20 exhibitors, talks by horticultural experts and an opportunity to view the magnificent Villa Ephrussi gardens.

Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild
Open 365 days a year
06230 Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
Tél : 04 93 01 33 09

Image Credits: Photos provided by and published with the permission of Culturespaces for Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild

Carolyne Kauser-Abbott

With her camera and laptop close at hand, Carolyne has traded in her business suits for the world of freelance writing and blogging. Her first airplane ride at six months of age was her introduction to the exciting world of travel.

While in Provence, Carolyne can be found hiking with friends, riding the hills around the Alpilles or tackling Mont Ventoux. Her attachment to the region resonates in Perfectly Provence this digital magazine that she launched in 2014. This website is an opportunity to explore the best of the Mediterranean lifestyle (food & wine, places to stay, expat stories, books on the region, travel tips, real estate tips and more), through our contributors' articles.

Carolyne writes a food and travel blog Ginger and Nutmeg. Carolyne’s freelance articles can be found in Global Living Magazine, Avenue Magazine and City Palate (Published Travel Articles).