During my stay in Nice, one of the places my friend really wanted to visit was the beautiful villa and gardens in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat just a short train journey away. I had visions of stunning gardens in the sunshine and walking around feeling like I was Coco Chanel.
Alas, it was such disgusting weather, it was more like doing my best not to slip in the rain whilst looking like a windswept mess. The villa was still beautiful though, so here’s everything you need to know about it’s history, gardens and how to get there.
How to get to Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild from Nice
What a faff this was. We took the train from Nice Ville station to Beaulieu-sur-mer, a mere 10 minute ride away. Google Maps told us it was then a nice 30 minute stroll round the water to get to the Villa. It was indeed a 30 minute stroll, but not a nice one. The weather was awful and twice we got completely soaked by the waves which were strong in the wind!
In hindsight, I wish we had taken the bus direct (green line 15 leaves from Beaulieu train station direct to the villa regularly and takes only 5 minutes).
Story of the Villa
The villa was built between 1907 and 1912, commissioned by Béatrice de Rothschild. Béatrice was born in Paris, and was the daughter of the famous banker, Alphonse James de Rothschild.
At age 19 Béatrice married Maurice Ephrussi, 15 years her senior and clearly a right wrong ‘un. Béatrice was very eligible, she was beautiful and mega rich, and this fool treated her horrendously. Not only did he lose lots of her money gambling and constantly need bailing out, even worse he gave her syphilis which nearly killed her and rendered her unable to have children, meaning she never became a mother.
Thankfully she divorced him in 1904, just before her father died, meaning she inherited all his wealth and didn’t have to share it with Maurice. Instead she built this house – possibly the biggest ‘f*$% you’ in divorce history! I decided I quite liked her.
Béatrice wanted the house to showcase her art collection, her extensive array of porcelain, and even have special rooms for her pet dogs. The décor was beautifully done inside, and also highlighted an array of antiques and special pieces of furniture Béatrice had collected on her travels.
As well as a plush interior, Béatrice wanted to create extensive gardens reflecting her love of travel. As such, the villa is surrounded by nine gardens, each on a different theme: French, Spanish, Japanese, Florentine, Exotic, Provencal, and a stone and rose garden.
The overall plot is also designed to almost sit like a ship sailing out to the sea, with the gardens narrowing to an end at the edge of the cliff overlooking the sea in the same way a boat’s helm does. This is to mimic her time on a cruise ship which she loved.
Béatrice died in 1934 and left the villa to the Institut de France. It’s now open for visitors to tour the villa and gardens, as well as for lunch in the lovely restaurant.
Important Information
- Villa & Gardens Opening Times: 10am – 6pm daily, 365 days a year (9am – 7pm July and August, 2 – 6pm Nov – Jan).
- Tea Room Opening Times: 12 – 3pm for lunch, 3 – 5.30pm for tea.
- Price: €17 (full adult rate), €12 (children 7 to 18 years old, students <25years old), €48 (family pass for 2 adults and 2 children aged 7-18 years old), Free (children -7years old and disabled visitors).
- Purchasing Tickets: You can buy tickets at the site. If you’re visiting in peak season consider booking online in advance, but please note tickets can’t be collected from the Villa, you must print them off and bring them with you.
So there you have it, what did you think of the Villa and Gardens? We thought it was beautiful, we just could have done without the rain!! Stay safe and happy travelling!
Saasdia Travel Gid
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