VILLA AND GARDENS EPHRUSSI DE ROTHSCHILD
SAINT JEAN CAP FERRAT
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Discover the sumptuous Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild and its magnificent gardens!
It's located on the Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat peninsula, in a natural setting by the sea.
Animated by audio guides, learn about the history of the Villa Rose and Baroness Beatrice de Rothschild during your visit.
Around the mansion, travel to Europe and Asia through its 9 gardens.
Discover must-see events such as the summer nocturnes, the Rose Festival and the Villa Thursdays. A musical show, a restaurant where you can enjoy a cup of tea or sample the chef's menu, are all on offer for a pleasant day or evening all year round.
The Villa and its history
Surrounded by magnificent gardens overlooking the Mediterranean, it is home to the Baroness's rich art collections.
It took seven years for one of the most original women of the Riviera, Baroness Beatrice Ephrussi de Rothschild, to build one of the most beautiful sites on the French Riviera.
Built at the request and in the image of the Baroness, the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild lets you experience the life of high society at the beginning of the 20th century.
Named the jewel of the Côte d'Azur, it has become one of the region's must-see attractions.
Every year, over 150,000 visitors discover its pink architecture inspired by the Italian Renaissance.
The audio guide is available in 9 languages:
French, English, Spanish, German, Italian, Russian, Dutch, Japanese and Chinese.
The exploration begins with the reception areas, such as the patio, grand salon and petit salon.
We then move on to the baroness's apartments, with her bedroom, boudoir, wardrobe and bathroom.
The tour ends on the salon floor, with its tapestries, monkeys, porcelain and Far Eastern art salon.
Over the years, this woman, who became one of the greatest collectors of her century, has turned her home into a collector's house, where you'll find:
- paintings by masters (Fragonard, Boucher, Carpaccio, Tiepolo...),
- rare furniture
- porcelain from the Manufacture Royale Sèvres and Vincennes.
During your visit you will contemplate:
- The 6 paintings of Schall "the dancers" paintings are located in the small lounge.
- The painting " Le coucher " by Fragonard, located in the Fragonard living room.
- The collection of French porcelain, one of the richest in the world: with its orchestra of monkey musicians located in the salon des singeries.
- The large 20m2 tapestry "Bacchus's Homage to Ariadne" made by the Royal Gobelins Manufacture.
In total, there are 19 works not to be missed during your visit!
Thanks to an audioguide, you will learn all about the history and construction of the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild.
A remarkable decor and collections that testify to the Baroness's love of art and travel. For example, the covered patio transports the visitor to Renaissance Italy with its pink marble columns from Verona. And the private salons and apartments plunge the tourist into the sumptuous atmosphere of 18th century France.
The 9 dream gardens
The green spaces surrounding the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild are adorned with colonnades, waterfalls, ponds, flowerbeds and trees of rare species.
9 Edens make up the exterior :
- French style
- Spanish style
- Florentine
- Lapidary
- Japanese
- Exotic
- La Roseraie
- Provençal
Beatrice wanted to recreate the feeling of sailing on her boat while being in her garden. She reconstructed her memories of trips to each of her gardens. A real botanical journey was built.
The garden is labelled : Remarkable garden
No herbicides are used to maintain the gardens. The villa and its gardens respect their eco-responsible charter. Essential oils such as cloves or lemon treat weeds.
The French Garden
Designed in the shape of a boat deck, this Eden is the largest of the 9 gardens. Located in front of the Ephrussi de Rothschild villa, you can admire it from the interior or the first floor.
Along this garden, a large canal has been built. This basin offers a musical show with water games. In the middle of this aquatic ballet, this piece of water overflows in summer with water lilies and lotus. A magical show!
Renaissance-style cardinal vases adorn the park. Stroll around cycads, dasylirious graminifolium and century-old trees. As you stroll, listen to the gentle sound of the water cascading into the large pool. At the end of the garden, you will find the Temple of Love overlooking the waterfall, a guaranteed photo opportunity.
The Spanish Garden
This green space has been shaped lengthwise with a narrow canal in the center. Its colorful path of flowers opens your olfactory senses.
Your nose is carried away by honeysuckle, brugmansia and jasmine. Surrounded by pomegranate and olive trees, you see the Lady Banks Rose. Yellow in color and a hundred years old, it stands 1 meter high. Walls covered with Inca lilies and bougainvillea offer an explosion of colors.
Behind the pink marble columns, don't miss the hidden cave.
The Florentine Garden
Facing the harbor of Villefranche-sur-Mer, the Jardin Florentin will make you discover the sublime plants of the Belle Époque: the acacia farnesiana, the nolina longifolia etc.
Embellished with a horseshoe staircase, you will discover a magnificent statue in the centre. Sculpture named "The Zephyr thwarting the loves of a rose and a butterfly" by the artist Boyet.
The belle époque is a historical period following the Franco-Prussian War of 1870 and preceding World War 1.
During this period, many technological advances were made. A time of peace, it became known as the Belle Epoque.
The Lapidary Garden
Gathering various pieces of art amidst a variety of plants, this park is astonishing.
Some of the pieces could not be exhibited indoors, but ended up in the garden.
You can observe sculptures dating from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.
Bas-reliefs, gargoyles, arches, fountains and canopies offer an unexpected tableau.
Through the flower trail with its camellias and hydrangeas, you'll be surrounded by camphor trees, century-old trees and rhododendrons.
You'll be immersed in a world of forest
The Japanese Garden
Designed for meditation and relaxation, let yourself be carried away by the sound of water.
The waterfall, basin and pond are home to koi carp and several varieties of acer palmatum.
All the structures are made of wood, in keeping with Japanese tradition.
The wood decorates the garden in the form of lanterns, bridges and pavilions.
The exotic garden
You are in the realm of succulents and huge cacti.
Discover exotic plants such as aloe, prickly pear and erythrina.
Flowers such as white silver candle, purple epiphytes and red bromeliads add a splash of color.
Plant varieties such as caudex and crassulaceae complete the botanical change of scenery.
The rose garden
Completely dedicated to roses, the Rose Garden is located at the end of the property.
Many varieties of old and new roses will delight your eyes and tickle your nostrils.
The roses bear the names of famous people such as the Princess of Monaco, Pierre de Ronsard the poet and Baroness Beatrice.
During a cold spell, the Baroness' rose did not survive. Since 2019, the project to recreate the Beatrice rose has been launched.
In this perfumed atmosphere, you will discover a hexagonal temple sheltering a statue of a deity.
Visit the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild and the Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat peninsula
The Anglo-Provençal Garden
Immerse yourself in the scents and flora of Provence, as the path is bordered by tall trees such as olive trees and bent pines.
Scents of rosemary, lavender, viperine and helichrysum fill the garden.
On the side of the park, you'll see beehives.
The visit closes on this colorful, olfactory note.
The events
Throughout the year, the Villa organizes events:
- November 7 to April 3, 2025 > Thursdays at the villa
- Saturday May 3 and Sunday May 4, 2025 > Rose and Plant Festival
- Saturday, May 17 > European Museum Nights
- July 14 to August 26, 2025 > Villa nocturnes
- Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 September 2025 > Heritage Days
The nocturnes of the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild
Les Nocturnes Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild
Discover the nocturnes program and experience a dream evening on the French Riviera from July 14 to August 26, 2025!
It's an unusual way to discover the estate and experience a dream evening.
Facades illuminated by 1,500 candles reveal the villa's architecture, creating a magical atmosphere. A musical water show takes place every 20 minutes throughout the evening. The program and entertainment vary from year to year. Depending on the season, you'll discover concerts, live shows, ballets, etc.
Discover more about nocturnes >
The restaurant is exceptionally open and a wine and champagne bar is present.
The festival of roses and plants
Every year, during a weekend in May, the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild celebrates the arrival of spring and the rose.
The event was originally created as a tribute to the late rose Béatrice Éphrussi.
This year's Rose and Plant Festival took place on Saturday May 3 and Sunday May 4, 2025. Discover the program.
For the occasion, the gardens of the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild are all decked out in pink.
An atmosphere worthy of fairy tales is recreated. Passionate rose growers showcase different species of roses.
Workshops and guided tours are organized to give visitors a better understanding of roses and plants.
Every year, new educational and entertaining activities are organized for young and old alike.
Discover pottery, gardening and edible flowers. Throughout the day, you can enjoy live shows, musical water games and more.
Villa Thursdays
During the winter season, discoverLes Jeudis de la Villa, a unique cultural event combining themed conferences and a semi-gastronomic dinner.
19 evenings, from November 7, 2024 to April 3, 2025, await you to discuss major societal issues with specialists, in the enchanting setting of the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild.
For more information and the full program, click here.
The restaurant
Enjoy refined dishes in the Baronne dining room, preserved as it was in the past.
With its large bay windows, the restaurant offers a magnificent view of the Villefranche harbor.
In spring and summer alike, you can enjoy the shady terrace next to the formal garden.
Live a unique experience in the time of Béatrice Ephrussi.
To access the restaurant, an entrance ticket to the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild is required.
Reserve your place at the restaurant by combining a lunch or tea break with your visit.
Good to know
Duration of the visit : 2h30
Animals are not allowed
Where is the Rothschild villa?
Nestled on the magnificent Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat peninsula, this sumptuous residence is a veritable showcase of art and beauty, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the Mediterranean.
The villa is located halfway between Nice and Monaco, giving it an exceptional position.
It is easily accessible by road, allowing you to admire the breathtaking coastal scenery of this privileged region.
By train: Access with the TER. Beaulieu-sur-Mer station. 30-minute walk from station. Don't forget good walking shoes, as there are plenty of climbs.
By car: Access via the Corniche base Free parking at the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild
By bus: Take line 15 to the "Passable-Rothschild" stop
Take line 10 to the "Pont Saint Jean" stop
Prices
- Adult price: €17
- Reduced rate, students: €12
- Family rate: €48
- Youth rate, 7 to 25 years old: €12
The visit is free for children under 7 years old.
Opening hours
The villa is open every day of the year.
February 1 to October 31:
- 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. in July and August
November 1 to January 31:
- 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays
- 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekends and school vacations
The last admission is 30 minutes before closing time.
Restaurant and Tearoom Opening Hours
February 1 to November 1:
- 11:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., daily
- 11:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., daily in July and August
November 2 through January 31:
- weekends, holidays and school vacations
- 11:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
The access to the tea room - restaurant is authorized for the holders of the entrance ticket of the Villa.
When should you visit the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild?
We recommend these 2 seasons, although all 4 are pleasant, and the gardens change with the seasons.
Spring (March to May): This period offers pleasant weather and the villa gardens are in full bloom, offering an explosion of color and fragrance.
Autumn (September to November): Fewer tourists and a milder climate make for a more pleasant visit. The gardens remain beautiful, with autumnal hues.
Handicap Accessibility
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Disability contact
Contact
Mr Christophe Piozza
Head of security and reception
04 93 01 45 90 -
Parking
Yes (4 slots)
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Outdoor access
Yes
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Building access
Ramp, otherwise 3 steps
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Interior accessibility
Only the first floor is accessible
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Seating areas
Yes
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Equipment supplied
Audio-guides
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Adapted sanitary facilities
Yes
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Preferential rates
Free for disabled cardholders