VILLA KÉRYLOS

BEAULIEU-SUR-MER

Every corner of this villa transports you back to the glorious times of the ancient Greeks, offering total immersion thanks to its warm welcome, ritual baths, convivial dining room, frescoes, furnishings and lush gardens.

With a range of visit options, from self-guided tours to immersive virtual experiences, all you have to do is choose your journey through time.

The Kerylos villa is waiting for you to come and discover all its secrets.

L'Andron - Villa Kérylos l credit Photo Colombe Clier - Centre des Monuments Nationaux

The history of Villa Kérylos

Do you really know the story behind this exceptional residence?

Villa Kérylos is the fruit of the collaboration between Théodore Reinach, an eminent Hellenist with a passion for ancient Greece, and Emmanuel Pontremoli, a visionary architect.
Together, between 1902 and 1908, they created a residence based on the principles of ancient Greek architecture, with the aim of reviving the lifestyle and culture of that glorious era.
The house is a hymn to antiquity, incorporating the elements of a noble house on the island of Delos, while incorporating the modern comforts of its time.

This enthusiast of ancient Greece wanted to pay homage by recreating a luxurious palace on the island of Delos. It combines the subtle luxury of Greek antiquity with the modern comforts of its time.
Like all villas built during the Belle Epoque, Villa Kerylos was also a holiday home. Discover here the realization of a dream and the culmination of both intellectual and artistic research.

Murals in the Villa Kérylos - credit CEDRIC SCHERRER

Welcome message and Villa symbols

What treasures does this entrance conceal, and what is the significance of the welcome message?
Right from the entrance, the message "xaire" (rejoice) greets visitors, symbolizing ancient Greek hospitality and joie de vivre.
Mosaics depicting a rooster and his family evoke the notion of family and continuity, while bronze snakes and frescoes representing war and peace enrich the welcoming theme, introducing visitors to the values and beliefs of antiquity.

did you know that

The sundial was used in ancient times. It was drawn according to the usage of the time in temporary hours.

The importance of bathing in Antiquity

Have you ever imagined the importance of the bath in Antiquity, and how this space reflected the social life of the time?

The balaneion, or villa bathroom, with its luxurious pool dedicated to the naiads, water nymphs, illustrates the importance of bathing in ancient society.
It was not only a place of physical cleanliness, but also a social space where discussions, meetings and relaxation took place.
Water, the source of life, was venerated, reflecting the connection between man, nature and the divine.

Bathroom - credits Colombe Clier - Centre des monuments nationaux

The Peristyle Frescoes and their stories

What stories do the frescoes in the peristyle tell?

The peristyle, with its frescoes inspired by ancient vases, recounts myths and legends from ancient Greece, such as the dispute over the lyre between Apollo and Hermes, the death of Talos, and the conquest of the Golden Fleece.
These stories, painted by students of Puvis de Chavannes, are not mere decorations;
they are windows onto the world and Greek thought, inviting reflection and admiration.

Bathroom - credits Colombe Clier - Centre des monuments nationaux

A sanctuary for writing, philosophy and poetry

The library, dedicated to Athena, is a treasure trove of ancient learning.
But what secrets does it hold, and how does the eastern light influence your visiting experience?

The Villa Kérylos library is one of the masterpieces of this monument, reflecting Reinach's deep admiration for Greek culture and history. Admire its remarkable furnishings and antique books, testimony to Reinach's passion for antiquity.
Designed by Emmanuel Pontremoli and inspired by the ancient dwellings discovered during the excavations of Delos, it houses a precious collection of antique furniture and works, with a space dedicated to Athena, goddess of wisdom.

The library's floors are adorned with intricate mosaics, including a hexagonal representation of the goddess Hera, adding to the room's cultural and aesthetic richness.
This space is not only a tribute to the erudition and intellectuality of ancient Greece, but also a place of exchange and knowledge, designed to stimulate curiosity and learning.

Ancient Greek architectural details and customs in the dining room

How does this dining room reflect the customs of the ancient Greeks? And what architectural details contribute to its unique ambience?

The dining room, or triklinos, with its banqueting beds lined up around tables, brings to life the eating customs of the ancient Greeks, where eating a meal was a convivial and relaxing act, done while lying down.
This organization of the space, faithful to ancient traditions, reinforces immersion in the daily life of the Greeks and offers visitors a unique experience.

A Greek fantasy - Villa Kérylos - Jean-Francois Jaussaud Luxproductions 059

Gardens and Their Journey into Antiquity

How do gardens extend your journey into antiquity?

The gardens of Villa Kérylos, with their meticulous selection of Mediterranean plants, are not only a space of natural beauty;
they are an extension of the villa that extends the experience of ancient Greece.
Strolling among olive trees, vines and pine trees, we are invited to contemplate the sea and reflect on the harmony between man, his habitat and nature, principles dear to Greek culture.

Furniture, frescoes, statues, mosaics

The frescoes

The fascinating frescoes, mainly located in the peristyle, were created by the pupils of Puvis de Chavannes, Jaulmes and Karbowsky.
These captivating works of art from the early 20th century illustrate Greek mythological scenes, such as the dispute between Apollo and Hermes over the lyre, the death of Talos and the odyssey of the Argonauts, Apollo's journey to the land of the Hyperboreans, and rites dedicated to Dionysus.
They highlight key moments in Greek mythology, such as the marriage of Pelops and the invention of the Olympic Games, as well as the return of Hephaestus to Olympus, inspired by ancient vases in the museums of Berlin, Munich and the Vatican.
These frescoes offer a rich and colorful glimpse of Greek antiquity, testifying to the cultural and historical depth that permeates every room in the villa.

Villa Kérylos Library, Beaulieu-sur-Mer l credit Frederick Duchesne

The furniture

The Villa Kérylos furniture, designed by Emmanuel Pontremoli and manufactured by the Bettenfeld workshop, represents a perfect example of quality craftsmanship, inspired by the masters of the past and the treasures of Naples' archaeological museum.
With a collection including vast tables, varied seating, thrones and beds, each piece is a tribute to elegance and sophistication.
Using precious materials such as rosewood, cocobolo, Siamese olive, ivory and coral, these furnishings skilfully marry wood, bronze, marble and marquetry, reflecting opulence and refinement.

Bathroom - credits Colombe Clier - Centre des monuments nationaux

Mosaics and ceilings

The mosaics and coffered ceilings of Villa Kerylos bear witness to the exquisite attention to detail and decoration inspired by Greek antiquity, echoing the archaeological discoveries of Delos.

The floor, adorned with mosaics depicting family, marine and mythological scenes, as well as complex geometric motifs, reflects the richness and variety of Greek decorative arts.

The ceilings, adorned with geometric friezes and elaborate compositions, add a further dimension to the villa's interior beauty, with masterpieces such as the Triklinos ceiling illustrating Reinach and Pontremoli's skill and creativity in reinterpreting ancient aesthetics for a modern space.

Villa Kérylos, the peristyle credits Cédric Scherer

The statues

Villa Kérylos is a sanctuary of statuary, offering a rich collection of reproductions of famous Greek sculptures that adorn its spaces, from the proauleion to the oïkos.
These casts, representing mythological and historical figures such as Solon, Homer, Hippocrates, the Aurige of Delphi, and even Alexander the Great, add cultural depth to every room in the villa.

The library houses busts of Athena and the amphithyros houses Athena Lemnia, testifying to the importance of these divinities in the intellectual and spiritual life of ancient Greece.

The triklinos is animated by figures of satyrs and fauns, inviting feasting and celebration, while the andron features heroes and gods in action.

The Antiques Gallery features casts of famous statues such as the Venus de Milo and the Apollo of Belvedere, bringing visitors closer to Greek art and mythology.

These reproductions underline the villa's admiration for the beauty and heritage of ancient Greece, paying tribute to its lasting influence on art and culture.

Together, these elements make Villa Kerylos more than just a visit; it's an immersion into a world where the aesthetics, philosophy and way of life of ancient Greece are celebrated. Ready to explore this window on antiquity?
Villa Kérylos awaits you for an unforgettable experience.

L'Andron - Villa Kérylos l credit Photo Colombe Clier - Centre des Monuments Nationaux

Tours and activities

Villa Kérylos does not accept dogs, except for guide and assistance dogs.

Self-guided tour

Explore Villa Kérylos at your own pace as you stroll through its spaces and garden overlooking the sea. To enhance your visit, audioguides and brochures are available at reception, giving you keys to understanding and detailed information on this exceptional monument.

- Self-guided tour with tour guide: French, English, Italian
- Audioguide: French, English, Italian, Russian, German, Spanish, Greek

Guided tour

At the Villa Kérylos, guided tours in French are organized by the monument's staff every day.
Two guided tours are available daily, without reservation, at 11am and 3pm.

Duration: approx. 45 min. Price: no extra charge on your ticket price

School visits

Villa Kérylos offers educational programs specially designed for students in cycles 1 to 4, as well as high school students.
These educational activities are designed to enrich students' learning by immersing them in the history and culture of ancient Greece, and are adapted to each grade level.

We offer a range of tours for school groups.

Self-guided visit, using a printed document or audioguide: €40 per class
Conference visit: €90 per class
Heritage workshop with guided tour: €130 per class
Two classes can be accommodated at the same time.

You can bring your own picnics and enjoy the two municipal gardens close to Villa Kérylos, including the Jardin de l'Olivaie, less than 4 minutes' walk away. To preserve the Villa's interior, please ensure that food and drink are consumed only outside the Villa's boundaries.

The virtual tour

The villa from your home : Click here
You can visit Villa Kérylos without actually being there!
From the comfort of your own home, you can stroll through the Villa's spaces and discover valuable information about the treasures it contains.

Prices 

The ticket gives you access to the entire monument. Online booking is possible but not compulsory. You can also buy your ticket on site.

The Villa Kérylos is open all year round, Monday to Sunday, 10am to 7pm.

- Individual ticket: 13 euros.
- Under 18s: free
- Students aged 18-25: free
- First Sunday of the month: free

Twin ticket with Trophée d'Auguste in La Turbie: 16 euros
Valid 4 days from date of purchase.

Combined ticket with La Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild 22 euros
Valid 8 days from date of purchase.

Combined ticket with La Villa Ephrussi de RothschildUnder 26s: 11 euros
Valid for 8 days from date of purchase.

Opening hours

May 2 to August 31
10 am - 6 pm

September 1 to April 30
10am - 5pm

Last admission to the monument half an hour before closing time.
Closed on January 1, May 1, November 1 and 11 and December 25.