European Heritage Days – The Villa and Gardens of Ephrussi de Rothschild
On the occasion of the 41st European Heritage Days, we invite you to (re)discover the Villa and Gardens of Ephrussi de Rothschild in light of the 2024 theme: Maritime Heritage.
Throughout the weekend, the Villa will pay homage to the sea:
- First, through its location: Cap Ferrat, between isthmus and peninsula, offers the Villa unparalleled panoramas and breathtaking views over the Baie des Fourmis and Villefranche harbor.
- Then through its name: christened “Villa Île-de-France” by Baroness Béatrice Ephrussi de Rothschild, the residence in St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat refers to the namesake ship on which her cousin Théodore Reinach sailed in the early 20th century between Malta, Crete, Greece, and Cyprus.
- Lastly, through its history: Béatrice imagined and designed the garden of her future residence like the deck of a ship, with the bow stretching out to the rose garden, topped by the Temple of Love. Some even say that the baroness staged actors, dressed as sailors (pom-poms included!), to stroll around the property…
Beyond this special connection between Baroness Béatrice Ephrussi de Rothschild and the Mediterranean, you will also discover her passion for exoticism—fueled by her long journeys and an insatiable curiosity.
First, in the garden, where some plants crossed the oceans to decorate the Villa’s nine themed gardens, inspired by various influences: Mexican, Japanese, Spanish, Florentine, or French… So many destinations that offer a change of scenery!
Then through thematic guided tours in the Villa, where animals—sometimes fantastical, like the white elephant, a Buddhist symbol—hide in the collections: will you be able to find them? The parakeets from tropical forests, brought over the Atlantic? The koi carp, not far from the Sea of Japan? Or the monkeys, sacred on the other side of the Indian Ocean, and brought back into fashion in Europe in the 18th century?
And since our “Béatrice Year” celebrates two anniversaries, we have two surprises for you:
- On Saturday evening, the South facade will come to life with a light show, inspired by the baroness’s life and the Villa’s construction, in honor of the 160th birthday of Béatrice Ephrussi de Rothschild.
- Throughout the weekend, free entry for all named Béatrice (offer valid until the end of the year).
Across 5 hectares of garden and a collection of over 5,000 pieces, we invite you on a long journey to discover Béatrice’s wanderings. Embark with us!
Hours
- Saturday, September 21: from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
- Sunday, September 22: from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Prices
- Reduced rate for all: €13
- Free for those under 18 years old
- €8 for ages 18 to 25
Other
- Free thematic guided tours: information at www.villa-ephrussi.com
- Light show projections on Saturday, September 21, from sunset (7:30 PM) to closing (10:00 PM)
- The Béatrice restaurant/tea room will be open until 10:00 PM on Saturday, September 21
Contact
- Public: receptions@villa-ephrussi.com – Tel +33 4 93 01 45 90
