Let yourself be seduced by the fascinating history of an exceptional place: the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, recognized as one of the most beautiful palaces on the Côte d’Azur. Nestled in the heart of Cap Ferrat, this villa is much more than a simple residence: it is the fruit of the passion of a woman of character for art and culture, Béatrice Ephrussi de Rothschild.
A history of passion
The story of the palace began in 1905, when Béatrice de Rothschild, wife of Maurice Ephrussi, inherited the fortune of her father, who had died shortly before. She fell under the spell of a 7-hectare plot of land on Cap Ferrat, and the captivating beauty of this French region inspired the Baroness de Rothschild to realize her dream of building her own villa. To realize this project, Béatrice decided to launch a major project, surrounding herself with the best architects of the day, ready to fulfill her every wish. Jacques-Marcel Auburtin became the principal architect in 1907.
Dazzling Gardens
Béatrice Ephrussi de Rothschild had a clear vision: to create large, lush gardens on the rocky promontory, despite the unfavorable nature of the terrain for a plant park. Today, thanks to the determination of the Baroness de Rothschild, the palace is surrounded by nine themed gardens, enough to take you on a trip to the four corners of the world while staying on our beautiful Côte d’Azur.
The Jardin à la Française: in the shape of a boat deck with waterfalls, giving the illusion of being on the boat named “Ile de France” that the Baroness kept as a souvenir.
Le Jardin Espagnol: in red and white, this garden will awaken all your senses.
Le Jardin Florentin: recognizable by its imposing horseshoe-shaped staircase, this garden is home to rare plants dating back to the Belle Epoque.
Le Jardin Lapidaire: an outdoor art gallery sheltered by century-old trees.
Le Jardin Japonais: a haven of peace with ponds, bridges and lanterns, reminiscent of the serenity of Zen gardens. It is also called “Cho-Seki-Tei”, which means “garden where one listens quietly to the pleasant sound of the waves at dusk”.
Le Jardin Mexicain or recently renamed Jardin exotique: Exotic and vibrant, with cacti and succulents.
Le Jardin Provençal: Bordered by olive trees, it emanates the ever-present scent of lavender and rosemary.
A unique art collection
In 1912, Béatrice Ephrussi de Rothschild turned her villa into a collector’s home. She took great care to add numerous works of art to each room, with a total of almost 5,000 pieces decorating this magnificent villa. It’s a style we now call the “Rothschild Style”, incorporating the best of every period in art. In 1933, the Baroness bequeathed her villa and its entire art collection to the Académie des Beaux-Arts, ensuring the preservation of this unique heritage.
An unforgettable visit
Today, the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild welcomes the public all year round to share in this very special heritage. To visit this exceptional place, you’ll need to spend €17 per adult on a standard daytime visit. For an even more unforgettable experience, the palace also offers a number of unique services, such as a visit by night, with a dinner concocted by chef Aude Filipowski (€105 per person). It’s also possible to enjoy a packed lunch in the palace gardens, an experience that combines the beauty of the setting with a gourmet break.
A Dream Stay
To make the most of your visit to the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, we recommend you stay in one of our sublime villas close to the palace, available exclusively on our website Luxury furnished rentals in France in Versailles, Paris (lesdemoisellesaversailles.com) Our luxury accommodations offer the ideal setting to discover this jewel of the French Riviera.
Immerse yourself in the history, art and beauty of this unique place and let the magic of Cap Ferrat sweep you away. Béatrice Ephrussi de Rothschild’s passion for art and nature continues to inspire and amaze every visitor who passes through the doors of this extraordinary villa. A visit to the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild is a true invitation to travel, to discover and to enjoy.
