Built
upon the narrowest point of the isthmus of Cap Ferrat, Beatrice
de Rothschild's villa looks over the bay of Ville franche to
the west and over the sea to Italy on the east. The villa,
built under the personal supervision of Beatrice herself,
houses an eclectic collection of fine art, furniture,
porcelain all bequeathed by the Baroness to the French state,
on the condition that it was to "keep the essence of a private
salon". So it is that in the colonnaded covered patio, a
perfect setting for opera, our audience can experience the
eighteenth century intimacy of a private musical soirée,
surrounded by precious works of art exactly as Beatrice
Ephrussi de Rothschild intended.
The gardens of the Villa, covering several acres, are a marvel
in themselves. With seven distinct areas leading from the
classic French garden immediately in front of the House
through a Spanish style patio garden through Florentine, rock,
Japanese, exotic plant, and rose gardens to the natural
Provencal garden. The gardens have been restored and
maintained by the Friends of the Villa and are visited by
horticultural devotees from all over the world.
