Ausflugstipp für den Hafen Villefranche-sur-Mer: Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild

Voraussichtliche Lesedauer: 10 minutes

Kreuzfahrturlaubern legen wir diese Sehenswürdigkeit an der Côte d’Azur besonders ans Herz. Wie ein luxuriöses Hochseeschiff schiebt sich die Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild über die schmalste Stelle der Halbinsel Cap Ferrat. Der Eindruck ist intendiert: Béatrice Rothschild wollte sich in ihrem Traumhaus fühlen wie auf ihren unvergesslichen Reisen quer durch Europa. Der Grundriss des Gartens erinnert daher auch an ein Schiffsdeck und die 30 Gärtner der Baroness mussten im Dienst eine Baskenmütze der Marine tragen. Kein Wunder, dass das Anwesen auch „Villa Ile-de-France“ genannt wird, nach dem gleichnamigen Ozeandampfer der Société Générale de Transport Maritimes. Man kann sich gut vorstellen, wie Béatrice Rothschild von ihrer Loggia im oberen Stockwerk der Villa ihr Anwesen überblickt – mit dem Gefühl auf einer Schiffsbrücke zu stehen.

Erbauerin der Villa: die berühmte Familie Rothschild

The Name Rothschild the most influential financiers in European countries. Béatrices grandfather of the leading bankers in France was, in his Salon Balzac and Heine were in and out. Her father crisis led the country out of a business. And after his death, the billionaire daughter wanted to create a monument to himself.

How it wanted the family tradition also invested Béatrice Rothschild, a part of her considerable fortune in art – with a preference for French and non-European works of the 18th century. Century. Your collection knew, passion has no limits. If your a mural liked in a chapel, she bought for the whole property.

Cap-Ferrat als Standort – Liebe auf den ersten Blick

For 40 years, the French art collector and patron of the arts as she discovers Cap-Ferrat on the Côte d'azur for themselves. The French Riviera is evolving to a place of High Society. Exactly the right place for an extravagant lady of the world. Béatrice Rothschild seven acres acquires rocky ground. And extended the property to a little country of the neighbor, the king of Belgium.

It stands in the midst of life and knows what she wants. Just divorced from Maurice Ephrussi, you are 21 years old, was married. The Couple had no children, and the Russian banker, had its liabilities in the amount of more than 12 million Gold addiction amassed Francs. Her father freed Béatrice from your Ehegefängnis and before the court for a divorce. It is one of his last official acts before his death.

12 architects in the exquisite construction of the Villa Ephrussi

After these bitter disappointments of life Rothschild focused Béatrice on your dream house in the neo-Renaissance style. You can rock blast to get rid of, and tons of earth applying for a stunning garden. The Baroness monitored the construction work himself, and attention to every Detail: The pillar of the South facade not only look like in a Venetian Church, they are also made of the same materials: Verona red marble and white Carrara marble. The facade is pink, the favorite color of the Baroness. The covered Patio in the heart of the building is lined with vaults in the Spanish-Moorish style. A whopping twelve architects the Baroness should have worn with the high self-esteem. In 1912, it is finally time, Béatrice Rothschild can relate to their winter residence, even when four hectares, the garden must still be designed.

The exquisite interior is Testament to Béatrice Rothschilds travel across Europe. On the way you buy furniture and textiles, tapestries and porcelain: a game table by Marie Antoinette, a carpet of Louis XIV – the Best is just good enough. For the walls of the Grand salon, she emerges with wood paneling of the 18th century. Century from the Hôtel de Crillon in Paris, the ceiling is decorated with a motif of Giovanni Battista Tiepolo. From the large arched Windows, one has a breathtaking view of the sea. 

What happiness that Beatrice Rothschild bequeathed the Villa and its art collection with roughly 5,000 exhibits of the Académie des Beaux-Arts of the Institut de France. The Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild was made available to the Public, and to be one of the main attractions of Villefranche-sur-Mer. The former dining room, the Baroness is today, the tar-restaurant of the Museum. Even the scenes of the James Bond film "say, play never never" in this impressive Villa.

The nine gardens of the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild

Alone for the nine themed gardens of the visit: whether Spanish, French, exotic, Japanese or provençal, whether stone or rose garden is worth it - on the seven acres of Land, the Baroness left nothing to chance. 30 gardeners took care of cacti and water lilies, palms and cypress trees. It is hard to imagine that hundreds of birds, as well as Mongooses, gazelles and antelope lived. The mongoose and two monkeys were allowed to recover to a custom made chair in the style of Louis XVI. Meanwhile, enjoyed the lady of the house, the sight of water fountains, which are still today in the rhythm of classical music and dance pieces.

Prominent company on the Cap Ferrat

Many of the magnificent villas of Cap Ferrat, are now in Russian hands. But also the founder of Microsoft, Paul Allen owned up to his death in a Villa in Villefranche-sur-mer. One of the greatest houses of La Fiorentina, 1917 for Therese de Beauchamp built on the extreme Eastern tip of the Peninsula. Rory Cameron organised here in the 50s large Parties Stars like Greta Garbo and Elizabeth Taylor, Frank Sinatra, and Andrew Lloyd Webber were in the elegant mansion on and off. The 400 million Euro Villa belongs to the family of angels horn, founder of BASF.

Anschließend: die Altstadt von Villefranche-sur-Mer

But also the old town of Villefranche-sur-Mer, you can see here, among other things, Tina Turner has been a private residence. A massive medieval fortress wall surrounds the idyllic place, with just 5,000 inhabitants. The 130-Meter-long Rue Obscure is part of the defense system and today is one of the main attractions. 

In Villefranche-sur-Mer, the town hall, four museums and a garden are waiting for a visit. Place Wilson to explore but also the wonderful old town on foot. Anyone who considers themselves from the port to the right, leads to the Rue Obscure. At the end of the Place du Conseil waiting fountain with a lion's head. Here is the municipality of the house used to stand. 

Tipps für die Anreise zur Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild vom Kreuzfahrtschiff-Hafen Villefranche-sur-Mer

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