villa & jardins ephrussi de rothschild

About a 20 minute bus trip from Nice. Beautiful Louis XVI decorated Villa with Stunning views of the gardens and Riviera. Tea Salon in Villa with lunch menu. Plan on spending about 2 hours. Beautiful Gardens.

We were lucky to arrive on a beautiful sunny February day with gleaming bays on both sides of the amazing promontory on top of which stand the villa and gardens with magnificent views. The villa is full of fascinating artifacts and history, and we had a simple but slightly pricey meal in the loggia, formally served as if we were nobility. The architecture and gardens are stunning and the fountains played to ballet music every 20 minutes. At this time of year there is already colour in the gardens although it would be good to visit when the roses are out. A full day's exploration not too far from Nice by the 81 bus.

As I walked up throught the entrance gate I thought myself very lucky that no one else was visiting today - however when I arrived at the house gate at the top of the road it was locked. I realised that the villa was closed and was about to leave when the caretaker asked what I wanted and that I must "go immediately - don't stop on the way back - don't take any photos", etc. OK so I had missed the fact that it wasn't open until later in the afternoon but what a rude reception! Great views and looked interesting a pity there was no way I was returning.

It was a beautiful morning in the late february, I ordered a "pan bagnat": a delicious sandwich niçois, heading to Place Garibaldi, and take bus 81 heading to St Jean Cap Ferrat. Being almost the first visiter of the Villa, I was privileged to have the lovely gardens all to myself! Have a look at my photos, I couldn't describe better with my words... bonne journée!

I have gone back to see this attraction twice now and everytime i see something new. The views are stunning and the gardens extensive. If you are there on the weekend it is worth while to have you lunch on the errace overlooking the riviera. Taste how the rich and famous lived. The house and furnishings are all original and have been conserved. Fascinating history of the villa and its owner.

We took the bus from Nice which took about 30 minutes and the fare was 2 euros per person. Stunning scenery of the coastline on the way to St. Jean Cap Ferrat. Get off at the Passable stop. Short walk uphill to the villa. Try to go on a sunny day since the gardens are as stunning if not more so than the villa. Worth the price of admission. Beautiful villa, furnishings and gardens.

Even in january the gardens were colourfull and lots to seethe only dissapointment was the restarant was closed but it did not take away the surroundings and the view which was well worth a visit, a must for everyone to visit.

Our guide advised that the Villa was built to house the massive collections/ fixtures/ fittings acquired - not the other way round. With that in mind, as you enter the Villa, you need to look all around you to see the unusual and different things that have been brought together. I was intrigued by many items including -(looking up in the main entry) the collection of religious art (including art/paintings of the Medici destiny - (even though the Mistress of the house was Jewish); the (were they iron?) gates - acquired by buying the churches where they were previously installed; the marble pillars in the main hall; the china collection that had peculiar things like gravy boats (but were in fact for ladies to relieve themselves when they had no choice but to sit for hours in a church listening to a "man of the cloth" preaching), the rooms that looked as though they were direct from the Palace of Versailles ......and so many other things.Outside are the gardens divided into various sections such as Spanish, Japanese etc. I was surprised to find many of the plants were the same as those grown throughout the State of Queensland (Australia). A number of the group found the tour of the gardens on a rather hot day in Oct to be very taxing. I suggest good walking shoes, a bottle of water and hat. (After the tour, I went to the cafe area and immediately ordered two cold drinks to gulp down.) Finally, the Villa and Gardens are in a fantastic high location - with wonderful views. Even as you walk up the long driveway, before you get to the entrance at least 100m away, you will be looking to the right to admire the sea views.

this villa with gardens is amazing... inside the villa you get a glimpse of the glitter and glamour of Béatrice Ephrussi de Rothschild... enjoy the art collection, wander around the beautiful rooms and discover the various gardens !! Well worth the visit...

We bought a 20 euros ticket for combined entrance with the nearby Greek reconstruction Villa Kerylos and the Jardin Exotique d'Eze. All world class.Unsurpassable location atop this promentory giving breathtaking views along the coast in both directions. A delightful series of themed gardens with temples and fountains - some even cleverly choreographed to accompany excerpts of classical music, a different selection played every 15 minutes.The owner had limitless money and exquisite taste so furniture, paintings, carpets, tapestries etc are all the very best. And her own life was stranger than fiction.

The Rothschild Villa and Gardens are about a 30 minute drive from Nice and the gardens alone are worth the visit. The villa is nice and worth a bit of your time to look around, but a stroll around the many types of beautiful gardens are the real attraction here. They are gorgeous, and since the villa sits high on a hill, the views of the surrounding coast and Villafranche are stunning. A nice way to spend a couple of hours.

We love coming back here, our daughter has been coming here's since she can walk. We are in love of the villa, the shape of a boat, 7 gardens with different themes. The work of arts are exquisite. Although perhaps some have been altered, but one can still feel the woman's of fhe house passion for collecting the finest arts of paintings, silvers, china wares, doors from a Venetian church, this place just takes your breath away with the view of Ville Franche sur mer , Italy , Cannes. A must to see.

The villa was build by Mme Ephrussi de Rothchild and offers a beautiful location in the middle of the island with beautiful gardens with different topics. Worth while a visit.

A really interesting venue, where Lady Rothschild spend huge amounts of money creating great gardens and a somewhat odd but interesting house. Guess that's the sort of person she was. In November it is only open from 2pm, and there is nothing nearby so don't arrive early. Lots to see, especially the musical garden is amazing

We would not have known of this spectacular place but for a friend at home who recommended it to us when he found out we would be visiting Villefranche for a day on our cruise. The garden were unbelievable, even in mid-October. I can't imagine how beautiful they are in Spring and Summer. The desert garden was quite unususal and unexpected. It was an easy taxi ride from the tender pier (about 20 euros each way). A MUST SEE!