MONACO NEIGHBOURHOOD
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age 19 to an elder friend of her parents. Her husband was a gambling addict who passed on to her a sexual disease that left her barren. Divorced but with a passion for life she built this absolute gem of a Villa in Italian Renaissance style in 1912 to house her art collection. And what a collection— garnered from every corner of the world. Gardens in this case is an understatement, there are as many uniquely themed gardens as there are days in the week— yes, seven, including ponds, waterfalls, sculptures and beautiful flowerbeds. For your extra enjoyment water fountains burst into motion and spray and tinkle to music every 20 minutes or so in the French garden; these beautiful fountains were designed by the Baroness herself. Beatrice Rothschild was exceptional, even eccentric, paying strict attention to every detail to the point of having 30 gardeners dressed in Marine uniforms— at attention when she took her morning stroll. While walking along
Destiny has had Cap Ferrat become a host to Royalty and celebrities. The peninsula is also part of the Pelagos Sanctuary for Mediterranean Marine Mammals, a protected area jointly managed by Monaco, France, and Italy and whales and dolphins swim protected there. A paradise for divers. The Mediterranean coast, its mild winter climate with day after glorious day of sunshine was a magnet for European Royalty, mainly English and Russian, and the Dutch and the Belgians joined in the party too. And it was King Leopold of Belgium who with mega riches amassed from colonial invasion of the Belgian Congo saw the potential in Cap Ferrat. Its location, nearly equidistant between the lively city of Nice and Monaco was ideal.
Fit for a Kingdom
There is something about rocky promontories on the Mediterra nean coast that they are destined to become mini-kingdoms. Maybe it is because of their distinct geographical boundaries and their regal, commanding positions that they cry out to be the homes of dukes, prin ces and kings. So King Leopold pieced himself together a royal fairyland there and bought every parcel he could lay his hands on. Tie together the winter exclusivity of European Royalty and then the summer playground for the 1920s invasion of the Lost Generation and you have the perfect cocktail of royalty, celebrity, and literati. And, of course, the light of the Riviera drew more than its fair share of artistic geniuses, Picasso, Monet and Chagall. Cap d’ Antibes had F. Scott Fitzgerald and Cannes to send its reputation to the stars and Eden Roc and Eilenroc as its palaces for entertainment. Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat has Somer set Maugham, Oscar Wilde, and Noël Coward and it does have the great Fortune that Baroness Beatrice Rothschild alighted there.
Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild
Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild is the Baroness’ creation. She was heiress to a large Rothschild fortune and survivor of a disastrous marriage at
Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild
the narrow paths you also get a feel for the special geography of Cap Ferrat which because of its narrow finger-like shape allows, on occasion, for sea-views to both the East and West side— incredible and impressive. The Baroness watched over every detail and that applied to the Villa too. You notice it as you enter the ornate marble hall of the pink Villa from the gardens. From the hall you will find her dining room where you take tea; it is bright, fresh and airy with beautiful views to the Bay of Villefranche. Her taste was exquisite much of which is on show as you check out the immaculate rooms in her apartments. Villa Ephrussi Rothschild— a visit to remember.
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Hello Monaco Summer – Autumn 2018 / 129