Bonjour de Villefranche, parte deux

Villa Kerylos  was built in the early 1900s by a jewish French man named Theodore Reinach who had a passion for Greek history and culture. A man of means, he designed his villa in the style of a typical Grecian estate. He included such amenties as a bath, a library, apartments for both husband and wife, a kitchen and various salons in the style as you would have found in ancient Greece. Villa Kerylos also boasts lovely views of the port of Beaulieu and Cap Ferrat. What I loved most about this residence is the interest you immediately develop at being surrounded by the Greek history and culture. To temporarily satisfy the desire to know more about the day-to-day life in ancient Greece, there are extra chapters in the audio guide about the approach to education, cooking and eating styles, as well as bathing and dressing customs (including the extensive use of perfumes and make-up). No expense was spared and no detail left forgotten in this home with the abundant presence of frescoes and verbiage paying homage to Greek gods and their contribution to our modern world.

A beautiful white house on the water

And last but not least, here is a shot of me from my visit to Villa Ephrussi-de-Rothschild with Villefranche in the background.

Julia and view of busy port of Villefranche

Bonjour de Villefranche!

dimanche, le 21 aout

I arrived in Villefranch on Thursday and have had a busy few days. It has been great settling into Villa Sorrentina and the cote d’azur is definitely living up to expectation so far. Not only is every new town and street charming and quaint, but the weather has been perfect everyday – mid-80sF/about 30C – with pure sunshine and a breeze!

Today I had the chance to check out two wonderful villas in neighboring towns. First, I visited Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild. Beatrice Rothschild, a young woman from a wealthy Parisian family, married another well-heeled Russian gentleman, Ephrussi, and after an interesting life of travel and study, commissioned a villa to be built in St. Jean Cap Ferrat. This beautiful coral pink villa is surround by nine gardens (each with it’s own theme) and 360-degree views of Villefranche, Cap Ferrat, and Beaulieu. The inside of the villa is just as exquisite as the outside with furniture belonging to Marie Anoinette, Chinese silk bed linens, and an extensive porcelain collection, to name but a few items.

She's no gold-digger

I'll take one please! 🙂

The best part was when I was getting ready to leave. I overheard the opera signers getting ready for their performance tonight! The voices and acoustics in the main hall was heavenly. For a ten day period every summer, Villa Rothschild hosts an opera festival, which happens to be going on right now. It was a treat to get to listen for a little while! When closing one’s eyes, you could imagine how lavishly Mme Rothschild might have entertained her guests a hundred years ago! Now, onto Villa Kerylos…..