Perched on the dreamy peninsula of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, the Rothschild Villa (officially known as the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild), is one of the most stunning attractions on the French Riviera. This pink-hued palace, built by Béatrice Ephrussi de Rothschild in the early 20th century, is a masterpiece of Neo-Renaissance architecture and a must-see for anyone visiting the Côte d’Azur. With its opulent interiors, breathtaking views of both the harbour of Villefranche-sur-Mer and the bay of Beaulieu-sur-Mer, and nine themed gardens, the Rothschild Villa offers a glimpse into the luxurious lifestyle of the daughter of one of Europe’s most prominent families. Whether you are staying in Nice, Monaco, Antibes, or elsewhere along the French Riviera, a visit to the Rothschild Villa in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat is a cultural highlight you will not want to miss!
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The Rothschild Villa is one of the most elegant and enchanting estates on the French Riviera. It was built by Béatrice de Rothschild, a member of the prominent French branch of the Rothschild banking dynasty (one of the wealthiest and most influential families in Europe during the 19th and early 20th centuries). Born into extraordinary privilege, Béatrice had a keen eye for art, a deep appreciation for beauty, and a flair for the extravagant.
In 1883, Béatrice married the wealthy Russian-born banker Maurice Ephrussi, but the union was far from ideal. Béatrice was infected with syphilis from Maurice, leaving her unable to have children. Maurice’s compulsive gambling and spiraling debts strained their relationship, and the couple eventually divorced in 1904. While being a divorcée was hardly in fashion at the turn of the 20th century, Béatrice was able to weather the storm thanks to the large inheritance she received after her father's passing the following year, in 1905. Following the divorce, Béatrice, who remained childless, focused her energy and newfound fortune on collecting art, traveling, and, most notably, the building of her dream home on the French Riviera.
Between 1905 and 1912, Béatrice commissioned the construction of the Rothschild Villa on a narrow promontory in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, with panoramic views of both the Bay of Villefranche-sur-Mer and the Bay of Beaulieu-sur-Mer. Inspired by Italian Renaissance architecture, the villa was designed to resemble a grand palazzo, complete with a pink façade, an arcaded loggia, and lavishly decorated salons. Béatrice filled the home with her extensive collections, everything from rare porcelain and antique furniture to 18th-century artworks and tapestries.
The villa’s interior was only half the vision. Béatrice oversaw the development of nine themed gardens surrounding the property, each with its own distinct identity: French formal, Spanish, Florentine, Japanese, Provençal, exotic, stone, rose, and the Sévres gardens. The gardens were meticulously designed with terraces, fountains, and classical sculptures, and the centerpiece is the formal French garden, largely inspired by the Petit Trianon at Versailles (complete with a replica of the Temple of Love).
A lover of animals, Béatrice surrounded herself with pets, including: two monkeys, birds, dogs, and even a mongoose. (She even commissioned bespoke, miniature furniture for her beloved animals, some of which are still on display in the villa today.) Her deep affection for her animals and eccentric personal tastes only added to the villa’s character. Upon her death in 1934, she bequeathed the Rothschild Villa and all of its contents to the Académie des Beaux-Arts, ensuring that the public would one day be able to experience her extraordinary creation.
Today, the Rothschild Villa stands as a lasting legacy of Béatrice’s impeccable taste and independent spirit, an enduring cultural treasure on the French Riviera.
Béatrice de Rothschild meticulously curated every detail of her villa to reflect her passion for art and design, and today, the villa offers a beautifully preserved glimpse into her opulent and eccentric lifestyle.
The Rothschild Villa is arranged around a central, now enclosed, patio. Each room is richly decorated with period furniture, tapestries, and priceless decorative arts. Some of the highlights within the Rothschild Villa include:
Among the highlights of the Rothschild Villa is the Grand Salon, my personal favorite, which features Louis XVI-style furnishings and large windows framing views of the gardens and the sea beyond.
Look down, and you will see one of the room’s most exceptional treasures: a richly woven carpet that once belonged to the chapel of the Palace of Versailles. Created during the reign of Louis XV, the carpet features intertwined golden “L”s at its center. Out of the original five carpets made for the Versailles chapel, this is the only known survivor; the others were destroyed during the French Revolution.
Also not to be missed in the Grand Salon is Béatrice’s game table. She loved to host friends for games of bridge, poker, chess, and tric-trac (an early version of backgammon). Despite Béatrice's ex-husband's extensive gambling debts, Béatrice enjoyed gambling and was a frequent visitor to the Monte Carlo Casino, only 8.2 miles (13.2 kilometers) away from the Rothschild Villa. The game table on display in the Grand Salon was a gift from Marie Antoinette to one of her friends in the 18th century.
Béatrice’s bedroom is a soft, elegant space that feels surprisingly personal compared to the villa’s more formal salons. Decorated in soft colors with delicate textiles, this room offers a quieter, more intimate glimpse into Béatrice’s world. The space is furnished with a large bed, covered in silk linens. (The Rothschild family engaged in the silk trade with China at the time of the villa's construction.) Across from the bed, in the seating area underneath the large window that overlooks the water, you can see some of the bespoke furniture that Béatrice commissioned for her animals (pictured below).
Another highlight of the Rothschild Villa is Béatrice’s impressive porcelain collection, on display in the Dining Room and Porcelain Room. Béatrice was an avid collector of 18th-century porcelain, and these spaces house some of her most prized pieces, including rare examples from Sèvres and Vincennes. The porcelain is displayed in custom-designed cases that turn each piece into a work of art. More porcelain pieces are on display throughout the villa.
Each room located on the first floor of the Rothschild Villa (or second floor as Americans call it) is full of personality, much like Béatrice de Rothschild herself. One of the first spaces you will come across is the Directoire Bedroom, where wall decorations, complete with animals, set the tone for Béatrice’s flair for the exotic and love of animals. Just next door, the Blue Bedroom offers gorgeous views of the sea and gardens.
The final highlight of the Rothschild Villa's interior is the outdoor terrace on the first floor. From here, you get exquisite views of both the manicured gardens below and the shimmering Mediterranean Sea beyond.
As incredible as the Rothschild Villa is inside, it is the gardens that are the real highlight of any trip to the Rothschild Villa. I loved the gardens even more than the house itself, something I had not expected until I saw them in person. Designed as a series of nine distinct themed gardens, each one feels like its own little world. From the symmetry and fountains of the French formal garden, to the romantic pathways of the Florentine garden, to the exotic garden filled with cacti and succulents, the variety is impressive. You could spend hours here wandering from one space to the next, with each turn revealing a new burst of color or a perfectly framed view of the water.
Perched high on the Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat peninsula, the Rothschild Villa is surrounded by bays on both sides, creating a breathtaking backdrop for the lush greenery and manicured flower beds. I visited at the very end of April, and the roses were in bloom! 😍 Between the blossoms, the fountains, and the dramatic coastal views, the gardens at the Rothschild Villa are absolutely incredible and, for me, the most memorable part of the entire visit.
Since the grounds are expansive, covering some 17.3 acres (7 hectares), I recommend spending the bulk of your time visiting three of the themed gardens: the French formal garden, the Florentine garden, and the rose garden. These were my favorites among the gardens at the Rothschild Villa and, in my opinion, had the best scenic viewpoints.
Tickets for the Rothschild Villa can be purchased both in-person and online via the Rothschild Villa Ticket Office website. Tickets cost €18 for adults, while discounted tickets are available for children (ages 7-17) and students (ages 18-25, with a valid student ID card). Admission to the Rothschild Villa is free for children under the age of seven.
The Rothschild Villa is open daily, including holidays. Please note, however, that the Rothschild Villa does serve as a wedding and event space. Therefore, the Rothschild Villa may close to the public for private events. Upcoming closures, if any, are posted on the Rothschild Villa website.
The Rothschild Villa is typically open from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. During the months of July and August, the Rothschild Villa has extended opening hours, from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM. From November through the end of January, the Rothschild Villa is open from 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM on weekdays (with regular hours on the weekend, remaining open until 6:00 PM.) The last admission is 30 minutes before closing.
As you likely now know, the Rothschild Villa is located in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, which is about halfway between Nice and Monaco. The easiest way to access the Rothschild Villa is by car. Free parking is available on-site.
If you are traveling through the French Riviera as I did, without a car, you can opt to take a taxi or an Uber to the Rothschild Villa. I opted to call Ubers to and from the Rothschild Villa and had no issues. With that being said, public transportation from Nice is also available. Bus #15 stops just outside of the Rothschild Villa. The bus picks up in Nice a couple of blocks from the Musée d'Art Moderne et d'Art Contemporain. The bus ride takes approximately 35 minutes. Once you get off the bus at the Rothschild Villa, it is a short, 5-minute walk to the ticket office and entrance.
If you are looking to visit the Rothschild Villa from somewhere further away than Nice during your time in the French Riviera, keep in mind that the closest train station to the Rothschild Villa is Beaulieu-sur-Mer. From the train station, it is a 30-minute walk (1.2 miles/2 kilometers) to the Rothschild Villa.
For additional information regarding opening hours and transportation, please visit the Rothschild Villa website.
The Rothschild Villa hosts a variety of special events and seasonal experiences throughout the year. Highlights include the annual Roses and Plants Festival each May, summer evening events with candlelit garden strolls and live music, and themed cultural nights during the off-season. These gatherings bring the estate to life in new and memorable ways, offering visitors a chance to experience the villa outside of its usual hours.
For additional information about each of the following events and seasonal experiences at the Rothschild Villa, as well as other events not listed here, please visit the Rothschild Villa website.
Every May, the Rothschild Villa gardens are transformed during the Roses & Plant Festival, celebrating Béatrice de Rothschild’s lifelong passion for roses and horticulture. Held over a weekend in early May (most recently May 3-4, 2025), the festival brings together renowned rose growers and gardening experts in the formal French garden. Visitors can discover rare plant species, enjoy workshops, and join guided tours of the nine gardens. The event also features concerts and floral displays woven throughout the gardens.
Each summer at the Rothschild Villa, the enchanting Nocturnes of the Villa Show transforms the gardens into a sparkling, candle-lit stage for live musical performances. The outdoor performances take place on the lawn, so you are encouraged to bring a blanket. Picnic baskets are also available for purchase during the event. The Nocturnes of the Villa takes place every Monday and Tuesday night, from 8:00 PM to midnight, from July 14 to August 26, 2025. The shows start promptly at 9:00 PM. For additional information, please visit the Rothschild Villa website.
Twice each summer on select evenings, the Rothschild Villa opens its gardens for a Dinner Under the Stars experience. Tickets include a gourmet, three-course meal and an astronomical observation in partnership with the Observatoire de la Côte d’Azur. This year's events are scheduled for July 24 and August 21, 2025. Advance tickets are required as the event is limited to only 50 guests per night. For additional information, please visit the Rothschild Villa website.
While the Rothschild Villa, an unforgettable blend of art, architecture, and gardens that ranks among the top things to do on the Côte d’Azur, is the greatest jewel in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat there is more to this town that meets the eye. Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat is also known for its picturesque beaches and scenic coastal hiking trails. If you are planning on spending some additional time in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, here is some information regarding things to do, hotels, and more in the area.
Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat may be small, but it is full of charm, coastal beauty, and peaceful spots perfect for a relaxed Riviera day. Here are some other things to do aside from visiting the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild:
Visitors often enjoy staying in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat thanks to its quiet location off the main tourist path and breathtaking coastal views. The town offers an escape from the busier towns along the French Riviera, with upscale hotels and relatively easy access to destinations like Nice, Villefranche-sur-Mer, and Èze. A few of the highest rated hotels in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat are listed below.
Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat offers a refined yet relaxed dining scene, perfect for a leisurely lunch or an elegant seaside dinner. Many restaurants are clustered around the port, where you will find everything from fresh seafood and Mediterranean cuisine to more casual cafés with gorgeous sea views. Some of the most popular restaurants in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, include:
The Rothschild Villa is not just the crown jewel of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, it is easily one of the most underrated (and unforgettable) experiences on the entire French Riviera. With its opulent interiors, extravagant themed gardens, and breathtaking views, it offers a perfect blend of culture, history, and natural beauty that sets it apart from the region’s many beaches. Plus, it gives you a peek inside how some of the wealthiest residents lived in the Côte d'Azur in the early 20th century. Whether you are staying in nearby Nice, Antibes, or Monaco, the Rothschild Villa deserves a spot on your itinerary.
For more ideas on how to plan your time in the French Riviera, do not miss our full French Riviera Travel Guide—packed with town-by-town recommendations and helpful tips. If you are heading to Antibes, be sure to check out our dedicated Antibes Travel Guide for everything you need to know about this charming coastal town!
Have you visited the Rothschild Villa and Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat or are you planning to visit soon? Let us know your thoughts or questions in the comments below—we would love to hear from you! Happy travels!