Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild
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The Gardens
Upon arrival most visitors begin with the Spanish garden with its secluded alcove, ornamental pond and pergola, then follow the signs that lead on to the other gardens: the cyprus tree-lined Florentine alley with its gorgeous horseshoe staircase overlooking the inlet at Villefranche-sur-Mer, the mysterious lapidary with its arches and sculpted rocks; the harmony of the Japanese garden with its raked sand and stone garden, pagoda and small pond filled with koi. From there you're pass through a magnificent bamboo garden with some of the tallest bamboo I have ever seen which act like a tunnel before entering the villa's rose garden.
Here you'll find over a hundred different varieties of rose bushes as well as wonderful views across the bay. As a byline, looking towards the bay of Villefranche you can't help but notice the stunning varnished green tiled roofs of a superb Italian style villa. They belong to Villa Sylvia which was built by the American Ralph Curtis in 1902. Turning round and facing the rose garden once more you'll find a pathway leads you gently up towards a very beautiful temple, then takes you through the exotic garden overflowing with magnificent cacti and impressive succulants. Following the signs you come to another temple: the famous Temple of Love with its charming cascading waterfall.
From this viewpoint you have the whole of the French gardens stretching out before you. The long ornamental pond draws your eye naturally towards the magical dancing waterfountains at the end of the pond and to the pink facade of Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild beyond.
It is a breathtaking endeavour and now meticulously looked after and, as one would expect, discreetly featured in a few films: Retour de Manivelle in 1957 directed by Denys de La Patellière with Michèle Morgan and Daniel Gélin; Lady L directed by Peter Ustinov in 1965 with David Niven, Paul Newman and Sophia Loren: and the James Bond film Never say Never directed by Irvin Kershner in 1983 and starring Sean Connery.
As a final byline, while today this beautiful villa is painted a dark pink, it was originally a gorgeous deep yellow ochre; have a look again at the delightful comedy Lady L . . .
