Located on a remarkable site overlooking both the bays of Beaulieu-sur-Mer and Villefranche-sur-Mer, the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, built by architect Marcel Aubertin, is one of the architectural jewels of the French Riviera.
The Villa, with its gardens designed and arranged by Bรฉatrice Ephrussi de Rothschild, is a representative example of the residences constructed during the golden age of holidaymaking on the French Riviera.
In 1934, Bรฉatrice Ephrussi de Rothschild bequeathed this exceptional property to the Academy of Fine Arts to open it to the public.
Significant collections of paintings, sculptures, ceramics, drawings, furniture, and art objects from the 15th to the 18th century are gathered in the villa.
However, the masterpiece of the place is, without a doubt, the Louis XVI salon, whose well-crafted furniture includes true “treasures” of 18th-century art.
Despite the care given to this furniture ensemble, it had suffered the ravages of time and lost some of its former splendor.
To restore all its glory, a major restoration campaign was undertaken on the furniture as well as sculptures, bronzes, fireplaces, and tapestries from the Savonnerie that decorate the grand salon.
To this end, a partnership was signed on October 19, 2015, between the Academy of Fine Arts and the Heritage Foundation to raise funds and allow this ambitious restoration program, which is underway and partially completed, to be undertaken.
