Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild: the most grandiose restoration of the century on the French Riviera

The jewel of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, is preparing for an unprecedented transformation. The monument’s administration has announced the launch of a large-scale restoration campaign, which will be the largest in the history of the villa since its completion in 1912. The work will start in the summer of 2027 and will last at least two years, with the total project budget estimated in the tens of millions of euros.

🏰 A bit of history: a palace born out of a passion for art

The villa was built by Baroness Béatrice Ephrussi de Rothschild, heiress to the famous banking dynasty. A woman with impeccable taste and a vast fortune, she acquired a plot on Cape Ferrat in 1905 and commissioned architect Aaron Messiah to create a residence that would become her personal museum. The villa, built in the neorenaissance style with Venetian and Hispano-Moorish motifs, was completed after seven years. The baroness lived here until her death in 1934, after which she bequeathed the villa to the Institute of France with the condition that it would be open to the public as a museum.

Today it is one of the most visited attractions on the French Riviera: around 500,000 tourists from all over the world visit the villa and its famous gardens annually.

🌿 Gardens - a separate chapter: nine worlds on one plot

The villa is as famous for its gardens as it is for its architecture. Béatrice Rothschild, a passionate botany enthusiast, created around the mansion nine thematic gardens, each reflecting a certain culture or style:

• French garden with perfect geometric shapes and fountains;
• Spanish garden with orange trees and ceramics;
• Florentine garden with cypresses and antique statues;
• Japanese garden with a pagoda, bamboo, and a koi carp pond;
• Exotic garden with cacti and succulents;
• Rose garden, lavender field, rock garden, and scented garden.

These gardens hold the honorary status of “Remarkable Gardens of France” (Jardin Remarquable) and are a true masterpiece of landscape art. During the restoration, they will not only be preserved but also strengthened by improving drainage systems and updating some plant compositions damaged by time and salty winds.

🔨 Restoration stages: from outbuildings to museum halls

The work will be carried out in stages to minimize inconvenience to visitors (although complete closures will not be avoided).

First stage (already started):

Restoration of the outbuildings, which have been neglected for a long time. They will be transformed into residences for artists and sculptors to restore the villa’s spirit of a creative laboratory, as it was during the baroness’s time. Relocation of administrative offices from historical buildings to modern premises to free up space for museum purposes.

Second stage (2027-2028):

Complete renovation of the entrance area and ticket booths. It is planned to create a modern welcome pavilion with a souvenir shop and café that will harmoniously blend into the landscape without compromising the historical appearance. After this, the museum inside the villa will be closed to the public for an extended period to carry out a major restoration of the interiors.

Third stage (internal restoration):

Restoration of the facades - they have suffered greatly from the harsh maritime climate. Salt, humidity, and strong sea winds corrode the stone and stucco. Specialists will clean the surfaces, replace damaged elements, and apply protective coatings. Complete renovation of the interiors: gilded stucco decorations, antique parquet floors, silk wallpapers, Venetian chandeliers, and marble fireplaces will be restored using authentic materials and techniques. Modernization of storage and climate control systems for the priceless collection of artworks amassed by the baroness: Sevres porcelain, Louis XV furniture, paintings by old masters, a unique collection of miniatures, and rare Eastern carpets.

🌊 Why is the restoration necessary now?

The villa literally stands on a rocky promontory jutting into the Mediterranean Sea. Corrosion from salty spray and ultraviolet radiation has caused colossal damage to the facades for over a century. The last significant restoration was carried out in the 1980s, and since then, many elements have deteriorated. In addition, the internal electrical, heating, and ventilation systems are outdated and do not meet modern requirements for preserving museum treasures.

The villa’s director, Marie-Christine Kain, emphasized: “We are obliged to pass on this heritage to future generations. The restoration will not only restore the building to its former glory but also make it more resilient to climate change, which brings increasingly aggressive weather phenomena to the coast.”

💰 Financing and support

The project is funded from several sources: funds from the Institute of France (the villa’s owner), government grants for cultural heritage preservation, sponsorship support from private patrons, as well as a portion of the income from the museum’s current activities. The authorities of the South - Provence - Alps - French Riviera region have also promised to provide subsidies, recognizing the villa as a key tourist and cultural brand.

🗓 What will happen to visitors?

In the next two years, until the main stage begins, the villa will continue to receive guests, but with some restrictions. After the closure of the museum in 2027, the gardens will remain open - they will become the main attraction for tourists. In addition, temporary exhibitions and cultural events will be organized in the restored outbuildings, so the spirit of creativity will not leave Cape Ferrat even during the renovation.

By restoring the villa, France will preserve one of the most romantic and elegant architectural ensembles in Europe. The following summer of 2029, when the villa reopens its doors after all the work, promises to be a true celebration for lovers of beauty. 🌹