St-Paul de Vence is a quaint hilltop 16th century fortified village with breathtaking views of both the mountains and sea. A stroll through the narrow cobbled lanes will reveal some hidden treasures, so make sure that you don’t miss some of the artwork embedded in the walls, statues tucked into nooks in the walls, elegant fountains and above all the numerous art galleries, boutiques and cafes. There is also the opportunity to purchase some of the Provencal fabric, olive oil, wines, fruit liquors and creative nick-knacks for the home. Take the time to visit “La Chapelle des Pénitents” and discover the admirable works designed by the Belgian artist Folon, including a mosaic, sculptures, stained glass windows and paintings which adorn the walls and ceilings of the chapel.
Tucked away just above St Paul de Vence you will find the world famous modern art gallery Fondation Maegth; a gem not to be overlooked! The Spanish architect Josep-Lluis Sert was commissioned to design a building and grounds that would complement the natural setting thus creating a true museum in nature, with the fantastic views of the French Riviera complementing the amazing outdoor displays, you are literally surrounded by art. The collection includes works by many of the 20th century artists such as Bonnard, Braque, Calder, Chagall, Giacometti, Léger and of course Miró. So truly a must-see destination for any lover of modern art www.fondation-maeght.com
Villa Kerylos in Beaulieu-sur-Mer was built in the early 1900s during the “Belle Epoque” era and is a faithful reconstruction of Greek noble houses built on the island of Delos in the 2nd Century B.C. The enthusiasium for Ancien Greece inspired both Théodore Reinach, an archaeologist and Emmanuel Pontremoli an architect to recreate the atmosphere of a luxurious Greek villa by “thinking Greek” from the layout of the Villa to the decor and furnishings within. They managed to design a magical place, where modern comforts of the Belle Epoque period have been incorporated into the elegant setting of a very classical ancient Greek Villa. Well worth a visit to this special villa www.villa-kerylos.com
Enchanted by the beauty of Cap Ferrat Baroness Béatrice de Rothschild built Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild on one of the narrowest parts of this peninsula, creating a dazzling villa that is evocative of an Italian Palazzo. After many fall outs with various architecs, it was finally designed by Belgian architect Aaron Messiah and it took 7 years to construct. Béatrice de Rothschild was very much involved in the design of both the house and the amazing nine gardens: Florentine, French, Exotic, Japanese, Provencal, Spanish, Rose, Stone and Sevres. No visit to the Côte d’Azur is quite complete without a visit to VillaEphrussi. www.villa-ephrussi.com
