Once upon a time, a very rich and beautiful Baroness with a grand house in Paris (and the obligatory château in the countryside), born in 1864, decided to construct her personal fantasy. She picked the most beautiful spot: the tip top of a peninsula on the Mediterranean that looked out over the dramatic scenery of the Cote d'Azur, and made it her winter home. She built a pink Cinderella-worthy confection of a villa, and circled it with with a series of lush themed gardens–Japanese, Italian, French, Mexican–all profiting from a 360 degree view of the azure blue waters of the Med. From all over Europe, she gathered up (some would say plundered) trainloads of antique architectural elements, statuary, columns, etc. for the garden. A year before her death, she bequeathed it all to the Academie de Beaux Arts, so all could visit.
We visit the gardens of the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild every time we are in Cap Ferrat, to see what's blooming and to immerse ourselves in the late Baroness' fantasy. This time, we arrived not long before closing time and they were in the final throes of setting up a wedding that was the fantasy of one lucky bride and groom. One of the outdoor stairways was bedecked with thousands of white roses. Then, gasp, the bride! Arriving early for photos. She wore a train of such fluff and froth that it took two guys, trailing behind her, to carry it.
The scene of the nuptials:
Mademoiselle arrives:
But oops! Raindrops start to fall just before the ceremony.
Sadly we were kicked out at this point. But it got me thinking, they must do weddings there often. A quick search revealed some ceremonies that I am pretty sure set Daddy back something in excess of the cost of our house. Here are a few of the photos, of how People Not Like Us get married, in the most beautiful villa on the Mediterranean. If you could use a little French daydreaming to perk you up today, you're in luck!
How’s this for a set up? Barbie would love it. A platform built out over the lake, covered in pink fleurs.
And another…
A bit of dancing, inside the villa
No rain for this party, they dined outside under the rose topiaries
This couple had an entire website, devoted to their affair…
Love her sassy dress, but not sure about the leather pants and full length furs
Whatever
Felicitations to all the happy couples!
Favorite READS: Our book lover Natalia recommends Mastering The Art of French Murder. And you, Natalia, for your recommendation of the Paris daughter, which I’ve just finished and I loved.
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33 thoughts on “Four Weddings and A Garden”
Reminds me of a visit we made with you many years ago. Fantastic photos Lynn
Reminds me of a visit we made with you many years ago. Fantastic photos Lynn
Reminds me of a visit we made with you many years ago. Fantastic photos Lynn
We loved visiting this “Villa.” But you had a good point of going at different times of year for the gardens. My husband and I visited in late fall last year. I would say it warrants another visit now in August to see the gardens and their summer flowers. Merci! Carol
We loved visiting this “Villa.” But you had a good point of going at different times of year for the gardens. My husband and I visited in late fall last year. I would say it warrants another visit now in August to see the gardens and their summer flowers. Merci! Carol
We loved visiting this “Villa.” But you had a good point of going at different times of year for the gardens. My husband and I visited in late fall last year. I would say it warrants another visit now in August to see the gardens and their summer flowers. Merci! Carol
Wow on avait vu cette maison il y a longtemps mais assister à des mariages à cet endroit ça doit être fabuleux! Lucky you!
Wow on avait vu cette maison il y a longtemps mais assister à des mariages à cet endroit ça doit être fabuleux! Lucky you!
Wow on avait vu cette maison il y a longtemps mais assister à des mariages à cet endroit ça doit être fabuleux! Lucky you!
Thanks for these wonderful photos of a fabulous place to visit. I especially loved all of the roses. I always look forward to “Southern Fried FRENCH”!
Thanks for these wonderful photos of a fabulous place to visit. I especially loved all of the roses. I always look forward to “Southern Fried FRENCH”!
Thanks for these wonderful photos of a fabulous place to visit. I especially loved all of the roses. I always look forward to “Southern Fried FRENCH”!
‘Tis a beautiful place. We enjoyed the basic cafe/tea room for lunch and sat with a view over the garden and fountain. I believe I’ve seen a movie scene from there but can’t place it. I also recommend les Jardins de Marqueyssac on thé other side of France. While visiting the Dordogne and the Périgord, it’s well worth the visit.
‘Tis a beautiful place. We enjoyed the basic cafe/tea room for lunch and sat with a view over the garden and fountain. I believe I’ve seen a movie scene from there but can’t place it. I also recommend les Jardins de Marqueyssac on thé other side of France. While visiting the Dordogne and the Périgord, it’s well worth the visit.
‘Tis a beautiful place. We enjoyed the basic cafe/tea room for lunch and sat with a view over the garden and fountain. I believe I’ve seen a movie scene from there but can’t place it. I also recommend les Jardins de Marqueyssac on thé other side of France. While visiting the Dordogne and the Périgord, it’s well worth the visit.
Wow, aren’t we all lucky you were there at that moment! That wedding was in another world and I’m so glad I got to see a little of what you saw. What a fantastic dress …. and the roses were beyond…. not sure about the groom…
Wow, aren’t we all lucky you were there at that moment! That wedding was in another world and I’m so glad I got to see a little of what you saw. What a fantastic dress …. and the roses were beyond…. not sure about the groom…
Wow, aren’t we all lucky you were there at that moment! That wedding was in another world and I’m so glad I got to see a little of what you saw. What a fantastic dress …. and the roses were beyond…. not sure about the groom…
It is indeed a magnificent place to visit, no less get married! There was a wedding dinner set up just like your photo last time we were there. Strange note though, the plates were black. Oh well, just more attention on the gardens I guess.
It is indeed a magnificent place to visit, no less get married! There was a wedding dinner set up just like your photo last time we were there. Strange note though, the plates were black. Oh well, just more attention on the gardens I guess.
It is indeed a magnificent place to visit, no less get married! There was a wedding dinner set up just like your photo last time we were there. Strange note though, the plates were black. Oh well, just more attention on the gardens I guess.
Thank you,dear Lynn, for this wonderful visit to a privileged fairy tale!WOW!!Totally captured my imagination! So gorgeous!Looking at the beautiful bride in that incredible gown,we can only wish them happiness and blessings for a long,joyful and happy life together.Certainly off to a fantastic start!!!
I’m excited with my book suggestion for this time — “The Little Village of Book Lovers” by one of my favorite authors,Nina George(author of ‘The Little Paris Bookshop’).Enjoying this book is like a looked forward reunion with a dear friend whom you have missed.Reliably delightful and ending all too soon.
Thank you,dear Lynn, for this wonderful visit to a privileged fairy tale!WOW!!Totally captured my imagination! So gorgeous!Looking at the beautiful bride in that incredible gown,we can only wish them happiness and blessings for a long,joyful and happy life together.Certainly off to a fantastic start!!!
I’m excited with my book suggestion for this time — “The Little Village of Book Lovers” by one of my favorite authors,Nina George(author of ‘The Little Paris Bookshop’).Enjoying this book is like a looked forward reunion with a dear friend whom you have missed.Reliably delightful and ending all too soon.
Thank you,dear Lynn, for this wonderful visit to a privileged fairy tale!WOW!!Totally captured my imagination! So gorgeous!Looking at the beautiful bride in that incredible gown,we can only wish them happiness and blessings for a long,joyful and happy life together.Certainly off to a fantastic start!!!
I’m excited with my book suggestion for this time — “The Little Village of Book Lovers” by one of my favorite authors,Nina George(author of ‘The Little Paris Bookshop’).Enjoying this book is like a looked forward reunion with a dear friend whom you have missed.Reliably delightful and ending all too soon.
What a beautiful sight – those exquisite flowers – a fairytale wedding for sure!! Speaking of beautiful weddings … I recently read The Gown by Jennifer Robson and thoroughly enjoyed it. Historical fiction about two women who become friends while sewing the wedding gown for Queen Elizabeth. I am now reading The Retreat by Sarah Pearse – a great murder mystery! I recommend both!
What a beautiful sight – those exquisite flowers – a fairytale wedding for sure!! Speaking of beautiful weddings … I recently read The Gown by Jennifer Robson and thoroughly enjoyed it. Historical fiction about two women who become friends while sewing the wedding gown for Queen Elizabeth. I am now reading The Retreat by Sarah Pearse – a great murder mystery! I recommend both!
What a beautiful sight – those exquisite flowers – a fairytale wedding for sure!! Speaking of beautiful weddings … I recently read The Gown by Jennifer Robson and thoroughly enjoyed it. Historical fiction about two women who become friends while sewing the wedding gown for Queen Elizabeth. I am now reading The Retreat by Sarah Pearse – a great murder mystery! I recommend both!
Today I listened to the Riviera episode ofThe Gilded Gentleman podcast. The host, Carl Raymond, devoted quite a number of minutes to the history of this villa.
Today I listened to the Riviera episode ofThe Gilded Gentleman podcast. The host, Carl Raymond, devoted quite a number of minutes to the history of this villa.
Today I listened to the Riviera episode ofThe Gilded Gentleman podcast. The host, Carl Raymond, devoted quite a number of minutes to the history of this villa.
What lovely photos and nice history lesson. They say rain on your wedding day is supposed to be good luck. It poured rain the morning of our wedding but cleared up in time for the ceremony. The outdoor reception had to move indoors because everything was soaked, and the cake tipped sideways in the car on the way to the reception. That was 43 years ago next month… :^)
What lovely photos and nice history lesson. They say rain on your wedding day is supposed to be good luck. It poured rain the morning of our wedding but cleared up in time for the ceremony. The outdoor reception had to move indoors because everything was soaked, and the cake tipped sideways in the car on the way to the reception. That was 43 years ago next month… :^)
What lovely photos and nice history lesson. They say rain on your wedding day is supposed to be good luck. It poured rain the morning of our wedding but cleared up in time for the ceremony. The outdoor reception had to move indoors because everything was soaked, and the cake tipped sideways in the car on the way to the reception. That was 43 years ago next month… :^)