A man-made paradise Baroness de Rothschild: how a millionaire's daughter went down in history

• Man-made paradise Baroness de Rothschild: as the daughter of a millionaire made history

was one inviolable rule in the family of the founder of the Rothschild banking house: only men can engage in the family business. Therefore, women are finding things to do in other areas:.. Charity, collecting artifacts of art patronage, etc. The Baroness Béatrice Ephrussi de Rothschild became famous for the fact that to build a villa on the Cote d'Azur and collected in her unique collection of paintings, sculptures, furniture and porcelain XV-XVIII centuries. The villa is surrounded by gardens of 4 hectares, each of which is itself a work of art. Villa Baroness de Rothschild is now regarded as the main attraction of Cape Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat.

Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild

Paradise on earth Baroness Béatrice Ephrussi de Rothschild

Beatrice was born in one of the richest families in Europe, she was the daughter of Alphonse Rothschild - a representative of the French branch of the famous dynasty. Just like his father, Beatrice was fond of collecting works of art and luxury goods. In 1883 she married a banker and oil baron Maurice Ephrussi, came from a wealthy family, emigrated from Odessa to Paris. In family life, Beatrice was not happy: after suffering a baroness of the disease could not have children, besides Maurice went bankrupt and got into debt because of gambling. After 21 years of marriage the couple divorced Ephrussi.

The interior of Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild

real comfort for the Baroness Ephrussi de Rothschild and deed of her life was the creation of "paradise on earth" in the French Riviera. After his father's death in 1905, the Baroness had inherited a state of 700 million and purchased 7 acres of land at Cape Cap-Ferrat, between Nice and Monaco. On the same area claimed the Belgian king, but the Baroness was ahead of him.

Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild on the Côte d'Azur

The construction of the villa, named Baroness Ile-de-France (the "French Island"), began in 1906 and lasted for 6 years, during which time the hostess was replaced by 20 architects, and the result exceeded all expectations. In 1912, the villa became the winter residence of the Baroness de Rothschild, she came here on a regular basis over the next 10 years, but stayed there for long. Having completed his creation, Beatrice lost interest in him.

The main attraction of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat

Vases of Sevres porcelain from the collection of the Baroness Ephrussi de Rothschild

During this time, Beatrice has collected an impressive collection of works of art XV-XVIII centuries. -.. Paintings, sculptures, furniture, porcelain, tapestries, etc. In this collection were even old doors from the Chinese Imperial Palace. Private collection of porcelain, collected here, is considered most significant not only in France but throughout the world. Her collection was no different system - an eccentric Baroness acquired all liked her personally. For Beatrice it was the possibility of self-fulfillment and the pursuit of happiness, not-found in family life, as well as the continuation of a noble family business, to which she belonged.

Stone Garden

When creating interiors of the villa Baroness focused on the styles of the past centuries, and the different rooms were the name of a certain era:.. Salon Louis XV, Salon Louis XVI, etc. One day, she brought with her from traveling photo portico gothic cathedral and demanded to do in his villa a same. To check if it will look good, he ordered to be made of plywood and cardboard mockup. Whimsical and capricious Baroness wanted to unite all the styles in art, which she loved. Therefore, in her address often been accused together incongruous and unjustified eclecticism.

Paradise on earth Baroness Béatrice Ephrussi de Rothschild

A haven on the French Riviera

Around the villa gardens pitched 9: French, Sevres, Spanish, Florentine, Japanese, Exotic, Provencal, stone garden and rose garden. Each trip Baroness brought home exotic plants for their gardens. The central part of the territory is the French garden, designed in the shape of the ship's deck and surrounded by cascades and fountains.

French Garden

Spanish Garden

The Florentine garden

After the death of Baroness de Rothschild in 1934, the villa along with a collection of works of art in accordance with the will were given to the French Academy of Fine Arts. Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild became the emblem of the French Riviera, his most famous landmark, which annually come to admire the thousands of tourists from around the world.

The villa, which worked on the creation of 20 architects for 6 years

Villa in the evening