Picture of the Day: Villa Kerylos in Beaulieu

Despite appearances, this is not Greece but indeed on the French Riviera in one of the most original spots, the beautiful Villa Kerylos in Beaulieu sur Mer. Built in the early 20th century by wealthy humanist financier Theodore Reinach in a splendid setting, it combines modern amenities at the time with all the trappings of an Ancient Greek villa. This splendid mosaic on the floor of the main living room represents the slaying of the Minotaur by Theseus in the heart of the labyrinth of King Minos’ Palace in Knossos, Crete. Find out more about this splendid villa and its setting in the dedicated article.

The Greek Villa Kerylos in Beaulieu sur Mer and a walk along the Cap Ferrat coastline

The lovely town of Beaulieu sur Mer is often overlooked, despite being exactly half way down the coast between Nice and Monaco, which is a shame as it has all the different elements that embody the charm of the French Riviera: beautiful and refined Belle Epoque architecture, spectacular mountains, pleasant beaches and luxuriant vegetation thanks to a very mild microclimate similar to that of Menton.

But the main draw for visitors is the splendid Greek Villa Kerylos, a villa built in the early 20th century in a strategic location by the sea, that is now a historical monument… One may wonder why there is a Greek villa on the French Riviera – the answer is particularly interesting, giving a real insight into what the Belle Epoque was like and this is what I will be explaining in this blog article, which also provides practical information and will take you on a nice walk afterwards along the coast of Cap Ferrat.

IMG_9509

Facade of the Villa Kerylos

This itinerary can easily be explored in half a day and combined with some of the visits described in other articles covering half-day excursions in the area, such as the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild in Cap Ferrat (you can buy a combined ticket for both monuments), the village of Villefranche sur Mer or the Nietzsche trail from Eze sur Mer to Eze Village.

Continue reading