Situated between Nice and Monaco, this rose-coloured villa and its surrounding gardens are located on a rocky promontory with breathtaking views of the Mediterranean on both sides.

It is an extraordinary location but the Baroness de Rothschild had a love of gardens and not just fine furniture and art. 

In the early 1900's she transformed a rocky outcrop into a delightful stroll garden, where the perambulator can wander through a collection of smaller themed spaces, all with a backdrop of the sparkling blue sea or the rose coloured Italian Renaissance style chateau.

Upon her death in 1934 she bequeathed it to the Academie des Beaux-Arts who have since opened it to the public - merci beaucoup.

Of the distinct garden spaces the French Garden is the largest and was designed in a formal French manner with well manicured gardens and intensely coloured flower beds on either side of the central path and pond.  

It is classically elegant and spacious and the choreographed water shows that spring from the large pond like a grand aquatic ballet every 20mins never seem to be intrusive as the music choice is particularly good.

Looking across the French Garden from the villa towards the Temple of Love, the Mediterranean can be seen on either side - quite magnificent - do people ever tire of this view ?!

Other themed gardens include: 

Spanish Garden: 

Where moorish influence comes to play with cool water channels while high fragrance plants like honeysuckle release their perfume into the pools of shade cast by towering Cypress or gigantic Colocasia leaves.

Florentine Garden:

Dominated by a large horseshoe, double staircase, this classic Italian garden space utilises plenty of topiarised hedging to complement the architectural elements with Mediterranean plants to soften it.

Stone Garden:

Shaded by Camphor Laurels and Bay Trees this garden is as much about the carved stone artefacts on display as the plants that soften it like Azalea, Camellia, Rhododendron and Fuchsia.

Japanese Garden:

A small, ‘zen’ world has been created by Shigeo Fukuhara with plenty of flowing water, small bridges, stone lanterns and wooden pavilion.  A pond with Koi carp complete the oriental atmosphere.

Exotic Garden:

Succulents and giant Cactii abound here, including colourful Aloes, Agave, Yucca and a particularly large Opuntia that produces beautiful yellow blooms.  This was previously named the ‘Mexican Garden’.

Rose Garden:

These plants are perfectly suited to the climate of the south of France, liking dry, hot summers.  Overlooked by a small hexagonal pergola you can see around 100 varieties of this, the most gorgeous of all plants.

Provencal Garden:

Rows of lavender evoke the atmosphere of Gras, the neighbouring small town overlooking the French Riviera where much perfume is made.  Olive and Pine trees provide the shade, so welcome on hot summer visit days.

The Chateau may interest some, but it is the gardens that are the main attraction and well worth a day trip if staying in Nice, Gras or Monaco.