Beaulieu has some beautiful examples of prestige residences with wonderful architecture that were built as luxurious holiday homes hundreds of years ago. One of the most interesting is the Villa Kérylos. Look in the RG directory for contact details and continue reading below for more information.
Villa Kérylos, Beaulieu
The Villa Kérlos, perched on the edge of the Mediterranean sea on the shores of Beaulieu-sur-Mer is an unusual site on the French Riviera. It was a private luxury villa built in the early 1900's during the Belle Epoch era on the Cote d'Azur.
At a time when the style of architecture tended towards curling, decorative and architecturally grand villas the Villa Kérylos was remarkable in it's departure.
Built by Theodore Reinach, who employed the architect Emmanuel Pontremoli, it was designed in the style of a 2nd century Greek villa or noble house. It faithfully recreates the style, layout, décor and atmosphere of ancient Greece, specifically the style found on the Isle of Delos in 2BC.
Why Greece, in France by a German patron one might ask? Reinach, born 1860 and died in 1928, was the youngest of three brothers from Frankfurt who were renowned for their intelligence and scholastic talents.
Villa Kérylos
View
Port
Ephrussi
Reinach gained a double doctoral degree in law and the arts at a remarkably young age before specialising in his passion for all things ancient Greek.
A notable archaeologist, papyrologist, numismatist and musicologist, the Villa Kérylos was the realisation of his passion for ancient Greece.
The name Kérylos means Kingfisher which is bird of good omen in ancient Greek mythology. The villa is open to the public throughout the year.
The Villa Kérylos is not the only significant holiday villa or home in Beaulieu and there remain some wonderful belle epoch style villas throughout the town. Some continue to be private holiday homes or residences while some have been converted to museums or serve other uses are open to the public.
Belle Epoch, Beaulieu
Beaulieu has some exquisite examples of what the French refer to as 'Belle Epoch' architecture which literally translates as the 'beautiful era'. This time of growth on the French Riviera occurred during the 1800's and continued on into the next century.
The bold and opulent style of building was inspired by the increase in wealthy visitors to the Cote d'Azur. Travel was still the premise of the elite classes but with the advancement of rail travel more and more people were able to make the journey.
Beaulieu-sur-mer by warrant of its proximity to Nice and it's natural and breath taking beauty attracted it's fair share of aristocrats, royals and rich industrialists all of whom were more than eager to display their wealth by building magnificent and luxurious homes and villas, veritable palaces of residences.
Look for the iced angels of La Rotonde, the grandiose Le Bristol, Le Palais des Anglais and Le Casino to get you started on your own Belle Epoch tour. Also keep an eye out for residences that have remained in the private home domain.
Sweeping
Cherubic
Stately
Dramatic
Saint Michael's Church Beaulieu
The South coast of France is something of a religious centre in France historically speaking and the area is of great significance within the Church with many religious leaders sent to study in the monasteries and Churches here.
Saint Michaels Church in the centre of Beaulieu-sur-mer owes it's presence to the foreign residents who fell in love with the area and were keen contributors to the growth and development of the town through all angles, from their splendid homes to their spiritual welfare.
Amongst the most notable residents of Beaulieu were Henry Samuelson, British Member of Parliament, who owned the Villa Montagne in the area now known as Les Petit Afrique.
Sir Bernard, Privy Councillor to the Queen, Sir Livesey a rich industrialist, Lord Salisbury the Prime Minister to Queen Victoria in the Villa Bastide, Colonel Harry Mac Calmont, Sir Blundell Maple and Gordon Bennet newspaper magnate from the States.
These eminent families constituted the British colony in Beaulieu sur mer and all contributed in some way to the construction of Saint Michaels church whether by providing the land or footing the bills while Samuelson was Churchwarden.
Tower
Mountain view
Detail
Entrance
Works on the Church began in 1893 by the plans of English architect Temple Moore. It was completed and consecrated in 1894 on the day of the Epiphany by the Bishop of Gibraltar.
The Church gave the foreign residents somewhere of import to worship and it has seen some prominent visitors across its holy threshold including the son of Queen Victoria, the Duke of Connaught. During the second world war the church was bombed by a plane that was never identified giving rise to the myth that it was a 'ghost plane' by the local Beaulieu people.
The damage was repaired and the church now forms a quiet heart at the centre of this village with only the occasional classical concert to ruffle its stones
Ruffling feathers on the Cote d'Azur
Robert Arthur Talbot Gascoyne Cecil, the third Marquess of Salisbury and Prime Minister to Queen Victoria was quite a colourful character in the South of France.
Despite once quoting that " France is, and must always remain, Britain's greatest enemy" the Marquis of Salisbury fell in love with the South of France and built a beautiful private villa 'La Bastide Valley of Murta'.
A man of obvious responsibility he liked to relax in full in the natural beauty of Beaulieu's surround which meant for the Prime Minister releasing himself from the pomp and ceremony of ministerial life by dressing down and exercising his infamous strong character and caustic humour.
This caused more than a little consternation to his proper and noble neighbours, which included King Leopold II of Belgium, as this most respectable of British gentlemen looked little more than a simple peasant dressed as he preferred in a battered felt hat and simple clothes.
Indeed on a trip into the Monte Carlo casino it is reported that an employees barred the entrance of this lowly character and demanded 'his papers' to which the Marquis replied that it was more in his habit to demand this of others. No matter, the Marquis was expelled from the Casino until further investigation revealed the truth and the extent of the Casino's embarrassment.
It appeared to cause no lasting offence as the Marquis went on to contribute greatly to the commune of Beaulieu-sur-mer.
Renting your holiday accommodation in Beaulieu-sur-mer
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Beautiful family villa with a warm and welcoming atmosphere located in a prime position in Beaulieu Sur Mer on the French Riviera. With every possible feature including heated swimming pool and incredible views, Villa Belle Vue is a perfect holiday villa.
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