Visiting the Côte d’Azur? We suggest a stopover in Beaulieu-sur-Mer to visit the Villa Kérylos!
We loved discovering this unique place. Both a reconstruction and a contemporary interpretation of an ancient Greek house, Villa Kérylos will take you on a journey through time and space. On the programme: mosaics, frescoes, thermal baths, Italian marble, myths and legends, breathtaking views of the Mediterranean and much more!
In this article, you’ll find some useful tips to help you prepare for your visit and have a wonderful time!
This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Why visit Villa Kérylos in Beaulieu-sur-Mer?
Is Villa Kérylos worth it? Our opinion:
Yes, we think the Villa Kérylos is well worth a visit.
We think it’s a masterpiece of architecture and decoration.
The villa is one of a kind. No other reconstruction of an ancient Greek dwelling of this quality exists. A visit to the museum will allow you to discover the art and culture of ancient Greece.
We loved the stunning sea views from both the villa and its magnificent Mediterranean garden.
In fact, it’s one of Beaulieu’s top attractions.
Why is the Villa Kérylos famous?
An inspired and inspiring place, this incredible architectural creation is recognized by all art and history lovers. It has even hosted the French president and his Chinese counterpart for an official dinner in 2019.
- Villa Kérylos is a unique place. It offers a journey through time and space. It’s a place of culture and contemplation, taking us back in time to Ancient Greece.
- This house is not a copy or a reconstruction. It’s a contemporary interpretation of Antiquity at the dawn of the 20th century. It has been designed to be both authentic and modern.
- We learned that this incredible home is the result of meticulous research and creativity. The villa is inspired by Greek mansions of the Hellenistic period. The architects used period materials and construction techniques, and the decor was inspired by ancient Greek frescoes and mosaics.
Book your admission tickets, including audioguide, now.
Our favorite moments
In this article, you’ll read about our visit and experience there, but here’s what we liked best:
- discovering the Mediterranean garden. We were charmed by the beauty of the plants and flowers, and by the breathtaking sea views.
- visit to the peristyle. The beauty of the frescoes and columns transported us back to antiquity.
- discovering Andron. We were amazed by the mosaic of Theseus defeating the Minotaur, a remarkable work of art.
We also appreciated the atmosphere of the villa, which is both luxurious and authentic. We had the impression of stepping back in time and discovering an ancient way of life.
WHERE TO STAY IN Beaulieu-sur-Mer
Option 1: Waterfront
Enjoy the charm of the old town and all its restaurants.
We recommend..:
- Hotel La Réserve de Beaulieu – prices, pictures and availability
- Hotel Royal Riviera – prices, pictures and availability
Option 2: Downtown
The town is not far from the seaside, but the views won’t be the same. We recommend..:
- Hotel Carlton – prices, pictures and availability
- Hotel Select – see prices, pictures and availability
- Havre Bleu Hotel – prices, pictures and availability
Option 3: Villefranches or Cap-Ferrat
Right next to Beaulieu, around Cap Ferrat, you can also enjoy lively Villefranches, or the peace and quiet on the cape.
We recommend..:
- Hotel Welcome in Villefranches – prices, pictures and availability
- Hotel du Cap Ferrat – prices, pictures and availability
History in brief
- Villa Kérylos is a unique monument. Both a reconstruction of an ancient Greek dwelling and an original creation. We loved visiting this place!
- This house was built between 1902 and 1908 on a rocky promontory overlooking the Mediterranean.
- This creation was the brainchild ofarchaeologist and patron Théodore Reinach. He wanted to create a place where visitors could discover the daily life of the ancient Greeks.
- We learned that it took 6 years to build. It was designed byarchitect Emmanuel Pontremol with exceptional attention to authenticity.
- The villa combines the luxury of ancient Greece with modern comforts. Elements such as mosaics, frescoes and sculptures are combined with the comfort of electricity, running water and heating.
- We were very surprised to learn that this place was inhabited by its owner and his family until 1966. Classified as a historic monument the same year.
- In our opinion, the Villa Kérylos is an essential venue for the knowledge and dissemination of Greek culture.
Find out more here.
Access: Villa Kérylos, Beaulieu-sur-Mer
Where is Villa Kérylos?
Villa Kérylos is located Impasse Gustave Eiffel, 06310 Beaulieu-sur-Mer.
- On the seafront, in the La Baie des Fourmis district
- Close to Plage des Fourmis
- Near the port of Beaulieu-sur-Mer
OUR TPS FOR RENTING YOUR CAR IN Provence
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a car that is powerful enough (the roads are steep) but compact (some passages are narrow).
- Think of thecomplete insurance (some roads are tortuous and narrow).
- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
How to get there?
You’ll have to walk to the site entrance, but don’t worry, it’seasy to get there– it’s all flat. If you’re coming from downtown Beaulieu, allow around 10 minutes on foot.
- By train: from Beaulieu-sur-Mer SNCF station, 7min walk.
- By bus: Lignes d’Azur lines 607 or 15, Kérylos stop a 3-minute walk away (200m). Click here for route maps, timetables and fares.
- By car: traffic around the site is easy, but we advise you to park in the parking lot indicated below.
Parking
Villa Kérylos has no on-site parking.
The nearest parking lot is a 6-minute walk away (450m).
It is located near the town hall and Plage de la Réserve, at 3 Boulevard du Maréchal Leclerc.
PLAN YOUR STAY IN Beaulieu-sur-Mer
- Things to do in Beaulieu-sur-Mer
- Where to stay in Beaulieu-sur-Mer: Best hotels
- Best restaurants
- Beaulieu-sur-Mer’s most beautiful beaches (coming soon)
- Villa Kerylos
- Villa Eprhussi
- Things to do in Villefranche-sur-Mer
Useful tips: duration, schedules, eating…
Best time to visit
If possible, we recommend that you visit us on a sunny day. You’ll be able to make the most of the villa, its brightness, its outdoor spaces and its breathtaking views over the Mediterranean.
To avoid the summer crowds, it’s best to visit out of season.
To escape the summer heat, we recommend you plan your visit for the morning, when temperatures are not yet too high.
Length of visit and main difficulties
We recommend that you allow between 1 and 2 hours to visit Villa Kerylos, depending on your pace and your interest in mosaics, architecture and history.
Don’t miss the basement area, where casts, vases and statues are on display.
For people with reduced mobility, here’s some information you may find useful:
- The entire exterior is covered with gravel.
- The ticket office and first floor are equipped with an access ramp. However, there are stairs upstairs and downstairs.
- There are no pedomark strips for visually impaired visitors.
To find out more, click here.
Advice on how to visit
Once you’ve purchased your ticket, your tour begins in the villa’s garden. You will then enter the first floor, followed by the second floor. The last part of your visit will take place in the basement of the house.
We advise you to pay close attention to the signposts. They show you the way, the names of the rooms and the corresponding audio guide extract.
Whether or not you’ve explored the garden before your visit, we recommend that you take some time to enjoy the garden at the end of your tour. We really enjoyed reminiscing about everything we learned during the tour. We imagined what life might have been like in Ancient Greece, but also when the Villa Kerylos was inhabited by the Reinach family.
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Visiting with children
If you’re visiting Villa Kérylos as a family, we recommend you download the game booklet here, which enables children aged 6 to 12 to explore the site in a fun way, with a series of mini-games.
If you have small children, please note that strollers are not allowed on site.
Schedules and rates
Timetables are as follows:
- May 2 to August 31: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- September 1 to April 30: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Last access to the monument, half an hour before closing time.
Exceptional closing days: January 1, May 1, November 1, November 11 and December 25.
Before you visit , check the official Villa Kérylos website, here.
Here are the prices:
- Normal price: €13
- Free admission for under 18-25s, jobseekers…
Book your admission tickets, including audioguide, now.
Guided tours
Guided tours in French are available daily at 11am and 3pm, without reservation, and last around 45 minutes.
An audioguide available in 7 languages (French, English, German, Italian, Spanish and Greek) is included in the price of your admission ticket.
Catering
It is forbidden to picnic inside the monument.
If you’d like to eat out on the site, there are plenty of restaurants to choose from.
Here are our favorites nearby:
- Restaurant Panao: This harbor-side restaurant serves delicious, healthy, refined, local cuisine influenced by Tunisian, Mauritian, Lebanese and Russian cuisine. The setting is very pleasant, with a view between sea and mountains.
- Restaurant Maonas: A good pizza? A refreshing salad? A nice piece of meat? How about breakfast? In this restaurant, it’s simple: you can enjoy authentic Italian cuisine (but not only!) at any time of day.
- Restaurant Baia Bella: At the foot of a cliff and on the seafront, a very pleasant setting. Beautiful table with a wide variety of dishes, something for everyone. Plenty of vegetarian options too. It’s also the first carbon-neutral private beach in France.
For more choice, see our article on the city’s best restaurants.
The garden: Mediterranean species and fruit trees
We really enjoyed discovering the garden. It is composed of Mediterranean plants. Enjoy a breathtaking view of the sea, while discovering the many species of plants it shelters.
The plants in the Villa Kerylos garden have been carefully selected to allow us to project ourselves into an authentic ancient Greek garden.
Here are just a few of the species you can discover:
- The olive tree, symbol of Greece. It features in many Greek myths and legends.
- The pine tree, symbolic of eternal life.
- Myrtle, a symbol of beauty, sensuality and nature.
Our tour begins on the first floor of the villa. This part of the house is dedicated to social life. This is where friends, family and other relatives are welcomed.
We really enjoyed exploring the first floor, with its many spaces:
- The Thyôrian, entrance vestibule
- The Balaneion, with its thermal baths
- The peristyle, the central courtyard around which all the other rooms are organized
- The library
- The Amphityros, for access to the upper floors
- The Triklinos, dining room
- The Andron, a room for men only
- Oïkos, a show dedicated to the arts
Afterwards, we’ll tell you more about the pieces that impressed us most during our visit.
The peristyle, the heart of the ancient Greek home
You’re standing in the central courtyard of the house. The peristyle, the essential foundation of an antique house. We found the 12 columns of white Carrara marble (Italy) that surround it very elegant.
Have you noticed the impressive frescoes on the walls? They were created by painters Gustave-Louis Jaulmes and Adrien Karbowsky. More info here.
They illustrate episodes from Greek mythology. If you’d like to try your hand at recognizing them, here’s what they are:
- The dispute over the lyre between Apollo and Hermes
- The death of Talos
- Apollo returns to the sanctuary at Delphi
- Hephaestus returns to Olympus
- Pelops and Hippodamia
- Preparations for the bull sacrifice
L’Andron, a salon for men
We were amazed by this piece. Do you, like us, not know where to put your eyes because there are so many things to admire?
The Andron was an important place in the ancient Greek home. It was reserved for men. They gathered there for social and recreational activities, such as banquets and philosophical discussions.
The walls of the Andron at Villa Kérylos are clad in mauve marble from Serravezza (Italy), with inlaid yellow marble medallions from Siena.
The floor is covered with a mosaic depicting the Greek hero Theseus defeating the Minotaur, a monster that terrorized the city of Crete. We found this mosaic exceptional.
We were blown away by the teak wood coffered ceiling, richly decorated with motifs inspired by Greek mythology and nature.
Oïkos, the arts and Dionysus in the spotlight
TheOïkos at Villa Kérylos is a salon dedicated to the arts and to Dionysus.
The floor features a mosaic depicting silenes, fauns and satyrs – creatures of nature, often associated with the god Dionysus – harvesting grapes.
Look up to admire the walls. You can see a stucco frieze depicting musical instruments and masks. This detail reminds us of the importance of theater to the Greeks.
The centerpiece of theOïkos furniture is the piano. We found it very surprising! It is foldable and concealed in a sideboard. It was produced by Maison Pleyel.
The second floor: refuge and privacy
Our tour continues on the second floor of the villa. This part of the house is dedicated to privacy and rest.
We enjoyed immersing ourselves in the daily life of an ancient Greek house during our visit. You will find:
- Hermes’ vestibule
- Ornithès (meaning “birds”), Madame Reinach’s bedroom
- L’Ampelos (meaning “the vine”), Madame Reinach’s bathroom
- LeTriptolème, lounge
- Erotès, Theodore Reinach’s room dedicated to Eros
- Nikai (meaning “victories”), Theodore Reinach’s bathroom
Here are the rooms that impressed us most during our visit to the second floor.
L’Ornithès: Madame Reinach’s bedroom
We learned thatOrnithès, the name given to this room, means “birds”.
In this room, the frescoes depict the goddess Hera. She is designated as the protector of women and the goddess of marriage, guardian of the couple’s fertility and of women in childbirth.
On the floor, admire the mosaic with its beautiful nature motifs.
We found this room welcoming. The materials and colors are soothing and comforting.
However, there’s another reason why we’ve chosen to present it to you. Did you notice the magnificent adjoining shower?
This is an impressive and particularly sophisticated antique model, with 3 types of jets: kataxysma (rain shower), krounos (running water) and perikyklas (circular shower). In our opinion, a shower worthy of the finest hotels!
Le Triptolème
This room is a lounge linking Théodore Reinach’s apartments to those of his wife.
Did you notice the ceiling? We found it magnificent with its red and black coffers, decorated with gilded doves and ivy wreaths.
The mosaic on the floor illustrates the legend of Triptoleme.
We’ve learned that in Greek mythology, Triptolemus is an important hero. He is considered the founder of agriculture and the cult of Demeter.
We really enjoyed this legend, a story of hope and rebirth. It tells the story of how agriculture has enabled people to survive and prosper. It’s also about passing on knowledge and culture.
The Antiques Gallery: casts, vases and statues
Art and history lovers? Don’t miss the Galerie des Antiques in the basement.
Here, we discovered casts of some of the finest Greco-Roman statues! For example, the Venus de Milo, the Medici Vase and the Venus Genitrix.
We have found that in the grounds of Villa Kérylos, these works seem to be in their natural environment.
The basement used to be the kitchen area. Would you have guessed it?
You’ll also discover objects that once belonged to the Reinach family. As well as photos of their special moments in this extraordinary vacation home.
We enjoyed imagining the children playing in the Mediterranean with these wooden pirogues:
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Frequently asked questions
Is there a connection between Villa Kérylos and Adrien Goetz’s novel of the same name?
Yes. The novel is fiction, but inspired by the real villa.
It tells the story of Achilles, a young man with a passion for ancient Greece. He is invited to spend the summer at Villa Kerylos, where he discovers Greek art and culture.
The novel showcases this place in all its splendor. Adrien Goetz describes the settings, gardens and objects with precision. It shows how the villa is a place of dreams and escapism, allowing visitors to travel through time and space.
If you read the novel before your visit, you’ll understand its story better.
In any case, if you’re a history buff or simply enjoyed your visit, we recommend you read this novel.
Is the Villa Kérylos worth more than the Villa Ephrussi?
Villa Kérylos and Villa Ephrussi, both located on the Côte d’Azur, are outstanding examples of Belle Époque architecture, but have nothing to do with each other. Visiting one is not the same as visiting the other.
- Inspired by ancient Greece, the neo-classical Villa Kerylos was once a private residence.
- Inspired byRenaissance Italy, the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild is neo-Renaissance in style, and was once a place for receptions and entertainment.
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO THE Côte d’Azur
- Inspiration
The most beautiful landscapes in 30 photos
Best things to do on the Côte d’Azur
Most beautiful villages
Best beaches on the Côte d’Azur
Most beautiful gardens
Best boat tours (coming soon)
Most beautiful islands
Secret places
- Practical advice
Successful travel on the Côte d’Azur (coming soon)
Rent a car in Provence – in Nice – in Cannes – in Marseille – in Aix-en-Provence.
Itineraries: 5 days – 1 week – 10 days
Weekend ideas: best-of – romantic – luxury – unusual
- Where to stay
Where to stay on the Côte d’Azur
Best luxury hotels on the Côte d’Azur
Hotels by the sea
Best boutique-hotels
SHE MADE THE TRIP Claire
