Greek Villa Kerylos

Enjoy life

4 months ago

Located in Beaulieu-sur-Mer, this villa is one of the most incredible monuments on the French Riviera ! It bears witness to one man's passion for the Hellenistic period. It is a unique reconstruction of an ancient Greek residence, boasting all the luxury inherent to its beauty. The site is a true invitation to travel, with extraordinary decor and furnishings in marble, bronze, and ivory that adorn the salons and gardens. Commissioned in 1902, it is the brainchild of Théodore Reinach, archaeologist, patron of the arts, specialist in ancient Greece, and member of the "Académie des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres". Driven by his passion, he commissioned his friend, the architect Emmanuel Pontremoli, a member of the Academy of Fine Arts, to design a villa modeled after those of 2nd and 1st century BC Greece. Both great admirers of ancient Greece, they collaborated, culminating in 1908 in the reconstruction of a house inspired by the noble residences of the island of Delos in the 2nd century BC, a Cycladic island whose architecture is renowned for its use of curved structures such as arches and vaults, adapted for the early 20th century! But Villa Kérylos is not a reproduction; it is a true reinvention. Organized around the traditional peristyle, the villa is constructed using the finest materials: antique stucco, Carrara and Siena marble, and exotic woods for the furnishings. The decoration is sumptuous: mosaics and frescoes are directly inspired by ancient documents, and scenes from famous painted vases adorn the walls, illustrating the great legends of classical gods and heroes. Emmanuel Pontremoli skillfully furnished the Villa with the modern comforts of the Belle Époque: the pool is supplied with water by taps concealed beneath round grilles, windows embellish the facades and bring natural light inside, while mirrors and bidets are hidden within the bathroom decor. Upon his death in 1928, Théodore Reinach bequeathed the Villa to the Institut de France. Then, a year later, the Théodore Reinach Foundation was established.

Maria K (mk)

5 months ago

I was absolutely amazed by this villa — I didn’t even have enough time to take everything in. There’s so much to see, every detail catches your eye. Everything is done with such taste, and it’s a timeless design — you could easily live in these interiors even today. I truly enjoyed my visit.

petite patisserie

8 months ago

Amazing experience! The visitor is submerged into a fantasy of living like a Greek god, but with contemporary to the 20th century comforts. Allover very fine and stylish neogreek interior is decorated with the real museum collection of antiques. The views from every window are very picturesque and poetic. Beautiful heritage of a famous archaeologist Theodore Reinach is now accessible for any curious and enthusiastic visitor.

Andrea Best

7 months ago

A stunning villa with incredible architecture and attention to detail. The interiors and the seaside location make it a truly unique experience. Definitely worth the visit.

Rus Lev

4 months ago

A very interesting place modelled after ancient Greeks lifestyle and aesthetics but created in the beginning of 20th century, it feels like you're stepping into a world of what these places would've looked like back in the day even though it is a modernized take