The guided tour of Villa Kérylos – Beaulieu-sur-Mer
A guided tour of the Villa Kerylos for a full immersion in Ancient Greece!
Arriving at Beaulieu-sur-Mer by the coast road, I see the « Villa Kerylos », standing on the rocky point of the Baie des Fourmis; its imposing and immaculately white facade, its lush garden with Mediterranean vegetation and with only horizon … the sea … The “Villa” invites me to travel, a unique experience, an immersion in ancient Greece .. .
I stop and decide to visit it! I park at the parking of the Town Hall which is a 5-minute walk from the « Villa » and access by the rue Gustave Eiffel.
I am greeted by the charming Vassiliki Castellana; she will take me on a guided tour of this unique place in the world!
She explains that this house was built between 1902 and 1908 on the model of the houses of the island of Delos, the ancient era and that the « Villa Kerylos » is the only existing reconstruction of a house of II centuries BC ; the owner, Theodore Reinach (archaeologist), commissioned the construction of this building to the architect Niçois, Emmanuel Pontremoli.
The tour starts
We begin the visit by the ground floor; I see that animals are very present in Greek mythology; Besides, what does « Kerylos » mean? This is the “Sea Swallow” bird that announced the happy omens …
Vassiliki opens the doors of « Balaneion », a small indoor pool where guests could make their ablutions, stroll, lounge … It must be said that Theodore and his family resided and came to spend their holidays in this holiday home. Electricity, running water, sanitary, kitchen, heating … already at the time, the “Villa” had all the modern comforts.
We continue and arrive at the patio, the « Peristyle » in Greek; it is surrounded by a majestic Carrara marble colonnade; there is a basin in the center where the water rushes lapping relaxing, the frescoes are beautiful and inspired by mythological scenes, the floors are multicolored mosaic and geometric … Like “Sibyl”, I wander in this Hellenic universe … I am totally immersed in this vanished civilization …
The whole design of the « Villa » was wonderfully thought out: marble, exotic woods, antique stucco, hand-embroidered hangings, gold leaf painting; the furniture was custom made by the best cabinetmakers in Paris, copies of the originals found at the Museum of Archeology of Naples … The various wood species: lemon of Ceylon, rosewood, American walnut … mingle with ivory, coral, bronze, silver …
The « Villa Kérylos » is unveiled … I won’t tell you more …
To conclude, I invite you simply to take a trip into the past, where during a fleeting moment, myth and reality are offered to you …
Come discover the treasures and secrets of the mythical “Villa Kérylos”!
Good deal
Free entry to the « Villa Kérylos » by buying the City Pass ” French Riviera Pass ” on the internet or in the Tourist Information Offices of Nice Côte d’Azur !
Practical information
- Admission charge
- Free: under 18 and for 18/25 year olds (nationals of European Union countries and regular non-European residents on French territory), disabled and accompanying persons, unemployed, culture card and ICOM card holders
- Free visit with document (French, English, Italian)
- Guided tour in French lasting 45 minutes
- Audioguide (French, English, German, Italian, Spanish, Greek) included in the price
- Chinese visit document
- Open every day: from January to April – from September to December: 10h to 17h / from May to August: 10h to 19h
- The “Villa” is closed: 1st and 11/11, 25/12, 01/01 and 01/05
- On-site toilets
- Shop
- Possibility of rest in the garden
- Parking of the Mairie nearby
- Access by bus, line 15 “Kérylos” stop and line 100 “Eglise” stop / by train, Beaulieu-sur-Mer station
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