We were not initially attracted by the description of "an ancient Greek villa re-created in the early 20th century on the Cote d'Azur," but, upon learning a bit more, we went anyway, May 3rd, by way of old friend bus #600, to Beaulieu sur Mer. As it turns out, Villa Kerylos was the work of the polymath Theodore Reinach, with his architect Emmanuel Pontremoli. Wikipedia describes Reinach as an "archaeologist, mathematician, lawyer, papyrologist, philologist, epigrapher, historian, numismatist, musicologist, professor, and politician." With ample honors, appointments, elections, and publications, etc. It didn't hurt that he was independently wealthy, very wealthy, nor that his wife was a Rothschild. He was particularly devoted to Greek philosophical and political ideals, and Villa Kerylos was his tribute to them, among other things. The Villa was based on 2nd century BCE houses found on the island of Delos, which we tried to visit some years ago. Be that as it may, Villa Kerylos was for us an extraordinary experience. Reinach and Pontremoli had researched every aspect of what is displayed Villa Kerylos, architecture, furniture, art, literature, etc., cleverly integrating the ancient with modern conveniences, and it is all amply documented. And it is all beautifully presented. We wouldn't recommend Villa Kerylos to everybody, but if you have an interest in the ancient world and the Mediterranean history, don't miss it. FWIW, the Greek colonists were all over this part of the world, e.g., Marseilles and Antibes, in the 6th and 7th centuries BCE. It is no stretch to see them in Beaulieu sur Mer too. Reinach willed Villa Kerylos to the Institute of France, of which he was a member, and thus it has been preserved for the public.
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| From our ultra long-range selfie stick |
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Entry...but first we did the garden, then views, and the collection of
Greek-based statues |
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| Across the little bay, the Rothschild villa |
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| Morning sundial |
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| View to the northeast |
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| Among the statues, some casts, some actual Roman copies |
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| In the entry way |
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In the Thyoreion, a statue of Solon...the flooring everywhere was
incredible mosaics |
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The Balaneion...dedicated to the Naiads...emphasizing
the social importance of bathing; yes, this will be on the
quiz |
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| More incredible mosaic |
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| The Peristyle...12 Carrera marble columns |
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| Frescoes on all the walls, depicting classical stories, events |
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| Winding up to deliver the pitch |
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| Now in the library/study, with its collection of artifacts |
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| Reinach's desk |
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20th century lightbulbs wouldn't have worked, so they
fabricated these to look like oil burners |
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| Comfy chair |
