mrpotatohead

We are planning to visit this museum during our forthcoming visit to the South of France, but are not sure whether to drive or to go by train. If you drive, does anyone know if there is parking available either at the museum or nearby? Alternatively, if you go by train - how long does it take to walk from the train station? Finally, how much time should we allow for a good look at the house and gardens?

kappa

There are parking space along the road going up to the Villa for about 30, 40 cars (?). It looked free but I'm not 100% sure. Depending on the day and time, it may get full but only if you go there in high season.

I visited the villa last two consecutive Novembers and both times made a point to have a light salad lunch with a glass of Rothschild red wine by the window side table of their Rotonde Cafe, with a spectacular view over the bay of Villefranch sur mer.

1st time we walked from Beaulieu-sur-mer station with a visit to another Greek Villa Kérylos (5min walk) on the way. From Kérylos, we walked for a while along the beach and then uphill to the Villa Rohtschild. I think it took altogether about leisurely pleasant 30 minutes walk or less.

2nd time we walked from Villefranche-sur-mer station, again with a visit to its weekend broccante market on the way. It was also about roughtly 30 minutes or less. Most of the part is with bay view so the waldk is pleasant enough.

You can take train but also take a bus No.100, better view than the train and cheaper (train is cheap enough though). In high season there seems to be direct train from Villefrance to the at the foot of the villa. or you can just get off at Octroi stop in Villegfranche and walk to the villa. But ask the bus driver for the closest stop to the villa. No100 goes Nice > Villefranche> Beaulieu, and toward Menton. A single ticket is €1.30 and 1 day ticket is €4.00. Great value.

As to Rothschild villa, if the timing is right you might be able to sign up on the guided tour of the upper floor rooms that is not included in the general admission.

mrpotatohead

Many thanks for the information. We are staying up the coast at Les Deux Freres in Roquebrune, but were uncertain whether to drive or train it to the villa. Will certainly have that glass of Rothschild red wine in the Rotonde!

Underhill

Try to go early in the day. If it's hot the villa can be very warm inside. The gardens can take around two hours, depending on how much you want to linger. The house--probably about 1-1/2 hours.

Marianna

We visited the Villa when we stayed in Villefranche-sur-Mer. It is beautiful! We drove and did not have a problem parking. I think there are free spaces on the property.

When you return, could you please tell us about the hotel and restaurant at Les Deux Freres? It looks very nice, reasonably priced and with beautiful views. I was wondering which rooms have views.

Enjoy your trip!

Underhill

There are free spaces on the road leading up to the villa--in prime time there's someone directing the parking.

If you want to have a meal in the tea room be sure to reserve in advance. When we were there a small tour took up nearly all the tables.

MaureenB

From my Nice trip report, in case it helps:

"We took the short bus ride on the #81, from Nice, to visit the Villa and Jardins Ephrussi de Rothschild, near Saint Jean Cap Ferrat. (The bus is just 1.30EUR each direction, which you pay in exact change on the bus.) We didn't stop to see the Greek Villa, but it's also on that same bus route, near the Ephrussi. You can easily catch the #81 for your return trip to Nice, at any stop along the road.

It was a nice visit, especially to see the views of the sea down below on both sides of the hillside. I thought the price was a bit steep, at 9.50EUR for an adult, because the Villa isn’t really all that interesting (sorry!), but the gardens are pretty. There’s also a nice little café there, for a light snack or drink or meal, which was a welcome break from all our walking.

While we were there, a very strong wind came up, which caused quite a bit of white caps in the water below, and chased everyone in from the patio tables. The wind stayed with us for the rest of the day, but wasn’t terribly annoying.

From the Villa, we did the easy walk down to the port of St. Jean to walk around and check it out. There are nice boats in the little harbor, with cute restaurants and shops. It’s very tiny, so doesn’t take long to walk from end to end of St. Jean. We spent just about an hour and a half there, then caught the #81 back to Nice."

mrpotatohead

Many thanks for all the help and advice about this museum. I promise, Marianna, that I will post a report on Les Deux Freres when I get back. We actually found this hotel on the Alistair Sawdays - Special Places to Stay website. This is an English guy whose advice, particularly on France, is a reasonably reliable resource when planning trips. The link is http://www.sawdays.co.uk/search/disp...?FileID=FH2611.

Faux

We took the train to Villefranche sure Mer and walked around the coast line and then by a road to the Villa Ephrussi and then walked back to Nice - but it was a Ramblers Holidays trip and the idea was to walk and have a picnic lunch. It was not an overly long or difficult walk but it did take up the best part of our day.