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Cap Ferrat, Rothschild, Villa Kerylos And VillefrancheExplore > France > Nice > Cap Ferrat, Rothschild, Villa Kerylos And Villefranche
OverviewWhere the rich come to play! When in the French Riviera people often look to Monte Carlo for all the glitz and glamor. Well, when there are the rich there is often their rich neighbors and this tour will bring you to the locations not so obvious to the tourists. Cap Ferrat will be a stop in one of the most unspoiled spots along the southern coast. It is where many of the yachts anchor and the wealthy yacht owners come to shore to dine and shop. It is just a beautiful little city. The highlight of the area is the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild. During the 19th century many believed the Rothschild family had the largest private fortune in the world and they spared no expense during the 7 year construction of this villa. Although the intricately designed rooms often get the attention, we would be willing to bet that the elaborate gardens will have the longest lasting impact. The garden is split up into 9 sections with inspiration taken from locations all over the world. The most unique is the Japanese stone garden! At Villa Kerylos you will see the French's interpretation of classical Greek architecture traced directly to the island of Delos in the 2nd century. Much like the Rothschild villa this location was designed with a wild imagination before the blueprint was ever made. With spectacular views over the Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat peninsula, you will soon learn that natural surroundings play a big role in any architectural achievement. The eastern facade is considered the most impressive with stunning panoramas and intricately designed pillars, pergolas and mosaics. In Villefranche, explore the fishing village often overshadowed by Nice and Monaco. Place de la paix, Rue du Poilu and Place du Conseil will be the highlights of your visit. If open, stop and see the Chapelle Saint-Pierre (Saint Peter's Chapel) which dates from the sixteenth century. Used as a storeroom for local fishermen's nets and equipment for most of the 19th and early part of the 20th century, it was restored in 1957 with Jean Cocteau adding his now-famous murals depicting the life of the saint and of local fishermen. The building was included in the French Historic Sites Registry in 1995. Another unique feature is the most extreme example we've seen anywhere of a vaulted passage, the Rue Obscura. This street about a block in from the seafront is completely covered for about half its length. Lighted only by white, wire-gridded lamps in the roof, the "obscure" street reminds you of the days when the town's population sheltered here from bombardments. One of the most picturesque ports in the Riviera! - Admissions, food, and beverages are not included in the price of this tour. - It is up to you and your driver to decide whether or not to stop for lunch. - You may not have time to see everything mentioned in the tour description. As this is a private tour, it is entirely customizable. Contact ShoreTrips for more information. Days offered: 7 days a week Departures:
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