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Origin and history

The Rothschild villa, located in the district of La Croix-des-Gardes in Cannes, is an emblematic example of the seaside architecture of the French Riviera at the end of the 19th century. Built for Baroness Betty de Rothschild (1805-1886), James de Rothschild's widow, it embodies the fascist of aristocratic resort residences. The villa, surrounded by a 3-hectare park planted with exotic essences, was designed by Marseille architect Charles Baron between 1881 and 1884 on land acquired after the destruction of five pre-existing villas.

The Baroness Betty de Rothschild, seduced by Cannes after renting the villa Victoria in 1880, commissioned this house to organize a fabulous reception. The neo-classical building features a two-storey central body flanked by lateral wings, a rotunda terrace supported by eight pink marble columns, and a winter garden in the hemicycle. The villa had 40 rooms, including 28 bedrooms, and employed 35 servants. The Rothschild weapons adorn the north pediment, accessible by a porch designed for horse cars.

During World War II, the villa was requisitioned by German troops, becoming the headquarters of Kommandantur. In 1947, the city of Cannes acquired the media library and the municipal library. The park, enriched with rare species like a 12 metre araucaria transported in 1884 by 32 horses, was maintained by four gardeners. The villa and its park were listed as Historic Monuments on July 22, 1991, recognizing their heritage value.

The interior architecture reflects refined luxury, with a Louis XVI style vestibule, living rooms decorated with gypsumseries, and a ceiling painted in trompe-l'oeil in the dining room. The symmetrical distribution of floors serves reception areas and rooms, while the park, with factories and sculptures, completes this exceptional ensemble. Today, the Rothschild villa remains a major testimony of the golden age of the Azurean resort.

Located at 7 Avenue Jean-de-Noailles, in the historic English district, the villa overlooks the Croix-des-Gardes hill. Its acquisition by the municipality in 1947 preserved this heritage, while making it accessible to the public. Protected elements include the villa, its park, factories and sculptures, illustrating the alliance between architecture, nature and history on the French Riviera.

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