Once upon a time, a very rich and beautiful Baroness with a grand house in Paris (and the obligatory château in the countryside), born in 1864, decided to construct her personal fantasy. She picked the most beautiful spot: the tip top of a peninsula on the Mediterranean that looked out over the dramatic scenery of the Cote d'Azur, and made it her winter home. She built a pink Cinderella-worthy confection of a villa, and circled it with with a series of lush themed gardens--Japanese, Italian, French, Mexican--all profiting from a 360 degree view of the azure blue waters of the Med. From all over Europe, she gathered up (some would say plundered) trainloads of antique architectural elements, statuary, columns, etc. for the garden. A year before her death, she bequeathed it all to the Academie de Beaux Arts, so all could visit.
We visit the gardens of the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild every time we are in Cap Ferrat, to see what's blooming and to immerse ourselves in the late Baroness' fantasy. This time, we arrived not long before closing time and they were in the final throes of setting up a wedding that was the fantasy of one lucky bride and groom. One of the outdoor stairways was bedecked with thousands of white roses. Then, gasp, the bride! Arriving early for photos. She wore a train of such fluff and froth that it took two guys, trailing behind her, to carry it.
The scene of the nuptials:
Mademoiselle arrives:
But oops! Raindrops start to fall just before the ceremony.
Sadly we were kicked out at this point. But it got me thinking, they must do weddings there often. A quick search revealed some ceremonies that I am pretty sure set Daddy back something in excess of the cost of our house. Here are a few of the photos, of how People Not Like Us get married, in the most beautiful villa on the Mediterranean. If you could use a little French daydreaming to perk you up today, you're in luck!
How’s this for a set up? Barbie would love it. A platform built out over the lake, covered in pink fleurs.
And another…
A bit of dancing, inside the villa
No rain for this party, they dined outside under the rose topiaries
This couple had an entire website, devoted to their affair…
Love her sassy dress, but not sure about the leather pants and full length furs
Whatever
Felicitations to all the happy couples!
Favorite READS: Our book lover Natalia recommends Mastering The Art of French Murder. And you, Natalia, for your recommendation of the Paris daughter, which I’ve just finished and I loved.
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