Description

The Villa Kérylos, beautifully situated at the tip of the Pointe des Fourmis (literally "Ant Point'), beneath the famous cliffs of Èze, was born of the meeting of two aficionadas of ancient Greece: Théodore Reinach, an eminent Hellenist and scholar, and Emmanuel Pontremoli, an architect who was awarded the Grand Prix de Rome in 1890. Their mutual passion for archaeology led them to design a Greek mansion, which was completed in 1908 and–;unobtrusively–;furnished with all modern amenities of the Belle Époque. The quiet elegance of its white walls belies the treasures within, arranged around a peristyle and crafted from the finest materials. The furniture, frescos, and mosaics, stuccowork, hangings, and silverware were all designed by the architect, freely inspired by works of antiquity, scenes from painted vases in particular. Since 1928 the villa has been the property of the Institut de France