The villa passed through the hands of several prestigious owners, including King Leopold II of Belgium and King Farouk of Egypt. However, the person who left the most enduring mark on Villa Eilenroc was its final private resident, Mrs. Beaumont, wife of the wealthy American Louis Dudley Beaumont. The couple acquired the vast seafront estate in 1927, and Hélène Beaumont later bequeathed Villa Eilenroc to the city of Antibes, under the condition that a Beaumont Foundation be created to manage and preserve the property and that the gardens be opened to the public.

The city subsequently undertook a major restoration program to revive the splendor of this residence, set in unspoiled nature just a few meters from the Mediterranean Sea. In 1985, Villa Eilenroc became the official honorary villa of Antibes Juan-les-Pins. Today, part of the first floor—allowing visitors to explore several of the former apartments—is open to the public every Wednesday and Saturday.

The rose garden of Villa Eilenroc

Encircling the residence, the 11-hectare park forms a true botanical conservatory where a wide variety of Mediterranean species flourish thanks to the Riviera’s mild climate. Aleppo pines, arbutus trees, holm oaks, ficus, olive trees, and eucalyptus create a lush canopy that borders the customs officers’ coastal path running alongside the property.

This garden even inspired literary figures of the time, such as Guy de Maupassant, who wrote:

“A prodigious garden, nestled between two seas, where the most beautiful flowers in Europe grow.”

Determined to preserve the horticultural excellence that once earned Antibes the title of “rose capital,” the city created an enchanting rose garden featuring more than 2,000 rose bushes and around one hundred varieties—many of which were developed on Antibes soil. Today, an extraordinary palette of fragrances and essences is open to the public.

The olive grove, the latest addition to the landscaped estate

Alongside the century-old trees of Villa Eilenroc, around fifty olive trees were planted by children born in the year 2000. More recently, the restoration of the olive grove has made it possible to harvest the first oil from this precious “green gold,” adding yet another chapter to the living heritage of this exceptional estate.

Historic villa on the French Riviera

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