Six miles from Monaco, Villa Kérylos recreates an ancient Greek residence facing the Mediterranean. History, opening times, prices and insider tips: everything you need to plan your visit.
On the Pointe des Fourmis in Beaulieu-sur-Mer, Villa Kérylos seems to have emerged from another millennium. This unique recreation of an ancient Greek residence, set on the Mediterranean shore just six miles from Monaco, is one of the most singular monuments on the French Riviera. Frescoes, mosaics, Carrara marble and furniture inspired by ancient vases: every detail tells the dream of a scholar in love with Greece. In this guide, discover the history of the Greek villa, what you should not miss, the 2026 opening times and ticket prices, and our tips for an easy visit from Monaco.
Why visit Villa Kérylos?
There are hundreds of Belle Époque villas on the Riviera, but only one ancient Greek house recreated with such scientific rigour. Villa Kérylos is not a stage set: it is a true immersion into the daily life of a wealthy Greek home of the 2nd century BC, inspired by the noble houses of the island of Delos.
A listed historic monument, the villa appeals to history lovers, architecture enthusiasts and families looking for an original outing alike. Its exceptional setting, surrounded by the sea on three sides at the edge of the Baie des Fourmis, also makes it one of the most beautiful viewpoints on the coast between Nice and Monaco.
From Monaco, the visit combines perfectly with a stroll through Beaulieu-sur-Mer and the Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat peninsula: half a day is enough for a round trip, a full day if you want to explore the surroundings.
What is the history of Villa Kérylos?
Théodore Reinach, the scholar who dreamed of ancient Greece
Villa Kérylos was born of the passion of Théodore Reinach, archaeologist, Hellenist and member of the Institut de France. At the beginning of the 20th century, this scholar from a great family of collectors decided to build a residence that would not be a copy of a temple, but the living reconstruction of a Greek nobleman's house, designed to be lived in.
Built between 1902 and 1908, the villa became his holiday home. On his death in 1928, Théodore Reinach bequeathed Villa Kérylos to the Institut de France. It is now open to the public and managed by the Centre des monuments nationaux.
Emmanuel Pontremoli, the architect of a Greek dream
To bring this extraordinary project to life, Reinach called on Emmanuel Pontremoli, winner of the Grand Prix de Rome for architecture. Pontremoli designed a building faithful to the spirit of ancient Greece while discreetly integrating the modern comforts of the Belle Époque: bathrooms, heating, and even windows concealed behind the colonnades.
The result is a masterpiece of balance: nothing is left to chance, from the frescoes to the mosaics and the precious wooden furniture, recreated from the scenes painted on ancient ceramics.
☉ Good to know
In ancient Greek, "Kérylos" is the halcyon, a legendary seabird regarded as a good omen. Théodore Reinach had the name engraved at the entrance of the villa, as a promise of good fortune to all who stay there.
What to see inside the Greek villa?
The peristyle, luminous heart of the house
The visit is organised around the peristyle, an inner courtyard lined with twelve Carrara marble columns. Bathed in light, this open-air patio leads to the reception rooms, just as in the houses of Delos. It is the most photographed spot in the villa, with its perfect proportions and shifting shadows throughout the day.
The reception rooms and private apartments
Around the peristyle, the rooms follow one another with evocative Greek names: the andron, a grand reception room adorned with polychrome marble, the triklinos where guests dined reclining on couches, and the thalamos, the master bedroom. Do not miss the balaneion, the astonishing Roman-style bathing room, or the library rising over two levels: Théodore Reinach used to work there facing the sea.
Everywhere, frescoes, floor mosaics and inlaid furniture recreate the Greek art of living with an archaeologist's precision. An audioguide, included in the ticket and available in several languages including English, French and Italian, brings each room to life.
The gardens and the view over the Baie des Fourmis
The tour ends with the Mediterranean garden surrounding the villa: olive trees, laurels, vines and papyrus, the very species found in ancient gardens. The walk offers superb views over the Baie des Fourmis, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat and, on clear days, as far as Bordighera in Italy.
💡 Concierge's tip
"Visit the villa at opening time, at 10am: the morning light in the peristyle is magnificent and groups only arrive in late morning. Then walk to Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat along the Maurice Rouvier promenade and have lunch by the harbour: it is one of our favourite half-day outings to recommend to our guests."
Villa Kérylos opening times and ticket prices in 2026
What are the opening hours?
Villa Kérylos is open every day, including weekends and most public holidays:
- From 2 May to 31 August: 10am to 6pm
- From 1 September to 30 April: 10am to 5pm
Last admission is 30 minutes before closing time. The villa is closed on 1 January, 1 May, 1 and 11 November and 25 December. On 24 and 31 December it closes at 4pm. This information may change: check the official website villakerylos.fr before your visit.
How much does admission cost?
Admission is free for under 18s, for 18-25 year olds who are EU nationals, for visitors with disabilities and their companion, and for jobseekers. The villa is also free for everyone on the first Sunday of January, February, March and November.
The smart option: combined tickets
Two combined tickets make the visit even more rewarding. The joint ticket with the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, its neighbour in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, costs EUR 24 and remains valid for 8 days: the ideal option for a weekend devoted to the great houses of the Riviera. The combined ticket with the Trophée d'Auguste in La Turbie, valid for 4 days, costs EUR 16 and will delight lovers of Antiquity.
How to get to Villa Kérylos from Monaco?
Beaulieu-sur-Mer lies about ten kilometres from Monaco, along the lower corniche. The villa is very easy to reach, even without a car:
The train remains the simplest option: from Monaco Monte-Carlo station, a 5-minute walk from the Port Palace, regional trains reach Beaulieu-sur-Mer in about ten minutes. From the station, allow a 10-minute walk along the sea to the Pointe des Fourmis. By car, follow the lower corniche (RD 6098) towards Nice; there is a car park next to Beaulieu town hall.
What to do around Villa Kérylos?
The visit takes between 1 hour and 1.5 hours: make the most of your trip to explore the surroundings, among the most elegant on the French Riviera.
- Stroll through Beaulieu-sur-Mer: a marina, Belle Époque architecture and lovely beaches just steps from the villa.
- Walk the Maurice Rouvier promenade: this coastal path links Beaulieu to Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat in a 30-minute seafront walk.
- Visit the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild: a pink palace with nine themed gardens, easy to combine thanks to the joint ticket.
- Discover Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat: an unspoilt peninsula, hidden coves and a beautiful walk around the cape.
Visiting Villa Kérylos while staying at the Port Palace
The Port Palace is an ideal base for exploring both Monaco and the treasures of the Riviera. From our boutique hotel on Port Hercule, Monaco station is a 5-minute walk away: you can be at Villa Kérylos in under half an hour, without ever touching a steering wheel.
After a day among villas and seafront paths, return to the calm of our rooms and suites overlooking Port Hercule, then round off the evening with a Mediterranean dinner at La Môme, our rooftop restaurant on the 6th floor. When staying at the Port Palace, your concierge can also arrange every detail of your excursion, from train times to a private transfer or a lunch reservation in Beaulieu: discover our exclusive services.
Port Palace Monaco
Explore the villas of the Riviera from Port Hercule
Just 5 minutes on foot from Monaco station, our 50 harbour-view rooms and suites are the perfect base for Villa Kérylos, Beaulieu-sur-Mer and Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat.
Book your stayFAQ: your questions about Villa Kérylos
How long does a visit to Villa Kérylos take?
Allow between 1 hour and 1.5 hours to discover the villa and its gardens with the audioguide, which is included in the admission ticket. Lovers of ancient architecture can easily spend two hours there.
Should I book tickets in advance?
Online booking is possible but not compulsory: tickets can be bought directly on site, at the villa's ticket office. In summer, come early in the morning to avoid the crowds.
Is Villa Kérylos accessible to visitors with reduced mobility?
The ground floor of the villa is accessible on one level via a dedicated entrance with an access ramp. The first floor can only be reached by a staircase of around thirty steps, and the garden paths are covered with gravel. Admission is free for visitors with disabilities and their companion.
Can I visit Villa Kérylos with children?
Yes, children love the villa, where mythology and daily life in ancient Greece come alive in a very tangible way. Note that pushchairs are not allowed inside for conservation reasons and that there are no catering facilities on site.
What is the difference between Villa Kérylos and the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild?
Villa Kérylos is the scholarly reconstruction of an ancient Greek house, while the Villa Ephrussi is a Venetian-inspired Belle Époque palace surrounded by nine gardens. The two complement each other perfectly, and a EUR 24 combined ticket, valid for 8 days, lets you visit both at a reduced price.
A journey to ancient Greece, 20 minutes from Monaco
Few monuments can carry their visitors two thousand years back in time without leaving the Mediterranean, and Villa Kérylos fully deserves its place among the finest visits on the Riviera. Easy to reach by train from the Principality, it slips effortlessly into a Monaco stay, between a morning at the Condamine market and a dinner facing the yachts. To explore the French Riviera from an exceptional home port, the Port Palace, a boutique hotel and member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, awaits you on Port Hercule.
