Monte Carlo Weekly Photo

31 October 2009

Villa Kérylos - a Room with a View

Copyright 2009 Monte Carlo Daily Photo. All rights reserved.

Inside the Greek villa, there is beauty everywhere. Look outside and it's not bad either.

30 October 2009

Villa Kérylos - the Bird Room

“Ornitès” or the “Bird Room” was the name given to Madame Reinach’s bedroom, where blue is the dominant colour. Theodore Reinach had his wife’s room decorated with the symbols of the goddess Hera, the peacock and the swan.

29 October 2009

Villa Kérylos - the Foot

Marble baths with marble feet, stunning taps, beautiful mosaics on the floor - those classical Greeks knew a thing or two.

28 October 2009

Villa Kérylos - the Triptolème

This is a detail of the Triptolème, a small rest room between two bathrooms in the Villa Kérylos.

Far from being a mere copy of the noble houses on the Greek island of Delos, Villa Kérylos is rather a reinvention of
ancient Greece. The architect, Emmanuel Pontremoli, did not want to make a pastiche but chose to create an original work with “Greece in mind”. He demonstrated his genius by subtly incorporating the modern conveniences of the
Belle Époque villas into the luxurious setting of an ancient Greek villa.

27 October 2009

Villa Kérylos - the Central Courtyard

Villa Kérylos was built in the early 1900s, in the period the French call the “Belle Epoque”, and is a unique and luxurious re-creation of an ancient Grecian dwelling of the second century B.C., complete with wall decorations and furniture.

Built by two great enthusiasts of Ancient Greece: Theodore Reinach, an archaeologist and patron of the arts, and Emmanuel Pontremoli, an inspired architect.

In keeping with many Mediterranean houses, the Villa Kérylos is built around a “peristyle”, a vast central courtyard surrounded by twelve monolithic columns in white Carrera marble. It was here that Theodore Reinach loved to take a walk.

26 October 2009

Villa Kérylos - Statuary

Copyright 2009 Monte Carlo Daily Photo. All rights reserved.

We're in the gardens of the Villa Kérylos. On one side, steps lead up to the villa and this beautiful sculpture welcomes us. The view beyond looks towards Eze, Cap d'Ail and Monaco.

Villa Kérylos has to be one of the most extraordinary sites on the French Riviera and tomorrow we'll learn more of its history.

25 October 2009

Villa Kérylos

Just along the coast from Monaco at Beaulieu-sur-Mer is the fascinating Villa Kérylos. It's a perfect reconstruction of a luxurious Greek palace dating from 2 B.C. and modelled on those found on the island of Delos. It's the only villa of its kind in the world.

A great day out is to visit Villa Kérylos in the morning and the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild and its glorious gardens at Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat in the afternoon. The second photo here was taken just outside the Villa Ephrussi, looking down on Villa Kérylos.

Do come back - tomorrow we'll start to look around.

24 October 2009

Baby Doll

What the well-dressed toddler will be wearing this winter. A children's clothing shop in Avenue Saint Laurent, almost opposite the Eglise Saint Charles.

23 October 2009

Mirrored Marble

Copyright 2009 Monte Carlo Daily Photo. All rights reserve

We're inside the Hôtel de Paris - in a reception area just outside Alain Ducasse's famous 3-Michelin starred Louis XV restaurant. The walls are antique mirrors giving endless reflections of the opulent marble walls and beautiful lamps that are part of the foyer of this fabulous hotel.

A generous friend invited me here for lunch. It lasted from 12.30 to 16.30 and was absolutely the best lunch I ever had in my life.

22 October 2009

The Rose Petals

A wedding in Monaco.

"A happy bridesmaid makes a happy bride"

~ Alfred, Lord Tennyson

21 October 2009

The Scream

Fancy an hommage to Munch's The Scream on your coffee table? Well here it is in Venetian glass. It will cost you 7,250 euros.

You'll find it in the luxurious Metropole shopping centre. This shop on the top level sells nothing but glass - chandeliers, ornaments, vases, jewellry.

20 October 2009

The Glass Skull

Same shop as yesterday - an upmarket fashion store. And more skulls - this time all around a chandelier.

Not a Halloween symbol as I took these photos in the Metropole Centre in August.

19 October 2009

The Silver Skull

A shop in the luxurious Metropole Centre.

'It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver.'

~ Mahatma Gandhi

18 October 2009

The Two Most Perfect Things - 'Mrs. Worthington'

One last look at this oh-so-enjoyable show full of so many wonderful Ivor Novello and Noël Coward songs.

If you'd like to hear Noël Coward himself sing 'Don't put your daughter on the stage, Mrs. Worthington' please click on the link.

The smaller photo shows part of a most appreciative audience. Note the beautiful Art Nouveau doors to the Salle Belle Epoque at the Hotel Hermitage.

17 October 2009

The Two Most Perfect Things - the Cast

"We have much in common. We were both boy sopranos and both drink a lot of tea. We have both worked hard all our lives, and are fortunate, talented and successful. We are both reviled by the press and adored by the public, in addition to which we enjoy each other's company and have been close friends for well over a quarter of a century." ~ Noël Coward

The stage of the Salle Belle Epoque in the Hermitage Hotel. The cast (see small photo) - Diane Weller, Stuart Barham (Musical Director/Narrator), Charles Howell (Ivor Novello), Isabelle Roeland & Adrian Fisher (Noël Coward/Author/Director).

16 October 2009

The Two Most Perfect Things - the 'Master' & the 'Governor'

Copyright 2009 Monte Carlo Daily Photo. All rights reserved.

The show is a shortened 'dinner-theatre' version of a new, full-length play about the lives and works of Noël Coward and Ivor Novello - The 'Master' and the Governor.' The research that author, Adrian Fisher, has done demonstrates just how disparate their legacies actually are. While there exists a mountain of books about the life and works of Noël, as well as frequent productions of his works, Ivor, although probably the greater star during their lifetimes, has slipped quietly into semi-obscurity, with only a handful of old biographies to tell his story.

In this shot, we see the Australian soprano, Dianne Weller. She took the part of Gertrude Lawrence although here is she playing the role of Noël's mother early on in the show. In the background, we see Stuart Barham at the piano - the Musical Director and Narrator.

15 October 2009

The Two Most Perfect Things - Salle Belle Epoque

Before the show, we dine. This is the beautiful Salle Belle Epoque in the Hôtel Hermitage.

Originally a more modest establishment than the Casino or the Hôtel de Paris, in 1900 the Hôtel Hermitage was transformed into a luxurious residence for visitors. This Belle Epoque dining-room was the work of Gabriel Ferrier, winner of the Rome Prize and gold medalist at the Universal Exhibition of 1889. The frescoes recall paintings by Fragonard and Boucher.

14 October 2009

The Two Most Perfect Things - Noel Coward & Ivor Novello

Copyright 2009 Monte Carlo Daily Photo. All rights reserved

We're having a night out in Monte Carlo.

There are many associations in Monaco but for English-speaking newcomers, the British Association of Monaco (BAM) is the one to join. You make new friends, you get help and information on all the little things - a good dentist, where to get your hair cut - sometimes difficult in a new country - and you can attend any of the many events they organise. The British Association of Monaco is a charity and so you even do good whilst having a good time. And when you've lived here for years, well an event is an excuse to get together with old friends. Our group was so large it took up two tables.

So, we are having a night at the Hotel Hermitage in Monte Carlo, followed as you see by what promises to be a great show. Dress code is Black Tie/1920s dress. We'll be dining in the beautiful Salle Belle Epoque - do come back tomorrow and join us.

13 October 2009

Classic Week - the Sedov

This amazing Tall Ship (have you ever seen so many ropes?) is a steel 4-masted barque launched in 1921. The Sedov was built in Germany and was for 80 years the largest traditional sailing ship in operation.

She is now used as a training ship operating out of Murmansk in Russia and is often seen at the prestigious Tall Ships races, including Monaco.

In the last photo, you see part of the rigging reflected on the bonnet of Prince Albert's car. He is driving himself back to the Palace after a private visit to the neighbouring ship, the Palinuro. As you can see, he had drawn quite a crowd on the deck of the Sedov.

12 October 2009

Classic Week - the Bird and the Balloon

The beautiful silver bird - symbol of the Hispano Suiza is shown against a backdrop depicting an old B & W photograph of the hills above the Principality.

You can read more about this classic car by clicking on the link.