The beautiful Bellini Chapel
In the heights of Cannes lies this incredibly beautiful chapel, which formerly belonged to the neighboring property, Villa Fiorentina, an Italian-inspired Baroque villa from 1880.
It was a rich period in which English winter holiday interests resulted in a construction boom of magnificent mansions along the entire Riviera.
For the Cannes area, it was especially the English Chancellor Lord Brougham who was the catalyst for Cannes to begin a rapid development from a small fishing village to the fashionable world city we know today. Read more about Lord Brougham here.
In 1953, Villa Fiorentina and the chapel are parceled out and sold. The artist Emmanuel Bellini took advantage of this and bought the chapel, which he then arranged for his studio.
When Bellini dies in 1989, his daughter, Lucette Bellini, takes over the chapel and she continues her father’s work with her own studio. The chapel, simultaneously, becomes a museum for Emmanuel Bellini and his works.
Lucette Bellini, having no children and to make sure her father’s legacy lives on in the future, bequeaths the chapel to Cannes.
However, she has two conditions that come with the gift. Firstly, the chapel must be open to the public and secondly, Bellini must be the only artist on display. The municipality accepted both conditions.
The artist Emmanuel Bellini
Bellini (1904-1989) was born in Monaco in the “Belle-Epoque” era into a working class family of Italian descent.
The idyllic surroundings with all its colors and moods became a fundamental inspiration in the young artist’s mind.
He begins his education by apprenticing as an architect with the famous architect Charles Dalmas in Nice. The work with the purity of the lines has undoubtedly influenced his artistic work.
This inspired him to create the iconic posters for the Automobile Club of Monaco.
His first exhibition came in 1949 in Paris at the Gallerie Lambert and soon after many other exhibitions followed around Europe.
Bellini’s style is inspired by Impressionism, but with accents of Fauvism.
The growing success enabled him to buy the chapel at Cannes.
In addition to being his studio, he entertained a number of famous people – including Mireille Mathieu, Miro and Prince Rainer III.
His works hang in museums around the world and, by visiting the Bellini Chapel, you will get an insight into this unique artist’s works and work.
Briefly about Villa Fiorentina
This stunning Italian-Baroque villa was built by Lord Julian Goldsmith and taken over in 1894 by Phillippe Comte Vitali. And it is precisely Vitali who built the chapel in 1894.
The opulent property overlooks the entire Bay of Cannes, is on 2 floors with originally 12 bedrooms.
Villa Fiorentina is then taken over by Princess Daria Karageorgevich of Serbia, before the property is subdivided in 1953 and Bellini buys the chapel. The villa is currently not available to the public.
By Tommy Sverre / 2021
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Events The International Film Festival in Cannes
The Cannes Film Festival is known worldwide and one of the most important film awards in the film industry. Was founded in 1939 and can celebrate its 76th birthday this year.
Art Cannes Underwater Museum
Cannes has got France’s first underwater museum, which is wildly fascinating in every way. 6 great sculptures below the sea surface connect…
Squares & Promenades Le Suquet – The old town
Here in the heart of old Cannes, the city shows its true soul. Here you find Le Suquet – the old town – a medieval area nestled on the hilltop of Mont-Chevalier. With its cobbled alleys, is one of Cannes city-must-xee places.
Boat trips Boat trips to Lérins Islands
If you want to visit the fantastic islands of Lérins, Saint-Marguerite and Saint-Honorat, you can sail there from Nice, Cannes and Golfe-Juan respectively.
Castles and palaces Fort Royal & “The Man with the Iron Mask”
At Fort Royal, the legendary Man with the Iron Mask was imprisoned for 11 years. Today, the fort houses the Cannes Sea Museum and is a city-must-xee gem.
Squares & Promenades La Croisette Promenade
The promenade at La Croisette is one of the most valued experiences in Cannes – it is the gathering point for mythical hotels, the casino, the Film Festival and…
Art La Malmaison Art Center
Great art welcomes you in historic premises that used to be part of the Grand Hotel. In 1863, when the hotel was built, this building served as a games room and tea room.
Markets Forville Market
With its 3000 m2 and approx. 50 stalls, the market invites you inside to some of the best the Riviera has to offer in Provencal and Italian …
Museums Cannes Sea Museum
Cannes Sea Museum, Musée de la Mer, is located on the small island of Sainte-Marguerite. It is located in a unique historic setting in the old Fort Royal.
Boat trips Lérins Islands
Just a stone’s throw from La Croisette, on the opposite side of the Bay of Cannes, are the islands of Lérins. They consist of 4 islands, of which île Saint-Marguerite …
Art Musée de la Castre
Located high on top of Le Suquet, in the medieval castle originally inhabited by the monks of Lérins, the Museum of World Discovery overlooks the Croisette.
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Antibes The Villa Eilenroc
The elegant and opulent Villa Eilenroc, in Antibes, had its heyday during the famous period, which the French refer to as “La Belle Époque” and is today open to the public.
Antibes Saint-Bernardin chapel
The beautiful and almost magical chapel Saint-Bernardin is located in the middle of the old town of Antibes, and built on Roman foundations and dates from 1581.
Antibes Museum for History and Archeology
Historical objects dating back to Roman times are exhibited in the Bastion Saint-André built by the military architect Vauban in 1698 and which is a historical monument.
Antibes Picasso museum & Grimaldi castle
At one of the best-located addresses in the old town of Antibes is the Grimaldi Castle, which today houses the Picasso Museum.
Antibes Notre-Dame-de-l’Immaculée-Conception
This magnificent neoclassical church is built on the remains of a Roman temple dedicated to Diana and Minerva.
Antibes Coastal walk around Cap d’Antibes
This coastal walk around Cap d’Antibes is simply fantastic and a pearl row of beautiful impressions awaits on the approx. 4.8 km long trip.
Antibes Chapelle de la Garoupe
At the Garoupe Plateau, the highest point of Cap d’Antibes, you will find the most beautifully situated chapel on the entire Côte d’Azur.
Antibes Fort Carré
Fort Carré is one of Antibes’ historic landmarks and offers many experiences in one visit. The walk alone from Port Vauban, through the…
