Villa Medici — The Ark of Beauty

A haven of beauty in the heart of Rome, Villa Medici has been home to the Académie de France since 1803. Acclaimed artists have stayed here or served as its director, including Bizet, Debussy, Ingres and Balthus. Originally an Etruscan temple, Villa Medici was adopted as the residence of Roman emperors. In the Renaissance, it was home to cardinals, from the Ricci to the Medici family, who began to transform the building into what we see today. The Villa now boasts majestic sitting rooms, with breathaking views of Rome, a vibrant and contemporary space.