Morning Proposal at Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat

Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild

A and N’s engagement session at Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild took place in mid-September, beginning at 10:00 and continuing until 11:30. We chose this timing to coincide with the villa’s opening hours, allowing us to enter early in the day when the gardens are quieter, the temperatures are softer, and the morning light feels bright yet gentle. Throughout most of the year, the villa typically opens around 10:00 and closes in the early evening, with slightly extended hours in summer, making the morning one of the most peaceful times to visit.

Man proposing to a woman on one knee in the beautiful gardens of Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild.

Proposal Planning

To keep the proposal a surprise, we created a playful scenario and approached them as if we were photographers working for the villa, casually photographing beautiful couples walking through the gardens. We spoke in French at first, then switched to English, which made the moment feel natural and light. We guided them to the open space directly in front of the villa, where N proposed to A. She was completely surprised, and the emotion of the moment unfolded in the most genuine and beautiful way.

Engaged couple walking hand-in-hand towards Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. Romantic couple walking hand-in-hand through the beautiful gardens of Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild. Romantic couple holding hands and smiling in the magnificent gardens of Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild. Engaged couple shares a loving embrace in the beautiful morning gardens of Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild. Man placing engagement ring on woman's finger during a morning proposal at Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild. Newly engaged couple shares a joyful kiss on the stunning grounds of Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild. Man putting engagement ring on woman's finger in elegant Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild garden. Morning proposal photography. Engaged couple kissing in Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild gardens, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, capturing a morning proposal.

After the proposal, we spent the remainder of the session exploring the gardens and terraces, capturing the joy of their new engagement.

Romantic couple strolls hand-in-hand through lush Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild gardens, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, towards the pink villa. Engaged couple kissing at Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild gardens, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat proposal photography. Happy couple dances in beautiful gardens of Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, for their morning proposal. Newly engaged couple kissing passionately on a balcony overlooking Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat landscapes. Engaged couple at the stunning pink Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, with fountain and gardens.

Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild is an extraordinary setting for photography, known for its pastel pink façade, elegant interiors, and nine themed gardens overlooking the Mediterranean. Built in the early twentieth century for Baroness Béatrice de Rothschild, the estate feels both grand and intimate, offering countless viewpoints, fountains, pathways, and quiet corners that make a full hour and a half of photography pass effortlessly.

Engaged couple kissing during a romantic morning proposal at Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. Happy couple celebrating morning proposal, woman showing engagement ring at Villa Ephrussi, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. Couple’s joyful walk through Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild gardens after their Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat morning proposal. Beautiful engagement ring close-up after a morning proposal at Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. Joyful couple celebrates morning proposal with engagement ring at Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. Happy couple celebrating their morning proposal at Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat.

Photos in the Gardens

There are so many beautiful areas of the gardens to explore.

Happy couple embracing after morning proposal on grand stairs at Villa Ephrussi, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. Newly engaged couple kissing at Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild during their beautiful Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat morning proposal. Couple enjoying morning walk after proposal on garden stairs, Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. Happy couple smiling after morning proposal at Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. Morning proposal: happy couple smiling on a beautiful ivy-covered balcony at Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild. Romantic proposal couple kissing on an ornate balcony at Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. Happy couple portrait at Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat morning proposal. Morning proposal photo: couple kissing passionately on Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild balcony. Joyful couple walks hand-in-hand at Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild after their morning proposal, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. Engaged couple at Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, celebrating their morning proposal. Morning proposal couple smiling on a scenic balcony at Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. Engaged couple strolls past a historic gazebo in Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild gardens, French Riviera. Romantic proposal moment: couple kissing in Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild's elegant garden rotunda. Couple embraces romantically in the Temple of Love, Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild garden proposal. Morning proposal: couple embracing in a garden gazebo at Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. Couple embracing during a romantic morning proposal at Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. Joyful couple celebrates morning proposal at Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat gazebo.

This session was soft, joyful, and full of quiet celebration, perfectly suited to the calm beauty of a September morning on the French Riviera.

View Photos from Session

Planning Your Own Proposal at Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild?

If you’re dreaming of a once-in-a-lifetime proposal in a setting as breathtaking as this, we would love to help capture your story. Whether in the lavender fields, another town on the French Riviera or another magical destination, we specialise in preserving the emotions and beauty of your most unforgettable moments.

You can read our favourite places to propose in the French Riviera here:

Best Places to Propose in the Lavender Fields

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