Charles Garnier

Overlooking the Arziglia stands the elegant white silhouette of Villa Garnier, the private residence of the renowned French architect Charles Garnier (1825–1898), designer of the Paris Opéra — the largest European theatre of the nineteenth century — as well as the Monte Carlo Casino and the Nice Observatory.

In Bordighera, where he lived for many years, Garnier designed, among other works, Villa Bischoffsheim (later renamed Villa Etelinda), the school building that today houses the Town Hall, the Church of Terrasanta and Villa Studio. And, naturally, his own residence.

He purchased the land in 1871, when it was still isolated from the town, in a magnificent position above the beach and overlooking the sea. Later, to ensure privacy and preserve the view, he acquired additional land and four neighbouring villas through no fewer than twenty-nine separate deeds.

Around the villa he created a terraced park planted with palms and orange trees.

After the architect’s death, Villa Garnier became home to an American family before passing to the Diocese of Ventimiglia. Since 1954 it has belonged to the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Aosta.

It was here that Garnier wrote “Les sujets artistiques de Bordighera”, dedicated to the artists passing through who might not stop in this beautiful corner of the world. He suggested to them “the places they should know if they wish to preserve in their minds the thousand unusual and characteristic impressions that make Bordighera such a singular town.”

Garnier also addressed the city’s administrators, recommending that they preserve “for as long as possible” at least three views of Bordighera’s remarkable landscape: the Old Town, the Vallone del Torrente Sasso and Cape Sant’Ampelio.

From “Bordighera” by A. Besio, 1998, SAGEP-Genoa.
Photo: Wikipedia.