Monte-Carlo Inspiration Summer/Eté

S eventy-five years ago, Jean Cocteau first visited Cap Ferrat, invited by his friend Francine Weisweiller, whom he had met the year prior while filming Les Enfants terribles . Just a short distance from the peninsula’s lighthouse, the tranquil holidays at Villa Santo Sospir quickly became tedious for him: “Idleness tires me out, I wither away in it”* . It was during this period that the poet and multi-talented artist began to’ “tattoo” the house’s walls, kicking off his extensive project with a depiction of Apollo’s head above the living room fireplace. What started as a six day holiday turned into six months of joyful labour. The frescoes reflect influences from both mythology and local life. Transforming the Provençal house by the water, Santo Sospir emerged as a personal showcase of Cocteau’s artistry, free from any rules or restrictions. “(...) I became wall myself and these walls spoke in my place.”* However, both the frescoes and the furniture crafted by renowned decorator Madeleine Castaing were showing signs of age. “Visits to Santo Sospir were often arranged, which led my mother to discover it,” Marina Melia recalls. “She instantly became enchanted by the location. Meanwhile, my brother Ilia learnt, quite by chance, from an artist friend, that heiress Carole Weisweiller was seeking to sell her estate to someone who could manage it properly. A swift agreement was made with the owner. Consequently, my mother and brother Ilia purchased the villa. It felt like a miracle!” Hailing from Georgia and having lived for several years between Monaco and the Côte d’Azur, the family embarked on a quest to surround themselves with the most skilled craftsmen. Leading the interior decoration efforts is the French designer Jacques Grange, a prominent figure in the field and a former close associate of Madeleine Castaing. The damp walls have been revitalised, and the intricate drawings meticulously restored; the bamboo furniture has been refurbished, and air conditioning installed for preservation. The roofing, electrical systems, and plumbing have all been brought up to modern standards. In the garden, Madison Cox, an American landscape designer, turned a small jungle into a Mediterranean paradise that features a discreet swimming pool. This internationally acclaimed designer honours the cherished legacy of Jean Cocteau by reinventing the location where Le Testament d’Orphée was filmed in 1959. Santo Sospir embodies the essence of the eternal youth poet. In this place, Cocteau welcomes us with open arms. It’s an instant connection. Situated as a private property, Villa Santo Sospir has been included in the supplementary inventory of Historic Monuments since 1995 and is not accessible to the general public. However, the owners are eager to share their enthusiasm for Jean Cocteau with art enthusiasts, as their schedule permits. ■

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Santo Sospir

JEAN COCTEAU’S SECRET PARADISE

Dream place Lieu de rêve

LE PARADIS SECRET DE JEAN COCTEAU

In 1950, Jean Cocteau began «tattooing» the walls of the Santo Sospir villa while on vacation, drawing an Apollo head over the living room fireplace. En 1950, Jean Cocteau alors en villégiature à Santo Sospir, commence à « tatouer » les murs de la villa, en dessinant une tête d’Apollon au-dessus de la cheminée du salon. ©DR

FOR ANY ENQUIRIES marina@santosospir.com

* Villa Santo Sospir : Jean Cocteau, by Carole Weisweiller, Michel de Muale publishing, 2011. * Villa Santo Sospir : Jean Cocteau, de Carole Weisweiller, éditions Michel de Muale, 2011.