Queen Victoria in Menton

On March 16, 1882, Queen Victoria arrived in the frontier town of Menton on the French Riviera for the very first time. At that moment, she fell in love with the place, which she called “paradise of nature”. Since then until 1899, she would decamp to this part of France more or less a dozen more times. In fact, from 1896 until 1899, her French holidays were the only overseas trips she ever made. The eruption of the second Boer War in October 1899 and her declining health forever prevented her from returning to her French retreats. Undoubtedly, Queen Victoria was happiest on these escapades. In fact, as she neared her death, she wrote: "Oh, if only I were at Nice, I should recover."

On her first visit, which was in Menton, she was accompanied by John Brown who died in 1883. Since then, it was her Indian servant, Adbul Karim, who would be her constant companion on these trips, despite the protestations of the courtiers.  Queen Victoria's trips to the Riviera was a boost to the area's popularity. In no time, it became the most fashionable holiday destination in all of Europe, frequented by royalty, statesmen, aristocrats and every rich and famous individual.

A painting of Châlet des Rosiers by Edward Barnston Crawley-Boevey, March 1882. From Royal Collection Trust. 

"The importance of her presence is shown by the increase in visitors during the two decades of her visits," wrote Michael Nelson, who authored the book Queen Victoria and the Discovery of the Riviera.

On February 9, news in London announced that "Her Majesty the Queen leaves England in March, and will reside for a short time at Mentone, the doctors having ordered rest and change of air. Her Majesty will be accompanied by Princess Beatrice. The visit will be of a private character."

She left London for Menton on March 14 and there she stayed at the Chalet des Rosiers. The French daily Petit Nicois provides the details of this residence by the Mediterranean: 

The Chalet des Rosiers, which Queen Victoria has selected as her residence while at Mentone,  is situated on the Baie de Ganvan, in the centre of a vast semi-circle, perpetually bathed in sunshine, and is a perfect bed of verdure and flowers. It overlooks the railways, and the station lying just in front of the villa, the Queen will be able to enter the latter without attracting attention. The Chalet boasts a splendid garden, filled to profusion with flowers and rare exotic shrubs ; the house being led up to by a fine road, with eucalypti on either side. The chalet itself consists of a rez de chaussee; the dining-room verandah, and Her Majesty's room looking in the direction of Italy, whilst a balcony affords a charming view over the surrounding scenery.

A peculiarity of the house is that from the balcony of the royal chamber the eye looks down upon a thorough forest of orange and lemon trees, the perfume from which is mingled with that of roses and violets. The magnificent jardin suspendu will be inclusively reserved for the Queen up to the 15th April. Its conservatories are filled with the choicest flowers, and England's sovereign will be worthily surrounded with everything in nature which can render life enjoyable.

Her Majesty will be able to seek repose in embalmed grottoes, or sit in the comfortable saloon prepared for her in the immense tower overlooking the sea. The Queen will enjoy a lively solitude not only in the garden described, but on the lawn in front of her residence. During Her Majesty's sojourn at the Chalet, she will be kept in constant communication with her Ministers, by means of a direct wire.

As to the furniture, it is extremely elegant, and comes from the villa on the Lago Maggiore, formerly inhabited by the Queen.

The dining-room is furnished with carved oak. The reception-hall contains a round table, covered with a green silk cloth, a grand divan, six arm chairs, and some small chairs in ebony, ornamented with gold. There are three windows in that apartment, one facing the sea, and the two others looking northwards. The Queen's bedroom is furnished with oak and bamboo, with the exception of the bedstead, which is in mahogany, padded with green silk and surmounted by a magnificent baldachin in embroidered muslin, and the bed itself is covered with a rich counterpane in embossed and figured silk of inestimable value. The furniture in Princess Beatrice's room is in oak and bamboo, the seats being covered with grey cretonne, ornamented with flowers. The third storey contains apartments less sumptuously furnished, and a loggia commanding a a magnificent view, from the facade of the Chalet, of the surrounding landscape.

Menton from the Chalet des Rosiers by Edouard Rischgitz, 1882.  Royal Collection Trust