Sleeping at Villa Medici

Galileo room © François Halard

Villa Medici offers a choice of eleven rooms, including two historic ones. The experience is quite different from that of a traditional hotel, given the specificity of the location. While there’s no room service or luggage handlers, the charm lies elsewhere: in the beauty of the spaces, in the walls steeped in history and in a decor conducive to daydreaming.

HISTORICAL ROOMS WITH VIEW

Galileo room

Galileo room's bathroom

Debussy room

Debussy room's bathroom

View of Rome from the historic rooms.

Villa Medici boasts two historic rooms: the Galileo and the Debussy. With a surface area of 70m2 each, decorated with friezes painted in the late 16th century by Florentine Jacopo Zucchi and wall decorations signed by Balthus in the 1960s, these two rooms are part of Ferdinand de Medici’s former apartment, on the noble floor of Villa Medici. In 2023, they were completely refurbished by architect-designer India Mahdavi, who chose to call on the finest French and Italian craftsmen for the earthenware, weaving and cabinet-making, thus perpetuating the skills of excellence. The wood marquetry of the beds and furniture meets the play of light of the textiles and ceramics in the bathrooms, creating a graphic and colorful universe.

The two historic rooms at Villa Medici, as well as the adjoining Salon Lili Boulanger, bear the names of great figures in the arts and sciences linked to Villa Medici. Claude Debussy, a non-conformist composer, was fellow of the Academy from 1885 to 1887. His presence marked the breakthrough of the French Romantic style: he was the first composer to bring the beginnings of the Symbolist movement to Villa Medici.

Galileo, the leading mathematician and philosopher at the court of Cosimo II de’ Medici, visited Villa Medici twice: first in 1615-1616, then in 1633. During his second visit, Galileo, now in his seventies, was summoned to Rome to appear before the Tribunal of the Holy Office for “holding and believing the false doctrine, contrary to the Holy Scriptures, that the sun is the center of the world”. After his abjuration on June 22, 1633, he took up residence in a ground-floor room at Villa Medici.

Lili Boulanger, fellow in 1914-15, was the first woman in the Academy’s history to be admitted as a composer. Grand Prix de Rome at just 19, this shooting star of French music died of tuberculosis in 1918. The library at Villa Medici holds ten of her scores, including one in manuscript.

Find out more about the re-enchantment of these rooms

GUEST ROOMS

The rooms before renovation

After climbing the spiral staircase at Villa Medici, guests access a wooden walkway leading to several en suite rooms in the south wing of the building. The nine rooms known as “la passerelle” are guest rooms of around 40m2 each, refurbished in 2024-2025 by teams of architects, designers and contemporary artists working in association with crafts professionals. Each team has worked to breathe a unique spirit into each room. A tribute to the city of Rome, its streets, its pines and its light, this is a journey into the intimacy of these former domestic spaces.

In the 16th century, when cardinale Ferdinando de’ Medici had the palace fitted out, these spaces were used for storage. At the beginning of the 19th century, when Villa Medici became the headquarters of the French Academy in Rome, they were transformed into living quarters for the fellows staff, a function they would retain for over two hundred years. A footbridge was added to facilitate access. For a long time, these accommodations were given priority to painters, as their double north-south exposure offered a spectacular view of both Rome and the interior façade of Villa Medici. Since 2009, these spaces have been open to book a ticket and welcome guests for a few nights.

Find out more about the re-enchantment of these rooms

Before spending the night at Villa Medici

Sleeping at Villa Medici

Is it possible to stay at Villa Medici as an artist or researcher?

Yes, it is possible to stay at Villa Médicis free of charge as part of a residency program at Villa Médicis, find out more.

Is a hotel service offered during a stay in a chambre d'hôte?

No, Villa Medici does not offer hotel services. Villa Medici does not offer a breakfast service, but coffee from Malongo roasters, fruit juices and croissants are available for purchase Monday to Friday from 9:30 to 10:30 in the Villa Medici cafeteria. The Villa Médicis is first and foremost a heritage site open to visitors, an artists’ residence and a center for contemporary art. Artists and researchers live and work at Villa Medici, and staff are on hand on working days.

Can I leave my luggage in my room?

Yes, you can leave your luggage at reception. The establishment declines all responsibility in the event of loss or theft of personal belongings.

How do I get into a bed and breakfast?

Guest rooms are accessible only by fairly high staircases (levels 4 and 5), as Villa Medici has no elevators accessible to the public. Some guest rooms are accessible via an outdoor walkway located at a height of around 8 meters (risk of vertigo). Villa Medici does not have a luggage drop-off service. We recommend that parents come to the Villa Medici with a baby carrier rather than a stroller. If you have reduced mobility or a disability, please contact Villa Medici in advance of your stay so that we can prepare for your arrival in the best possible conditions, using the contact form (Subject: Sleeping at Villa Medici): link.

As a guest, can I visit Villa Medici and access its exhibitions and events?

Guided tours of the Villa Medici and access to the exhibitions are offered free of charge to all guests staying in a Villa Medici guest room.

For all other events, the normal price conditions apply: guests are invited to book their place directly on the online ticketing service(link), subject to availability.

Does Villa Medici have a parking lot?

No, Villa Medici does not have a parking lot. The nearest public parking lot is 750 meters from the Villa Medici entrance:

Parking Ludovisi (paying)
Via Ludovisi, 60
00187 Roma

How do I book a room at Villa Medici?

It is possible to reserve a guest room at Villa Medici from two months before the date of your planned stay.

Send your reservation request via the contact form (Subject: Sleeping at Villa Medici), specifying the dates of your stay and the number of guests: link.

Payment for the room is required to confirm your reservation.

What are the check-in and check-out times?

Check-in must be made at the Villa Médicis reception before 12 pm on the arrival date, and check-out before 10 am on the departure date.

Can I cancel my reservation?

Yes, it is always possible to cancel a room reservation. However, cancelling a reservation does not entail a refund of payment.

Book

Bookings can be made two months in advance. Requests should only be sent by e-mail to [email protected]. We look forward to hearing from you!

A story from ancient sources

VILLA MEDICI

From the palace of the Roman general Lucullus and then Emperor Honorius, to the Renaissance villa of cardinale Ferdinando de' Medici, and finally the headquarters of the French Academy in Rome from 1803: follow the thread of history at Villa Medici.

Push the door