The Villa that now houses the French Academy, was
built in 1570 and passed to Cardinal de’Medici in 1576. In
the 1C BC the site was covered by the Gardens of Lucullus. The Villa
has a superb position on the Pincio hill above Piazza di Spagna:
there is a fine view of Rome from the terrace opposite the entrance.
The fountain installed in 1587, is the one which Corot painted.