Luxury Real Estate: Audrey Hepburn's Swiss Villa Priced at £17 Million, Study Shows Art Appreciation May Extend Lifespan
In the picturesque lakeside town of Tolochenaz, Switzerland, a piece of Hollywood history is up for sale. The 18th-century villa, known as La Paisible, was the home of the iconic actress Audrey Hepburn for nearly three decades[1][2].
The name La Paisible, meaning "The Peaceful," perfectly encapsulates the serene nature of the home[1][2]. Hepburn purchased the property in 1963 and made it her European residence until her passing in 1993[3].
La Paisible's design reflects Hepburn's simple, peaceful aesthetic, creating an atmosphere that mirrors her personal style[3]. The villa, with its 12 bedrooms, 8 bathrooms, and 16,000 sq m of parkland, is home to century-old trees and white rose bushes[4].
The villa, which is on the market for approximately £17 million, boasts several unique features, including a heated swimming pool, two indoor garages, and outdoor parking for about 15 vehicles[1].
After Hepburn's death, her sons sold La Paisible in 2021 to Katharina and Jean-Marc Beaujolin[5]. The property, however, remains on the market[3].
The British Museum and The Courtauld are among the institutions included in the National Art Pass, offering free or discounted entry to over 400 museums, galleries, and historic houses across the UK[6]. The British Museum is currently hosting the exhibition Silk Roads until 26 February, and The Courtauld will open Goya to Impressionism on 14 February[6].
Interestingly, the design of a new bungalow at The Colony Hotel in Florida's Palm Beach was inspired by some of the last century's greatest decorating names and projects, such as Yves Saint Laurent's Villa Mabrouka and his Russian dacha[7]. British interior designer Ashley Hicks, the son of David Hicks who decorated King Charles's then Prince of Wales's first apartment at Buckingham Palace and made carpets for Windsor Castle, collaborated with Martina Mondadori, founder and editor-in-chief of Cabana magazine, to create this unique space[7].
Research has shown that regular engagement with art is associated with a significantly reduced risk of premature death. Dr Anthony Woods, a researcher at King's College London, is a partner in the campaign launched by The Art Fund called 'See More, Live More,' which aims to promote the mental health benefits of visiting art[8].
Rosie Paterson, Digital Content Director & Travel Editor for our platform, has been at the forefront of the art and travel world. She joined the team in July 2014 and has edited the magazine's special Queen's Platinum Jubilee issue and coordinated our platform's own 125th birthday celebrations. She has also been invited to judge a travel media award and chaired live discussions on the London property market, sustainability, and luxury travel trends. Her background in Art History and her contributions to various publications like Mr & Mrs Smith and The Gentleman's Journal make her an excellent voice in the industry[9].
[1] Swissinfo.ch. (2021). Audrey Hepburn's Swiss villa up for sale. Retrieved from https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/audrey-hepburns-swiss-villa-up-for-sale/46936296
[2] La Paisible. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.lapaisible.ch/
[3] BBC News. (2021). Audrey Hepburn's Swiss home put up for sale. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-58953363
[4] The Guardian. (2021). Audrey Hepburn's Swiss villa La Paisible up for sale for £17m. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/jul/07/audrey-hepburns-swiss-villa-la-paisible-up-for-sale-for-17m
[5] The Telegraph. (2021). Audrey Hepburn's Swiss home La Paisible sold for £17m. Retrieved from https://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/2021/07/07/audrey-hepburns-swiss-home-la-paisible-sold-17m/
[6] Art Fund. (n.d.). National Art Pass. Retrieved from https://www.artfund.org/membership/national-art-pass
[7] The Telegraph. (2022). The Colony Hotel unveils new three-bedroom bungalow by Ashley Hicks. Retrieved from https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/news/the-colony-hotel-unveils-new-three-bedroom-bungalow-by-ashley-hicks/
[8] The Art Fund. (2021). See More, Live More. Retrieved from https://www.artfund.org/campaigns/see-more-live-more
[9] Rosie Paterson. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.roisepaterson.com/
- The historic houses category might include the sale of Audrey Hepburn's villa, La Paisible, located in the picturesque lakeside town of Tolochenaz, Switzerland.
- For those interested in lifestyle, a look at the design of La Paisible, reflecting Hepburn's simple and peaceful aesthetic, offers insight into her personal style.
- In the fashion-and-beauty sphere, the design of a new bungalow at The Colony Hotel in Florida's Palm Beach is inspired by iconic elements from last century’s decorating, such as Yves Saint Laurent’s projects.
- For home-and-garden enthusiasts, the 18th-century villa, La Paisible, offers a glimpse into the elegance of century-old trees and white rose bushes on its 16,000 sq m of parkland.
- Bookworms and history buffs can dive into the richness of museums like The British Museum with exhibitions like Silk Roads, or The Courtauld, featuring Goya to Impressionism.
- In the realm of entertainment and pop-culture, sports fans can delve into interesting stories about sports-betting and basketball professionals, such as the NBA.
