Le Cedres, or The Cedars, in the billionaire’s playground of Cap Ferrat is on sale for €1billion or a little over $1 billion US. The 10-bedroom property comes with an Olympic size swimming pool and five acres of manicured lawns. The last owner was Suzanne Marnier–Lapotolle part of the Grand Marnier liquor dynasty. Campari bought Grand Marnier and acquired the villa in March but has decided to sell it.
King Leopold II
The opulent address is the former home of Belgian King Leopold II. It has 35 acres of the most beautiful gardens in Europe, including a winter garden with some 20 greenhouses. Some 15 professional gardeners are currently employed by her full time. It also has a ballroom, its own chapel and stables for up to 30 horses. Regulars at the villa included Charlie Chaplin, David Niven, writer William Somerset-Maugham, Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, and Prince Rainier III of Monaco. Today composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and tech tycoon Paul Allen are close neighbors.
King of Belgium from 1865-1909, Leopold II is remembered largely for his private ownership of the Congo Free State in Africa. A huge fan of the area, Leopold II once owned the entire West side of the Cap Ferrat. In 1904 he purchased Villa Pollonnais and its 15 acres of land and after extensive renovation renamed it Le Cedres. The man who designed the gardens of the Eiffel Tower and Champs Elysees was responsible for the impressive design of Le Cedres’ grounds and pool area. The property was principally used as his holiday home.
Cap Ferrat was named in 2012 as the second most expensive place to buy a home in the world after Monaco, with residents enjoying a pleasant climate year around. Have a look at what a billion yes you in 2016.
(T/Y Tad; via Daily Mail)