Did you know that a former home of English royalty was hidden away at the edge of the Bois de Boulogne? The Villa Windsor, built in 1859, is a private mansion that changed ownership several times over the last century. First in the hands of the Renault family, then occupied by Charles de Gaulle after the Second World War, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor took up residence here between 1952 and 1986, when the villa was leased by the City of Paris. After restoration, this incredible estate will soon reveal its secrets to the public, with an opening planned for 2024.
The Paris City Council voted to allocate the Windsor Villa to the Mansart Foundation to enable the renovation of this heritage site. The sumptuous residence passed into the royal family after the abdication of Edward VIII. The latter, appointed Duke of Windsor in 1937, and his wife moved to France and settled in the villa, which was rented by the city of Paris. Returned to the capital after the Duchess's death in 1986, the residence remains in the royal family's entourage thanks to Mohamed Al-Fayed, father of Lady Diana's companion. Lady Diana visited the site with Dodi on the eve of her death, under the Pont de l'Alma.
Since 2018, the mansion has been empty and in need of major work, estimated at several million euros. While the schedule of works is not yet known, a café-restaurant is expected to eventually take up residence in this beautiful villa.
Location
Villa Windsor
4 Route du Champ d'Entraînement
75116 Paris 16
