The Mystical Villa Windsor: A Storied Residence of Love and Scandal
- QueenEco
- Jun 12, 2024
- 5 min read
Updated: Jan 23
Nestled in the western part of Paris on the edge of the Bois de Boulogne (Boulogne Forest Park) near Neuilly-sur-Seine, the Villa Windsor is a beacon of Franco-British friendship that has witnessed pivotal moments in contemporary history. Historically a private residence and inaccessible to the public, the Villa Windsor recently hosted the Jardins Jardin 2024 garden fair, usually held at the Tuileries, due to preparations for the Paris 2024 Olympics. Thanks to this occasion, I had the chance to step into the garden of this historic mansion, steeped in royal intrigue.
Bois de Boulogne and Neuilly Sur Seine:
Once an oak forest, the Bois de Boulogne served as a royal hunting ground for French monarchs such as Louis XIV, Louis XV, and Louis XVI. In the mid-19th century, during the reign of Napoleon III, Baron Haussmann, Prefect of the Seine, oversaw the transformation of the Bois de Boulogne into a sprawling park inspired by English parks like Hyde Park in London. The redesign included wide avenues, meandering pathways, and artificial water features such as waterfalls, rivers, and lakes, aiming to provide Parisians with a picturesque green space.
Although annexed to Paris in 1929 and included within the 16th arrondissement, the northern edge of the Bois de Boulogne had historically been part of Neuilly-sur-Seine. Today, the park remains a beloved leisure spot for Neuilliens (locals of Neuilly) .
From Louis Renault to Charles de Gaulle:
Originally named Château Le Bois, this classical Georgian-style villa was constructed between 1928 and 1929 by the French architect Roger Bouvard for Louis Renault. The property is comprised of fourteen rooms and surrounded by a sprawling, tree-filled garden. It was sequestered by the government after World War II and briefly occupied by Charles de Gaulle in 1945-1946.
Duke and Duchess of Windsor :
From 1952 to 1986, the City of Paris leased the villa at a nominal rent to the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. The Duke, formerly King Edward VIII of Britain, abdicated the throne in 1936 to marry American socialite and divorcée Wallis Simpson, becoming the Duke of Windsor. This love story, celebrated as one of the 20th century's most famous, captivated me as a child growing up in Hong Kong during the British colonial period. My mum used to share with me this story of a romantic King pursuing love, which made visiting the venue with my own eyes incredibly fascinating.
Under the Duchess's supervision, the Parisian decorating firm Maison Jansen meticulously redecorated the home. The Duke and Duchess enjoyed a life of relative ease, benefiting from several privileges. The French government exempted the Duke from paying income tax, and the couple could purchase duty-free goods through the British embassy and military commissary. It was here that both spent their final days, with the Duke passing away in 1972 and the Duchess in 1986. Queen Elizabeth II and her son, then Prince Charles, visited the Duke shortly before his death.
Mohamed Al-Fayed :
The story of Villa Windsor continued with Mohamed Al-Fayed, the Egyptian businessman and former owner of Harrods and father of Lady Diana's companion. After the Duchess's death, the City of Paris regained ownership of the house. In 1986, Al-Fayed secured a fifty-year lease on the villa for one million francs per year, around 152,500 euros, under the condition that he invest thirty million francs, around 4,567,500 euros, in its renovation. Al-Fayed honored this agreement, extensively refurbishing and restoring the property, which he renamed Villa Windsor. For his efforts, he was promoted to Officier in the Légion d'honneur in 1989. Sydney Johnson, the former valet of the Duke, acted as curator during the restoration.
The visit of Princess Diana:
Villa Windsor's historical significance extends beyond its royal occupants. In August 1997, the villa was briefly visited by Princess Diana and Dodi Al-Fayed, Mohamed Al-Fayed's son, the day before their tragic deaths on August 31, 1997. It was one of the last places Princess Diana visited. According to a CNN article, Al-Fayed had originally intended the villa as a home for his son Dodi and had planned an engagement lunch there for Dodi and Diana, which unfortunately never came to pass.
The tragic accident that took Princess Diana's life was widely known in Hong Kong, but little did I know at the time that Villa Windsor held such a poignant link to her story. This revelation adds a deeply personal and emotional layer to the villa’s already fascinating history.
The Auction:
Later that year, Al-Fayed announced an auction of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor's possessions from the villa, which included deeply personal items such as the desk at which Edward had abdicated in 1936, a vast collection of photographs, and a doll given to Edward by Queen Mary. Although the auction was postponed following the deaths of Diana and Dodi, it eventually took place in February 1998 at Sotheby's New York, featuring more than 40,000 objects. The proceeds from the auction were directed to the Dodi Fayed International Charitable Foundation and causes associated with the late Princess of Wales. The nine-day auction of the contents of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor brought in about $23 million, more than three times the estimated value. It was believed that members of the British royal family anonymously purchased many items from the sale.
Twin city of the Royal Borough of Windsor:
Neuilly-sur-Seine is twinned with the Royal Borough of Windsor, established in 1955, shortly after the Duke of Windsor moved to Paris. The concept of twinning, originating in Europe at the turn of the 20th century, grew significantly after World War II to promote friendship and reconciliation.
Opening to the public:
The mansion has never been open to the public before, but it is set to undergo an ambitious restoration and open to the public in 2025, delayed from the initial plan for 2024.
In 2021, the City of Paris launched a call for expressions of interest, leading to a selection process among several candidates. The Paris Council ultimately decided to entrust the management of Villa Windsor in the Bois de Boulogne to the Fondation Mansart, recognized by the French State for its public interest. This decision was related to the foundation's successful restoration of the nearby Château de Bagatelle in the Bois de Boulogne woods. The concession also includes the neighboring residence located at number 10 of the same road, forming a single historical and cultural complex.
One Stone Kills Two Birds:
While visiting Jardins Jardin 2024, I stumbled upon the only private vineyard in Paris while waiting in line for the Iris of Chanel exhibition. It belongs to Le Domaine de la Vigne de Paris-Bagatelle, the neighboring residence of Villa Windsor, also to be restored by Foundation Mansart. As a wine lover, I was naturally thrilled to encounter this tiny plot of vines, comprising only 27 rows.
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