Inside Princess Margaret’s historic French home, up for auction: the majestic multimillion-dollar mansion is in resort town Villefranche-sur-Mer where Bill Gates, Elton John and Bono have villas
- A cousin of Queen Elizabeth, Princess Margaret was also closely related to various royal houses in Europe, and made her home in a one-of-a-kind residence known as La Carriere
- The estate is located along the Côte d’Azur area, for long the summer destination of choice for Europe’s royalty, celebrities and artists like Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse
Princess Margaret of Denmark was the fifth child of Prince Valdemar of Denmark and his wife Princess Marie of Orléans.
The couple resided mostly in France but were forced to flee the Nazis during World War II. Escaping through Spain to Portugal and then New York, the princess made a living making hats while her husband worked at a gas company and her oldest daughter as a shop clerk to make ends meet until the war was over and they were able to return to Paris.
Arched windows-and-stone accents give the villa a unique and enduring style. Warm colours on the walls provide an inviting atmosphere. Antique high-beamed ceilings and a majestic fireplace add grandeur to the living room. Five bedrooms and six bathrooms offer plenty of room for family and guests, while a spacious kitchen and gorgeous formal dining room are perfect for entertaining.
Multiple terraces offer generous views of the Riviera, the Villefranche Bay and the impressive Cap Ferrat, plus the turrets and ramparts of the castle-like surrounding fortress. The rooftop deck has a jacuzzi. The landscaped grounds include lush gardens, mature trees, beautiful gardens, plus a pool surrounded by a stone grotto. The pool complex also has a detached studio.
