Villa Windsor

1929 - AN EXCEPTIONAL RESIDENCE

An ambitious project which was carried out by the architect Charles-Louis-Roger Bouvard, who drew the plans for a pavilion commissioned by the politician and businessman Henri Lillaz.

Several projects were presented, all very different: some more contemporary, others more classic. The Villa Windsor that we know today has retained all of the architectural choices of the project approved by the administration on September 19, 1928.

1944 - 1946 - THE FAMILY HOME OF GENERAL DE GAULLE

On August 25, 1944, the city of Paris was liberated from German occupation. A few days later, General de Gaulle, accompanied by his family, moved into their “Villa de Neuilly”. This private residence was furnished in just over four days in order to become a living space. The general's office was then on the ground floor. It is in this well guarded villa that many political and diplomatic meetings would take place (ministers, party leaders, ambassadors, etc.). But it is also where private events of great importance took place, such as the marriage of Elisabeth de Gaulle in January 1946, to Count Alain de Boissieu.

1953 - 1986 - A BRITISH ROYAL RESIDENCE

Following his abdication in 1936 in order to marry the American Wallis Simpson, the former king and emperor of India became HRH the Duke of Windsor. The couple took a long lease on the property from the City of Paris. The duchess redecorates the villa to their liking and taste. She was accompanied by Stéphane Boudin, decorator and director of the famous Jansen house. In 1972, Queen Elizabeth, accompanied by her husband and her son Prince Charles, visited the Duke of Windsor, a few days before his death, in his bedroom on the first floor of the villa. The Duchess died in 1986 in her apartments at Villa Windsor.

1986 - 2018 - THE AL-FAYED FAMILY’S FAVORITE HOLIDAY PLACE

A few months after the disappearance of the Duchess of Windsor, the Egyptian businessman, owner of the Ritz and Harrods, became in turn tenant of the villa. His son Dodi visited the house accompanied by the Princess of Wales in 1997 with plans, it is said, to settle there soon. The Al-Fayed family is fully invested in the restoration of the place and carries out work while remaining faithful to the spirit and taste of the duchess in 1953. The colours and decoration scheme chosen by the duchess are thus preserved. Mohammed Al-Fayed also wishes to exhibit the object and items (furniture, clothing, jewelry, etc.) he was able to acquire and which had belonged to the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. It was at this time that the mansion took on the name that has given it its great reputation today: Villa Windsor.