La Paisible. The Peaceful. The very name of Audrey Hepburn’s former home evokes tranquillity, and its location in the village of Tolochenaz, near Lausanne and Lake Geneva, makes it all the more idyllic. Hepburn purchased the villa in 1963 and lived there for most of her life until her passing in 1993. She was laid to rest in Tolochenaz’s cemetery, just a short distance from the home she cherished.
Several years later, in 2001, Hepburn’s sons sold the property to Katharina and Jean-Marc Beaujolin, a couple looking for a home to accommodate their six children.
“The decoration was Audrey Hepburn’s and it was wow—a lot of flowers everywhere on the curtains, and it was perhaps a bit out of fashion”, Katharina Beaujolin told Bloomberg.
Upon moving in, the Beaujolins decided to renovate the property. While the interiors no longer reflect Hepburn’s original decor, the couple aimed to preserve much of its historic charm. The villa, an 18th-century Grade II listed building, is recognised for its cultural and architectural significance.
A touch of Audrey still remains
Despite the renovations, traces of Hepburn’s presence can still be felt. “When Audrey Hepburn turned 60, she got 60 white rosebushes sent and had a rose garden planted, and half of those are still there”, Beaujolin recalled, referring to the roses gifted to Hepburn by renowned fashion designer Hubert de Givenchy.
Inside the $21 Million Estate
Spanning approximately 1,000 square metres over three levels, the villa boasts:
- 12 bedrooms
- 8 bathrooms
- A service apartment
- Multiple living rooms
Inside, classic features such as terracotta floors, oak parquet, and five fireplaces enhance the home’s character. Meanwhile, the 16,000-square-metre park, complete with a swimming pool and breathtaking views, offers an ideal setting for relaxation and entertainment.
“It’s a wonderful place to host friends in the summer, when the kids are around with their families. They also love having parties here with friends who have small children—the swimming pool gets very lively,” Beaujolin said.
After 20 years, the Beaujolins have decided to sell the villa.
“We’ve decided to downsize, because it’s just the two of us in this big house, and it felt like the right moment to make a change,” Katharina Beaujolin told Bloomberg. She also warned that potential buyers may receive occasional visits from Hepburn fans. “She died more than 30 years ago, and the fact that people still want to see where she lived shows how much she meant to the world.”
Although the listing price is not publicly disclosed on the estate agent’s website, Bloomberg reports that the villa is on the market for $20.8 million (€19.8 million).
