Inside Villa Windsor: The Parisian Palace of British Royal Romance and Scandal
- QueenEco
- Jun 12, 2024
- 6 min read
Updated: May 23
Nestled in the western part of Paris, on the edge of the Bois de Boulogne and near Neuilly-sur-Seine—the official twin city of Windsor—the Villa Windsor stands as a testament to Franco-British friendship and has witnessed pivotal moments in contemporary history. Historically a private residence and inaccessible to the public, the Villa recently hosted the Jardins Jardin 2024 garden fair, typically held at the Tuileries, due to preparations for the Paris 2024 Olympics. This event provided a rare opportunity to explore the gardens 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 its transformation 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 incorporated into the 16th arrondissement—which borders the eastern side of the Bois de Boulogne—the park's northern edge historically belonged to Neuilly-sur-Seine. Today, the Bois de Boulogne remains a cherished leisure destination for Neuilléens (residents of Neuilly), a commune renowned as one of France's most affluent and prestigious residential areas.
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 comprises fourteen rooms and is 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 : The Romance of the Century
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, accompanied by Prince Philip and Prince Charles, visited the Duke shortly before his death.
Mohamed Al-Fayed: The Villa's Next Chapter
The story of Villa Windsor continued with Mohamed Al-Fayed, the Egyptian businessman and former owner of Harrods, and father of Dodi Al-Fayed, Princess Diana's companion. After the Duchess's death in 1986, the City of Paris regained ownership of the house. Later that year, Al-Fayed secured a fifty-year lease on the villa for one million francs per year (approximately €152,500), under the condition that he invest thirty million francs (around €4.5 million) 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.
Princess Diana's Final Visit
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 in New York, featuring more than 40,000 objects. The proceeds from the auction were directed to the Dodi Fayed International Charitable Foundation and to causes associated with the late Princess of Wales. The nine-day auction of the Duke and Duchess's belongings brought in approximately $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.
Neuilly-sur-Seine and Windsor: Twin Cities Since 1955
The twinning between Neuilly-sur-Seine and the Royal Borough of Windsor, England, was established in 1955, shortly after the Duke of Windsor moved to Paris. This partnership reflects the broader European movement of town twinning, which gained momentum after World War II to promote friendship and reconciliation between communities. The concept of town twinning originated in Europe at the turn of the 20th century and expanded significantly in the post-war period, fostering cultural exchanges and mutual understanding among nations.
Restoration for Public Viewing: Villa Windsor's Upcoming Opening
The mansion has never been open to the public before, but it is set to undergo an ambitious restoration and open to visitors in 2025, delayed from the initial plan for 2024. (As of today, May 23, 2025) the villa remains closed to the public.
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: The Only Private Vineyard in Paris
While visiting Jardins Jardin 2024 and waiting in line for the Iris of Chanel exhibition, I stumbled upon a hidden gem: Paris’s only private vineyard. Nestled beside Villa Windsor, the Domaine de la Vigne de Paris-Bagatelle is a discreet yet remarkable estate located at 10 route du Champ d’Entraînement in the Bois de Boulogne. This vineyard, comprising 27 rows and approximately 400 vines of Pinot Noir and Pinot Blanc, was planted in 2004 by the Comte and Comtesse Christian d’Andlau-Hombourg. It produces a limited annual yield of 200 to 300 bottles of sparkling wine, crafted using the traditional Champagne method.
As a wine enthusiast, I was naturally thrilled to encounter this tiny plot of vines. The estate has previously offered guided tours and oenology workshops by appointment. The presence of this vineyard, alongside Villa Windsor, underscores the area's enduring connection to aristocratic heritage. However, as of today, the vineyard is not open to the public. The property is also set to be restored by the Fondation Mansart.
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