Villa Leopolda, Villefranche-sur-Mer

Villa La Leopolda is a grand estate in Villefranche-sur-Mer, nestled on 7.3 hectares (18 acres) of prime land along the French Riviera. Originally part of an estate owned by King Leopold II of Belgium, it was named after him and gifted to his mistress, Blanche Zélia Joséphine Delacroix. Following Leopold’s death, his nephew King Albert I took possession, and during World War I, the villa served as a military hospital. Its current design, blending Belle Époque elegance, was created between 1929 and 1931 by Ogden Codman, Jr., an American architect known for his refined taste and classical influences.

Over the years, Villa La Leopolda has passed through the hands of influential owners, including Gianni and Marella Agnelli, Izaak and Dorothy J. Killam, and later Edmond and Lily Safra, who acquired it in 1987. Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov attempted to purchase the property in 2008 for €370 million, with an additional €19.5 million for its furnishings, but the deal ultimately fell through.

Dubbed "the most expensive house in the world," the villa remains one of the most prestigious properties in the region, a symbol of opulence and exclusivity. The estate is listed in the architectural heritage inventory of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, ensuring its preservation as a historic landmark.

The villa’s grandeur has also made it a sought-after cinematic location; it was notably featured in the 1948 film The Red Shoes as the home of the enigmatic ballet impresario, Lermontov. Its magnificent terraces and grand staircases add to the mystique of a property that has stood as a playground for royalty, business moguls, and Hollywood alike, embodying the timeless luxury of the French Riviera.