The American artist had found the freedom in France that she did not have in her country of origin. Josephine Bakerwhose real name is Freda Josephine McDonald, literally fell in love with France to the point of owning several properties. And one of them is also for sale in the department of
Yvelines for more than 20 million euros.
“A day, I realized that I lived in a country where I had afraid of being black. It was a whites-only country. There was no place for black people.
I was suffocating in the United States. Many of us left, not because we wanted to, but because we couldn't take it anymore… I felt released in Paris.”, declared the one who entered the Pantheon in 2021.
Joséphine Baker lived in this Yvelines property for many years
This music hall artist left her mark on her time and it was in France that she spent a large part of her life. She actually chose to leave the United States and settled in the capital in 1925 when she was barely 20 years old. And from 1928it is in the commune of Vésinet, in the department of Yvelines, that she found her
“a haven of peace (…) far from the tumult of Parisian performance halls.”tell Le Figaro Immobilier.
It must be said that the place had everything it took to please the one who was nicknamed “The Black Venus”. She also lived there until 1947except during the German occupation during World War II. Besides, the place was literally ransacked by the occupiert and it was necessary to restore the premises. “Subsequent owners made some minor work.”, our colleagues explain.
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Shutterstock Josephine Baker
Joséphine Baker's former home has been completely renovated
But it is above all the current owner who has given back to the
Villa Beau-Chène its former glory. The residence
“has been renovated with noble materials and a concern for preserving historical elements, such as the solid oak staircase, the moldings decorated with gold leaf, and the period parquet flooring.”as explained on the De Ferla Immobilier website.
This agency is in charge of the sale of this “exceptional propertylocated on land of more than one hectare, offering a living environment that is both refined and spacious with a main house as well as a caretaker's house.” The total area is around 750 square meters in addition to the 60 square meters of the caretaker's house. Future buyers will therefore not lack space with no less than 18 pieces.
Joséphine Baker's villa is on sale for 20 million euros
The interior is richly decorated with “of the precious wood floors” and ” marble fireplaces“. It is also possible to find Joséphine Baker's wooden desk there. But the exterior is not left out. Moreover, this is where the woman who is also known to have been part of the resistance liked to spend part of her time. THE English garden is impressive and it is also possible to visit it during heritage days.
Shutterstock Josephine Baker
Visitors will be able to discover “the wrought iron greenhouse where Joséphine Baker grew her plantations” or “the kiosk where she took her tea”. In total the current owner has spent more than 10 million euros to renovate the whole while keeping the soul of this residence steeped in history. And the sale price is worthy of the investment since it will be necessary to pay more than 20 million euros to acquire this exceptional villa.
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