Villefranche

The most expensive house in the world

So why would you want to spend over half a billion on a house?

There are a few places across the world that have a level of exclusivity that transcends the standard. Think The Hamptons, think Mayfair, think Villefranche and Sant Jean Cap Ferrat. Well you needed a pad on the French Riviera anyway.
Villa Leopolda was built for notorious french prostitute, Caroline Lacroix by King Leopold II of Belgium. This imposing 20-acre estate was valued at 500 million euros in 2008, when Mikhail Prokhorov the Russian billionaire made a fruitless purchase attempt. Could it be the most expensive house in the world?
History and Celebrity of Villefranche and Saint Jean Cap Ferrat

Villefranche sits between Nice and St Jean Cap Ferrat on the French Riviera. Some of the wealthiest and best connected people in the World have property here. The Cap is famous for the Villa Rothschild. But others who have lived here include Charlie Chaplin, Rainier III, David Niven, Somerset Maugham, Jean Cocteau, Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, Pierre and Sao Schlumberger, Hubert de Givenchy, Rachel Lambert Mellon, Isadora Duncan and Winston Churchill. Quite a role call.
Villefranche is steeped in History. Billionaires Australia is especially partial to a stroll down Rue Obscure or “Dark Street” a passage way under the harbour front houses of Villefranche which dates back to 1260.