He belonged to King Leopold II of Belgium and during World War II became a hospital: this is the second most expensive mansion in the world

The Belle Époque It was a period of European history, especially in France, which extended approximately since the end of the 19th century to the outbreak of World War I in 1914. This term, which means “the beautiful time” in French, refers to a Peace time, prosperity and advances in all areas.

It was characterized by relative political and economic stability, where the bourgeoisie enjoyed a luxury life. With the expansion of the theaters, opera, and an active social life in cities such as Paris, where coffees and cabarets were the meeting centers.

The advances technological and scientific They led this process, such as the invention of the car, the plane for the Wright brothers, electricity began to spread in cities, and the appearance of the first vaccines.

The fashion It was emblematic, with the female figure standing out for corsets and bulky dresses, and the male elegance reflected in formal costumes. In addition, it was a time of great flowering culturalwith the appearance of artistic movements such as Impressionism and the Art nouveau. In painting, artists like Claude Monet and Pierre-Auguste Renoir stood out, while in architecture, buildings and furniture were decorated with Organic and natural forms.

And the best representation of the idyllic spirit of this movement is perfectly reflected in the mansion Villa Leopoldalocated in Villefranche-Sur -merin the Department of the Maritime Alps. Built in lands of yesteryear that belonged to royalty, it became the party of multimillionaires and the stage of several films, such as “catching a thief”, by Alfred Hitchcock and “The Red Sneakers”, based on Hans Christian Andersen’s story.

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Villa Leopolda, a 700 million mansion

In a privileged position of the French Riviera and panoramic views to the Costa Azuloffers an impressively picturesque landscape. The name of the house comes from its original owner, the King Leopold II of Belgiumwho ordered its construction as an entertainment for its lover, Blanche Zélia Joséphine Delacroix, in the twentieth century.

During the Second World Waras happened with Highclare castle known by the series Downton Abbeythe mansion, after the death of the king, became a Campaign Hospital. Once the conflict was finished, the property stopped receiving patients and injured, and was redesigned in the 1920s by the American architect, Ogden Codman JR.

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This masterpiece of the period Neo-Renaissancethanks to its beauty and privileged location, it is part of the list of properties coveted by the great magnates of the world, in fact, it has changed their owner on several occasions. Among them, the aristocrat and businessman Gianni Agnelli, the richest man in Italy, who used it as his summer residence with his wife Marella.

Currently, it represents an iconic work of France, and is an example of classical and luxurious architecture. It is said that its design is inspired by the Versailles Palace in France and is characterized by its imposing marble facade and its red tile roofs.

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The town has a “H” -shaped plant, with a series of interior yards and gardens, and an impressive marble ladder. Inside, it has more than 50 roomsof which 19 are bedrooms, and each of them is decorated in a unique and luxurious way, with ancient furniture, tapestries and paintings of famous artists.

The property has 14 bathrooms, helipad, film room, and some eccentricities of its first owner such as a 400 square meter dance, and 12 swimming pools, including one of gold.

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With more than 40,000 square metersis known for its garden of more than 20 hectareswhich has centenary, limer and more than 1,500 different species of plants.

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This villa is a testimony of the classic European luxury, fusing history and modernity in an incomparable environment, and its value exceeds the 750 million dollarsand is considered the Second most expensive mansion in the worldaccording to the specialized media “Metroedrado”. It is only behind “Antilla”, the 27 -story building located in Mumbai, India and belongs to Billonario Mikesh Ambani.