Paris, January 17 – The opulent private mansion in Paris’s 16th arrondissement, once home to renowned French writer and filmmaker Marcel Pagnol, has been listed for sale with an asking price of €44 million. This historic residence, where Pagnol lived from 1956 until his death in 1974, is described as a rare jewel in the heart of the capital.
A Parisian Home for a Provencal Icon
While Marcel Pagnol is famously associated with Provence, he spent many years in Paris, moving to the capital in 1922 to pursue his studies before becoming an English teacher. In 1956, he settled at 16 Square de l’Avenue Foch in this elegant private mansion, where he resided until his passing.
It was within these walls, after the death of his daughter and encouraged by his wife, that Pagnol authored some of his greatest masterpieces, including “La Gloire de mon père” (My Father’s Glory) and “Le Château de ma mère” (My Mother’s Castle). His wife continued to live in the mansion until her death in August 2016. The property was subsequently sold to Saudi businessman Emad Khashoggi and has now reappeared on the real estate market.
A Glimpse Inside the Historic Residence
Paris Ouest Sotheby’s International Realty describes the five-level mansion as offering “much more than a place to live: a true immersion in French history.”
- Garden Level: Features a professional La Cornue kitchen, a laundry room, a staff lounge, and all technical areas.
- Ground Floor: Entirely dedicated to reception spaces, including a living room, an elegant dining room, and a dressing room.
- First Floor: Houses a “sumptuous” master suite with a bathroom, shower, separate toilet, and a spacious dressing room.
- Second Floor: Offers two bedrooms, each with its own bathroom, toilet, and dressing room, complemented by a massage room with a shower.
- Third Floor (Attic): Includes an additional bedroom with a bathroom, toilet, and dressing room, as well as a fitness area equipped with a shower room and toilet.
A private landscaped garden of 150 m² further enhances this rare and confidential property, providing a “true green oasis in the heart of a privileged environment.”
Pagnol’s Parisian Legacy
Pagnol’s time in Paris also saw him reside in the Plaine-Monceau district from 1933 to 1950, where he established his production company in a private mansion at 13 Rue de Fortuny. During this period, he served as president of Sacem (1944-1946) and was elected to the prestigious Académie française. He later lived on Rue Jean Goujon before moving to the Avenue Foch residence, where a commemorative plaque now marks his stay.
This property, combining history, discretion, and prestige, represents a unique opportunity for a discerning buyer to own a significant piece of French cultural heritage.
