Switzerland: Long-time home of Audrey Hepburn hits the market with $33m price tag

The Swiss estate where Hollywood icon Audrey Hepburn resided for her final 30 years of her life is now up for sale for $33m (US$20.8m).

Located near Geneva and the French border, “La Paisible” — which translates to “peaceful place” — was Hepburn’s retreat from the spotlight from 1963 until her passing in 1993.

The legendary actress, whose charm and elegance captivated audiences worldwide, is buried in the small town of Tolochenaz cemetery, just minutes away.

RELATED: Future of Queen’s $57m royal home revealed

Liam Neeson pops up in video to sell mate’s home

Scott Cam dubs home’s epic shed one of the best in Australia

After her death, Hepburn’s sons sold the 18th-century farmhouse to Katharina and Jean-Marc Beaujolin in 2001.

“We’ve decided to do some downsizing, because it’s just the two of us in this big house, and it felt like the right moment to make a change,” Katharina Beaujolin told Bloomberg.

The sprawling property sits on a 40-acre lot, and boasts 12 bedrooms and eight bathrooms, along with sweeping mountain views.

“Switzerland remains a top choice for families mindful of taxation, with a steady flow of new inquiries exploring its diverse lifestyle offerings across the cantons,” Knight Frank listing broker Alex Koch de Gooreynd told The Post.

“While not the most affordable tax jurisdiction, Switzerland stands out for its exceptional stability, personal safety and world-class education.”

“It’s easy to see why Audrey Hepburn adored the environment, where she enjoyed both complete privacy and breathtaking surroundings,” he said.

Inside, the home features multiple fireplaces, a library and a renovated kitchen — once relocated and modernised by Beaujolin, who took a hands-on approach to cooking.

“The decoration was Audrey Hepburn’s and it was wow — a lot of flowers everywhere on the curtains, and it was perhaps a bit out of fashion,” Ms Beaujolin said.

While the home has been updated, Hepburn’s influence lingers in the gardens, where white rose bushes gifted by high fashion house Givenchy still bloom.

“When Audrey Hepburn turned 60, she got 60 white rose bushes sent and had a rose garden planted, and half of those are still there,” Beaujolin said, though she admitted some didn’t survive over time.

MORE: $100m trump card in Kendrick vs. Drake feud

Despite occasional visitors stopping by to snap photos of the home’s exterior plaque bearing Hepburn’s name, Beaujolin said it was never intrusive. If anything, she enjoyed it.

“It’s actually quite touching, because she died more than 30 years ago now, and that people still want to see where she lived shows how much she meant to people,” she noted.

As the couple prepares to say goodbye to their home, Beaujolin reflected on what made the property so special.

“In the beginning it was — yeah, it’s Audrey Hepburn’s house, but in the end, you forget this,” she admitted.

“Now of course, we’re thinking about Hepburn again, because it’s a good argument for buyers.”

---

Sign up to the Herald Sun Weekly Real Estate Update. Click here to get the latest Victorian property market news delivered direct to your inbox.

MORE: French chateau or Euro island? What typical Melb home price will get you overseas

Big bank puts in double rate cut ahead of Reserve Bank move

$500,000 house build price record set in 2024 as housing approvals 70,000 fall short of goal

Parts of this story were first published by the Post and republished with permission.