The Swiss Retreat Where Audrey Hepburn Spent the Final 30 Years of Her Life Asks $20.8M for Sale

by Mary K. Jacob

Getty Images; Courtesy Knight Frank via NYP

The serene Swiss estate where Hollywood icon Audrey Hepburn resided for her final three decades is now up for sale asking $20.8 million.

Located near Geneva and the French border in the small Francophone town of Tolochenaz, “La Paisible”—which fittingly 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 town’s cemetery just minutes away.

Audrey Hepburn’s former Swiss villa, “La Paisible,” is now on the market for $20.8 million.

(Courtesy Knight Frank via NYP)

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

Now, more than two decades later, the couple is ready to move on.

“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 in an interview.

The sprawling property offers 12 bedrooms and eight bathrooms across 10,800 square feet, sitting on a 40-acre lot with mountain views.

The estate looks plucked out of a fairytale.

(Courtesy Knight Frank via NYP)

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

“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 added.

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

A den.

(urtesy Knight Frank via NYP)

The kitchen.

(Courtesy Knight Frank via NYP)

A look inside one of the cozy bedrooms.

(Courtesy Knight Frank via NYP)

“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,” she told the outlet.

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.

Beyond its Hollywood pedigree, the estate was a cherished family home for the Beaujolins, who raised their six children there.

The lush grounds hosted two of their sons’ weddings, with 150 guests celebrating on the expansive lawns.

A 50-foot heated pool became the go-to summer spot for family and friends.“

It’s a nice place to invite friends in the summertime, when the kids are around with their families,” Beaujolin said. “They also like to have parties here with friends who have small kids, too, so the swimming pool gets very active.”

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 took pleasure in that.

Hepburn’s sons later sold it in 2001 to Katharina and Jean-Marc Beaujolin, who raised their six children there.

(Courtesy Knight Frank via NYP)

The grave of the actress Audrey Hepburn in the Tolochenaz cemetery in Switzerland.

(picture alliance via Getty Images)

“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 reflects 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.”

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