Few figures of the 20th century generated as much scrutiny—or controversy—from the press and the European aristocracy as Wallis Simpson. The twice-divorced American socialite’s relationship with King Edward VIII prompted the British monarch’s abdication in December 1936, clearing the way for the couple’s marriage the following year. Granted the titles of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, they eventually settled in Paris, frequently vacationing in the French Riviera where a storied hotel suite still bears a connection to the couple.
The couple traveled to the South of France in search of a holiday home and, in 1938, stayed at the legendary Hôtel Provençal in Juan-les-Pins as guests of its owner, Florence Gould, the socialite wife of American tycoon Frank Jay Gould. The Windsors eventually signed a two-year lease on the nearby Château de la Croë in Cap d’Antibes but remained at the hotel while overseeing the refurbishment of the residence.
The 12-seater dining room features ivory silk wallpaper with hand-painted trees by de Gournay.
Caudwell
The luxury developer Caudwell has now unveiled the Windsors’ former suite as Villa Jardin, a sprawling duplex residence spanning nearly 6,500 square feet. The five-bedroom home pairs the glamour of the building’s Art Deco past with a contemporary design defined by open living spaces, clean lines, and natural light. Garden terraces and private balconies overlook the Mediterranean, while an interconnected guest house and a 36-foot swimming pool with a pool house complete the residence.
