It probably has everything you could wish for and makes the hearts of many history buffs beat faster: the luxurious villa of the Russian oligarch Boris Berezovsky on the Côte d’Azur is for sale. There, in front of him, Picasso and Hemingway enjoyed the beautiful view from the Château de la Garoupe.
Interested parties can submit an application until July, the responsible authority announced on Friday. However, the price should be tough since it wasn’t even mentioned. Berezowksi (photo see tweet below) would have paid about 8.4 million euros in 1996 for the building in the billionaires’ nest Cap d’Antibes.
It consists of a main house and five annexes, as well as a swimming pool, jacuzzi and tennis court. He later also bought the adjacent building for a modest 13.5 million euros.
The problem with loyalties
However, the life of an oligarch also has its downsides. Once disgraced, there is almost no turning back. Many of them have already died a mysterious death. So did Berezovsky, who was caught in 2013. He was found dead in his home, the circumstances are unclear to this day. However, it is believed that his death had something to do with his attitude towards Russian ruler Vladimir Putin. He wasn’t thrilled about it at all.
Dirty methods
In 2015, the French authorities seized the property, writes the Ukrainian news site Evpropejskaja Pravda, citing the multinational magazine The Local. Because the luxury villa would have been financed through money laundering. According to the Seized Property Management Authority, it is a “prestigious residence steeped in history in an enchanting setting” with “unobstructed views of the Mediterranean”.
“Poor” billionaires
The Côte d’Azur became very popular among wealthy Russians after the collapse of the Soviet Union. With the outbreak of the ruthless Russian offensive war in Ukraine and the resulting sanctions imposed by the West, the oligarchs had to abandon their beautiful villas there. They are no longer even allowed to enter their homes and even entering the country is now a problem for many. “C’est la vie”, say the French.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
