COURTESY TopTenRealEstateDeals.com
PHOTOS Gibson Sotheby’s
Johnny Depp appears to be ready to relist his stunning French village estate. According to a recent media report, Depp will be putting it back on the market for US$ 55.5 million. He had previously listed the village in 2015 and 2016, at various prices between 27 million and 63 million dollars – but it did not sell.
In 2001, at the height of his Pirates of the Caribbean film franchise, Depp purchased the abandoned 19th century Provençal village located only 27 kilometres from the celebrity hotspot of Saint-Tropez. He then spent millions of dollars renovating the buildings during his 14 year relationship with French actress and singer Vanessa Paradis.
After turning the property into an idyllic place to live, the couple enjoyed the estate and local surroundings until their relationship began going downhill. They eventually separated permanently.
Johnny’s village includes the main house, six guest homes (one was the original village church), a private restaurant (Chez Marceline), a covered wagon with bath and kitchen, and an art studio.
Together, the living spaces cover 12,900 sq ft with 15 bedrooms and 14 bathrooms. Depp has spent over US$ 10 million in preserving the stone and wood beamed structures without destroying their original features.
The grounds include two swimming pools, a charming town square with lush landscaping and outdoor dining, a skate park, a fully equipped gym and a wine cave. The grounds are dotted with 300-year-old oaks, olive trees and vineyards.
Indeed, the Hollywood star has been the owner of several unusual properties over the years including a collection of penthouses in downtown Los Angeles, a private island in the Bahamas and a horse farm in Kentucky, which he purchased twice.
Saint-Tropez became popular with the jet set crowd in the 1950s when Brigitte Bardot arrived to star in the film ‘And God Created Woman.’ She never left.
A host of celebrities followed in Bardot’s footsteps including Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Moss, Beyoncé and Jay-Z, Elton John and many major clothing designers. And their presence made it one of the most popular vacation towns on the French Riviera.