Josephine Baker, the great music-hall star of the 1920s, lived in the Villa Beau Chêne, a huge late-19th-century house surrounded by a splendid landscaped garden, which the current owners have left virtually unchanged.
The great dancer was also a great altruist, who was in fact very involved in aiding children and refugees. She regularly visited the former orphanage now known as the Maison Saint-Charles and managed a centre for refugees at the Gare du Nord during the Second World War.
Her villa, in which she lived surrounded by animals including monkeys and leopards, was also a much-appreciated reception venue. The final one she organised was in honour of the Sultan of Morocco, Mohammed V, in 1945.
The Villa Beau Chêne was built by the Le Vésinet architect Louis Gibert in 1890–91. Josephine Baker lived here from 1927 to 1947. Since then, the house has had various private owners.
Guided tours of this sumptuous house are organised for the Journées Européennes du Patrimoine (European Heritage Days).
Her villa, in which she lived surrounded by animals including monkeys and leopards, was also a much-appreciated reception venue. The final one she organised was in honour of the Sultan of Morocco, Mohammed V, in 1945.
The Villa Beau Chêne was built by the Le Vésinet architect Louis Gibert in 1890–91. Josephine Baker lived here from 1927 to 1947. Since then, the house has had various private owners.
Guided tours of this sumptuous house are organised for the Journées Européennes du Patrimoine (European Heritage Days).
