Grace Kelly stayed at this $12.5 million home in France that’s up for sale, and it comes with a gift from her

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Recently listed for $12.5 million, and situated 50 minutes from Monaco, Les Moulins du Villars on the French Riviera is an estate with important historical significance and a special connection to Grace Kelly.

The property, listed by Sotheby’s International Realty, is perched 470 meters above ground in a secluded location. It’s placed within a nature reserve, with olive groves and its own extra virgin olive oil mill, according to a blog by Sotheby’s International Realty.

The main villa has seven bedrooms and four floors, an elevator, a wine cellar, and a Bollywood-style television room, which isn’t the only Indian inspiration in the home. 

There are other properties in addition to the main building. The Sanctuary was an ancient flour mill that has now been converted into a general space for parties; the Cabanon is a guest house; and the India Guest Suite is another guest house with a royal Rajasthani ambiance.

Les Moulins du Villars also has a completely self-sufficient water supply, thanks to the onsite Villars Spring. This water source is thousands of years old and has never dried up; folklore says the water has curing properties, according to Sotheby’s International Realty.

View of the pool at Les Moulins du Villars. Côte d’Azur Sotheby’s International Realty

The property’s history dates back to the 14th century as an olive oil mill. Over the years, it has passed hands through various owners, but it wasn’t until the 1970s that Count Jean Fernand Joseph Gouin de Roumilly transformed it into the luxurious, peaceful haven it is today, Sotheby’s International Realty said in its blog post.

De Roumilly was drawn to the property after hearing of its reputation as a place of good energy, according to the post.

The property, then known as Les Moulins du Capricorne, became notorious in the Côte d’Azur among French-speaking aristocracy for its social events, and at the time was also frequented by one of its more notable guests, Princess Grace Kelly of Monaco, the blog post added.

Kelly befriended the owners and visited the property several times, the blog post went on to say. One of her first ones in June 1980 was with her daughter, Princess Caroline, and Prince Louis de Polignac, the godfather of Kelly’s son, for a formal visit that included a presentation of the local cheeses and olive oil to the royals.

The blog states that the princess returned again on several occasions and even gave the owner gifts for the home, including some statues. Two of these statues are still at the estate.

One of the two living rooms at Les Moulins du Villars. Côte d’Azur Sotheby’s International Realty

Sotheby’s International Realty added that the current owners purchased the property in 2006 and started a reconstruction project on the villa in 2010. This was by request of local authorities who said the property needed to be secured against earthquakes.

The building has new foundations as a result, it added, and while doing this, they also decided to make the 40 window openings bigger to allow more light into the house.

Sotheby’s International Realty added: “It is said that the Princess of Monaco considered the place very special and a rare haven of peace.” It’s easy to see why.