The Most Expensive House in the World is Now for Sale

With a listing price of $350 million Euros – US$410 million, or approximately $515 million Canadian – Villa de Cedres has topped all previous records to become the most expensive residential property in the world.

Surrounded by tropical plants, Villa Les Cedres is situated on the coast of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, France, and is currently owned by Italian distiller Davide Campari-Milano SpA, which acquired the property in 2016.

Black- and gold-painted iron gates stand at the entrance of Villa les Cedres, presumably to keep out the riff-raff.

Villa Les Cèdres is the former home of King Leopold II of Belgium, who reigned from 1865 to 1909 and became ridiculously wealthy by privatizing the mineral resources of the Congo.

The villa overlooks the charming seaside town of Villefrance-sur-Mer, seen beyond the home’s acres of private gardens.

The 14-bedroom mansion was built in 1830, and you can bet it has some world-class luxury amenities. Among them: an Olympic-size pool, more than 30 stables, and 25 greenhouses throughout the expansive 14-hectare grounds.

The grounds are resplendent with tropical palm trees, which line this charming man-made botanical pond.

Imported Amazonian lily pads float languidly atop the man-made pond within the home’s botanical gardens.

Antique armchairs and tables stand beneath stunning crystal chandeliers while 19th-century portraits adorn the walls of the home’s spacious sitting room.

Another view of the sitting room, highlighting the elaborate antique furnishings and meticulous architectural detailing.

Given the locale’s spectacular surroundings, the home has numerous outdoor terraced areas such as this one with its neoclassical Roman-inspired columns, taking full advantage of the gorgeous view.

Luxury yachts can be seen dotting the Mediterranean in the distance from the rooftop of the home.

Another view of the Mediterranean as seen from the roof of Villa de Cedres.

One of the home’s 14 bedrooms, outfitted with antique furniture accompanying the hand-painted wall art set within intricate mouldings.

Another of the home’s numerous bedrooms, this corner bedroom offers a cozy sitting area situated beneath large windows that display a panoramic vista of the Mediterranean.

The inviting climate in the south of France has resulted in a home that provides a seamless flow between indoor and outdoor spaces, with large French doors in this bedroom opening to a large terrace.

This is the view enjoyed from the private terrace situated off the master bedroom.

A photograph of Louis Alexandre Marnier Lapostolle, founder of Grand Marnier liqueur, whose family previously ownd the villa, is displayed within an ornate frame on a gleaming table top.

An ornate crystal chandelier hangs from the ceiling of one of the home’s bedrooms, surrounded by a group of winged cherubs painted on the ceiling.

A large fireplace is the focal point of this sitting room, with numerous cushions adorning facing sofas as 19th-century portraits and antique mirrors within ornate frames hang on the walls.

The home is full of stunning artwork dating from the 19th century and earlier.

The attention to detail throughout the home is astounding, such as this Chinese relief decorating a polished table, reflecting the crystal chandelier that hangs above it.

Another shot of the ornate sitting room, focusing on the glittering chandeliers, the unique ceiling treatment and carved wood fireplace.

This fireplace has clearly been used recently and frequently, and the initials “M.L.” – which stand for the Marnier-Lapostolle family – are inscribed on the stonework atop the mantel.

The Olympic-sized outdoor swimming pool is surrounded by lush greenery and tropical plants to create the ultimate in sunny relaxation.

A sculpture sits on a tree-lined path, set among thousands of tropical plants in the home’s private botanical gardens.

A serene pond sits within the private botanical gardens that surround the 18,000-square-foot estate.

A visitor to the home is shown opening the pages of a 1640 edition of a botanical codex in the wood-panelled library, which houses 3,000 books (neither the books nor the furnishings are part of the price, but can be purchased separately).