Renovations at Josephine Baker's Villa Le Beau Chêne

For those of you in France, Happy Labor Day!

On Monday, I met Philippe Baudry, owner of Le Beau Chêne, to get an update on the renovations being undertaken on the former home of Josephine Baker. While waiting for him to arrive, I was allowed to roam the mansion and the grounds at my leisure.

Work is being performed on the property seven days a week.

Inside, the electricity and plumbing have been completely replaced. Walls are freshly painted white, new radiators are in place, and the woodwork on the interior doors and balustrade has been stripped.

The foyer - front door (right) and door to office
© Discover Paris!

The foyer - staircase
© Discover Paris!

Alcove with fountain
© Discover Paris!

Fireplace © Discover Paris!

View from the 1st floor above the foyer
© Discover Paris!
On the first floor (second floor by U.S. standards), Josephine's marble bathroom remains largely intact.

Josephine's marble and silver-plated tub
© Discover Paris!

Marble face basin
© Discover Paris!


Much progress has been made on the lawn.

View of the grounds from the marble bathroom
© Discover Paris!

Rivulet and the rear of the house
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However, the area where Josephine had her vegetable gardens and greenhouses is still overgrown.

Gardens
© Discover Paris!

Large greenhouse
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Small greenhouse
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Baudry anticipates that the landscape work will be complete by year's end.

The guardian's house next to the front gate is being restored...

Guardian's house
© Discover Paris!
...but there are no signs that work is being done on the stable or the garage.

Stable
© Discover Paris!

Stable
© Discover Paris!
Baudry's intent is to have the villa and grounds inscribed on the list of historic monuments in France. The process will take a minimum of 18 months. When this is accomplished, the grounds will be open to the public at least 40 days a year.

Happily, Discover Paris! clients will not need to wait this long to visit the property! For information on arranging a private visit, contact us at .

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Black Paris Divas Are Back! - Le Vésinet

Discover Paris! had the pleasure of cooking and touring with Black Paris Divas again this spring. Two separate groups enjoyed our Josephine's Suburban Paradise excursion in the nearby town of Le Vésinet.

We began both visits with lunch at the private villa La Riante.

In front of Villa La Riante
© Discover Paris!
Our gracious chef and hostess, Kristie Worrel, prepared a sumptuous, four-course meal fit for kings and queens!

Passing the hors d'oeuvres
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Kristie (standing) and group participants
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Kat St Thomas of Black Paris Divas raises a glass
© Discover Paris!

Stuffed cornish game hen, Amaretto carrots, and wild rice
© Discover Paris!

Kahlua cheesecake
© Discover Paris!
Then we walked to Le Beau Chêne, the villa once owned by Josephine Baker, and strolled around the periphery of the property. The house is undergoing extensive renovation. The owner hopes to have it inscribed on the list of historic monuments in France so that the government will subsidize the substantial cost of restoration.

Group at main gate of Le Beau Chêne
© Discover Paris!

Le Beau Chêne
© Discover Paris!

Showing photos of the property in Josephine's time
© Discover Paris!
Afterward, some participants from the first group elected to walk through the town with me to see the church where Josephine worshiped.

In front of Sainte Marguerite church
© Discover Paris!
We also visited the town hall, where I explained how, many years ago, Josephine petitioned the mayor for assistance in finding a new property to purchase after she lost her château at Les Milandes.

In front of City Hall
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We were blessed with fair weather for both excursions. Le Vésinet is truly an idyllic town and it is a pleasure to stroll through its mansion-lined streets!

Next week - cooking with Black Paris Divas!

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Josephine's Suburban Paradise - Le Beau Chêne

For the Journées Européennes du Patrimoine last weekend, the grounds of Josephine Baker's idyllic villa - Le Beau Chêne - were opened to the public for the first time!

Journée du Patrimoine flier

After standing empty for several years, the property was finally purchased by Philippe Baudry, architect and CEO of the environmental ecosystem development company ARTEA.

Philippe Baudry and Monique Y. Wells
© Discover Paris!

Le Beau Chêne
© Discover Paris!

Le Beau Chêne (rear)
© Discover Paris!
M. Baudry graciously opened the gates to the 3.7-acre estate and allowed scores of visitors to walk around the grounds and gaze upon Josephine's former mansion and its "Temple of Love," stable, garage, and hothouses. So much has fallen into disrepair that restoring the property will be a big challenge.

Temple of Love
© Discover Paris!

Stable and garage
© Discover Paris!

Hothouses
© Discover Paris!
This may well be the last time that the public will see the grounds as they existed during Josephine's time. Permission has been granted to divide the property into three lots, to build two new houses and carports on it, and to alter access to the property.

Construction permit
© Discover Paris!
The mansion itself was not open to the public, but Mr. Baudry invited me inside to wait for him while he searched for a business card. Renovations are in progress – I could see that some of the rooms have been completely gutted and several of the rooms on the ground floor are currently being used as offices. Still, it was easy to imagine the splendor that Josephine once enjoyed!

Because of this visit, I now have new photos of the villa and additional anecdotes about Josephine to share with those who participate in the Josephine's Suburban Paradise excursion with Discover Paris! We are launching a DELUXE version of this private, guided tour for individuals and groups of up to 6 persons, which includes private transportation to and from Paris and an exclusive lunch in a private Le Vésinet bed & breakfast. Le Beau Chêne is the highlight of the tour but participants will also visit several additional sites in this town where Josephine enjoyed the most successful and carefree years of her life. For more information, contact us at .

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Walking in the Footsteps of Josephine Baker

Those of you who are familiar with Entrée to Black Paris tours know that we have a tour dedicated to Josephine Baker called "The Black Pearl Walk."  It covers two different areas of Paris and includes the sites where Josephine began and ended her career.

Today, I am thrilled to inform you that Entrée to Black Paris has created a new Josephine Baker walk called "Josephine's Suburban Paradise." It unfolds in the Paris suburb of Le Vésinet, where Josephine lived during the height of her long and illustrious career.

With a population of about 17,000, Le Vésinet lies a mere 20 minutes to the west of Paris on the RER A line. Charming, quiet, and dotted with lakes and parks, the architecture of its private homes is magnificent. One of its prizes is Le Beau Chêne, the mansion that Josephine owned for eighteen years.

Le Beau Chêne
© Discover Paris!
Though there are not many stops on this walk, we think that you will thoroughly enjoy the leisurely stroll through this idyllic town. We begin with a private lunch at Villa La Riante, a 19th century mansion that has been transformed into a beautiful bed and breakfast by Americans Jim and Kristie Worrel.

Kristie Worrel at Villa La Riante
© Discover Paris!
Kristie is the chef and she lays a magnificent table!

Table set for lunch at Villa La Riante
© Discover Paris!
Over dessert, our guide will present an overview of Josephine's life to whet your appetite for what you will see on the walk. After lunch, you'll be ready to stretch your legs and walk off a bit of Kristie's scrumptious cuisine.

The highlight of the walk is the visit to Le Beau Chêne. The property is private, so we are limited to a view of the mansion from the gate and a stroll around the perimeter of the 3.7-acre grounds. We provide detailed descriptions of the interior as well as anecdotes about events that took place at the mansion. You'll be transported inside by virtue of your imagination!

Front gate at Le Beau Chêne
© Discover Paris!
Other points on the tour include a plaque featuring a photo of Josephine at the opening of the Tour de France in 1933. At the town hall, you will learn about Josephine's efforts to re-establish residency in Le Vésinet when she was facing eviction from Les Milandes, her chateau in the Dordogne.

This combination private luncheon and walk is designed for groups of 10-15 persons and is available only on special request. For more information, contact us at info[at]discoverparis[dot]net.

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