Villa Paus

Villa Paus is a listed villa on the Bygdøy peninsula in Oslo, at Christian Benneches vei 6. Built in 1907 as the home of an industrialist and bank chairman, it has passed through several very different owners over the twentieth century. Today it is a private residence, and the story behind it is more interesting than anything you can see from the street.

Who built Villa Paus?

The villa was commissioned by Ole Paus, a Norwegian iron and steel industrialist who also chaired a bank. According to Oslo's local-history wiki, the architect was Einar Smith. The building blends Neo-Baroque and Art Nouveau features, two styles often mixed in the wealthy villa districts of the early 1900s.

What was the estate like?

The original property was extensive: a park of roughly 7 decares (about 0.7 hectares) with some 80 metres of private shoreline on the fjord. In the 1970s, five new villas were built on parts of the park, so today's plot is smaller than it was when the house was new.

What role did it play in the Second World War?

The darkest chapter is the German occupation. Josef Terboven, the Reich Commissioner for Norway, is said to have used Villa Paus as his summer residence. It is one reason Bygdøy often appears in accounts of Oslo's wartime history.

What happened after the war?

From 1953 the villa belonged to the barrister Mathias Dahl-Hansen and his family. In 1997 it was bought by billionaire hotelier Petter Stordalen. The local-history wiki notes that the house was substantially rebuilt in the 1990s. In front stands an illuminated Buddha statue about three metres tall, which tends to surprise people walking past.

Can you visit Villa Paus?

It is a private home, not a museum. The sensible approach is to view it from the road as part of a wider trip around Bygdøy, which has plenty of other sights. Respect the residents' privacy and stay off the grounds.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Villa Paus? On Bygdøy in Oslo, at Christian Benneches vei 6.

When was it built? In 1907, for Ole Paus.

What style is it? A mix of Neo-Baroque and Art Nouveau.

Is it the same as Quisling's former residence? No. Villa Grande, linked to Quisling, is a separate building on Bygdøy.

Who is its best-known owner? Since 1997, Petter Stordalen, a Norwegian billionaire in the hotel business.

How did the street get its name? It was named in 1905 after the merchant Christian Schultz Benneche and was called Benneches vei until 1952.

Who is it for?

It suits fans of early twentieth-century villa architecture, anyone curious about Norway under occupation, and walkers exploring Oslo's elegant neighbourhoods. If you are planning a day on Bygdøy, Villa Paus makes a short but worthwhile stop that pairs well with the nearby museums and waterfront. Remember you are looking at a private home, so keep your distance, avoid photographing residents and keep noise down.