Villa Windsor

Villa Windsor is a historic residence at 4 route du Champ d'Entraînement, tucked into the northwest corner of the Bois de Boulogne in Paris's 16th arrondissement, right along the southern edge of Neuilly-sur-Seine. For more than three decades this quiet address was home to one of the twentieth century's most talked-about couples - the Duke and Duchess of Windsor.

Why is this villa famous?

The house owes its fame entirely to its former residents. From 1953 until the Duke's death in 1972, the villa served as the main home of Edward, the former King of the United Kingdom, who abdicated the throne to marry the American divorcée Wallis Simpson. After her husband's death, the Duchess continued living there alone for another fourteen years, until her own death in 1986. Throughout that period the house functioned purely as the couple's private residence, well removed from the official palaces of the British royal family the Duke had left behind after his abdication.

Where exactly is it located?

Villa Windsor sits in a secluded, wooded pocket of the Bois de Boulogne, the large urban park on the western edge of Paris that has served as the city's green lung since the mid-19th century. Its position right against Neuilly-sur-Seine, one of the most exclusive suburbs in the Paris metropolitan area, explains the discreet, residential feel of the whole surrounding district - a world away from the tourist bustle of central Paris.

How do you get there?

The easiest approach is by metro to Porte Dauphine (line 2) or Porte Maillot (line 1), followed by a walk or bike ride along the park paths heading northwest into the Bois de Boulogne. Drivers can reach the area via the Boulevard Périphérique, entering the park near Porte Dauphine or Porte de Madrid. Keep in mind this is a residential and parkland area rather than a marked tourist route - there are no signposted paths leading straight to the property itself.

Can you actually visit the villa?

No. Villa Windsor remains private property and is not open to visitors, either inside or out. The house sits behind a garden and a wall, screened from the public paths of the park in a way that rules out any close-up viewing. Anyone interested in the couple's history should think of a visit to this part of the Bois de Boulogne as a walk through the setting of their story rather than a tour of the building itself.

What else is worth seeing nearby?

The Bois de Boulogne offers plenty beyond the villa's neighborhood: long walking and cycling paths, the Lac Inférieur and Lac Supérieur lakes, the Jardin d'Acclimatation gardens, and the striking Fondation Louis Vuitton building designed by Frank Gehry. It makes for a good longer outing that pairs a bit of history with a proper walk through greenery, away from the busy boulevards of the city center.

When is the best time to go?

Spring and early autumn are the most pleasant seasons for exploring the Bois de Boulogne, with mild temperatures well suited to longer walks or bike rides. It's worth avoiding late evening hours, since the park - like most large urban green spaces - sees far fewer visitors after dark.

Frequently asked questions

Is Villa Windsor open to the public? No, it is a private residence and is not open for tours.

Who lived in the villa? The Duke and Duchess of Windsor - Edward, the former King of the United Kingdom, and his wife Wallis Simpson - from 1953 until the Duchess's death in 1986.

Where exactly is the villa located? At 4 route du Champ d'Entraînement, in the northwest section of the Bois de Boulogne, in Paris's 16th arrondissement, close to the border with Neuilly-sur-Seine.

What's the best way to reach the area? Take the metro to Porte Dauphine or Porte Maillot, then continue on foot or by bike along the park's paths.