Inside Audrey Hepburn’s Hidden Swiss Sanctuary: La Paisible’s Untold Legacy and Personal Touches

Nestled in the serene village of Tolochenaz, Switzerland, La Paisible isn’t a resort in the conventional sense—it’s a private estate that whispers the legacy of Audrey Hepburn. From 1963 until her death on January 20, 1993, this 18th-century villa was her refuge, a place where the Breakfast at Tiffany’s star swapped Hollywood’s dazzle for quiet days with her sons and her garden. As of March 18, 2025, with the property listed for 19 million Swiss francs ($20.8 million) via Knight Frank, La Paisible’s allure—equal parts history, design, and personal charm—remains as captivating as Hepburn herself.

Hepburn christened it “La Paisible”—“the peaceful place”—and lived up to the name. After decades in the spotlight, she craved normalcy here, raising Sean Hepburn Ferrer and Luca Dotti amid its sprawling 40 acres. “She wanted a normal, grateful, and gracious life,” Luca told In the Vintage Kitchen, recalling her love for gardening and strolls to Morges’ market. It’s where she died, and where she rests in Tolochenaz’s cemetery, a plaque marking her 30-year tenure visible but off-limits to curious fans. This isn’t a public retreat—it’s a home, fiercely private, even as its sale stirs interest.

Architecturally, La Paisible is a stunner. At 10,763 square feet, the three-level villa boasts 12 bedrooms, 8 bathrooms, and a blend of old-world grace—terra-cotta floors, oak parquet, five fireplaces—with modern tweaks like a 2001-renovated kitchen (blue cabinets, stone counters) and an elevator, per Robb Report. Two grand staircases sweep through, a library cradles memories (think Hepburn lounging with her dogs), and lofted suites add whimsy. Outside, a 50-foot heated pool gleams, century-old trees—beech, chestnut, ginkgo—frame a parkland dotted with wildflowers, and parking for 15 cars nods to its grandeur.

What sets it apart, though, is Hepburn’s imprint. White rosebushes, a 60th-birthday gift from Hubert Givenchy, bloom as a testament to their bond, per Robb Report. The attic once held a treasure trove—racks of her film-worn dresses, hats, and a red box of costume jewels—whispered about by staff kids on Medium. Luca’s tales paint her in jeans, not gowns, filling vases with fresh-picked blooms (HELLO!), a far cry from her Givenchy-clad screen persona. It’s flamboyant yet intimate, a canvas of her simplicity.

La Paisible’s past meets its present in this sale. Updated in 2001—think repositioned kitchens, remodeled baths—it’s move-in ready yet timeless, per Bloomberg. No museum here, despite its lore; it’s a lived-in relic, not a tourist trap. For $20.8 million, it’s a slice of Hepburn’s peace—wildflowers, roses, and all—where she swapped scripts for soil. Special? It’s where a legend found her quiet, and that’s a rarity money can’t quite buy.