It is one of the most famous apartments in Paris’s 16th arrondissement. On the eighth floor of a building constructed in 1961 on Boulevard Exelmans, Claude François lived for fifteen years, from 1963 until his death in 1978. Nearly half a century later, this address continues to attract attention. After being listed for 950,000 euros in December 2024 and then sold in April 2025, the singer’s former residence returned to the market in 2026, fully renovated, with an asking price of 1.69 million euros.
The apartment has one feature that hasn’t changed since Cloclo’s time: an exceptional view of Paris, extended by a private rooftop. From up there, the panorama stretches from the Eiffel Tower to the Sacré-Cœur, all the way to the forests of western Île-de-France.
A 62-square-meter terrace overlooking Paris and a completely redesigned interior
Unlike the sprawling mansions one might associate with a star of his stature, Claude François lived in an apartment that was relatively modest in size. The apartment measured 72 m² when it went on the market in 2024, featuring one bedroom, one bathroom, and a large, open-concept living area.
The building, typical of 1960s residential architecture, features large windows and a concrete structure. Two balconies complement the apartment, while a passageway leads to the rooftop terrace on the tenth floor.
After its purchase in 2025, the property underwent a complete renovation. A real estate professional brought in architects and interior designers to redesign the layout, improve the flow of the space, and let in more light. Since then, the apartment has been relisted for 1.69 million euros in March 2026.
It was in this apartment that Claude François died on March 11, 1978
The history of 46 Boulevard Exelmans remains inextricably linked to the singer’s death. On March 11, 1978, Claude François died at the age of 39 after being accidentally electrocuted in his bathroom. While taking a bath, he attempted to straighten a wall sconce. Contact with exposed wires caused the fatal accident.
However, the bathroom where the tragedy occurred no longer exists in its original layout. After the artist’s death, successive owners altered the apartment’s layout, notably moving the kitchen and the bathroom.
The memory of Claude François remains visible from the street, as a commemorative plaque adorns the building’s facade, while a square bearing his name is located a few hundred meters away. Boulevard Exelmans also played an important role in his professional life: at number 122, the singer had also set up the offices for his businesses, notably those for his magazines *Flèche* and *Podium*.