Paris is definitely a city full of surprises! Here, you can dine in one of the world’s oldest restaurants, stroll through free parks and find surprising places around the corner. One of the city’s hidden gems is the famous Villa Frochot. A 19ᵉ century mansion that has lived 1,000 lives… Some would even say it’ s been haunted for over 100 years! A fantastic story, perfect for those of you who already want to shiver in the run-up to Halloween…
Villa Frochot: a haunted house in Paris for over 100 years
For several years now, rumors have been rife about this magnificent neo-Gothic house on the chic Avenue Frochot. Nestled in a private lane lined with opulent mansions, Avenue Frochot has always attracted artists: Jean Renoir, Toulouse Lautrec and Django Reinhardt all lived here for a number of years. Very quiet and green, it’s the perfect place to recharge your batteries in the middle of Paris.
But villa n°1 has been attracting attention ever since the tragic murder of the Folies Bergère director’s cleaning lady. Since then, her ghost has haunted the premises, to the extent that some claim to hear terrifying noises during the night…
But what has contributed more to the legend is the sudden, unexplained and similar deaths of two of its former owners… 100 years apart. Vincent Massé and Matthieu Galey. Both men died of Charcot’s disease, in the same place and in the same position…
Uninhabited for many years, the house has attracted the interest of artists such as Jack Nicholson and Sylvie Vartan. The singer, who fell in love with this charming house, even decided to buy it for herself in the 1970s. But she packed up shortly afterwards, without ever having moved in.
Although its new owner has been smiling rather than worrying about the legend for some years now, there’s no doubt that this Gothic-style house will continue to frighten Parisians. Remember, though, that the avenue is strictly private: you can’t visit the house, nor can you access the Avenue Frochot. However, you can catch a glimpse behind the gates… Perhaps you’ll spot a few lost souls…
📍Location: 1 avenue Frochot, 75009 Paris