
The most expensive house in the world is going on sale for up to €1billion (£860million) in the south of France.

The opulent address in the billionaire's playground of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat is currently owned by Suzanne Marnier-Lapostolle, a member of the illustrious Grand Marnier dynasty who is keen to 'downsize'.

Claims ‘The Cedars’ mansion is on the market comes as the country struggles during one of its worst recessions for years and the Socialist government tries to deal with a security crisis.

Despite all this, Nice Matin today reports that the former home of Belgium King Leopold II can be yours for ‘a billion euros!’.

Fit for a King: The former home of Belgium King Leopold II can be yours for a staggering billion euros

An opulent address, Villa Les Cedres is in an area of extraordinary natural beauty and a playground for the affluent

The swimming pool at Les Cedres, a botanical garden in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, owned by the Marnier-Lapostolle family, pictured in September 1973

The 10-bedroom property, which comes with an Olympic size swimming pool, is in a glamorous coastal enclave close to Nice.

VILLA LES CEDRES Price: €1billion

Built in 1830

50 metre pool is dug into the rocks

It has 35 acres of botanic gardens

W i nter garden, chapel and stables

Former home of King Leopold II Advertisement

It has one of the most beautiful gardens in Europe, which includes 35 acres of manicured lawns, 15000 plants, and some 20 greenhouses containing rare tropical vegetation.

The palatial home features a ballroom and also stables for up to 30 horses.

Close neighbours include British composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and US tech tycoon Paul Allen.

Les Cedres was last owned by Suzanne Marnier-Lapostolle, part of the Grand Marnier liquor dynasty. However after the company was bought by drinks brand, Campari, in March the home was also acquired by the Italian group.

Campari has decided to sell the home so the heiress is said to be downsizing and looking for a buyer who will care for a house that has been in the family since 1924.

Some 15 professional gardeners are currently employed by her full time, and she hopes all will be kept on.

But there are fears that speculators will move in, and build new hugely expensive properties in the gardens.

‘Everything needs to be done to prevent that,’ said an estate agent source in nearby Monaco, who has already received enquiries about the property.

Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, which currently has a population of just over 2000, has attracted celebrities and royalty from all over the world throughout its history

Those who used to holiday there regularly on belle epoque estates include Winston Churchill, who loved painting the gardens

THE MARNIER-LAPOSTOLLE DYNASTY Luxury brand Grand Marnier has been creating cognacs and liqueurs for more than 150 years. It began with Jean-Baptiste Lapostelle who founded a fruit liqueur distillery in 1827. In 1876 when his granddaughter married Louis-Alexandre Marnier, the son of a wine-making family from the Sancerre region, the Marnier Lapostolle family was born. The company has been managed by six generations of the family. Advertisement

He added: ‘We have not received instructions to sell. These kind of properties tend to be marketed very discreetly.

‘Despite France’s problems, there should be a buyer around.

'The billionaire market does not have much to do with countries – there will be international interest.’

Luxury brand Grand Marnier has been creating cognacs and liqueurs for more than 150 years.

It began with Jean-Baptiste Lapostelle who founded a fruit liqueur distillery in 1827. In 1876 when his granddaughter married Louis-Alexandre Marnier, the son of a wine-making family from the Sancerre region, the Marnier Lapostolle family was born.

The company has been managed by six generations of the same family.

In March this year, Grand Marnier was added to the Italian spirits maker Campari group's portfolio and they took ownership of the historic villa, according to Bloomberg.

Campari chief executive Bob Kunze-Concewitz told Bloomberg he had already received approaches from Middle Eastern and North American buyers.

He revealed that proceeds from the sale will be distributed among the shareholders.

Other regulars included actors Charlie Chaplin and David Niven, writer William Somerset-Maugham, movie stars Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, and Prince Rainier III of Monaco

Cap Ferrat was named in 2012 as the second most expensive place to buy a home in the world after Monaco, with residents enjoying a pleasant climate and a popular yachting scene

Close neighbours include Microsoft tycoon Paul Allen (right) who hosted famous actors Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie (left) at his home next door before delivery of their twins

Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, which currently has a population of just over 2000, has attracted celebrities and royalty from all over the world throughout its history.

Those who used to holiday there regularly on belle epoque estates include Winston Churchill, who loved painting the gardens.

Other regulars included actors Charlie Chaplin and David Niven, writer William Somerset-Maugham, movie stars Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, and Prince Rainier III of Monaco.

The most high profile property transaction in the stretch of Riviera around Nice came in 2008, when Russian oligarch Mikhail Prokhorov offered 320 million to buy Villa Leopolda.

King of Belgium from 1865-1909. Leopold II is remembered largely for his private ownership of the Congo Free State in Africa (right). His French mansion stands tall over the harbour

A huge fan of the desirable coastal area, King Leopold II once owned the entire West side of the Cap Ferrat

In 1904 he purchased Villa Pollonnais and its 15 acres of land and after extensive renovation renamed it Le Cedres

The man who designed the gardens of the Eiffel Tower and Champs Elysees was responsible for the impressive design of Le Cedres’ grounds and pool area

The magnificent mansion in Villefranche-sur-Mer, next door to Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, was owned by Lily Safra, who had inherited it from her banker husband, Edmond Safra.

Mr Prokhorov pulled out of the sale following the 2008 financial crisis, leading to Mrs Safra successfully suing him to keep the deposit of £33million.

A huge fan of the desirable coastal area, King Leopold II once owned the entire west side of the Cap Ferrat.

In 1904 he purchased Villa Pollonnais, built in 1830, and its 15 acres of land and after extensive renovation renamed it Le Cedres. The property was principally used as his holiday home.

The man who designed the gardens of the Eiffel Tower and Champs Elysees was responsible for the impressive design of Le Cedres’ grounds and pool area.