Behind a honey-hued façade, l’Hotel de Soyecourt hides opulent interiors which evoke the hedonistic last decades before the French revolution.
This rare building stands among the beautiful period houses of Rue de l’Université, on Paris’s left bank. Built in 1707, it belonged to the then President of the French Parliament, Claude de Longueil, and its grand layout and gilt edged décor match this exalted past. Ten bedroom suites, a series of reception rooms and a library are spread out over a whopping 48,545sq ft. There is a spectacular ballroom and breathtaking parkland outside—an almost unheard of luxury in this district of Paris.
The striking white lines of a contemporary villa set against the intense turquoise of the Caribbean Sea. A whitewashed farmhouse clad in ivy and wisteria and softly wrapped in the embrace of ancient olive trees. A turn-of-the-century hôtel particulier where the understated lines of a honey-coloured façade hide the opulence of gilded interiors. From palatial manors in the heart of Paris to romantic estates in Spain, billionaires have the pick of the very best properties around the world. When the price tag is not an issue, and suitability is down to privacy, accessibility and sheer architectural grandeur, the choice is mind-boggling. To help you make a selection—or just dream a little—we have picked five of the most prestigious homes on the market. 
