This summer in the podcast, I take the opportunity to reconcile two apparently very distant subjects; real estate and Rock n' Roll.
We dive into the making of the double album Exile On Mainstreet in the summer of 1971, against the backdrop of the superb Villa Nellcote in Villefranche-sur-mer. A neo-classical mansion of 800m2 facing the sea, whose atmosphere and past probably inspired Keith Richards and the Rolling Stones just 50 years ago. With its faded paintings, rusty gate, marble fireplaces and monumental chandeliers, the house was the setting for the birth of the Stones' fifth album. Beyond the context that led them to exile in France, this anachronistic studio played an important role in the blues patina given to the band's one and only double album.
Villa Nellcote, which still exists, passed into the hands of a Russian billionaire. Sold for about 83 million euros a few years ago, it still holds its share of mysteries.
To tell the story of the Stones and the different periods of this villa, I wanted to invite the journalist Benoît Jarry, co-author with Florence Viard of the book Les Rolling Stones et la Villa Nellcote, la vraie histoire d'une villa mythique (The Rolling Stones and the Villa Nellcote, the true story of a mythical villa) published by Le Mot Et Le Reste.
A book illustrated by exclusive images of the photographer Dominique Tarlé who lived these moments in the intimacy of the group.
A series of pictures is currently on display in Nice at the Galerie De L'Instant, soon to be in Paris.
Those who worship this rock period of the 70s, or simply fans of the Rolling Stones can afford large format numbered prints. I must admit that I am tempted.
You can listen to this interview i- in French - n its entirety in the podcast below.