As World War II loomed on the horizon, Madame de Florian made the difficult decision to flee her beloved flat near the Opera Garnier in Paris. The year was 1939, and the German army was closing in on the city. Along with thousands of other Parisians, Madame de Florian journeyed south to escape the hostilities.
Despite the uncertainty and upheaval of war, Madame de Florian never forgot her flat. She continued to pay for its expenses and upkeep, even as she made a new life for herself in the south. As the years passed and the war came to an end, Madame de Florian never moved back into her flat.
For seven decades, the flat remained untouched and uninhabited. That is, until 2010, when Madame de Florian passed away at the age of 91. Only then did her family learn of the flat’s existence and inventory its contents.
As a result, the flat had been preserved exactly as Madame de Florian had left it, a time capsule of a bygone era. Despite the sadness of her passing, Madame de Florian’s family was struck by the beauty and elegance of the flat, a fitting tribute to the woman who had loved it so deeply.
When auctioneer Olivier Choppin-Janvry finally unlocked the doors to Madame de Florian’s flat, it was as if he had stepped back in time. The intricately carved furniture, extravagant decorations, and fine paintings were all still there, dusted with cobwebs but otherwise well-preserved.
This was no ordinary flat, but a piece of history passed down to Madame de Florian’s grandmother, the Parisian actress Marthe de Florian. Marthe rose to fame at the turn of the 20th century, thanks to her relationships with Italian painter Giovanni Boldini and French Prime Minister Georges Clemenceau.
Among the treasures found inside the flat was a Boldini painting of Marthe de Florian herself. This painting alone brought in 2.1 million euros at auction. The rest of the items in the flat, however, were left intact, and the family has decided to keep it that way.
The “Time Capsule” flat is currently held by Madame de Florian’s family and is not open to the general public. Though you can watch videos of the abandoned apartment, it will remain a glimpse of a bygone era, a treasure trove of history, and a true representation of Madame de Florian’s love and devotion for the flat.
In summary
Madame de Florian’s flat near the Opera Garnier in Paris is a true time capsule, preserved for over 70 years since her decision to flee the city during World War II. The flat, passed down from her grandmother, the Parisian actress Marthe de Florian, was filled with intricate furnishings, extravagant decorations, and fine paintings, many of them done by Marthe’s lover Giovanni Boldini.
The Boldini painting of Marthe de Florian alone brought in 2.1 million euros at auction and was the only item that was put up for auction. The rest of the items in the flat were left untouched and it is currently held by Madame de Florian’s family and not accessible to the general public.
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