Residence Owned by One of the Greatest Conductors of the 20th Century Offered by Christie’s International Real Estate

Montreux, Switzerland– Basset Coulon, an 18^th-century estate nestled at an altitude of 400 meters and surrounded by a verdant setting overlooking the sparkling waters of Lake Geneva, is on the market for 7.25 million Swiss Francs. The property is exclusively marketed by Christie’s International Real Estate and its Affiliate SPG Finest Properties.  

Wilhelm Furtwängler, a German conductor and composer considered by many to be one of the 20^th century’s greatest symphonic and operatic conductors, owned and lived on the estate from 1944 to 1954. The estate continues to be owned by the Furtwängler family to this day.

Montreux, a destination visited by the global elite for centuries, Montreux boasts one of the most beautiful walks along the lake, stretching from Château de Chillon all the way to Vevey. It has inspired many artists over the centuries, including Lord Byron, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Pytor Tchaikovsky, Igor Stravinsky and, more recently, Freddie Mercury and Shania Twain.

Located in Montreux, Basset Coulon is one of the oldest properties in the area and has hosted numerous social gatherings with notable guests. Basset Coulon is set on a 7,426 square meters plot of beautiful parkland, full of pine trees, cedars and magnolias. Carefully preserved, the property is in immaculate condition, retaining all of its original features. Its imposing façade with green shuttered windows and leafy grounds beautifully wraps an interior of generously sized spaces filled with ample natural light entering from numerous French doors. On the ground floor, there are three drawing rooms and a spacious kitchen with abundant storage. The three upper floors, including an attic, accommodate six spacious bedrooms, three with connecting bathrooms. An elegant music salon and conservatory is located on the first floor. The basement includes a spacious garage, a wine basement and storage space.

“The Basset Coulon provides spacious and gracious living in one of Europe’s most desired locations,” said Joachim Wrang-Widén, Christie's International Real Estate's Senior Vice President for Europe, Middle East and Africa. “The estate’s position above the town center in the most affluent part of Montreux allows for privacy and quiet enjoyment. The immediate surroundings are bucolic and the views of the lake and the mountains are stunning with Montblanc visible immediately to the south.”

Wrang-Widén added, “Over more than half a century, the Furtwänglers received the world’s most renowned musicians in their villa, offering a rare opportunity to become a part of a cultural legacy. The villa continues to be occupied by the family, and a new owner will be able to continue the tradition of a musical giant of the 20th century.”

“This beautiful period residence is worthy of its charming surroundings,” said Roberto Freda, broker of SPG Finest Properties in Lausanne, an exclusive affiliate of Christie’s International Real Estate. “It will appeal to many discerning buyers because of its generous spaces and rich history.”

The city center of Montreux has many great restaurants and five-star hotels, such as the Fairmont Montreux Palace and the Eden Palace. The bilingual St. George’s International School is just 50 metres away from the town’s center. Montreux also hosts several noteworthy festivals each year, including the summer jazz festival, the September Musical de Montreux, the Golden Rose Festival and the Golden Award of Montreux.

***

Symphonie No 6 from Beethoven - Wilhelm Furtwängler:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2d45ugB-trY

About Christie’s International Real Estate

Christie’s International Real Estate is an invitation-only Affiliate network composed of the world’s most proven and qualified real estate specialists in the luxury residential sector. The company has offices in London, New York, Hong Kong, Beverly Hills, Chicago, and Palm Beach, and more than 135 global Affiliates with 25,000 real estate professionals in 44 countries. For additional information about Christie’s International Real Estate, please visit www.christiesrealestate.com.