In one of the most remarkable WWII Paris history discoveries, a woman fled her apartment at the outbreak of World War II — yet continued paying rent for 70 years. When her family finally opened the door, they found a time capsule home untouched since 1939, brimming with rare antiques and a million-dollar masterpiece.
This extraordinary unopened apartment discovery was made only three years ago after its owner, Mrs. De Florian, died at the age of 91. The property, located near the Trinité church in Paris’s 9th arrondissement — between the famous Pigalle red-light district and the Paris Opera — was a stunning snapshot of the Belle Époque era.
Mrs. De Florian fled to the south of France before Nazi Germany’s invasion of Paris on June 14, 1940, never to return. For seven decades, the apartment remained locked, gathering dust, yet preserved as if time had stood still.
When experts were called to conduct an inventory of her possessions, they described the experience as “like stepping into the castle of Sleeping Beauty.” Every surface was layered in dust, but under it lay a treasure trove of antiques, vintage furniture, and personal keepsakes.
The most remarkable find was a breathtaking painting of a woman in a pink muslin evening gown. Created by the renowned 19th-century Italian artist Giovanni Boldini, the portrait depicted Marthe de Florian — a famous French actress, socialite, and Mrs. De Florian’s grandmother. Marthe was known in her time for her beauty and charm, attracting admirers such as French Prime Minister Georges Clemenceau and Boldini himself.
Also discovered in the apartment were historic love letters, tied neatly in ribbon, sent to Marthe by her powerful and influential suitors.
Initially, there was no record of the Boldini painting in art archives. But when a visiting card with a romantic note from the artist was found, the connection was confirmed. Research revealed the work was painted in 1898 when Marthe de Florian was just 24 years old.
When the artwork was placed in a rare painting auction, bidding began at £253,000 but quickly skyrocketed as 10 determined buyers competed. The painting ultimately sold for an astounding £1.78 million, setting a new world record for Boldini’s work.
“This was a magic moment,” said art expert Marc Ottavi. “The buyer loved the painting and paid the price of passion.”
Behind its locked door, this WWII Paris apartment was not just a home — it was a preserved slice of history, a priceless time capsule, and a reminder of the treasures that can still lie hidden in plain sight.
Leave a Reply