Chateau Dickie
Family sell elegant French farmhouse that provided a Great Escape for showbiz legend
THEATRE director Michael Attenborough is emphatic as he talks about the holiday home of his late parents in the South of France. ‘I can’t think of anywhere more beautiful,’ he says. ‘Gently sloping grounds with uninterrupted views of the countryside, and the Mediterranean sparkling in the distance. It’s a peaceful and relaxing place.’
The charming six-bedroom farmhouse, in the Provencal village of Chateauneuf-Grasse, was owned by Sir Richard Attenborough and his wife, actress Sheila Sim, for more than 30 years. They bought the property, La Couale, on the advice of their friend, Sir Dirk Bogarde, who lived next door.
‘Dirk approached my dad to see if he was interested in buying La Couale, as he knew he was looking to buy a property in the area,’ explains Michael. ‘Much to his relief, my parents loved it and duly bought it.’
Director and actor Lord Attenborough – known throughout the showbusiness industry as Dickie – welcomed many of his close friends to La Couale for intimate dinner parties. Guests over the years included fellow actors Sir John Mills, Sir Roger Moore, Sir Ben Kingsley, Sir Michael Caine and David Niven. His brother, Sir David, was also a regular visitor.
One special occasion celebrated at La Couale was Lord Attenborough’s 80th birthday in 2003. It was the last time the family was fully united – just over a year later, Lord Attenborough lost his daughter Jane and granddaughter Lucy in the Boxing Day tsunami.
In the 1980s, Attenborough entirely renovated the property, which has 2,500 sq ft of living space, three bathrooms, a huge open-plan living room, a study/drawing room with a beamed ceiling, and a spacious dining room with wood-burning fireplace. Notable features outside include a swimming pool and hundreds of olive trees.
‘Dad had an extension built on the side of the house so it could accommodate children, grandchildren and other family members when they came to stay,’ says Michael, 66, who was awarded a CBE in 2013 for services to theatre.
‘He went to great lengths to ensure that any building work was in keeping with the rustic period look.
‘He also converted the top floor into a spacious office and living area, and would work on his scripts and other projects from there.
‘From his high vantage point he had magnificent views of the countryside and the Med.’
La Couale is on the market with a guide price of €2.5million – about £2.1million – with Sotheby’s International Realty. The price includes furniture and other selected belongings of the Attenboroughs.
LORD Attenborough – who as an actor starred in Brighton Rock, The Great Escape and Jurassic Park, and as a director and producer won two Oscars for Gandhi – was a passionate art collector. He often visited the Galerie Madoura in nearby Vallauris, which sold ceramic works by Pablo Picasso.
Even before buying the property, Lord Attenborough had long been passionate about France. Michael remembers spending many childhood summers in Cap d’Antibes, and driving to the finest Michelinstarred restaurants in the area in his father’s Rolls-Royce.
Lord Attenborough died two years ago aged 90, and Lady Attenborough died earlier this year aged 93, so now Michael and his sister Charlotte are selling the property.
‘Dad used to stay at La Couale about four or five times a year to get away from the hustle of London and Hollywood,’ says Michael. ‘He liked to lead a simple and uncomplicated life, and his Riviera retreat provided the perfect escape.’