Inside Jeffrey Epstein’s Parisian Lair: A Glimpse into a World of Opulence and Alleged Crimes
Newly released photographs are offering a disturbing look inside Jeffrey Epstein’s former Paris apartment, located at 22 Avenue Foch, one of the city’s most exclusive addresses. The images, published by Le Parisien and other news outlets, reveal a lavishly decorated space filled with unsettling details, prompting renewed scrutiny of Epstein’s activities in France and the network of associates who allegedly aided him.
A Luxurious Setting with Disturbing Details
The 740-square-meter (approximately 800 square feet) apartment, acquired by Epstein in 2002 for €3.5 million, was a frequent destination for the financier. It served as his European base, where he reportedly received numerous guests. The décor, described as opulent and kitsch, included an eclectic mix of items: a stuffed elephant calf, a stuffed vulture, and furniture adorned with animal parts like faux tiger skin and antelope horns. Rooms were decorated in bold colors, including a “Chinese room” with red wallpaper and dragon motifs, and a “pink room.”
Photographs taken during a 2019 investigation also show a red-walled massage parlor, which Paris prosecutors suspect was the scene of sexual assaults. Images depict Epstein alongside topless women within the apartment. The apartment boasted four reception rooms, a study, a dining room, a kitchen, a master suite with a dressing room and marble bathroom, a gym, and four bedrooms.
Connections to Jean-Luc Brunel and Ongoing Investigations
The release of these images coincides with ongoing investigations into Epstein’s alleged crimes in France. A key figure in these investigations is Jean-Luc Brunel, a French modeling agent who allegedly procured young women for Epstein. Brunel died by suicide in a French prison in 2022 while awaiting trial for rape. The photographs were initially taken during a 2019 investigation into alleged rapes committed by Brunel.
French prosecutors are now utilizing the millions of files released by the US justice department to build a more comprehensive picture of alleged criminal activity at the Avenue Foch apartment. They hope the release of the images will encourage more victims to come forward and testify. Innocence en Danger, a child protection group, reports receiving approximately ten accounts of alleged sex crimes linked to Epstein in France.
Financial Ties and High-Profile Associations
Epstein’s Parisian lifestyle was marked by significant financial expenditures. He reportedly spent hundreds of thousands of euros on interior design services, including €660,000 paid to the Pinto design firm between 2016 and 2017. The apartment was sold in 2022 for over $10 million to Georgi Tuchev, a Bulgarian plastics tycoon.
The Epstein files have also implicated Jack Lang, a former French culture minister, in alleged financial dealings with Epstein, leading to his resignation from his position at the Arab World Institute in Paris. While there is no suggestion of sexual misconduct, Lang is under investigation for suspected tax fraud.
The Apartment’s Layout and Design Choices
Beyond the unsettling imagery, the apartment’s layout reveals a space designed for both lavish entertaining and private encounters. A round reception room, known as the “rotunda,” offered views of the Arc de Triomphe and featured a bearskin rug on the floor. One bedroom contained twin beds and was less ostentatiously decorated than others. The walls of Epstein’s study were lined with red leather, and the apartment also included a sauna and a gym.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Where was Jeffrey Epstein’s Paris apartment located?
A: The apartment was located at 22 Avenue Foch, in the 16th arrondissement of Paris.
Q: When did Jeffrey Epstein purchase the apartment?
A: Epstein purchased the apartment in 2002.
Q: What happened to Jean-Luc Brunel?
A: Jean-Luc Brunel died by suicide in a French prison in 2022 while awaiting trial for rape.
Q: What is the current status of the investigations into Epstein’s activities in France?
A: French prosecutors have opened two latest investigations: one into human trafficking and another into alleged financial crimes.
Q: What was the approximate cost of the apartment when Epstein purchased it?
A: Epstein purchased the apartment for approximately €3.5 million.
Did you know? Epstein visited Paris more than 170 times, making the Avenue Foch apartment a central hub for his European activities.
Explore more coverage of the Epstein case and its global implications here.
