Legendary French actor Alain Delon retreated from the public eye to enjoy a more private life in his later years. He was able to do this in his French country home, where he indulged in the simple pleasures of life. The pictures of this home offer a touching look at the star’s cherished moments before his death.

Alain passed away at 88 on August 18, 2024. The actor’s health had been fragile for years after having a stroke in 2019 and a slow-developing lymphoma diagnosed in 2022.

His kids announced the actor’s death in a joint statement while asking for privacy as they mourned their father. They wrote, “Alain-Fabien, Anouchka, Anthony, as well as [his dog] Loubo, are deeply saddened to announce the passing of their father.”

The statement also read, “He passed away peacefully in his home in Douchy, surrounded by his three children and his family.” Alain lived in a mansion he built in that village, in a wooded estate 120km southeast of Paris.

This serene haven, steeped in nostalgia, would ultimately become Alain’s final home, hidden away and surrounded by everything he held dear.

The gorgeous home, now called Domaine de la Brûlerie, formerly went by Château de Douchy and was Alain’s home for 51 years.

The actor stayed at this home with his son, Alain-Fabien, and his other kids would visit him occasionally. The place was off-limits to the public, and according to Alain-Fabien, it wasn’t in a great state, as “Everything keeps breaking down and the electricity doesn’t work.”

Alain bought over 100 hectares of property, nestled in the heart of the Loiret region, in 1971, and it eventually became his final home. The mansion, his haven of peace, overlooks the Quanne Valley.

Alain’s estate is a well-guarded sanctuary, reflecting his love for privacy and unique lifestyle. The place is an enclave of greenery, and the actor was surrounded by his animals at home.

Alain Delon’s home also reflected his deep appreciation for art. It is filled with paintings, unique objects, and bronzes that hold special significance for him.

Among these are renowned works by Rembrandt Bugatti, one of the world’s most celebrated animal sculptors. Alain also had an apartment in Paris on Quai Kennedy. With his love for majestic sculptures, that apartment had royal tigers and lions, blending his passion for art with his love for cinema.

The actor’s status as a devoted art collector was highlighted by a significant sale organized by Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr in 2023.

The home also boasts a dreamlike family oasis designed for the enjoyment of both young and old. Alain transformed the property by razing an existing structure to create a serene pond and beach area.

The pond with a small sandy beach is near a dog cemetery, where around 50 of his beloved pets were laid to rest. Alain once said, “My whole life is there, in the graves of my dogs.”

Alain’s deep love for his four-legged companions is evident in how he cared for them in life and honored them in death. On the grounds of his home, the 50 dogs found eternal rest, each with its own headstone, some buried alongside their mates.

Alain created this cemetery to keep them close, and it is where he once requested to be buried. This would ensure he would remain forever near those he cherished most. The actor said he had obtained permission to be buried in his chapel among his dogs.

When Loubo, his Malinois shepherd, was three years old, he revealed that he wouldn’t take another dog if he were to die before him. He referred to Loubo as his “end-of-life dog.”

The actor noted, “I have a special relationship with this one. He annoys me because he won’t go up the stairs, so I don’t sleep with him, but I will. He’s got a temper and doesn’t like everybody. I miss him when I’m not with him.”

Alain also mentioned that if he died before Loubo, he would arrange for the vet to put the dog to sleep in his arms. He preferred this over the idea of his dog suffering and grieving at his grave.

As for inside his mansion, the home includes an indoor swimming pool, a gym, and a games room filled with pinball machines, a poker table, slot machines, and other arcade games.

Alain also expanded the stables, adding a spacious house to complete this idyllic retreat. Mireille Darc, his longtime partner, played a key role in crafting the interiors of his various homes.

She is credited for designing the Quai Kennedy apartment, the house in Aix-en-Provence, and the La Brûlerie estate. According to Anthony, Mireille was deeply involved in the décor, shaping the spaces to fit their way of life.

Today, the estate is secured by fences and high walls, but back in the day, it was also a hub of activity. Alain even organized boxing training sessions for champion Jean-Claude Bouttier. This boxer once challenged Argentina’s Carlos Monzón for the world title in 1973.

The property was transformed into a life-size training camp, complete with a giant boxing ring set among the trees, about 100 meters from the house.

Mireille was also responsible for preparing vitamin-enriched juices for the athletes, ensuring they were well-nourished during their rigorous training sessions.

Alain’s home was his safe space, but it was also where he lived when his three children were embroiled in a bitter feud over their father’s legacy. This sibling’s conflict was marked by public accusations, legal battles, and secret recordings.

Anthony, his eldest son, accused his half-sister Anouchka of deception regarding their father’s cognitive health. Meanwhile, Anouchka claimed Anthony’s aggressive behavior was too much for their father to handle.

Their younger half-brother, Alain-Fabien Delon, sided with Anthony, sharing a recording that allegedly revealed Anouchka’s manipulations.

The family’s disputes also extended to Alain’s medical care after his 2019 stroke. This was further complicated by a lawsuit from Alain’s housekeeper, rumored to be his former partner, Hiromi Rollin, who accused the children of neglect.

Even with these squabbles, Alain was happy and grateful for the life he lived. During a 1987 morning show, he was asked, “Do you have any regrets?” The actor quickly answered, “No, I have no regrets.”

He reflected on his fortunate career, noting that he never had to make a film out of necessity. As a producer for two decades, Alain was able to handpick the projects and collaborators that interested him.

He expressed pride in having done everything on his own terms, describing it as a tremendous privilege. So, Alain lived a long and fulfilling life, spending his final years in the comfort of a home he loved.