John Taylor, leader in the luxury real estate since 1864

There was once a passionate young British gardener who decided to try his luck on the French Riviera. His name was… John Taylor. He first arrived on the fabulous Riviera at the age of 20, in a convergence of fate and serendipity that would forever link him to a history of cordial Franco-British relations and the rise of top class tourism in the South of France.

Lord Brougham discovered the charm and appeal of Cannes back in 1834. His enthusiasm and passion for the region quickly became well-known, and Cannes began to attract the wealthy English aristocracy. Lavish villas started cropping up all around Cannes, and its reputation began to attract the wealthiest members of the clergy, the most affluent among whom was none other than Thomas Robinson Woolfield.

Lord Brougham and Mr. Woolfield played a major role in the promotion of the region, and an increasing number of wealthy Englishmen were looking to acquire a spot on the famed French Riviera; however, a lack of professionals able to act as middleman between those pursuing the sale of their unused land and those in search of an exceptional property slowed the prosperity of the region down, and this shortage created a need.

In 1854, at the age of 20, John Taylor was asked by Mr. Woolfield to work as a gardener at his Cannes estate, and it was during this period that he began to mingle with high society. His expertise soon became apparent to those looking to purchase land on the celebrated Côte d’Azur, and thanks to his skill, flair and entrepreneurial talent, he rapidly became the point of reference for luxury real estate.

John Taylor opened the first real estate agency in 1864 at the age of 30. His remarkable reputation and huge success led to his being appointed as British Vice-Consul in Cannes and being made a Member of the Royal Victorian Order, and in 1884 he became… Sir John Taylor. Two years later, his son Walter joined forces with his father. In a true family spirit, Walter’s son Jack soon also came on board. John Taylor managed an exceptional portfolio for the British, French and American nobility and political class, among them the Prince of Wales, King Edward VII, the French Royal Family, Lord Brougham and William Gladstone. The company continued to expand, opening branches in Nice, Monaco, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat and Saint-Tropez, with its headquarters on the Croisette in Cannes.

Along with her husband George Montagu, Jack’s daughter Jacqueline directed the business after the Second World War, introducing spectacular development projects in Cannes. Owing to the family’s outstanding abilities, John Taylor became a privileged partner and friend of high society, including celebrities such as Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, Gregory Peck, Henry Fonda and Eddie Barclay, and many others.

An International Dimension

In the 1990s, John Taylor was acquired by Michel Pastor. To preserve John Taylor’s remarkable legacy and keep the flame of the family tradition alight, he appointed his daughter Delphine as President of the Group in 2006. The John Taylor Group has subsequently become one of the leading international players in luxury real estate.

Building on its initial presence in Monaco and on the French Riviera, John Taylor has expanded internationally to include more than 30 agencies in over 15 countries across Europe, the Middle East and India. In 2002, at a time when the French auction market was becoming highly competitive, the entrepreneur Nicolas Orlowski bought Artcurial, and quickly developed it into the top French auction house, specializing in over twenty-five areas of art, antiques, design furniture, jewelry and vintage automobiles. Artcurial became one of the leading international players in the auctions market, and in 2013 it created a partnership with John Taylor. The Artcurial Group acquired John Taylor in November 2017, succeeding Delphine Pastor, who had led the group successfully for over 10 years, thereby enabling it to offer its international clients a global service, and to expand and accelerate the synergies between the two companies. With this acquisition, Artcurial further developed its position as a European leader in intermediation and the sale of exceptional property. An acknowledged specialist in every area of expertise, the Group is now able to offer an international clientele the best possible services and advice on all kinds of exceptional assets.

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