John Taylor remains the property partner for the world's most discerning proprietors.

History

John Taylor, 150 years of history...

The company has developed impressively since the arrival of John Taylor (1834-1922) on the French Riviera at the age of 20. Fate had chosen him for a fabulous destiny, commanding the history of Franco-British relations and the development of tourism on the Côte d'Azur.

John Taylor began his career in Cannes, a charming, small fishing village, which, with its pleasant climate, attracted the English aristocracy. It was during this time that John Taylor worked as a gardener for Reverend Woolfield, one of the most emblematic figures of the Riviera during the Belle Epoque, allowing him to mingle with the wealthy community that spent the winter on the Riviera, and with whom he enjoyed a privileged and exclusive relationship.

Estate agencies didn't exist at the time, but thanks to his talent, imagination and knowledge of the area, John Taylor was constantly called upon to find and negotiate transactions for the most desirable properties and plots of land.

His success was such that in 1864, at the age of 30, this young entrepreneur created his own estate agency in Cannes. He also opened a bank so that his clients could deposit money there. He later opened a wine and spirits business, a reading room, a tea room, and even a furniture and luggage storage service.

John Taylor counted among his clientele the most illustrious celebrities of the era. He went on to become British Vice-Consul in Cannes, and in 1884 was made a member of the Royal Order of Queen Victoria.

A family business

The business became a family one with the help of John's son, Walter (1863-1918). Thanks to his amicable, accessible character and knowledge of the local patois, Walter enjoyed great popularity amongst ordinary folk - gardeners, tradesmen and fishermen - who kept him abreast of local matters during the entire pre-war period.

In his office in Cannes, John received some of the most important figures in world history: the Prince of Wales; King Edward VII; the Royal Family; members of the French nobility, including the Duke of Alençon, the Count of Paris, the Duke of Guise and the Duke of Vendôme; leading English families; Lord Brougham; Mr. Gladstone; diplomats; wealthy Americans; and rich colonials.

Together, father and son managed an exceptional business. As France's south coast became the place to be during the summer, John Taylor retained its prestigious reputation as a leader in luxury real estate.

John Gray Taylor, or "Jack" (1890-1944), Walter's son, joined his grandfather's enterprise and showed just as much spirit, gall and character. This family team operated a flourishing business together until 1918 when, following the death of his father, Jack ran the company alone.

As travelling became easier, Jack capitalized upon a rapidly changing world to further expand the firm. He set up John Taylor Insurance, and in 1926, he opened a branch in Nice. Other agencies opened soon thereafter: Monaco (1927), Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat (1930), Saint-Tropez (1961), and Villa Saint Michel on the Croisette in Cannes (1964), which ultimately became the company's head office.

In the aftermath of World War II, Jack's daughter, Jacqueline, with the help of her husband Georges Montagu, took over the family business at the age of 25. It was during this period that the company introduced a wildly successful property development department that is responsible for some of the most spectacular development projects in Cannes.

Since the company's debut, John Taylor's clientele, formerly sourced from the British aristocracy, has comprised a wealth of international celebrities from the arts, high finance and politics, including the likes of Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, Gregory Peck, Henry Fonda and later, Brigitte Bardot, Charles Aznavour and Eddie Barclay.

International dimension

In the 1990s, a meeting with Michel Pastor proffered a business opportunity that would breathe new life into a trade name already synonymous with fine real estate. Upon its acquisition by the Michel Pastor group, John Taylor took on an international dimension with the establishment of new agencies not only in France but also worldwide.

In 2006, Michel Pastor, upholding the family philosophy so characteristic of the John Taylor tradition, named his daughter Delphine as president at the age of 28.

For over 150 years, John Taylor remains the property partner to the international elite. Such longevity is not due to chance but rather the result of a succession of entrepreneurial men and women whose commitment to excellence and perfection ensured the perpetuation of their savoir-faire and unbeatable work ethic. Credit is also due to the professionalism and dynamism of those collaborators who, with their comprehensive knowledge of the luxury market, made it their personal commitment to fulfill the desires of a discerning clientele.