Russian emigration: the choice between homeland and European comfort

Emigration of the Russian aristocracy in the 19th-20th centuries

At the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th centuries, the Russian aristocracy, along with members of the intelligentsia, began to leave their homeland in large numbers. This phenomenon involved both temporary and permanent relocations. France and Switzerland became favored destinations for emigration.

The main reason for such significant migration was the unstable events in Russia, which threatened not only material well-being but also people's lives. Emigrants included both supporters of reforms and those seeking safe refuge. It is known that revolutionary ideas were actively discussed in Switzerland, which spread among future political figures and Protestants, includingVladimir Lenin.

As a result of the revolutionary upheavals, many, including Lenin, had financial assets in reliable European banks. As for the nobility, after 1917, many of them found refuge in France, particularly in cities like Paris and Nice.

Main centers of Russian emigration in France

In France, two key centers of attraction for Russian emigration can be identified:ParisandCôte d'Azur.

Since the mid-19th century, many began to move to the south of the country for leisure and residence. The Russian aristocracy, in particular, sought to go to Paris after the revolutionary events of October 1917. The second half of the 19th century marked the rise of Nice as a resort for the Russian nobility.

In 1856, the widowed empress arrived in the city.Alexandra Fyodorovnawhich, from 1859 to 1869, rented a villa named Bermond. Often, family members along with numerous servants—around two hundred people in total—came to visit her in Nice.

In the vicinity of the Villefranche bay, a plot of land was acquired, where buildings for the imperial family later appeared. Soon, Nice attracted around four hundred Russian families who owned their own houses and land parcels.

Statistics of the Russian colony in Nice

By 1913, the Russian colony in Nice numbered around three thousand three hundred people, and by 1930, this number had increased to more than five thousand compatriots who had left the country during the turbulent revolutionary years. During World War II, many of them found a new home inUnited States.

Villa "Kazbek" in Cannes

Grand DukeMikhail Mikhailovichand his spouseSophia NikolaevnaSince 1899, they have owned the "Kazbek" villa in Cannes, named after the peak of a mountain in Georgia. The family lived in comfort, with staff working to maintain the villa:

• five footmen
• butler
• maid
• nanny
• six cooks

Mikhail Mikhailovich fully financed the upkeep of the house and the staff from the income generated by the mineral water production in Borjomi. Later, the villa "Kazbek" became a home for their daughter, the countess.Nadezhda Mikhailovna de TorbiSince 1900, in addition to Cannes, Mikhail Mikhailovich also rentedKeele HallIn Staffordshire (England), spending only part of the year in Cannes.

The House of Grand Duke Alexei Alexandrovich

In addition, the Grand DukeAlexey AlexandrovichAdmiral and brother of Emperor Alexander III, he had his residence in Paris on Avenue Gabriel, which was located not far from the Champs-Élysées. He lived there until his death in 1908.

The Russian emigration in these places left a deep mark on history, influencing the development of cultural life both in France itself and in other countries where Russian emigrants migrated further.

Life after the revolution

After the historical events related to the revolution, Grand Duke Boris Vladimirovich and his wife Zinaida Rashevskaya found their new refuge in a Parisian mansion located on Marignan Street, not far from the famous Champs-Élysées. However, in the 1970s, this building was demolished to make way for a modern high-rise apartment building.

Boris Vladimirovich inherited precious emeralds from his mother, Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna. The proceeds from their sale allowed him to become the owner of the Sans Souci castle in Meudon, located near Paris. However, against the backdrop of World War II, the couple faced financial difficulties, which forced them to sell the castle and move to Rue de Fésandier in Paris. Later, the Sans Souci castle also disappeared, and modern buildings have now been erected in its place.

Family ties and acquisitions

Boris Vladimirovich's brother, Andrei Vladimirovich, who was the last representative of the Romanov dynasty, purchased the Alam villa in 1913, which has a magnificent view of the Mediterranean Sea, in Cap d'Ail. In 1921, he moved there with his wife, the famous ballerina Matilda Kshesinskaya, and lived in that house until 1936.

• Matilda struggled with a gambling addiction and regularly visited Monte Carlo.
• The villa was purchased with the funds of another prince — Sergey Mikhailovich, who, according to many historians, was the lover of Kshesinskaya and the father of her son Vladimir.

Gambling and villas

Grand Duchess Anastasia Mikhailovna was also fond of gambling and often visited the Monte Carlo casino. She owned a villa called "Fantasia" in the town of Eze, located near Nice. After the end of World War I, Anastasia moved there and spent her last days until 1922.

The abode of Nikolai Nikolaevich

Grand Duke Nikolai Nikolaevich, the uncle of the last Russian tsar Nicholas II, along with his wife Anastasia of Montenegro, settled in the Château de Chailly, which was located near Paris, in Saint-Denis. This member of the Romanov dynasty created a cozy atmosphere in his home by adding an Orthodox chapel.

However, in 1928, Nikolai Nikolaevich's health deteriorated, and he moved to the French Riviera, toAntibes, to the Villa Tenar, where he passed away the following year.

Cultural life of the Yusupovs

In 1920, Prince Felix Felixovich Yusupov and his wife Irina Romanova purchased a house in Boulogne-Billancourt, which is located in the suburbs of Paris. One side of the building was converted into a theater, designed by the artist Alexander Yakovlev. Every Saturday, social evenings were held here.

• The Yusupovs also had a house on Pierre Guerin Street in Paris.

Other notable figures

However, owning property in France was not limited to just members of the royal family and Russian aristocrats. For example, the famous opera singer Fyodor Shalyapin became the owner of a villa called Chanson ("Song") in Janvry, Essonne, near Paris, in 1938. This house was built in the first half of the 19th century, and two wings were added to it only in 1906.

In summary

These facts highlight the intriguing fates of representatives of culture and aristocracy who found themselves in exile. Each of them, despite the hardships and changes, continued to create a new existence, leaving a mark in history that is worth remembering. Forced to leave their homeland, they sought a new place in the sun, which created a remarkable mosaic of cultural and artistic traditions that they adhered to throughout their lives.

The property of a famous opera singer

The famous opera singer owned several prestigious properties in various countries across Europe. His villa in the picturesque Saint-Jean-de-Luz, located on the scenic coastline south of Biarritz and offering a magnificent view of the Bay of Biscay, deserves special attention.

In addition to this beautiful villa, his residential portfolio also included:

• an apartment in New York
• a house in sunny California,
• real estate in Austrian Tyrol.

In Paris, in one of his apartments, the artist completed his life's journey. He also had a dream of creating a magnificent mansion that, after his departure, could become a true refuge for young people facing difficulties in life, based on his inherited wealth.

The history of Russian emigration to the United Kingdom

When talking about the history of Russian emigration to the United Kingdom, it is worth noting that the first Russian settlers began to appear in London during the time of Boris Godunov. At that time, he sent young people abroad for education, but many of them decided to stay in their new location.

The increase in the number of Russians in London in the 19th century was linked to political circumstances.

Russian emigration to Switzerland after 1917

After the 1917 revolution, many Russian emigrants moved to Paris, while in Switzerland, mainly those who did not participate in politics remained. Before the revolution, many revolutionaries and intellectuals lived in this country, but they often rented housing, moving from one place to another.

The life of Vladimir Lenin in Zurich

Vladimir Ilyich Lenin lived in Zurich, renting apartments on Spiegelgasse and Geigergasse, as well as in Geneva and Bern. Spiegelgasse is an address that has become part of the history of the Russian revolutionary movement in Zurich. However, the apartment where Lenin lived did not please his wife, Nadezhda Konstantinovna. In her memoirs, she described it as an old, gloomy building that was about four hundred years old, and the windows could only be opened at night due to unpleasant odors coming from the neighboring sausage shop.

Herzen's move to Switzerland

Some Russian emigrants arrived in Switzerland from other European countries. For example, Herzen, who moved from London, became the owner of a property called Boissière in Geneva in the 1860s. This house, surrounded by terraces, was simply referred to as "the dacha." Below are the features of this mansion:

• On the lower floor, there were kitchens and facilities for the service staff.
• On the first floor, there was a large dining room, a living room, and an office.
• The bedrooms are located on the upper levels.
• An extensive garden with green plantings surrounds the house.
• In front of the entrance was a well-kept lawn, surrounded by paths leading to the garden.

From 1838 to 1860, this mansion belonged to Grand Duchess Anna Fedorovna, the widow of Konstantin, who was also a claimant to the Russian throne.

Herzen's visits to Zurich

Throughout his life, Herzen periodically visited Zurich, looking for a place to live. In 1868, he noted that there were many furnished houses in the city, priced around 2500 francs, but it was possible to negotiate the price down to 2250 francs. However, in the end, Herzen did not stay in Zurich for long, as the city did not leave a strong impression on him.

Pavel Biryukov

Among the emigrants who became citizens of Switzerland was Pavel Biryukov —writerandactivistand a close friend of Leo Tolstoy. In the 1920s, he lived in his own house in the commune of Onex, located in the canton of Geneva.

Sergei Rachmaninoff in Switzerland

In 1932, the famous composer Sergei Rachmaninoff purchased a plot of land in Hertenstein, near the picturesque Lake Lucerne, and built a villa there, named "Senar." He lived here with his wife until 1939. This Russian estate attracted the attention of the locals due to its magnificent garden, which featured thousands of rose specimens. It was in this house that Rachmaninoff completed his work on his...Rhapsody on a theme by Paganiniandthird symphony.

Real estate abroad

Having real estate abroad, emigrants created their reliable assets in case of unforeseen political or economic upheavals. The new residents of Switzerland formed a unique history, part of which is still preserved in the collective memory. This special inclination towards movement and the search for new homes was particularly evident during turbulent times when many sought stability and comfort, fleeing from conflicts and revolutionary events.

The living conditions of Russian emigrants

The living conditions of Russian emigrants in Switzerland reflected the overall picture of a fragmented and wandering community, where each individual sought to create or maintain the most comfortable and safe conditions for their life, despite the increasing difficulties.

Conclusion

Through the prism of time, we can observe how the fates of Russian aristocrats and cultural figures intertwined with historical events and changing realities, forcing them to seek refuge far from their homeland. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, many of them found salvation in the expanses of France and Switzerland, where, as experience showed, life often promised to be more peaceful and predictable. They left behind not only their native lands but also a historical memory that still lives on in the names of streets, architecture, and the cultural life of these countries.

Russian emigration in France

Paris and the French Riviera have become places where Russian emigration created its small communities, preserving the unique atmosphere of their homeland in exile. Here, on the streets of Nice and Paris, aristocrats continued to live in luxury, enjoying privileges that were often foreign to them in their native country. Remembering great princes like Mikhail Mikhailovich and their families, one cannot help but mention the wealth and beauty that surrounded them even in exile.

Cultural heritage

These Russian immigrants have not lost their identity; on the contrary, they have created a unique cultural layer that is now an integral part of European cultural heritage. Through their rich traditions in theater, music, and cuisine, they have enriched France and made it a part of their history. Street operas, social balls, and theatrical performances organized by the emigrants have become symbols of the resilience and perseverance of the Russian spirit.

The hardships of life in exile

• Financial difficulties
• Job search
• The desire to preserve cultural identity

However, life in exile was full of challenges. Many had to face financial difficulties, job searches, and the struggle to maintain their cultural identity far from their homeland. Each family had its unique circumstances, reflecting the complex picture of Russian emigration, from the rapid flourishing in cozy villas to the hard days of wars and hardships.

Lessons to remember

In conclusion, it is important to remember that Russian emigration in the early 20th century is not just a collection of biographies and stories about lost legacies. It is a living reminder of how history can change people's destinies and how cultural continuity can be preserved even in the most difficult conditions. Our task is not only to remember these destinies but also to learn from their example.

In this diversity of fates, love for culture, and unquenchable hope for a better future, I find inspiration and deep respect. These stories continue to live in our collective consciousness and serve as an important lesson about the strength of the spirit and human resilience.