Edith Piaf’s ‘love boat’ on sale at Sotheby’s

French singer Edith Piaf’s ‘love boat’, which she was rumoured to use for secret trysts, is up for sale at Sotheby’s International Realty for just shy of £1.5million.

According to the Daily Mail, the 100ft Flamant Rose, or ‘Pink Flamingo’ in English, supposedly served as a love nest for Piaf and French-Algerian boxer Marcel Cerdan.

The current owner is celebrity hypnotist and author Valerie Austin, whose husband James Pool, bought the boat for her as gift 25 years ago.

“Edith Piaf had the boat when it was her happy time, before her boyfriend was killed,” Austin told the Evening Standard. 

“She used to do séances there because it has an iron hull, which is supposed to be spiritually electric. I’ve had quite a few top psychics on board, and they all love the feeling of it.”

Previously moored on the Seine in Paris, the Flamant Rose was sailed to the UK and has resided in St Katherine’s Dock marina in London since the late 1990s.

Sotheby’s International Realty’s website describes the Flamant Rose as ‘an open concept design which incorporates a wonderful setup for indoor/outdoor entertaining. The historic charm of the yacht is felt throughout and the large study and fully fitted galley area leading to the expansive bedroom/boudoir which encapsulates the romantic environment reminiscent of Edith Piaf’s style.’

Guy Bradshaw, who is handling the sale, says: “The Flamant Rose is not just a houseboat, you are owning a unique piece of history with arguably one of the world’s most romantic stories.”