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French Riviera mega-mansion faces being bulldozed

Oliver Gee
Oliver Gee - [email protected]
French Riviera mega-mansion faces being bulldozed
All photos: chateauditer.com

A mega-rich French businessman was given a six-month extension to show legal documents to prove he had the right to build so many extravagant add-ons to what was once a humble farmhouse on France's Riviera.

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Château Diter is a sprawling Renaissance palazzo in the heart of the French Riviera, and often plays host to the weddings and parties of the rich and famous. 
 
It features three swimming pools, a couple of helipads, fountains, statues, a temple... all overlooking the French Riviera. 
 
But perhaps not for long. 
 
 
A court in nearby Grasse said on Thursday that the owner, Patrick Diter, must provide full legal documents to prove that he has had permission to build the site's numerous add-ons, reported Le Monde newspaper
 
If he can't, the building will be demolished.
 
The case made headlines across France after irate residents complained about the noisy Gatsby-esque parties that were being held on the premises. 
 
 
Nearby neighbours say that the add-ons have repeatedly cropped up without any notice, and that Diter is simply requesting permission retroactively. 

He has also been accused of fraud, with neighbours saying that he blatantly flouted planning and environmental laws, despite regular complaints to the Grasse town hall.
 
Time will tell if Diter can manage to come up with any documents, but in the mean time, you can't help but admire the work he has done. 
 

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