The Paris Apartment
Jeffrey Epstein owned a prestigious apartment in Paris’s 7th Arrondissement, one of the city’s most exclusive neighborhoods. The apartment:
- Was located near the Rue du Bac area, close to elite French political and social circles
- Served as Epstein’s base when he was in Europe
- Was used for social gatherings with European elites, scientists, and potential victims
Ghislaine Maxwell’s London-Paris Axis
Ghislaine Maxwell maintained a townhouse in London and traveled frequently to Paris, creating a London-Paris operational corridor for Epstein’s European network. Maxwell:
- Maintained connections to French society through her father Robert Maxwell’s media empire connections
- Introduced Epstein to French social circles
- Coordinated with Jean-Luc Brunel’s Paris-based modeling operations
Jean-Luc Brunel and France
Jean-Luc Brunel was the central French figure in Epstein’s network:
- He operated modeling agencies in both Paris and New York
- His Paris operations served as a recruitment base for victims from continental Europe
- Multiple French women described being recruited through Brunel’s Paris connections and brought to Epstein
The French Investigation
French judicial authorities opened a preliminary investigation in 2019, investigating sex trafficking. Key aspects:
- The investigation focused on events that occurred on French territory
- French victims came forward with accounts of Epstein and Brunel’s activities in Paris
- Brunel was arrested at Charles de Gaulle Airport in December 2020
Brunel’s Death
Jean-Luc Brunel was found dead in his cell at La Santé Prison in Paris on February 19, 2022. His death was ruled a suicide. The timing — as trial preparations were underway — drew suspicion from victims and their advocates.
The French Victims
Multiple women provided accounts to French investigators about recruitment in France. Some described being approached at Parisian modeling agencies and fashion events before being introduced to Epstein.