In September 1928, Mademoiselle Chanel became the owner of her land located on the French Riviera to build villa “La Pausa”, the only of her houses she had designed and decorated on her own. On the same date and after 87 years, the house of Chanel announces the acquisition of the villa. 

Overlooking the sea and dominating Cap-Martin, the place was the fruit of Gabrielle Chanel’s desire to build a villa to her tastes where she frequently stayed during the 1920s in the company of the Duke of Westminster. Completed by January 1930, "La Pausa" evokes the architecture of Aubazine, the orphanage where Mademoiselle Chanel spent her adolescence.

Through simple and modern furniture, the French fashion designer injected a spirit of relaxation and informality into her home and used to receive all her friends, including the Duke of Westminster, Misia Sert, Jean Cocteau and Salvador Dali. After the Duke of Westminster passed away in 1954, Chanel sold “La Pausa” to American writer Emery Reves who brought the life back to the place.

Now that the house of Chanel gained possession of the residence, its founder’s life becomes a part of the brand’s heritage. It will be given a breath of new life through renovations to restore its original spirit and will resonate with Chanel’s culture and values.

Mirella Haddad