Lavender, irises and 800-year-old olive trees: Chanel reveals Coco Chanel’s restored residence
The designer’s enchanting gardens on the French Riviera
Fashion house Chanel has completed an extensive restoration of the gardens surrounding Coco Chanel’s iconic La Pausa residence on the French Riviera.
The main goal of the project was to restore the garden surrounding the estate in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin to the atmosphere of the 1930s, when the designer purchased the roughly four-hectare property overlooking the Mediterranean and named it La Pausa.
The residence became a place of rest, inspiration and gatherings with friends for Chanel. It was here that she spent time away from Paris and the fashion world. In 1953, however, the designer sold the estate to publisher Emery Reves.
Today, the restoration of the house and gardens has been overseen by American architect Peter Marino, who has worked with Chanel for many years and has designed numerous boutiques and offices for the fashion house.
Together with the Chanel Heritage team, Marino studied archival materials to understand what La Pausa looked like during Coco Chanel’s lifetime.
One of the estate’s defining features remains its olive trees. Around 250 grow across the grounds, and some are estimated by experts to be approximately 800 years old.
In the evening, the ancient olive trees are given a particularly striking illumination. Small LED lights have been installed directly on the branches, with the beams directed downward. In the darkness, the trees consequently resemble silhouettes illuminated by moonlight.
Particular attention was also paid to lavender and irises. They were planted in large expanses, creating distinct areas of colour.
On the slope in front of the house, the lavender appears to flow down towards the road. In France, this style of planting is known as «coulée» — literally, «flow».
The garden also has a special connection to Chanel’s world of fragrance. Jasmine and iris are among the aromatic components associated with the legendary Chanel N°5. Their presence at La Pausa is therefore far more than a decorative detail.
Today, La Pausa remains a private Chanel residence and is not open to the general public. From time to time, however, the property hosts corporate events, photo and film shoots, as well as creative residencies.
Photo: Architectural Digest
