Villa La Pausa: Coco Chanel’s Iconic Riviera Home Reopens

Overlooking the deep blue of the Mediterranean, from the hills of Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, Villa La Pausa, the only residence ever designed by Coco Chanel herself, made a grand return to the Riviera's skyline in June 2025. The reopening marks a new chapter for one of the French Riviera’s most iconic and elegant properties.

A legacy of style and history

Built between 1929–1930, La Pausa was inspired by Coco Chanel’s childhood at the Cistercian monastery of Aubazine. With its cloistered courtyard, stone staircases, and signature simplicity, Villa La Pausa blends privacy with Riviera elegance. Chanel designed the villa down to the smallest detail, including her favourite colour palette and five-pane windows—a subtle nod to her legendary perfume, Chanel No. 5.

Villa La Pausa became the private retreat for Chanel, a setting where she hosted some of the greatest creative minds of the 20th century: Pablo Picasso, Jean Cocteau, Igor Stravinsky, and Salvador Dalí. Later, the villa became the residence of Emery Reves, where Winston Churchill was a regular visitor, using the location as a base for writing.

A dazzling reopening in 2025

After re-acquiring the property in 2015, the fashion house has completed a meticulous restoration led by architect Peter Marino, who has worked to return the property to its original splendour, complete with bespoke furniture, custom elements, and details including the reinstallation of the legendary beige piano, often the focal point of evening in the home during the ownership by Coco Chanel. A respectful nod to the legacy of such a setting and the endless potential of a globally known location.

The reopening in June 2025 was marked by a bold artistic event: a ballet performed on La Pausa’s tennis court. The performance featured renowned choreographer Boris Charmatz and dancer Johanna Lenke, accompanied by live music from American singer Alice Smith, a dramatic fusion of heritage and contemporary artistry that wowed guests from across the cultural, fashion, literary and art worlds.

Whilst La Pausa is not expected to be open to the general public, it is believed select cultural events will be held at the property in addition to a artists and writer residency starting in Autumn 2025, organized through the Chanel Cultural Fund. Adding to the excitement, Chanel is rumoured to be partnering with a cultural institution for future events; a collaboration expected to bring a fresh viewpoints and insights to the property with the potential for some public facing events on a limited basis.

A symbol of the Riviera's longevity and appeal

The restoration and reopening of this iconic property emphasize the global appeal of the French Riviera, a revival of the Côte d'Azur's golden age, where art, creativity, elegance, entrepreneurial spirit and exchange are once more at the forefront in a location known for its lifestyle and inspiration.

As avid enthusiasts of the French Riviera, its history and future alike, we welcome the reopening of La Pausa of look forward to seeing the cultural and artistic hub grow from strength to strength and inspire future owners to put their own take on the dramatic, exceptional, and inventive real estate landscape from modern masterpieces to heritage homes. Savills French Riviera specializes in exceptional estates and our dedicated team would be delighted to assist you in making your next move on this fascinating coastline.