There is no doubt that fashion designer Coco Chanel (1883-1971) completely changed French women's fashion and is more responsible than anyone for the modern feminine dress we know. She was abandoned by her father at the age of 12 and after her mother's death, Gabrielle Chanel (her real name) was sent to live for several years in a convent where she learned the secrets of sewing. Thanks to her adventurous nature, she managed to become the mistress of a man with a horse breeding business, who exposed her to the high society of her time.
In 1909, Coco arrived in Paris and decided to open a hat business. Women's hats up until then were very large and bulky, and she immediately achieved success thanks to her small, elegant straw hats. From the field of hats, Chanel moved to clothing design and, true to her saying that "simplicity is the key to elegance," she created the little black dress in 1926, which became her trademark and revolutionized women's fashion. During World War II, Coco closed her business, but after the war ended she was forced to leave France due to an affair she had with a German officer. Despite this, in 1954 she made a successful comeback thanks to famous clients such as Jacqueline Kennedy, and since then her brand has gained immortal fame. A workaholic to the end, Chanel worked until one day before her death. She died at the Ritz Hotel on January 10, 1971. The itinerary before you passes through the main places where Chanel lived and created during her long stay in Paris, and focuses mainly on the prestigious first arrondissement.
Map of the itinerary following Coco Chanel
Coco Chanel's first store
Start your trip at the Opera metro. Go to Boulevard Capucines and then turn left onto Rue Cambon. At number 21 you will find the place where Chanel opened her hat shop in 1910. Today you will find the latest designs of her brand, created by Karl Lagerfeld.
The places where Coco Chanel lived
Go to number 31 where the apartment where she lived and worked is located (third floor). The place remains exactly as it was on the day she died and has become a kind of temple to her personal taste (Chinese screens, camellias, which appeared in her designs, etc.). Unfortunately, the place is not open to the general public. Note that although Coco spent most of her time in the apartment, she never slept in it (the apartment does not even have a bedroom).
Wondering where she slept? To do that, you have to cross the street and get to the Ritz Hotel on Place Vendome. Coco Chanel had a suite there and you too can, for the appropriate fee, sleep in the same bed she slept in.
Jewelry store and tea house that Coco Chanel loved very much
Head to Faubourg Saint Honoré and browse the showcases of the best fashion houses in Paris. At number 29, Coco had another apartment where she presented her famous jewelry exhibition in 1932 (she designed, among other things, a giant star-shaped scarf that contained 600 diamonds).
Continue on Castiglione Street and then turn left on Rivoli Street. At number 226 you will find the Angelina Tea House. Today it is a tourist trap but many decades ago Coco used to sit here and rest from her busy day at work.
More places where you can meet Chanel
Continue on Rue Rivoli until you reach the Arts Decoratifs Museum. The fashion exhibitions there change frequently, but there's a good chance you'll meet artists who were influenced by Coco Chanel.
Continue to the Palais Royal, whose history you can read about here. Didier Laudot, the king of French vintage, owns 3 stores there, one of which, La Petite Robe Noire (The Little Black Dress), is a homage to Coco Chanel's great creation, which she would surely have appreciated (the store is located at Galerie de Montpensier 20-24).
This is where the trip ends. If all this wasn't enough for you so far, why not see the next film starring Audrey Tautou?
Did you like the itinerary following Coco Chanel?
I highly recommend that you read Dr. Orna Lieberman's series of articles about Missia Sert , because Missia "made" Chanel and without her it would not have been so successful.
You are invited to check out the Paris itineraries I created especially for you. You will discover special itineraries following larger-than-life historical figures or in neighborhoods in Paris that I particularly love. All that is left for you is to choose the routes that you like the most and start traveling.
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An insightful and intriguing article. I didn't know about the existence of the museum you mentioned 🙁 Next time I'm in Paris, I'll visit! Thanks!
Thank you very much for the support 🙂
A very interesting article. Next time I'm in Paris I'll do this route for sure.
A small note: Coco Chanel's first store opened in Deauville (Normandy)
There is a small mention there about where the store was.
I would like to know if there is a map for the route of the fourth day, the Semitic and First Quarters.
I didn't quite understand the question...
Hi, how long is Coco Chanel's runway?
It's hard to know because it depends on your walking pace and how long you stop at each station.