Ever dreamed of staying in Gabrielle Chanel’s legendary French Riviera villa? La Pausa has long been a mythical hideaway for artists and icons, perched above the Mediterranean in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin. But before you click “Book Now” on that tempting listing you saw online — stop.
While researching this story, we noticed that a property named “La Pausa” pops up on popular booking platforms like Booking.com. Be careful: that is not Chanel’s original villa. The true La Pausa, designed and built by Coco Chanel herself in 1928, is strictly private and now managed by Chanel as part of their cultural heritage program.
After an extensive restoration led by star architect Peter Marino, the real La Pausa reopened recently, but it isn’t a hotel, a rental villa, or a resort. It operates exclusively as a private residence and creative retreat, accessible only by invitation. You won’t find it on mainstream booking sites, and there’s no nightly rate posted online. In fact, Chanel hasn’t shared the price at all — it remains a closely guarded secret, adding to the property’s mystique.
How to Book (Hint: You Probably Can’t) and What It Costs
So, how do you actually stay at La Pausa Villa by Chanel? You can’t simply reserve a room or request a week-long holiday. Instead, potential guests must be personally invited by Chanel, typically as part of private cultural events or special collaborations. If you’re determined to try, the only official channel (pun intended) is through Chanel directly, via their dedicated La Pausa page: chanel.com/rs/about-chanel/la-pausa.
The La Pausa Villa by Chanel has a rich backstory: it was Gabrielle Chanel’s personal escape from Parisian high society pressures, a place where she hosted the likes of Salvador Dalí and Jean Cocteau, and where wild dinner parties mixed with artistic experimentation. Today, Chanel aims to continue that spirit, using La Pausa as a platform for arts and cultural programming rather than as a commercial hotel.
If you come across listings that claim to offer stays at “La Pausa” on the Côte d’Azur, double-check the fine print. While there may be beautiful villas with similar names (or even marketing spin to cash in on Chanel’s legacy), none of them can offer the original magic of this cliffside retreat overlooking the Bay of Monaco.
For now, the only way to enjoy La Pausa is to score that ultra-rare invitation — or simply admire it from afar as a piece of living fashion history.
LocalsInsider tip:
If you’re in love with Riviera vibes but can’t get into La Pausa, explore our guides to under-the-radar luxury stays on the French Riviera, the best watsu hotels, and authentic places to visit across France, including curated winebars in Paris.
