This June, the Villa Paloma unveiled Les Années folles de Coco Chanel, a captivating new exhibition dedicated to the creative brilliance of Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel during the exuberant 1920s on the Côte d’Azur.

The opening ceremony, held on the 19th June, was attended by Princess Caroline of Hanover, joined by her daughters Charlotte Casiraghi and Princess Alexandra, as well as Alexandra’s partner, Ben‑Sylvester Strautmann (see photo below). Princess Caroline’s presence, as President of the  Nouveau Musée National de Monaco board, underscored the exhibition’s cultural weight and its celebration of the intersection between fashion and the arts.

Curated by Célia Bernasconi, the exhibition brings together more than 200 works. Among them are 30 iconic Chanel ensembles and accessories, paired with 40 pieces by artistic giants like Picasso, Van Dongen, Laurencin, Gontcharova, Delaunay, and Cocteau. Vintage photography by Man Ray and Edward Steichen adds further depth to this visually rich journey.

The exhibition unfolds across three thematic chapters:

• Outdoor Living & Seaside Leisure Highlighting Chanel’s revolutionary jersey garments designed for an active lifestyle on golf courses, tennis courts, and yachts.
 
• Ballets Russes & Slavic Influence Featuring Chanel’s famed Le Train Bleu costume, a collaboration with Jean Cocteau and inspired by the Monte-Carlo ballet scene.
 
• The Birth of Riviera Style Showcasing Chanel’s early Riviera boutique in Monte-Carlo, the launch of her iconic No. 5 perfume in Grasse in 1921, and the creation of her Villa La Pausa in 1928.

Complementing the historical content, contemporary artist Chloé Royer offers a modern counterpoint with her sculptural installation Of Limbs and Other Things, which explores themes of feminine identity and transformation—echoing Chanel’s own legacy.

Exhibition Information:

• Dates: 19 June – 28 September 2025
• Opening Hours: Daily 10:00–18:00 (11:00–19:00 in July and August)
• Admission: €6 (reduced €4); free entry on Sundays

Les Années folles de Coco Chanel is not just an exhibition—it is an ode to Chanel’s radical influence on fashion, femininity, and freedom. Through the lens of the Riviera’s golden age, it paints a portrait of a woman who reshaped modern style and cultural expression.

If you’re in Monaco this summer, don’t miss this elegant journey into the heart of Chanel’s artistic revolution.

^{This article originally appeared on Gay French Riviera}

All images courtesy Villa Paloma; video courtesy MonacoInfo