Chanel pledges €25 million for renovation of Grand Palais in Paris

By

Marion Deslandes

Translated by
Nicola Mira

Published
Feb 12, 2018

On Monday, the French Minister of Culture Françoise Nyssen presented the renovation project for the Grand Palais in Paris to the media. The budget for the project, whose work is planned to last for three years, from 2020 to 2023, is €466 million, of which €25 million have been pledged by Chanel, as the luxury label decided to play a part in the makeover of the building where it regularly shows its collections.

The purpose of the restoration and renovation work for the majestic building, created for the Paris Universal Expo of 1900, "is to safeguard the monument and add further appeal to the Grand Palais," said Françoise Nyssen. It will become a hub for art, science and culture, and will be ready to host the fencing and taekwondo events at the Paris Olympic Games of 2024.  

The building's 13,500 m2 nave, the largest in Europe, has for more than ten years been the home to Chanel's ready-to-wear and haute couture catwalk shows. It seemed logical to the Parisian label to contribute to its renovation, Chanel being the project's only private sponsor.

"Chanel and the Grand Palais have established a strong connection, initiated by Karl Lagerfeld in 2005. The Grand Palais, which hosts our catwalk shows within its exceptional nave, is much more than simply a monument in the heart of Paris for Chanel. Its exceptional architecture truly makes it a place of inspiration and creativity for Karl Lagerfeld. We are proud and happy to support the Grand Palais and its President Sylvie Hubac in the ambitious restoration and renovation project for this Parisian institution with a global vocation," said Bruno Pavlovsky, President of Chanel's fashion division. The amount pledged by Chanel, €25 million, is a figure hitherto unheard of for the restoration of a historical monument in France.

The exhibition areas will be redesigned, featuring fewer enclosed spaces and a single entrance, while a central avenue will extend along the building's entire length. The pièce de résistance will be the opening of a panoramic roof terrace, with reception and catering areas.