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Live like Coco in the City of Lights celebrating her impact on fashion, fragrance and femininity.
This year Chanel No. 5 perfume celebrates 100 years of being the most ICONIC perfume ever created. Developed by Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel and famed perfumer Ernest Beaux, Chanel No. 5 revolutionized perfume blending different scents instead of using just one. Today, women worldwide simply dab a drop behind each ear to bring that quintessential French je ne sais quoi to their style.
Gabrielle Chanel lived her life with style. She grew up as an orphan, and the successes of an accomplished businesswoman gave birth to an extraordinary personality, who was bold and very much ahead of her time. Faithful friendships and passionate love affairs, as well as a thirst for culture, discovery and travel helped shaped her personality.
A wardrobe fluid and free from constraints featured masculine accents and created a visionary allure that has become timeless and yet wildly modern. She paired pearls and diamonds casually with her iconic fragrance to create her signature style, inspiring women around the globe.
Although not Parisian by birth, Coco made the City of Lights her own and left her mark throughout the town. In honor of the 100th anniversary of No. 5, here are the top five most dos for any Chanel lover in Paris.
Although not Parisian by birth, Coco made the City of Lights her own and left her mark throughout the town.
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THE RITZ
Live like Coco by making the legendary Ritz Paris your home base. The fashion diva lived at the hotel for 34 years, and today the second-floor suite she decorated pays homage to her style with a black and white color scheme, many mirrors, lacquered case goods and clean lines. The suite has views of the Place Vendome, the building that was the inspiration for the No. 5 bottle.
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Chanel
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CHANEL BOUTIQUE
Located at 31 Rue Cambon, the boutique Coco started in 1918 still stands. Before Coco moved to the Ritz, she lived above her shop. By 1935 there were five Chanel outlets on the street, making this a must stop to buy any number of Chanel classics in Paris. Today, shopping Chanel in Paris is as iconic as anything we know.
Angelina
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ANGELINA
Coco’s favorite café is a must for a mid-day caffeine boost or a cup of hot chocolate and a decadent pastry. Angelina always draws crowds as one of the best brunch places, and for good reason. In 1903, the confectioner Anton Rumpelmayer founded Angelina with his son, René, a tea house at No.226 Rue de Rivoli, named after his daughter-in-law.
The pastries attracted the likes of Proust, Coco Chanel and the biggest French fashion designers in the famous tearoom. The belle-epoque style salon has a restaurant, patisserie and cafe market, so if you enjoy your brunch pastry you can take extras to-go. The lavishly decorated brunch spot is famous for amazing hot chocolate, so make sure to come with a sweet tooth.
Theatre des Champs-Elysess
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THE THEATRE DES CHAMPS-ELYSEES
Chanel was a fierce lover of the arts and created the costumes for Le Train Bleu, a ballet that debuted at the Theatre des Champs-Elysess. Today visitors can take in a concert or performance at the venue.
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Le Grand Vefour
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LE GRAND VEFOUR
The 200-year-old, gorgeous Belle Equipe restaurant often hosted the designer and her stylish friends for gastronomique dinners. Today gourmands can enjoy the culinary creations of famed chef Guy Martin. Red velvet cushions, gold gilded framing and religious artwork from the 1600s make this a signature stop.