“The Ritz Is My Home”: discover the Coco Chanel Suite at the Ritz Paris

Heloisa Lima

One of Paris’s most prestigious hotels was the home of Coco Chanel throughout her life. The Ritz, known as one of the first hotel-palaces in Paris and one of the largest in the world, was where the designer chose to spend her finest moments. Opened in 1906, the property created by famed hotelier César Ritz was intended to become the ultimate destination for guests seeking great luxury and utmost comfort.

Although the designer had an entire floor dedicated to a luxurious private apartment within her boutique on Rue de Cambon just a few meters away, she decided to move to the Ritz in 1937, making Suite No. 302 her new home. It didn’t take long for Gabrielle to feel at ease amid the hotel’s luxury and elegance, and little by little, she complemented the décor with her favorite furnishings until she fully redecorated the space.

Suite No. 302 was Coco Chanel’s home for 34 years, remaining her residence until her final days. In her honor, the room was renovated and reopened under the name “The Coco Chanel Suite.” Since the renovation, the suite—now open to the public—has fulfilled the dreams of countless fans of the designer around the world.

Despite a lifetime of success, in 2012 the hotel closed for an extensive four-year overhaul and the suite underwent a second renovation, this time moved down one floor to Suite 202 to offer a better view of the Place Vendôme and its famous column—a striking scene that inspired the octagonal stopper of Chanel’s first perfume, Chanel No. 5.

The restoration of the new room was carried out with the help of Karl Lagerfeld, who led the Chanel brand for 36 years, to recreate Coco Chanel’s world. The designer’s assistance brought unique fabrics, furnishings, and décor to every inch of Suite 202.

“The Ritz is my home,” she would say to visitors admiring its rock crystal chandeliers and art collection; her suite was a timeless world, and the Ritz Paris has masterfully preserved it.