A Provencale Love Story
At the heart of Fayence, not far from Grasse, out his final dream where it all began
Adored throughout the globe for his breathtaking creations, the Chateau de La Colle Noire was to be his last retreat. In 1951, Christian Dior acquired the legendary Provencal country house that was to inspire him to create the Dior brand. Although neglected and rundown, Christian Dior, ever the visionary, saw its great potential. From the cool room to the guest rooms, Dior’s Chateau de La Colle Noire reflected an epicurean lifestyle enveloped in sunshine and beauty. The chateau was his Provencal resort, a place where he celebrated everything that was magical, romantic and glorious about the south of France. And it was here at the Chateau de La Colle Noire that Christian Dior bared his soul. A large agricultural domain on which the couturier cultivated fragrant roses, vines and jasmine, Grasse was where Dior and his family took refuge during the tumultuous years of the Occupation. And it was here, that Dior first found the inspiration to create his first perfumes—the pillars of the Dior legend that are Miss Dior, Eau Fraiche, Diorama, Diorissimo and Eau Sauvage. Upon his death in 1957, the chateau was inherited by his sister Catherine Dior and Raymonde Zehnacker, one of his closest colleagues. Then in 1968, the Dior Chateau was sold to the Laroches. But situated in
Christian Dior lived