Chanel returns to the Grand Palais

In less than a month, Chanel will return to its tradition of hosting runway shows under the glass roof of the Grand Palais. As the exclusive patron of the site’s restoration, the Rue Cambon Maison surprised many by announcing it would double its financial support for the iconic Parisian building.

From 2005 to 2020, Chanel transformed the Grand Palais into the ideal setting for its Haute Couture and Ready-to-Wear collections. Under the artistic direction of Karl Lagerfeld and later Virginie Viard, the historic monument has hosted everything from supermarkets and airport halls to space stations, mountain villages, and Versailles gardens. Over the years, the venue has become inseparable from Chanel’s runway presentations.

Chanel strengthened its connection to the Grand Palais in 2018 when it became the exclusive patron of the building’s renovation and modernization, originally pledging 25 million euros. This included refreshing the paint on the metal frame and walls, restoring mosaics, and adding elevators. After 18 months of closure and a partial reopening for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Grand Palais will fully reopen on October 1 at 10:30 a.m. for Chanel’s Spring-Summer 2025 show during Paris Fashion Week.

Chanel as Grand Patron of the Grand Palais

This week, Chanel also announced a 30-million-euro commitment to support the artistic and cultural programming at the Grand Palais from 2024 to 2028. This five-year partnership will be overseen by Chanel’s endowment fund, which already collaborates with institutions like the Palais Galliera and the Paris National Opera.

«The Grand Palais is an incredible dream machine. For us, it is one of the places that embodies the spirit of Chanel, just like Rue Cambon or Place Vendôme,» said Bruno Pavlovsky, Chanel’s President of Fashion. «We are proud to continue our commitment to this important cultural institution. The transformation of the Grand Palais will have a significant impact on Paris and France’s global reputation. Like the Eiffel Tower, the Grand Palais will stand the test of time.»

«Most of our competitors have their own foundations. We do not have art collections to promote or interests in the art market, but Chanel has always been, and will remain, a patron of culture to ensure Paris shines,» he explained in a recent interview with Le Figaro.

The Grand Palais’ new multidisciplinary programming will blend fine arts, contemporary art, celebrations, and live performances, according to Didier Fusillier, President of the Réunion des Musées Nationaux and the Grand Palais.

While the future of Chanel’s creative direction remains uncertain as the house awaits the announcement of Virginie Viard’s successor, one name will forever be linked to the venue: that of Gabrielle Chanel, now etched into the stone at the entrance of the Grand Palais’ nave.