This Luxury Swiss Chalet with Links to Coco Chanel Is For Sale

The Chalet L’Arole represents a rare opportunity for a discerning buyer to craft the perfect home for every season, as well as owning an extraordinary slice of Swiss history.

Chalet L’Arole is an Unparalled Property in Beautiful Villars, Switzerland

Built in 1904, and with historical links to the Chanel perfume dynasty, the superb Chalet L’Arole in Villars has now been fully modernised to cater for the most discerning tastes. An award-winning and sustainably focused renovation sees it now offering eight bedroom suites on a substantial plot in this sought-after alpine resort.

Located in the exclusive Chesières enclave of Villars which offers four of the best international schools, including the world-renowned Aiglon and Beau Soleil colleges, within walking distance, Chalet L’Arole is also surrounded by the best ski slopes in the region. Villars offers 117 ski runs in winter as well as fabulous walking in the spring and summer, meaning that L’Arole truly is a home for all seasons.

Charlie Willis, of the eponymous CW London, says: ‘Villars-sur-Allon is a magnet for those international education elites with some of the most renowned and unrivalled colleges in the world. Being located in this sparsely populated, even un-peopled and tranquil, yet hugely picturesque and conveniently located Alpine all season resort – as well as being known for skiing as much as it is for summer retreats – Chalet L’Arole is utterly unique.  This precious family home has only been owned by 2 families in the last 70 years.’

Renowned for its natural beauty, Villars is a firm favourite with Europe’s discreetly wealthy. The enclave’s proximity to Geneva and its huge ski area spanning Les Diablerets, Gryon and Glacier 3000, make it a failsafe both for families and late-season skiing. Villars boasts both nursery slopes and stellar ski schools but advanced skiers will have to opt for off-piste routes as the resort is all about its huge variety of blue and red runs. Foodies are attracted by the rustic mountain restaurants such as Lac des Chavonnes and Auberge du Col de Soud and it’s fun to take the old mountain railway which transports skiers to the mountain top.

The Chalet has only had two owners since being built in the early 20th century, one of whom, Laurent Normand, was the General Manager of Chanel in Paris. While there is no documentary evidence to prove it, local legend holds that Coco Chanel was a regular guest at L’Arole and photographs of regular visits to Villars by the legendary creator of the ‘Little Black Dress’, together with her Chanel connection to Laurent Normand, make this highly likely.        

Offering a huge 6,000 sq/ft of internal living space set out over four floors, the impressive alpine residence can comfortably accommodate 16 guests in eight, individually designed, en-suite bedrooms. During the renovation many of the original features were retained. Fine materials, handcrafted wood panelling, natural stones and antique and contemporary furniture have all been employed to create an outstanding and luxurious family home. The chalet boasts a gym, cinema room, sauna and massage room, underfloor heating and a private ski locker with boot warmer. The outdoor heated swimming pool and cedar hot tub are perfect for after ski relaxation and for taking in the mountain views looking out over Mont Blanc. The chalet also provides a sophisticated venue for entertaining.

Sacha Steyn of The London Broker says: ‘This incredibly spacious modernised home with spectacular south facing views over the Alps has all the modern amenities of a luxury spa hotel but serves as a private home. The traditional Chalet really has such a presence in its convenient yet unrestricted setting, having the rare advantage of being flooded with sunlight on the large terraces, balconies and garden.’

Inside the original glass and oak staircase opens up the centre of the property and accesses all floors. Seven of the eight en-suite bedrooms are located on the top two floors of the chalet, a number of which open out to one of the two balconies. The two master bedrooms incorporate extensive bathrooms and dressing rooms. All except two of the bedrooms can be configured either as twins or double bedrooms providing flexible sleeping arrangements. The ground floor houses the wood panelled drawing and sitting rooms as well as the dining room, main entrance, kitchen and guest toilet. The drawing room accesses the vast south and west-facing terraces. On the lower floor there is a further en-suite bedroom, the boot room, TV/games room, a guest toilet, laundry room and an extensive wine cellar. The pool and hot tub are located on the terrace on this floor which also leads to the fitness area, sauna and massage room located in a separate building adjacent to the garage. The latest security and entertainment systems have also been incorporated into the infrastructure.

Marc de Peuter, the CEO of the local Swiss luxury establishment known as MdeP Real Estate, adds, ‘Step into a world of timeless luxury at the former Chanel family chalet, where history and opulence unite in perfect harmony.’

This is your chance to own this fabulous chalet surrounded by some of the best skiing in Europe. L’Arole has easy access to Geneva airport, top international schools, first-class skiing, bars and restaurants, all set in the most relaxing atmosphere and the highest levels of luxury. Welcome to the best of Villars.

Price on application. charliewillis.london; thelondonbroker.com; marcdepeuter.immo