Christian Dior, who loved flowers, chose to acquire his property in 1951. Château de La Colle Noire, in Montauroux near Grasse in the South of France was a splendid residence overlooking the greenery-covered slopes in the heart of the Grasse countryside.
Christian Dior’s acquisition of Château de La Colle Noire was the culmination of his deep fondness for the Provençal south and the realisation of his dream to be a perfumer: it was there that Christian Dior dreamed of using Dior flowers for his fragrances.
This property was his peaceful haven, his “true home”: he decorated each room, designed the garden and oversaw the refurbishment. It was there, surrounded by a chorus of crickets and white trails of jasmine, that he took off his couturier’s hat and began developing his passion for exceptional flowers.
“I would like that house to be my true home. ” Christian Dior
Beneath the Provencal sun, the garden that Christian Dior designed was reminiscent of his childhood in Normandy.
“I could take my existence full circle and return, in a different climate, to the enclosed garden that protected my childhood”
Christian Dior
Château de La Colle Noire was above all a “house-garden”, where he allowed all his passion for flowers to be freely expressed. From the day he acquired the property and its fertile grounds, Christian Dior never stopped planting lush and fragrant plots of May roses and Grasse jasmine, as well as entire fields of olive and fruit trees.
From his Paris base, he enquired about blossoms, took part in harvesting, making olive oil and visited often to oversee the development of his estate.
Christian Dior made his property the symbol of the French art de vivre, associated as much with simplicity as with conviviality, and invited his friends to share in his perfect happiness.
CONTINUING THE VISION OF CHRISTIAN DIOR
Determined to revive Château de La Colle Noire, which it acquired in 2013, the House of Dior brought its history back to life and traced its roots, which are firmly anchored in the South of France. Patiently and lovingly restored, La Colle Noire is exactly as he wanted. Refined and welcoming, full of life and beauty.
From the grounds to the reflecting pool, Château de La Colle Noire has been reborn beneath the Provençal sun. A thousand May roses, vineyards, olive trees, almond trees, – that Christian Dior loved so much – have all been replanted in the gardens of the Château. His favourite flowers are there: lily-of-the-valley and African lily, tulips and violets, and above all Grasse roses, which reign supreme in Dior fragrances.
Partnerships have been forged with producers in the area, making Christian Dior’s visionary dream come true: Dior flowers for Dior fragrances.
The Provençal, fragrant, exhilarating character of this garden, that Christian Dior wanted so much, has now been restored. More
