Coco Chanel's Secret Villa: Where Dali, Churchill, and Stravinsky Partied

A lavish Mediterranean villa, once owned by fashion icon Coco Chanel, has been restored. For decades, it served as a secret meeting place for the 20th century's biggest stars. The villa, named La Pausa, is located in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, France. Chanel had it completely rebuilt in the late 1920s. It became a famous retreat for artists, writers, and politicians. Guests included painter Salvador Dalí, composer Igor Stravinsky, and former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. Dalí even created his painting *The Enigma of Hitler* there. Churchill wrote parts of his history books and painted the villa's views. Other visitors included actress Greta Garbo, novelist Colette, and playwright Jean Cocteau. Lunches with intense artistic debate are said to have lasted all day and night. The home was later sold to American publishers Emery and Wendy Reves. Its recent restoration includes a significantly expanded library.