Karl Lagerfeld passed away on February 19, 2019, at the age of 85, in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France. Now, the fashion industry icon’s former country estate, known as Manoir du Mée, has hit the market for $3.1 million.
“Far from the sharp lines and theatrical polish he was known for, Karl Lagerfeld‘s former country estate, about 50 miles outside of Paris, offers a quieter perspective on a figure more often associated with tightly controlled personal style and high-fashion spectacle,” according to Robb Report. “Unlike his Paris apartment — transformed into a stark, almost clinical environment — this house reflects a more informal way of living and working.”
Lagerfeld’s Former Home Is a ‘Grand Residence’ from 1749
As you might expect, Lagerfeld lived in a truly enviable home that Robb Report calls a “grand residence,” while noting that it dates back to 1749.
The estate, which includes roughly 1.25 acres, “was acquired by the German-born legend in 1986, and he remained in his hands until 1998, a period when he was simultaneously overseeing Chanel and expanding his own eponymous label,” per Robb Report. “He used the estate as both a retreat from his work schedule and as a creative backdrop: several Chanel ad campaigns were photographed in the gardens during his ownership, including shoots with the iconic models Inès de la Fressange and Tatiana Patitz.”
Along with a main house that’s around 5,400 square feet and offers seven bedrooms, there is also a guesthouse with an additional 2,000 square feet.
Beyond that, Robb Report notes that “the architecture follows a classic French composition, a symmetrical facade punctuated by tall windows, and rooms arranged in sequence. Reception spaces open onto the grounds, while smaller, more private rooms sit just beyond.”
Alexis Feyfant of Pyla Paris, who holds the listing, told Robb Report, “It’s really a place defined by proportion, light, and a certain restraint that feels very French.”
The Estate Has Been Home to Royalty
While the home was “originally built for a local family,” Robb Report explains that it “later passed through several notable hands, including French actress Renée Saint-Cyr. Lagerfeld sold it in 1998 to Prince Ernst August of Hanover. Princess Caroline of Monaco and her family moved in years later, living there from about 2004 to 2010. After their separation, the house sat empty for a period, roughly between 2010 and 2013, before changing hands again.”
GettyPurchased by the current owner in 2014, they have “preserved much of its original character, including the Versailles-style parquet flooring, elaborate moldings, and carved stone fireplaces that are still in situ.”
