Karl Lagerfeld's former French mansion listed for mere $3M
What's the story
The former residence of iconic German designer Karl Lagerfeld and later European royalty is now up for sale. The property, called Manoir du Mee, is located less than an hour from Paris and has seven bedrooms. It is listed at €2.7 million ($3.1 million), per CNN. The listing describes the mansion as an "elegant 18th-century residence" that was once owned by Lagerfeld and subsequently by Princess Caroline of Monaco.
Historical significance
The history of the property
Lagerfeld, who passed away in Paris in 2019, owned the property for at least a decade until 1998. During his ownership, Chanel used the mansion for photo shoots, including one with French supermodel Ines de la Fressange. Later, Princess Caroline and her family lived there for six years, where her children went to school. Some of her daughter Charlotte's drawings on the walls upstairs remain today.
Property details
Features of the house
The mansion, built in 1749 for a prominent local family, the Faguiers, is now owned by an undisclosed individual who bought it from the Monaco royals in 2014. Alexis Feyfant of PYLA Paris told CNN that the house is in "really great condition" and is a perfect example of classic French architecture. It could be used as a family home, a reception venue, or a creative space.
Property features
More about the mansion
The 18th-century mansion is set in about half a hectare (1.25 acres) of parkland and has many original features like preserved fireplaces, parquet flooring, moldings, and picture rails. The listing also mentions a large kitchen, a bright reception, and dressing rooms. Apart from the main house, there is also a smaller guest house of almost 2,000 square feet (186 square meters).
Design philosophy
Lagerfeld's love for homes
Apart from his role at Chanel, Lagerfeld was also known for his luxury homes. Fashion writer Patrick Mauries, co-author of Karl Lagerfeld: A Life in Houses, told CNN in 2024 that the designer "was always moving, he couldn't imagine himself stuck in a period or style." One of his homes sold for $10.8 million in 2024. The three-room Paris apartment on the Seine opposite the Louvre sold for nearly double its list price of around $5.7 million.