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Coco before Chanel: The Movie
Coco avant Chanel (starring Audrey Tautou) tells the story of Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel’s amazing journey from a headstrong orphan, to become one of the most influential fashion designers of our time. The film portrays the formative years of Chanel’s life—the years spent discovering and inventing herself. (for national Coco Before Chanel release dates click here)
For the release of the movie, which opens in New York and Los Angeles September 25, ATOUT FRANCE has created a dedicated site that allows visitors to follow Chanel’s life in France and discover some of the film’s locations. It also features the movie trailer and a contest valid through November 31, 2009 to win two roundtrip tickets to Paris on Air France. The mini-site is accessible from the tourist office’s homepage or by clicking here.
Coco in Auvergne
At age 18 Chanel left the orphanage for Moulins, a lovely town in the Allier department of the Auvergne region, to learn the craft of sewing. Smitten with the belle époque, Chanel frequented the Rotonde and the Grand Café, where she sang for the officers of the cavalry of the Quartier Villars (in Moulins). Her interpretation of the song "Qui qu’a vu Coco dans l’Trocadéro" earned her the nickname Coco, which clearly stuck—Gabrielle would be forever known as Coco Chanel. With an aunt who was the same age, Chanel traveled around the Auvergne—to Vichy for mineral water treatments, and to Varennes-sur-Allier to spend her vacations.
Visiting the Auvergne
The Auvergne, a rugged area of hilly farmland, volcanic peaks, rivers, and forests smack in the middle of the Massif Central (in central France), is an undiscovered gem often overlooked by tourists. Made up of four smaller regions—Allier, Puy-de-Dôme, Cantal, and Haute-Loire—the Auvergne is the perfect destination for nature-lovers. A mere three hours by train from Paris, adventurers will find a slew of outdoor activities, including hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, climbing, hang-gliding, and walking, while those in search of more refined activities will enjoy the region’s wonderful spas, hotels, restaurants, and museums (including the National Center of Theater Costumes in Moulins, presided over by Christian Lacroix). There are over 500 châteaux (once the homes of the Dukes of Bourbon) dotting the Auvergnat countryside, as well beautifully preserved Roman edifices, elegant waterside towns, and even a few (dormant) volcanoes .
A few highlights…
Moulins, once the 15th century capital of the Bourbonnais, is chock-full of historic townhouses and Art Nouveau architecture (such as Le Grand Café), with a skyline dominated by the twin spires of the Cathédrale de Notre Dame.
Vichy, known worldwide for its hydrotherapy (healing thermal water treatments), has always been a celebrity magnet. Even Napoleon III succumbed to its charms, building several hotels, luxurious villas, and even an opera house there.
Charroux, designated "one of the most beautiful villages" in France, oozes charm from its cobblestone streets to its medieval houses to its magnificent clock gate. Its famous mustard (Moutarde de Charroux) is used by chefs around the world.
Puy-de-Dôme is home to an impressive 4,500-foot-wide (dormant) volcano of the same name. Visitors can hike to the top and admire the Chaine du Puys, a craggy range of 80 (also dormant) volcanoes. This dramatic volcanic landscape is a favorite with hang gliders.
For more information, visit the Allier Tourism website or the Auvergne Tourism Office website (both in English).
A few famous Auvergnats…
Blaise Pascal (1623-1662)
Born in Clermont in 1623, he is without a doubt the most famous Auvergnat. He is considered one of the founders of classical literature, but his accomplishments were not limited to letters: Pascal was also a brilliant mathematician and physicist, philosopher, moralist, and theologian. But he is also famous for inventing the Pascaline (or the "arithmetic machine"), the ancestor of the calculator.
Le marquis de La Fayette (1757-1834)
A politician and general born in Chavaniac (Haute-Loire), he played a large role in the Revolutionary War (in America). He was later named Commander General for the Parisian militia (which he named the National Guard) and invented the famous red, white, and blue rosette, which was the symbol of the Revolution in France.
The Michelin family
In 1891, the brothers André and Édouard Michelin created the first removable rubber tire for bikes, followed in 1895 by a rubber tire for cars, in 1900 the Michelin guide, and in 1923 the low pressure tire, and in 1946, the radial tire. With 20% of the world’s tire market, Michelin is the world leader in tires.
Coco Chanel (1883-1971)
Born in Saumur, but originally from the Auvergne on her mother’s side (Courpière, in the Puy-de-Dôme), this designer founded the house of Chanel and created the famous Parfum no. 5.
Georges Pompidou (1911-1974)
Born in Montboudif (Cantal ) he was—in succession—the director of the Cabinet and the Prime Minister under General de Gaulle. In 1969, he was elected the President of the Republic of France. Passionate about modern art, he founded the national center for arts and culture which bears his name (Centre Pompidou).
Audrey Tatou (1978- )
The heroine of the Jean-Pierre Jeunet films Le fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain (The Fabulous Destiny of Amelie Poulain) and Un long dimanche de fiançailles (A Long Engagement) was born in Beaumont in 1978. In 2000, she received the César award for the "Best Female Spirit," and in 2009 she played Coco Chanel in Coco avant Chanel.
PRESS CONTACT :
Vanessa Michy
+33 (0)4 73 29 49 33
vanessa.michy@crdt-auvergne.fr
For further information on the Auvergne, visit the Press Corner of the Auvergne Tourism Office. |