150 years of history
What a history! It all began with a Frenchman’s dream, a retreat for creative spirits on the glorious ‘Cap’. And they came, casual Picasso, reclusive Chagall and Scott Fitzgerald, screen goddesses and Cannes directors. They revelled in the carefree elegance and inspirational beauty.
The launch of a Riviera legend
Perched above the sun-kissed rocks, the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc has captivated writers, aristocrats, and visionaries for generations. Auguste De Villemessant imagined Villa Soleil, brought to life by Paul de Fersen and Alexis de Plestcheyeff. In 1870, Antoine Sella established a haven for creativity, romance, and timeless Riviera elegance, giving birth to a legendary retreat.
Comte Paul de Fersen, aide-de-camp to the Russian Tsar, buys a Cap property and creates La Grande Allée, the 179-metre boulevard later famed as Riviera’s glamorous catwalk.
August De Villemessant, founder of Le Figaro, envisions Villa Soleil as a retreat for writers. Supported by Paul de Fersen and Alexis de Plestcheyeff with French aristocrats, it opens five years later.
Grand Hotel du Cap’s legendary launch party, 26 February, welcomes 100 guests by special train from Nice, around a lavish 15-course dinner celebrating the project’s success.
Antoine Sella discovers the Grand Hotel du Cap, which for years had been abandoned and forgotten. Even so, our visionary young hotelier from the Piedmont - region of Italy - has fallen under its spell.
The Grand Hotel du Cap opens its doors in January, and discerning clientele from all over Europe and America flock to Sella’s unique vision of a luxury establishment.
Antoine Sella builds Eden-Roc Pavilion and iconic seawater pool. By August, Grand Hotel du Cap becomes American Red Cross Convalescent Home, hosting hundreds of soldiers and nurses for rehabilitation.
33 cabanas are erected above the rocks, becoming the most sought-after private hideaways for sunbathing and diving into the sea.
The hotel is immortalised as Hôtel des Étrangers in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s fourth and final novel, Tender is the Night.
The Duke and Duchess of Windsor are frequent guests of the hotel, where Antoine Sella guarantees them absolute privacy and discretion following the Duke’s abdication from the throne.
War is declared and the Grand Hotel du Cap serves as a strategic military hospital. Allied troops are based here for nearly three years. Upon departure, they graciously restore the hotel to its former glory.
During a day at sea aboard their yacht, Rudolf August and Maja Oetker fall in love with the Grand Hotel du Cap.
The couple learns that the hotel is up for sale and they make an offer to Antoine Sella, who is searching for an owner who shares his vision of refined hospitality. A deal is made, and the hotel is theirs.
Slim Aarons, portrait photographer and high society darling captured ‘attractive people, doing attractive things, in attractive places’ on the French Riviera between the 60’s and 70’s.
Opening of Les Deux Fontaines. The Grand Hotel du Cap’s reputation on the Côte d’Azur is in constant upward motion, so this beautiful new building is added with 16 new rooms.
The Grand Hotel du Cap, now a stronghold atop those sea splashed rocks, is renamed Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc.
Major renovations are undertaken to modernise the hotel’s main building and its annex.
For the first time, amfAR Cannes hosts its legendary gala at the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc. That same year, the hotel is awarded with the five-star distinction and opens its chocolate boutique.
Just steps away from the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, Villa Eleana opens its doors.
Chanel presents its Cruise 2011-12 collection on the hotel’s Grande Allée.
The hotel receives the prestigious 'Palace' recognition.
Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc celebrates its 150th birthday.
Villa Sainte-Anne opens its doors, offering an exclusive and luxurious experience to its guests.
Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc introduces new alfresco Italian restaurant Giovanni’s and reveals the new Dior Spa Eden-Roc, a unique partnership uniting two iconic French maisons.
Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc unveils its new gem, Villa La Guettière.
