The Christian Dior Museum in Normandy

The Christian Dior museum is housed in this stunning villa in Granville called Les Rhumbs. It was Christian Dior’s childhood home and is set in delightful gardens.

The villa was built at the end of the 19th century and bought by Dior’s parents in 1906 – a year after he was born. Dior and his family lived there until 1910 until they moved to Paris but retained it as a holiday home. The family returned to Granville during the First World War and returned to Paris in 1918.

The villa now houses the Christian Dior Museum. Each year, the museum showcases two collections that bring together the fashions and accessories that carry the Dior name. The rooms have been transformed into exhibition spaces so there’s nothing to indicate that the villa was ever a home. However, it’s fun to explore the villa starting on the ground floor and the sun room. A sweeping staircase leads to the first and second floors where more Dior treasures await.

The villa was sold in 1931 shortly after the death of Dior’s mother. His father’s fortunes were affected by the fallout following the Wall Street Crash in 1929. The town of Granville bought the property and opened the museum in 1997.

More Information

Click here for the Christian Dior museum website. The exhibition changes each year so check the opening times too.