The Château de Crémat, built in 1906, is the essential cultural venue of the Côte d’Azur. With its sublime gardens, wines, art, and anecdotes, Nice Premium invites you to learn more about this place in Nice.
To provide some context, the château has belonged to Mr. Derichebourg since 2018, who has aimed to make it an event venue.
A Wine Estate
The Château de Crémat is a wine estate and therefore produces its own wines. All of their wines, with the appellation Bellet, come from grapes grown organically. The secret to their taste? The soil, called Poudingue, which is a poor soil that encourages the slow ripening of the clusters. Moreover, the daily sea breeze helps to keep the plant cover healthy.
Their white wines: Rolle and Chardonnay
- The Rolle, known as Vermentino in Italy, has long been cultivated on Mediterranean lands, and thrives on their warm terroirs, offering its finest expression. It conveys roundness and finesse.
- The Chardonnay, present at the estate since the late 1990s, provides their wines with minerality.
Their red wines: Folle Noire and Grenache
- The Folle Noire (Fuëlla Nera), a late-ripening indigenous grape variety, gives character to their red wines. Its deep aromas blend with silky tannins, mellowed over time for a balanced finish.
- The Grenache, an exceptional Mediterranean grape, complements the blend by bringing richness, aroma, and sweetness.
Additionally, there is a range of rosé wines available at Domaine de Toasc, acquired in 2019 by the same owner, Mr. Derichebourg.
The Château and Its Sublime Gardens
With its neo-Tuscan architecture, superb gardens adorned with artworks, and picturesque landscape of the hinterland, the Château de Crémat is an enchanting place that inspires the imagination.
Even before entering the place, visitors are charmed by the imposing original door of the château, dating back to 1906. It bears the initials of Château de Crémat along with the coat of arms embellished with distinctive emblems: the eagle, the salamander, and the vine.
The Ritz Hotel Decoration
When Mr. Derichebourg learned of an auction for the furniture from the Ritz Hotel in Paris, he immediately seized the opportunity. Thus, all the furniture present in the château comes from this hotel and is identified by a label.
Through this choice, he wished to a genuine soul to this residence.
As the Legend Goes
As you might have noticed earlier with the front door of the château, the initials of Château de Crémat, represented by entwined double C’s, resemble the symbol of the Chanel brand.
Let us explain. In 1923, the estate was acquired by Irène Bretz, a wealthy American who was a shareholder in a large American railway company. She hosted many of the Côte d’Azur’s celebrities at the château, and one of the regular guests at these lavish soirées was none other than Gabrielle Chasnel, known as “Coco Chanel.”
It is whispered that Coco Chanel was inspired by the initials of Château de Crémat to create the logo for her prestigious fashion house.
However, there is no tangible proof to support this hypothesis, and the Chanel house refuses to officially link itself with this place in Nice, preferring to let the legend thrive.
This legend is further reinforced by the fact that Coco Chanel’s suite, which included furniture from the Ritz Hotel where she stayed for 30 years, was acquired during the auction and is now present at Château de Crémat.
Guided Tour
To be immersed in the place and its history, Château de Crémat offers two tours:
- “Experience” will take you through the gardens to discover the Bellet appellation, the château, its history, its cellars, and its galleries.
- “Mademoiselle” will take you through the door of the château, fully transformed in the spirit of the Belle Époque, thanks to the acquisition of furniture from the Ritz in Paris. The tours naturally conclude with a wine tasting.