Étienne Balsan

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Etienne Balsan (1880–1953) was a lover of Coco Chanel. Balsan bred the best horses in France and went to the races non-stop. He was a brother of aviator Jacques Balsan, and came from the family of wealthy industrialists from Chateauroux (Indre) who provided the army with uniform and originated the famous cloth "blue horizon."

An officer in the cavalry, he renounced his career to breed horses and participate in races. A polo-player, he owned Royallieu, near Compiegne (Oise).

He noticed Coco Chanel in Moulins (Allier) and became her lover. They remained friends through life. In 1909, when Chanel settled in Paris, he lent her his bachelor flat on the ground floor, 160 Boulevard Malesherbes, and helped her to open a boutique in Deauville. He introduced her into good Parisian society.

He was also a lover of Emilienne d'Alencon.