After studying architecture at the Ecole des beaux-artes, and an apprenticeship in an english furniture factory, in 1918 Chareau opened up his own studio. In the 1920's he participated at all the most important exhibitions, and joined the Union des artistes modernes. During world war two, he left France for New York. Chareau most important works are the Golfclub in Beauvallon on the Riviera 1927, the Grand Hotel in Tours 1929 and the "Maison the Verre" in Paris 1931.