While Louis Vuitton already confirmed that its Cruise 2026 show would return to its birthplace in France, the exact city and location hadn’t been unveiled until this week. On May 2022, UNESCO World Heritage Site Palais des Papes in Avignon, France, will host the French Maison’s latest collection designed by Louis Vuitton women’s director Nicolas Ghesquière.
Along with hosting the show at the Palais, according to WWD, Louis Vuitton will also fund a long-term project to illuminate the facades of the buildings facing the city’s main squares, including the Palais des Papes, a cathedral, the Petit Palais, the Hôtel des Monnaies and the Hotel Calvet de la Palun.
Built in the late 14th century, the Palais des Papes was temporarily the seat of the Roman Catholic Papacy. Known as the city of Popes, Avignon is located along the Rhone River and has been inhabited since medieval times. Initiated in 1335 and built by Popes Benedict XII and Clement VI, the building was described by French writer Froissart as “the most well-fortified house in the world.” The massive complex is recognized as one of the most important sites of Gothic architecture in the world. Inside, painted frescoes and stone-carved interiors from the 14th century showcase the opulent ambitions of the papacy in that era.
Last year, Louis Vuitton hosted its Cruise show at Antonio Gaudí’s Park Güell in Barcelona, and in 2023 the maison presented at Isola Bella on Lake Maggiore in Italy. The last time Ghesquière showed the house’s Cruise collection in France was in 2021, when the women’s artistic director presented a Space Age-themed collection on the outskirts of Paris. Other luxury houses have already confirmed their dates and locations, including Chanel at Lake Como on April 29, Gucci back in Florence on May 15 and Dior in Rome on May 27.
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