The Palais des Papes in Avignon, France will serve as the stunning backdrop for the Louis Vuitton Cruise 2026 (Resort 2026) show on May 22nd. Nicolas Ghesquière chose the 14th-century Gothic architecture for its grandeur and history, making it the latest in a series of architectural wonders to host the brand‘s Cruise presentations. This is the first time the UNESCO World Heritage site has opened its doors for a fashion show.
Built primarily between 1335 and 1352 under Popes Benedict XII and Clement VI, the fortified palace will provide a dramatic contrast to Ghesquière’s contemporary designs. The papacy returned to Rome in 1377, but left behind this monumental structure that continues to amaze visitors centuries later.
Louis Vuitton has announced plans to support local heritage beyond the runway show. The luxury brand will fund a lighting project for the facades of the squares surrounding the palace, including the cathedral, Petit Palais, Hôtel des Monnaies and Hotel Calvet de la Palun, enhancing both safety and visual appeal.
The choice of the Palais des Papes follows Ghesquière’s established pattern of selecting stunning architectural settings for Louis Vuitton‘s Cruise shows since becoming Artistic director of women’s collections in 2013.
Last year, he chose Antoni Gaudí’s Park Güell in Barcelona, while in 2023, the collection debuted on Isola Bella in Italy. Other Cruise presentations have taken place at modernist masterpieces such as John Lautner’s Bob Hope estate in Palm Springs, California; Oscar Niemeyer’s Museum of Contemporary Art Niterói in Brazil; Ieoh Ming Pei’s Miho Museum in Kyoto, Josep Lluís Sert’s Fondation Maeght in Saint-Paul de Vence and Eero Saarinen’s TWA Flight Center at JFK airport in New York.
