Avignon becomes the next destination for the Louis Vuitton 2026 cruise

The French fashion label Louis Vuitton has announced that its 2026 cruise show will take place on May 22 at the Palais des Papes in Aviñón, in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of Southeast France. Known for choosing architecturally and culturally significant places, the brand will present the collection within this Gothic monument, which is recognized as a French historical monument and a Unesco world heritage site.

Nicolas Ghesquière, artistic director of the women's collections, continues its tradition of highlighting exceptional architecture through fashion. For Cruise 2026, he has selected the Palais des Papes, an imposing structure of the fourteenth century on Aviñón, marking the first time there has been a fashion show on the site. Commissioned by Pope Benedict XII in 1335, the Palace was completed in less than two decades and covers more than 161,000 square feet with 25 public rooms.

The Louis Vuitton cruise, or resort clothes, has long adopted a spirit of travel, discovery and cultural heritage. The past collections were announced in iconic places such as the Bob Residence and Dolores Hope by John Lautner in Palm Springs, the Oscar Niemeyer's contemporary art museum in Niteói, the Miho de Im pei museum in Kyoto and the Salk Institute in California. The Cruise 2026 show in Avignon follows previous French presentations in Place du Palais in Monaco and Maeght's fondation in Saint-Paul de Vence.

According to its tradition of supporting cultural heritage and local communities, Louis Vuitton will also contribute to a public lighting project in Avignon. The initiative aims to improve visibility and security while celebrating the architecture of the city. It will illuminate the facades of the palace, the cathedral of Avignon, the Petit Palais, the Hôtel des Monnaies and the Hôtel Calvet of La Palun.

The Palais des Papes is not only a historical site but also a center for modern culture. Organized world -class art exhibitions and is the main place for the international renowned festival D'Avignon, founded in 1947 by the French actor and director Jean Vilar. When presenting the Cruise 2026 show by Louis Vuitton, the city of Avignon will also launch celebrations for the 25th anniversary of the inclusion of its historic center in the UNESCO heritage list.