Louis Vuitton’s Cruise 2026 Show heads to Avignon’s Palais des Papes

Louis Vuitton will stage its Cruise 2026 show at the Palais des Papes in Avignon on May 22, 2025. The French house continues its tradition of presenting collections in iconic locations

Nicolas Ghesquière, artistic director of Women’s Collections, has selected the Palais des Papes for its historical and architectural importance. The palace, built from 1335 under Pope Benedict XII, stands as the largest Gothic palace in the West. It covers 15,000 square metres and contains 25 public venues. The site is a UNESCO World Heritage monument and a symbol of Avignon’s rich cultural heritage.

Louis Vuitton’s Cruise shows often highlight travel and discovery. The house has previously shown collections at the Bob and Dolores Hope Residence in Palm Springs, the Oscar Niemeyer Museum in Niterói, the Miho Museum near Kyoto, and the Salk Institute in California. The choice of Avignon echoes earlier French venues, including the Place du Palais in Monaco and the Maeght Foundation in Saint-Paul de Vence.

The Palais des Papes is not only a historic site. It serves as a cultural hub, hosting the Festival d’Avignon and exhibitions by artists such as Picasso, Botero, and Eva Jospin. In 2025, the city will celebrate the 25th anniversary of its historic centre’s UNESCO listing. The palace will also feature works by Jean-Michel Othoniel as part of a city-wide exhibition.

Louis Vuitton will support a new lighting project for Avignon. The initiative will illuminate the facades of the Palais des Papes, the cathedral, the Petit Palais, the Hôtel des Monnaies, and the Hôtel Calvet de la Palun. The aim is to highlight the city’s architecture and improve safety around the square.

The Cruise 2026 collection will be available worldwide from November 2025.

The announcement links the brand's heritage with Avignon’s legacy. The brand’s founder, Louis Vuitton, built his reputation on travel and craftsmanship. The house continues to work with artists, architects and designers, reflecting a commitment to quality and innovation.

What draws fashion houses to historic monuments? Is it the grandeur, the history, or the promise of new stories? For Louis Vuitton, the Palais des Papes offers both a stage and a statement.

If you visit Avignon next year, you might see the palace in a new light. The city’s past and present will meet on the runway. The show will mark a first for this landmark and add a new chapter to both the house’s and the city’s story.

Also see: Louis Vuitton teams up with Dame Pat McGrath for its debut makeup line