French fashion label Louis Vuitton has announced that its Cruise 2026 runway show will take place on May 22 at the Palais des Papes in Avignon, in southeastern France’s Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region. Known for choosing architecturally striking and culturally significant venues, the brand will present the collection inside this Gothic monument, which is recognized as a French historic monument and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Nicolas Ghesquière, artistic director of women’s collections, continues his tradition of spotlighting exceptional architecture through fashion. For Cruise 2026, he has selected the Palais des Papes—an imposing 14th-century structure perched above Avignon—marking the first time a fashion show has ever occurred at the site. Commissioned by Pope Benedict XII in 1335, the palace was completed in less than two decades and spans more than 161,000 square feet with 25 public rooms.

Louis Vuitton’s Cruise—or resort wear—shows have long embraced a spirit of travel, discovery, and cultural heritage. Past collections were unveiled at iconic venues such as John Lautner’s Bob and Dolores Hope Residence in Palm Springs, Oscar Niemeyer’s Contemporary Art Museum in Niterói, I.M. Pei’s Miho Museum in Kyoto, and the Salk Institute in California. The Cruise 2026 show in Avignon follows earlier French presentations at Place du Palais in Monaco and the Fondation Maeght in Saint-Paul de Vence.

In keeping with 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 enhance visibility and safety while celebrating the city’s architecture. It will illuminate the façades of the palace, the Avignon Cathedral, the Petit Palais, the Hôtel des Monnaies, and the Hôtel Calvet de la Palun.

The Palais des Papes is not only a historical site but also a hub for modern culture. It hosts world-class art exhibitions and is the main venue for the internationally renowned Festival d’Avignon, founded in 1947 by French actor and director Jean Vilar. By hosting Louis Vuitton’s Cruise 2026 show, the city of Avignon will also launch celebrations for the 25th anniversary of its historic center’s inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage list.