In the Paris suburb of Asnières, France, the luxury house Louis Vuitton still crafts its iconic hard-sided trunks using traditional methods at the original family atelier. The site also houses the historic family home of its founder and remains central to the brand’s identity.
The facility employs more than 330 artisans who work with poplar and exotic woods, hand-apply canvas, and assemble the brass hardware that typifies the trunks. Many bespoke pieces can take several months, sometimes years, to complete.
Founder Louis Vuitton began as a trunk apprentice before opening his own workshop in 1859. He introduced the flat-lid, stackable design that transformed luggage for travel. The Asnières site near the River Seine was selected for its access to raw materials and shipping routes.
The adjacent family residence, built in Art Nouveau style and used by the Vuitton family until 1964, remains preserved and is used for private events. The surrounding workshops, meanwhile, continue to handle special orders and maintain the brand’s heritage craftsmanship.
From wardrobe trunks for explorers to custom trunks for designers and collectors, the legacy of the Vuitton trunk endures. The Asnières atelier stands as a living tribute to the roots of one of the world’s most recognisable luxury brands.
