The 100% products available are mainly aimed at applicants who have significant savings and cash available. This usually requires cash to the equivalent of around 30% of the purchase price which could be invested in an investment portfolio. If the currency you were sending was weak compared to the Euro, you would not have to convert the funds straight away, which will reduce the currency fluctuation.   You can convert the funds when the currency is stronger for you.

For example, we helped a client who was a British national who wanted to buy a luxury apartment in Paris:

Purchase Price:                                 €2,000,000

Loan Amount:                                   100% financing with 30% side investment.

Type:                                                     Capital Repayment

Investment:                                       Multi-currency GBP portfolio with a prudent investment strategy (5% Yield).

Date:                                                     01 July 2011

Rate:                                                     €/£ =1.11

Date:                                                     Mid May 2012

Rate:                                                     €/£ =1.25

Amount on 01 July 2011:               €600,000

Equivalent in GBP on 01 July 2011 = £540,000

Equivalent in Euro on mid May 2012: €675,000

Gain on the currency:                    €75,000

Gain on the Portfolio:                    £540,000 x 5% = £27,000

Portfolio mid May 2012:                £567,000 * 1.25 = €708,750

Global gain in 10 months:            €108,750

As you can see, you make gains in two ways: (1) on the currency and (2) on the portfolio. (And you receive a 100% French mortgage).

The benefits and advantages for using this product are:

1)      You can leverage on foreign currency

2)      Currency flexibility throughout the entire life of the mortgage.

3)      Safety: Portfolio managed by a dedicated, experienced asset manager, and invested between 80 and 100% fixed income products.

4)      Asset diversification.

5)      You can also redeem the mortgage at any time with a variable mortgage, by adding just .10% to the rate.  (Currently 2.40%).

Ultimately, it is probably best to discuss your options and see whether you fit the lenders criteria with an experienced French mortgage consultant. To find out whether you are eligible to a 100% French Mortgage product or if you would like to look at the other products on the market please contact a mortgage consultant on 0044 (0)20 7428 4919 or submit your details here www.sextantmortgages.com/get-a-mortgage-quote.

Investors will however be closely monitoring how economic data for the U.K is this month  and any hints of the U.K taking one step forward and two steps back will not be looked upon greatly for the Pound so this is one thing we need to be aware of. My personal opinion is that things are indeed on the up for the U.K and although I do not expect major economic growth until at least 2014 I think we should now be able to tread water and avoid the dreaded recession for the foreseeable future unless we do see another major incident within the Eurozone that could dent the U.K too.

With the major economic releases out of the way and the recession avoided the spotlight does not appear to be back on Europe and any comments from members of the European Central Bank regarding future fiscal policy will be taken extremely seriously this month. Just last week following the ECB interest rate cut, at a press conference held by head of the European Central Bank Mario Draghi the mere mention of possible negative deposit rates led to the Euro losing ground by almost a cent against Sterling in a matter of minutes, so if this policy is adopted in the future we could see further Euro weakness.

All in all I feel that we are now more likely to see Sterling go back above 1.20 than we are to see it go back below 1.15 however in such a fragile market if you are looking to buy Euros with Sterling in the near future then it is key that you keep a very close eye on the markets as things can change very quickly and even the slightest movement in exchange rates can drastically effect the price of your overseas property.

For more information about these and the other options that are available to help send money to and from France as efficiently as possible call the experienced and friendly team at Foreign Currency Direct. You can call straight through to the trading floor for free on 0800 328 5884 or if calling from abroad on 0044 1494 725353 or you can simply email us on sextantproperties@currencies.co.uk

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Foreign Currency Direct plc (FCD) are Sextant Properties preferred currency partner and have been selected due to their award winning exchange rates having topped the exchange rate tables in The Sunday Times for three consecutive years. FCD also offer a number of different contract options for Sextant clients including a forward contract where you can fix a rate of exchange for a period in the future using just a small deposit, perfect to help take the risk out of the currency markets and budget for your French property purchase.

If you would like to discuss your currency requirements and all the options open to you including the forward contracts please contact our preferred currency partners Foreign Currency Direct plc on 01494 725353 or visit their website: www.currencies.co.uk

The Château, the Winery, the Distillery, the Winemaker’s house and Grape picker’s lodgings, the Blacksmith’s house, Stables, Forge and Granary, the Estate Manager’s house and the Gardener’s cottage. This impressive combination of words is only the tip of the iceberg when we get to know this prestigious site better.

Renowned architect Francois Thoulouze used his genius to design 36 superb residences combining authenticity and traditional character with natural materials and contemporary use of space and light. Each property makes the most of the superb volumes and textures of the existing buildings built thanks to a magic receipt including stone facades, exposed beams, extra-high ceilings and spectacular views.

While no two properties are alike, each boasts beautiful proportions, with a generous salon, high-spec kitchen, luxurious bedrooms with en suite bathrooms and superb fixtures and fittings throughout. Almost all of the properties enjoy private terraces and gardens stocked with Mediterranean trees, shrubs and aromatic herbs, in many cases complemented by a private spa or pool. The end result is homes of unique style and refinement.

Leisure activities

Browse the newspapers in the Salon. Share an impromptu meal in the brasserie. Enjoy the spectacular view from the huge communal pool, surrounded by Mediterranean flowers and aromatic herbs. Relax with a book in your garden, enjoying freshly picked figs from the orchard with a crisp Sauvignon from the cellar.

Challenge your neighbours to a game of boules or clay court tennis. Sip an aperitif on the terrace overlooking the vineyards followed by a barbecue at the outdoor grill. Soak in the hot tub after a day enjoying the energy of the grape harvest…From reservations to chefs and chauffeurs, concierge facilities are be available from the onsite team to ensure you get the most out of your stay.

With uninterrupted wine production dating back centuries, the land around the estateis recognized as a terroir capable of producing exceptional wines. Today the winery is being fully refurbished by the Bonfils family – one of France’s most successful wine making families. The end result is a superb range of elegant wines, with all owners sharing in the annual yield – estimated at around 20 cases per property.

Advantages and benefits

You want to use your property whenever you want without limits (Summer, Spring, Autumn and Winter, long stays and brief sojourns) but want to make sure everything is taken care of when you are not here…To this end a full letting service is provided, with the Château operating year round as an intimate holiday destination.

With its superb location, quality accommodation and excellent facilities, there will be a high level of demand and owners who chose to rent their properties for the majority of the high season can anticipate a net rental yield in the region of 4% of the purchase price.

Managing a second home can be a challenge (paying the bills, cleaning the pool, maintaining the garden, fixing the burst pipe or fallen roof tile). At the Château all of this is taken care of via a full suite of property management and client services ensuring total peace of mind and a hassle free ownership experience, allowing you to relax and enjoy yourself and your surroundings.

Pricing

Prices (fully furnished) are from €385,000 for a large two bedroom apartment and up to €725,000 for a very large house with large gardens and a private pool. The average is around €4700/m².

Facilities

For all its splendid isolation, the Château is just 5 minutes from the villages of Magalas, Pouzolles and Puissalicon. While distinct in character, the surrounding villages offer all the services and conveniences you could require with a dozen or so restaurants, cafes and bars between them. Add a lively market, supermarkets and dozens of clubs and societies and you will quickly find yourself immersed in a very active community life.

The immediate locality also offers a huge range of recreational facilities. The golden beaches of the Mediterranean are a 25 minute drive through the vineyards and picturesque villages of the Hérault. Coarse, fly and sea fishing abound. The area is a gastronome’s paradise with countless vineyards to explore, and markets offering the very best local products. And for those days when you feel like something a little more urban, the Château is less than 20 minutes from both Pézenas and Béziers, while Montpellier – said to be “France’s most exciting city” can be reached in less than an hour.

In conclusion, the location is a gorgeous vineyard location with fantastic views close to Béziers, Pézenas and Montpellier, and close to the beaches. Access is easy. The buildings are nice sized character properties with great views while the grounds are gorgeous and offer great facilities. The proposition is a fully managed development with great services and facilities plus a rental scheme.

There is no restriction on usage or on resale (unlike leaseback developments for example).

Prices are 25% less expensive than comparable developments and about half the comparables on the Cote d’Azur or in Italy. There is a working vineyard directly on the site. This château represents a rare opportunity to invest in unique, high quality property in one of the world’s most stable economies while also benefitting from anytime access to a superb holiday home – a secure investment and a source of pleasure for generations to come.

For more information:

Media enquiries: Mathieu Cany on 020 7428 4910, mcany@sextantproperties.com

Sales enquiries: Charlie Thomas on 020 7428 4917, charlie@sextantproperties.com

Property details: www.sextantproperties.com/50502

L’Armada

After hosting the Tour de France and its numerous bicycles last year, Rouen is now hosting the Armada from June 6 to June 16 and for this very special occasion, 37 of the most beautiful sailing boats of the world will drop anchor on the Rouen harbour. It is completely free and you will be able to visit the boats, meet sailors from all over the world, race on the Seine with your own boat against other competitors, attend one of the eight concerts planned and enjoy the fireworks show every single night of the Armada.

The Churches

Throughout the years, Rouen has earned the nickname of the “City with the 100 bell towers” and once you’re there, it is easy to understand why: every way you look at, there is one! The most famous is the Notre Dame cathedral which inspired Claude Monet and his impressionist paintings but you can also visit the Saint Maclou church, which is only a stone’s throw away or the Saint Ouen Abbey-Church. They’re all quite impressive and still in use but if you want to see smaller and desecrated churches, have a look at the Chapelle Saint Louis and its plays or the Sainte Croix des Pelletiers church for its concerts or philosophical rendezvous.

The Museums

Rouen has a great variety of museums which cover different and varied topics. First and foremost, as Rouen being the capital of the impressionism, you can go to the Beaux Arts museum and admire the entire impressionist collection (other artistic movements are featured as well). Right behind the building, in a church listed as a historical monument, is the Le Secq des Tournelles museum; this museum holds a one of a kind collection of ironworks gathering pieces       of architecture, coffee grinders, tools, jewels and many more. In one of the most picturesque streets of the city lies the National Museum of the Education which shows the evolution of the teaching system from the Renaissance until the 20^th century. There are also the Natural History Museum, an antiquity museum, a ceramics museum and a sea museum just to name a few.

The Gros Horloge Street

It is one of the most visited pedestrian streets of France and is named after the Gros Horloge, the most emblematic monument of the city which offers a fantastic view of the Rouen and cities nearby. The street is full of character making the pavements and the typical half-timbering houses lively and bustling thanks to the shops and little restaurants. It is located between the cathedral and the Place du Vieux Marché (see below) and the feeling you get when walking under the Gros Horloge is really special.

The Place Du Vieux Marché

Joan of Arc made this place famous because it was here that her death sentence was carried out in 1431. A memorial stone has been erected where the stake used to be and the church there is named after her. It’s one of the liveliest places of the city and it has many restaurants, bars and cafés and a covered market.

The Jardin Des Plantes

Situated on the left bank of the city, its 85000m² span, full of flowers, trees and birds will delight you. Take a look at the orange grove, the rose garden and the greenhouses. If you’re lucky enough, you’ll spot a peacock that will spread his tail feathers for you!

Explore Nearby Cities

Rouen is ideally situated and the road network makes it easy to travel around. Should you want to discover the region, you can either take the bus, the train or drive to Le Havre, Deauville, Honfleur, Etretat, Giverny and last but not least, Paris.

Are you tempted? Why not have a look at the properties available in Upper Normandy so you’ll be able to enjoy to the fullest the treasures this region has to offer.

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In France, two teaching systems are in place, the public sector and the private sector, the main difference being the admission fees.

• The Public Sector

It is the most common choice in France: in 2012, 78% of pupils were enrolled in public sector educational institutions. There is no admission fee but still, the quality of education is good. The teachers are hired by the government through different competitive exams taking place during their university careers. The organisation in charge of providing funds is the Cantal, the department or the city council depending on whether it is a primary school, a junior secondary school or a secondary school. Contrary to the UK, the uniform is everything but the norm!

The official website of the French public service can do a good spadework for your research and questions. Here is a link to other very useful websites from the public sector covering the teaching topic in France.

• The Private Sector

The broad majority of schools in the private sector are the “établissements privés sous contrat”: the teachings are the same as in the public sector for these private schools have signed a compliance contract with the government (the latter being in charge of the education in the country) stating that they will follow the government’s guidelines regarding education. However, the teachers are directly hired by the head of the school, the classes are smaller but so is the range of subjects on offer, especially in the vocational area. The admission fees are not as high as one would think because they are funded by the government. On the other hand, the private schools that haven’t signed a compliance contract with the government charge excessive admission fees because they choose to teach the topics they’ve selected on their own as they’re not government funded at all. Regardless of whether they have signed the contract or not, they’re all religious schools.

On this website are some useful tips about education in the private sector and here is the official private sector education phone book.

If you call the British Council at +33 1 49 55 73 00 or +33 8 92 68 44 14, it will be possible to get a list of the British and American schools in France that teach entirely in English or the secondary schools offering international curriculums or bilingual and international schools, all of this free of charge.

Getting There

If you’re looking to buy a property in France for you and your children, have a look at the Education & Training section of Qype website to find the nearest schools from the property you’re interested in.

This could possibly be one of the reasons why the region is known for being the cradle of two of the most famous wines in France: Beaujolais and Chablis.

Wine Making In Burgundy

Burgundy red wines are internationally recognized for being subdued and subtle while Burgundy white wines are known to be sensual and strong. Main varieties of Burgundy wine are Pinot Noir for red wine and Chardonnay for white wine.

The Burgundy region stretches 360km from South Paris to North Lyon and is divided into many zones where soils vary: Chablis, Côte d’Or (split in Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune), Côte Chalonnaise, Mâconnais and Beaujolais.

Here are examples of different varieties of wine from the region and their qualities:

Pommard, Corton: Racy red wine

Beaune: Medium red wine

Chablis, Chassagne, Montrachet: Dry white

Burgundy Wines and Best Befitted Dishes

Red wines (from pinot noir grape variety) are excellent with Burgundy beef or game such as pheasant, wild boar, roast pork and cheese (delicacy type, see below). As red wine can also be used in sauce, a coq au vin can be even more delicious when served with a succulent sauce made out of quality red wine.

Burgundy white wines go along very well with snails (famous snails from Burgundy), shrimps and goat cheese.

Beaujolais (especially when freshly served) is a good companion for beef, lamb, Bresse roast chicken (one of the best poultry in the world), cheese and also fish. Beaujolais is a red wine that can be considered similar to a white one.

Delicatessen (rosette, chitterlings, saveloys) can be savoured with red (especially Beaujolais) or white wines (especially Meursault and Chassagne, Montrachet)

Mustard (more particularly Dijon mustard which is world famous) is also an exquisite component that could be added to your dish if you want to enjoy a delicious and slightly spiced taste that often makes a world of a difference.

If you desire to end your meal as a real gourmet, here is a list of the best cheeses you can find in the special region of Burgundy:

- Aisy Cendré (creamy and salty)

- Epoisses (strong and creamy)

- Citeaux (fruity)

- Charolais (salty and slightly acid, melts in mouth)

If you plan to purchase a home in this magnificent and wine historic region, Sextant French properties offers you the possibility to guide you through the difficult steps you could possibly encounter in the process of buying a house in Burgundy.

Pink, green, yellow, blue, brown … On the shelves of french pastries, macaroons attract attention as they bolster the appetite. Brought up to date by the imagination of pastry chefs like Pierre Hermé, and carried by a public craze, the small round cake, derived from meringue, is now available in an endless array of colours and flavours.

In Paris, Ladurée, big name founded in 1862, attracts gourmands from all around the world to come and enjoy its original creations. It offers a traditional range of scents with raspberry, chocolate or lemon macaroons, and regularly adds special collections available in limited edition, according to the seasons and events. Another big Parisian name for macaroons would be the Dalloyau House, founded in 1802, whose ancestors had organized the lavish receptions at Versailles of Louis XIV!

A Traveller Badge

If it is possible to assign the authorship of French pastry macaroon as we know it today, with its two hulls joined by a creamy ganache, the origins of the badge would probably be Italian or Arabic. Cupcake, so simple and colourless would have been brought to France for the first time by Catherine de Medici in the sixteenth century. It then evolved differently in diverse regions, but still retained the three basic ingredients in its recipe: eggs, white sugar and almonds.

Today, the badge of the great Parisian houses is one of the prides of the French pastry. Pastry chefs, known or not, use their imagination to develop new macaroons: lemon-raspberry bi-taste, exotic mango or even savory foie gras or truffle. Abroad, the little French pastry is a huge success. Pierre Hermé, Ladurée, Dalloyau … all have been able to establish their brands and macaroons outside our borders, particularly in Europe, the Middle East and Japan.

Macaroon: One Name, Several Recipes

Although small macaroon double hull is best known in France and around the world, several French cities continue the tradition of a genuine badge, without colour or artifice. This is the case with Saint-Jean-de-Luze, Saint-Emilion, Lusignan, Cormery, Boulay, Nancy or Montmorillon. If these buttons do not resemble the small houses of the great Parisian pastry, all share a trade secret jealously guarded.

If you plan to buy a house in Paris or almost anywhere else in France, Sextant French properties would be glad to help you through the several steps it takes to do it.

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According to the general opinion, the term « calanque » would come from the provençal word « calenco » meaning a small creek or bay overhung by ravines. As centuries went by and through extension, the whole limestone massif that extends from Callelongue to Port-pin has become « Les Calanques ». The sharp ridges of this rocky structure, where whiteness clashes with the blue colour of the sea, assault the sky like gothic cathedrals.

Over thousands of years, waves and storms have slowly but surely shaped the crests and crevices of these ravines. Heavenly and steep, « Les Calanques » that extends from Marseille up to Cassis, are listed in Natural Zone of Environmental Interest and are often inaccessible in summer because of a certain fire risk that’s more particularly present on mistral days. If you are interested in buying a house near Marseille, Sextant French Properties might have the solution for you.

As much prized as beaches by visitors, they combine the pleasure of swimming in the sea with contemplating a breathtaking panorama.

These rocky inlets offer a challenge to hiking lovers with the GR 98-51 hiking trail covering around 28 km between Callelongue and Cassis. They are landscapes of astonishing beauty.

You have to schedule 12 hours of walking to walk across the creeks of the Mounine, of the Escu, Cortiou, the beach of Sormiou and the small ports of Morgiou and Sugiton…

However, from the 1^st of July to mid-September, the access to the Calanques is strictly forbidden for vehicles, VTT and camping. The only solution remaining during this period to deserve the right to gaze at this magical smelling myrtle, broom and Aleppo pine is to walk.

Prospecting to have a swim in emerald water may be the reason why you could become a highly skilled hiker.

One should never forget to make sure he or she has always got the following kit when having a long walk in the Calanques:

• Shoes, cap and water to confront the nature constraints as well as informing about the authorised time to hike are mandatory.

The best period to visit the Calanques stretches from mid-September to the end of the month of June when the Calanques are beautiful. But the most fascinating approach to maximize the chances to enjoy your rocky inlets trip remains the one that’s done by boat from Marseille (several departures every day from the quai des Belges in the Vieux-Port) or from Cassis where this magnificent sight can be discovered from another viewpoint. That will for sure be an unforgettable stroll.

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1. L’Atelier Saint Germain, Paris

L’Atelier Saint Germain is considered to be the best restaurant in France. Located in the “beaux quartiers” of  Paris’ 7^th district, the restaurant opened in 2003 under the will of Joel Robuchon, a 3-star French Chef. L’Atelier Saint Germain, set in a Japanese atmosphere, offers well-presented meals with sophisticated savours. The restaurant is the 12^th best restaurant in the world.

Particularity: Hold by Joel Robuchon, one of the most famous French Chefs.

Prices: between 27€ and 200€

Address of the restaurant: 5, rue de Montalembert 75007 Paris

2. Le Chateaubriand, Paris

This trendy café, located in the 17^th district of Paris, brings the guests to the world of Marc Chagall, where they can enjoy beautiful lithographies of the artist. The restaurant offers an original and ambitious French cuisine mixing French gastronomy and Jewish tradition, with menus that vary from one season to another according to the Chef’s inspiration. The restaurant is the 15^th best restaurant in the world.

Particularity: Kosher cuisine

Prices: between 27€ and 35€

Address of the restaurant: 5, rue de Montalembert 75007 Paris

3. L’Arpege, Paris

Following the French cuisine of Alain Passard, L’Arpège offers simple but tasty dishes. The Chef bases his cuisine on fresh and tasty vegetables, present in most of the restaurant meals. The restaurant offers purely vegetarian menus. L’Arpege is the 16^th best restaurant in the world.

Particularity: Simple and tasty cuisine made of vegetables; vegetarian dishes.

Prices: between 140€ and 340€

Address of the restaurant: 84, rue de Varenne 75007 Paris

4. The Pierre Gagnaire Restaurant, Paris

Pierre Gagnaire opened his first restaurant in 1996 and it has been since then one of the best restaurants in Paris. The Chef likes following special themes when cooking and then creates an atmosphere around each of his meals. The restaurant is the 17^th best restaurant in the world. It has been at the same rank for 10 years now!

Particularity: Creative cuisine.

Prices: between 110€ and 350€

Address of the restaurant: 6, rue Balzac 75008 Paris

5. L’Astrance, Paris

This contemporary restaurant is probably one of the most original restaurants of this Top 10. Indeed, Pascal Barbot, the chef who opened this unusual restaurant in 2000, creates his own menu on a daily basis, based entirely on his mood.  As you can imagine, there are no menus provided here which enables guests to follow the Chef’s creativity! The restaurant is the 18^th best restaurant in the world.

Particularity: Different daily menu and creative cuisine.

Prices: between 120€ and 210€

Address of the restaurant: 4, rue Beethoven 75016 Paris

6. The Mirazur, Menton

In 2006, Mauro Colagreco took possession of the Mirazur restaurant in Menton. A few months later he received his first star from the Guide Michelin and earned the title of “revelation of the year” from the Gault et Millau guide. The restaurant is unique as it has its own kitchen garden. The chef then uses aromatic plants, flowers and vegetables from the garden following the seasons. The restaurant is the 24^th best restaurant in the world.

Particularity: Own kitchen garden and seasonal cuisine.

Prices: Between 39€ and 120€

Address of the restaurant: 30 avenue Aristide-Briand 06500 Menton

7. The Bras, Laguiole

The Bras restaurant is a family run business which brings you to a comme à la maison atmosphere where you can enjoy tasty and creative cuisine. The restaurant is the 47^th best restaurant in the world.

Particularity: Family business.

Prices: Between 118€ and 190€

Address of the restaurant: Route de l’Aubrac 12210 Laguiole

8. L’Epicure, Paris

L’Epicure is a 3 star restaurant situated inside the Bristol hotel in Paris. Eric Frechon, the restaurant chef, welcomes you in a classic and sophisticated setting.  His cuisine is modern but made of typical refined meals such as truffle and foie gras.

Particularity: Modern cuisine.

Prices: Between 62€ and 280€.

Address of the restaurant: 112 rue du Faubourg Saint Honoré 75008 Paris

9. L’Ambroisie, Paris

The restaurant, set in a royal decor of a Hotel Particulier in Place des Vosges, successfully combines French classic gastronomy and modernity.

Particularity: French classic gastronomy.

Prices: Between 180€ and 300€

Address of the restaurant: 9 place des Vosges 75004 Paris

10. Le Meurice, Paris

Le Meurice brings the Great Century back to life and offers variety of astonishing savours. The dining room decor, inspired by the Chateau de Versailles, was reinterpreted in 2007 by Phillipe Starck. The restaurant overlooks the beautiful garden of Les Tuileries.

Particularity: Audacious cuisine.

Prices: Between 90€ and 420€

Address of the restaurant: 228 rue de Rivoli 75001 Paris

Bon appétit!

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The Special Case of Louis Vuitton

A Brief History

This world famous haute couture brand was born in 1854 in Rue Neuve des Capucines, Paris, by the unsurprising yet internationally well-known Louis Vuitton. Once the industrial revolution took place, LV rapidly realized that well-off social classes were beginning to travel and he saw the opportunity to make a lot of money by creating innovative luggage of great quality, luxury, feature, innovation.

When he died, his work was led by his descendants. By 1885, LV opened its first store in London on Oxford Street (said to be the most luxurious LV store in the world). In 1913, the Louis Vuitton Building opened on the Champs-Élysées (said to be the most beautiful avenue in the world). It closed down for a short while but then re-opened in 2005 (considered to be the most successful LV store in the world).

1987 saw the creation of LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moët & Chandon Hennessy). In 1989, Louis Vuitton became the propriety of billionaire Bernard Arnault and had 130 stores worldwide. In 1998, the brand entered a new field: fashion. Since then, the brand has departments of ready to wear, shoes, accessories, watch making, perfumery, papeterie and jewellery.  Other brands in the LVMH Empire include Dom Pérignon champagne, the Fendi fashion house and the Sephora cosmetics chain. Today, Vuitton operates 456 stores around the globe in 54 countries.

The Way to Make Bags

To make the bags, Louis Vuitton uses leather but also a significant amount of various other toiles. Amongst these, the grey Trianon toile and the red and beige striped toile, the chequered toile “Monogram LV” that exists in diverse colours.

 A Factory in Marsaz, Rhones-Alpes, South-eastern France

Quite recently, Louis Vuitton opened an 8150m² factory of which 4500m² workshop (new leather craft factory (ranked 12^th in France out of 17) near Valence (Drôme).  In addition, LV has three factories in Spain and two in California. Interesting fact, only the zippers are manufactured in Asia.

It will be a good opportunity for the brand to start new methods for making goods in a plant built in accordance with sustainable development. Brought about by global demand, LV decided to settle down in a bucolic environment.

LV still owns a 180-employee tannery in Asnières-sur-Seine which is property of the family and makes special orders perpetuating the taste for tailor-made. Louis Vuitton remains a brand that represents the prestige of French luxury around the world.

If you intend to buy a home in the French Alps region, Sextant French properties is here to help you through the several steps you would have to go through the purchasing process.

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