Louis Vuitton traces back the history of its emblematic founder in a book

Published on 15 October 2021. Updated on 15 June 2026.

Born in 1821 in the French region of Jura, Louis Vuitton forged an exceptional path for himself, to the point of making its name a luxury brand and a symbol of excellence. Before moving to Paris, his career began in a small village, where he made his debut as an apprentice as a “layer-packer-trunk maker” in 1837. Spotted by the Empress Eugenie, who liked his skills and the quality of his trunks, he successfully set up his own business in 1854 and opened a shop on rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, seducing a wealthy clientele.

A time of big social change, the 19th century saw the birth of new means of transportation, like trains, steamboats, and later, cars. Tourism developed rapidly thanks to these technical evolutions. Having become famous for its trunks, which were light, strong and practical to travel with, Louis Vuitton opened a large workshop in Asnières, near Paris, in 1859. Later joined by his son, his grandson and great-grandson finally took over, making the name Louis Vuitton go down in history.

In 2021, the fashion house celebrated the 200th anniversary of its founder’s birth. For the occasion, Caroline Bongrand, novelist and screenwriter behind the film Eiffel (2021), published a biography about the French designer. The opportunity to learn more about this bold visionary who made French luxury shine internationally. 

Louis Vuitton: L’Audacieux (2021) by Caroline Bongrand, published by Éditions Gallimard. An exclusive hardcover edition is available in Louis Vuitton stores.