New editions have arrived for LOUIS VUITTON’s City Guides, which introduce cities around the world, and its Travel Books series, which allows readers to experience travel through illustrations by artists from around the globe. Available since Friday, May 15, 2020.

Books have always held a significant place in the history of Louis Vuitton. Gaston-Louis Vuitton (1883–1970), the grandson of founder Louis Vuitton, was an avid collector and bibliophile whose interests spanned literature to fine art.

This tradition continues today, with Louis Vuitton having produced its own publications for nearly 20 years. Currently, over 80 titles are available, including the three collections focused on travel: City Guides, Travel Books, and the photography series Fashion Eye.

The latest releases include a new City Guide dedicated to Reims, the historic city in France, and three new Travel Books featuring Barcelona, Morocco, and Saint Petersburg, created by artists from around the world.

Since their debut in 1998, the City Guides, each focusing on a single city and having introduced 30 destinations worldwide, are a book series that embodies the "essence of travel" passed down since the Maison's founding. They offer a unique perspective that transcends traditional guidebooks, covering fashion, design, contemporary art, food, and culture. Writers and guest contributors from diverse fields share their insights, highlighting the most exquisite hotels, finest restaurants, unique boutiques, and historical sites, all through their individual sensibilities. While often overshadowed by leather goods and fashion, this is one of Louis Vuitton's long-cherished and historic masterpieces.

The new edition pays homage to Reims, an ancient city in northeastern France, and the art de vivre of the Champagne region. Located just a 45-minute TGV high-speed train ride from Paris, Reims is known as the traditional site for the coronation of French kings and boasts numerous UNESCO World Heritage sites. It is also famous as the heart of Champagne production, home to many world-renowned Champagne houses.

This book introduces over 150 carefully selected, lesser-known, and up-to-date spots—including bars, restaurants, hotels, and galleries—chosen with a free spirit by its team of writers and guest contributors. An electronic version is also available, which can be downloaded for free from the App Store until around autumn of this year, coinciding with the grape harvest season. Both versions are available in English and French only.

The Travel Books series offers a virtual journey through illustrations, where artists from around the world travel to countries they have never visited and express their experiences freely through sketches, watercolors, collages, contemporary art, cartoons, or manga.

For about 20 years, Louis Vuitton has presented the Carnets de Voyage series, depicting urban adventures illustrated by illustrators and watercolorists. As a successor to this, the Travel Books series captures journeys to distant, unexplored lands and sleepless cities from a contemporary and fresh perspective.

This time, French artist Marc Desgrandchamps, specializing in figurative painting, depicts Barcelona; Canadian contemporary artist Marcel Dzama portrays Morocco; and American fashion illustrator Kelly Beeman renders Saint Petersburg with delicate touches.

From famous tourist attractions to hidden gems unknown even to locals, the City Guides cover it all. The Travel Books allow you to retrace journeys through the works of each artist. Especially now, when travel is not easy, we hope you will take these guidebooks and let your imagination wander, believing that the time to travel again will surely come.

Furthermore, starting Friday, May 15, the release date, interviews with the artists behind these books are also available on the Louis VuittonOfficial WebsiteandOfficial YouTube Channel.

LOUIS VUITTON CITY GUIDE REIMS
Release Date: Friday, May 15, 2020
Price: ¥2,500 (excluding tax)
Available at: Louis Vuitton Stores, louisvuitton.com
The mobile application can be downloaded from the App Store.

LOUIS VUITTON TRAVEL BOOK
Release Date: Friday, May 15, 2020
Price: ¥5,400 (excluding tax)
Available at: Louis Vuitton Stores, louisvuitton.com
*A limited edition of 30 copies each, including a serial number, artist's signature, and original lithograph, will be produced and sold at select Louis Vuitton stores.