The Paris Traveler

Longchamp Handbags: Can You Have Too Many?

by Kim on June 11th, 2008

 You might not want to try this in your own home unless four women are in it that all have a weakness for handbags.  This would be the Poulin women’s very own collection of Longchamp bags that we have gathered over the years in numerous cities, as well as countries, throughout Europe.  Our Longchamp lust started about 4 years ago and keeps growing with each collection that they come out with.  

Here’s a little history:   The Longchamp company started in 1948 when owner, Jean Cassegrain, started making leather coverings for pipes–the kind you smoke.  Over the next 2 decades, they slowly added small leather goods, ultimately transitioning into lightweight nylon and leather luggage.  The bags that you see in the picture from their Le Pliage line are our favorites as they fold up and can be easily packed larger bags for those who need extra space for the trip home!!   Shapes, designs and colors change seasonally which of course keeps bringing us back to see what fun they have come up with.  What we love most about these bags is they are pretty affordable, all things considered.  I brought three home from my last trip, one for each of my daughters and the veins in my husband’s neck didn’t burst when the bill came.  Always a good thing!

I’m convinced that there must be some secret female rite of passage that French girls go through where they are given a Longchamp bag upon its completion.  Women of all ages carry them in Paris, sometimes two at a time.  They might be carrying an Hermés over their arm with a Pliage bag over their shoulder as their tried and true workhorse.  If you are looking for something to bring back for yourself or someone special at home that would impart a bit of  ”Frenchness” on a daily basis, this would be it.

 There are many places one can purchase Longchamp in Paris but really, to have the best selection and the most accommodating staff, you should venture to rue Saint Honoré to their flagship store.   Each time my daughters came to visit me, we had to make a trip here, not necessarily to purchase–although clearly we did some of that–but to just enjoy the whole, luxurious Longchamp experience.  

Boutique Longchamp  404, rue Saint Honoré    Metro:  Concorde or Madeleine 

Additonal information:  Longchamp

Photo credit:  Personal collection,   flickr: designertutoring

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