2026-01-03 06:00
publication
2026-01-03 06:00
When other billionaires sell their assets for fear of taxes, the Arnault family chooses a different strategy. During the year, it spent nearly EUR 200 million on the purchase of three addresses, paying the highest rates on the Paris real estate market in the last twelve months. This step is not only a capital investment, but also a strong impulse to revive the luxury real estate market – reports the Financial Times.
The purchasing offensive of the family led by Bernard Arnault covered three Parisian properties. Two of which are in the elegant seventh arrondissement: tenement house valued at EUR 58 million and a historic residence from the 17th century, for which EUR 97.5 million was paid in March 2025.
The list of purchases ends with a triplex apartment in the wealthy 16th arrondissement of Paris, purchased in May for EUR 44 million. The ad described the property as an oasis of luxury with a marble fireplace, elegant wainscoting and large French doors, behind which there is a 1,425 square meter garden. – we read in the Financial Times.
The highest prices in the last year
Market sources indicate that These investments were among the most expensive transactions in Paris last year.
Pharrell Williams was also at the forefront, alongside the Arnault family. The creative director of the Louis Vuitton men's line bought a property worth EUR 62.5 million, which also placed him among the record sales on the Paris real estate market – we read in the Financial Times.
High-value transactions helped revive the market
We are talking about the luxury real estate market, which is only gradually recovering after sales declines in 2023-2024 – according to information from many Parisian agents quoted by the Financial Times.
The CEO of Coldwell Banker Europa said that interest rates can be expected to fall in 2025 after two difficult years, which could attract buyers to the market.
However, not all market observers are optimistic. Several Paris agents note that growing political uncertainty in France and the threat of new wealth taxes are discouraging some potential buyers.
The Arnaults' record purchases demonstrate their strategy: While others are withdrawing from the market due to political uncertainty and taxes, they see it as an opportunity to expand their luxury portfolio.
“We have many high-net-worth clients who have decided to put their properties up for sale and plan to move out,” says Richard Tzipine, general manager of Barnes in France. – It is not known whether they will actually move out, but the fact is that there have been specific sales offers.
A large Parisian wallet
The total expenses of the Arnault family, confirmed by documents obtained by the Financial Times, amounted to EUR 199.5 million. This amount comes at a time when the CEO of LVMH is slowly rebuilding losses after several years of slowdown in sales in the luxury goods segment.
Despite the share price drop after the pandemic, the Arnaults are still among the world's richest families. LVMH shares saw a partial recovery in 2025, thanks to the improving outlook for the luxury industry.
The family's purchases will further expand the Arnaults' already extensive Parisian property portfolio, which includes more than ten terraced houses and apartments.
LVMH and the Arnaults refused to comment on this matter, reports the Financial Times.
prepared by WM
