Paris With PurseBop Series
PurseBop Falls for a Chanel Boy in Paris
Part I: Hermès in Paris With PurseBop: Part I of the Trilogy
Part II: PurseBop Scores at Hermès Faubourg Saint Honoré: Part II of the Trilogy
Goyard, Paris
Not all of my Paris shopping was Chanel or Hermès. Traveling in the City of Lights was the perfect time and place to shop for a new travel tote. As the PurseBop community knows from reading about my other voyages, a blue Goyard Saint Louis often totes along and forms the basis for a whole lot of bag nesting starting with B35s. It’s been a loyal and utilitarian travel companion for the past two years, but I was feeling the need for something new.
Endless travels with my blue Saint Louis GM tote. Orange Birkin 35, Hermès sneakers, Louis Vuitton luggage.
For starters, my bags have shrunk. Not to fear (except for my bank account), my collection continues to grow, but I find myself purchasing and using smaller size bags, especially Birkins and Kellys. There was a time when B35 was my go-to travel handbag, but lately I’ve been accompanied by B30s and 25s. I’m finding them large enough.
The result of downsizing is that my Saint Louis is now oversized for my needs. Ergo… Paris in the springtime was a great opportunity to explore a new set of Goyard tote options. There is, in fact, a new(ish) tote in town: the Artois.
The Goyard Artois.
My Barenia Birkin 30 sitting besides the pm and mm sizes of the Artois tote.
Like the Saint Louis, the Goyard Artois is a rectangular-shaped tote composed of goyardine canvas with sturdy thin shoulder straps available in two sizes (although the Artois comes in PM and MM and the Saint Louis is MM and GM). So what’s the difference?
Structure, security and straps. We all know how I like a structured (not floppy) bag – and the Artois does that. Leather corners provide a base foundation to hold shape even when empty. The Artois also has a zipper – providing security to keep your items in and unwanted hands out. The shoulder strap is a bit longer as well – good for taller people and anyone sporting a coat. For me, it improves upon the classic Goyard tote and was worth a shot. Below we take a closer look.
The Goyard Artois comes trimmed in black leather or natural leather. The Artois GM size has my Birkin 30 nesting inside here.
The Artois comes in classic black all the special colors available by Goyard for an upcharge.
Detailed Comparison of the Goyard Saint Louis and Artois Totes
Although to some, totes may seem interchangeable, Goyard’s two popular options differ in important aspects. Let’s compare feature by feature. Our model is 5’6″ and a size 10.
Structure – The Artois is a more structured tote than the Saint Louis. Bottom corners are reinforced with leather ensuring a firmer base foundation. While goyardine fabric is used for both, the Artois fabric is heavier.
The Artois has leather corners that provide a base foundation to hold shape even when empty.
Closure – The Saint Louis is an open top tote, providing easy casual access. The Artois has a zipper top, providing extra security.
Pockets and Pochettes – The Saint Louis comes with a small attached pochette. The Artois does not but instead has a sturdy interior pocket for suitable for holding a wallet, phone and/or travel documents.
Artois has a heavier weight canvas offering more structure and a handy interior pocket for wallet, phone and travel documents.
Strap length – The Artois strap is longer than that of the Saint Louis, making it more comfortable on the shoulder. It also is better for taller people and for wearing over a coat. On the other hand, the shorter strap of the Saint Louis is better for a handheld carry.
Saint Louis has shorter shoulder straps.
Artois has a longer shoulder strap and a more compact structured look.
Note difference in shoulder strap length.
Artois is much more comfortable when worn over the shoulder.
To review our extensive earlier coverage of the Goyard Saint Louis totes, please visit:
Grab & Go: The Goyard Reference Guide
Goyard Saint Louis – The Tote of All Totes
Price Comparison and Handbag Math
The following charts review the prices of both totes in both the United States and Paris. Whether there is a price difference (or an advantage to purchasing in one locations versus another) is one of our most frequently asked questions here at PurseBop. We include a chart calculating and showing the potential savings by purchasing Goyard totes in Paris. We verified and used updated prices for the Saint Louis totes also as there recently was a price increase.
Let’s take a look at each tote style in both of the available sizes and in the black and specialty color options, shall we?
Goyard Artois MM
| Region | Black | Colors |
| USA | $2035 | $2645 |
| Europe | €1,325 | €1,725 |
| Vat Refund 12% | €159 | €207 |
| Cost after VAT | €1166 | €1518 |
| USD Equivalent | $1382 | $1799 |
| Savings | $653 | $846 |
Goyard Artois MM
| Region | Black | Colors |
| USA | $2035 | $2645 |
| Europe | €1325 | €1725 |
| VAT Refund 12% | €159 | €207 |
| Cost after VAT | €1166 | €1518 |
| USD Equivalent | $1382 | $1799 |
| Savings | $653 | $846 |
Goyard Artois PM
| Region | Black | Colors |
| USA | $1725 | $2245 |
| Europe | €1125 | €1465 |
| VAT Refund (approx. 10%) | €135 | €176 |
| Cost after VAT | €990 | €1289 |
| USD Equivalent | $1173 | €1528 |
| Savings | $552 | $717 |
Goyard Artois PM
| Region | Black | Colors |
| USA | $1725 | $2245 |
| Europe | €1125 | €1465 |
| VAT Refund 12% | €135 | €176 |
| Cost after VAT | €990 | €1289 |
| USD Equivalent | $1173 | $1528 |
| Savings | $552 | $717 |
Saint Louis GM
| Region | Black | Colors |
| USA | $1490 | $1935 |
| Europe | €970 | €1260 |
| VAT refund 12% | €116 | €151 |
| Cost after VAT | €854 | €1109 |
| USD Equivalent | $1012 | $1314 |
| Savings | $478 | $621 |
Saint Louis GM
| Region | Black | Colors |
| USA | $1490 | $1935 |
| Europe | €970 | €1260 |
| VAT Refund 12% | €116 | €151 |
| Cost after VAT | €854 | €1109 |
| USD Equivalent | $1012 | $1314 |
| Savings | $478 | $621 |
Saint Louis PM
| Region | Black | Colors |
| USA | $1280 | $1665 |
| Europe | €835 | €1085 |
| VAT Refund 12% | €100 | €130 |
| Cost after VAT | €735 | €955 |
| USD Equivalent | $871 | $1132 |
| Savings | $409 | $533 |
Saint Louis PM
| Region | Black | Colors |
| USA | $1280 | $1665 |
| Europe | €835 | €1085 |
| VAT Refund 12% | €100 | €130 |
| Cost after VAT | €735 | €955 |
| USD Equivalent | $871 | $1132 |
| Savings | $409 | $533 |
Price Conclusions That Can Be Drawn From The Handbag Math Study
Obviously, the Artois tote is more expensive than the Saint Louis. Approximately $500 more expensive depending on the style.
Buying either Goyard tote is less expensive in Paris (for Americans, anyway). We calculated a 32% saving across the board for both bags in all sizes if purchasing the totes in Paris. Just a disclaimer – we assumed that the U.S. customs duty (when purchased in Paris and declared) would be roughly the same as state sales tax when purchased stateside. Of course, if your state or store doesn’t charge sales tax, you can factor that in in doing your own handbag math.
What Size Hermès Bags Fit In the Saint Louis Versus the Artois Tote?
Here’s the practical on how it works for travel and bag nesting. A Birkin 35 will not fit. If that’s your go-to, stay with the Saint Louis. Birkin 30, however, is a great fit unzippered; the Birkin handles prevent closure, but otherwise is a great option. Same for the Kelly 32, great fit unzippered. The Artois, however, was made for my B25s, K25’s and Kelly 28’s.
I have now used my Artois tote on three separate journeys and can accurately report how it fared on my travels, including its nesting ability and content capacity.
My trip in April to NYC – I only put one Kelly 32 Sellier in Blue Paradise inside the Artois. The Kelly nests comfortably in its dustbag inside the tote but the Artois cannot be zippered. However, the tote stands tall and I love the easy access to my phone and travel documents from the sturdy inside pocket of the Artois.
NYC bound.
Kelly 32 nesting in my Artois tote.
Weekend getaway in Chicago – Here you can see my mini sized bags fitting comfortably with the zipper of the Artois closed. I took my Birkin 25 in black swift along with my Constance mini in black box leather and my new compact Constance mini wallet from Paris in Blue Nuit epsom with Rose Sherazade swift interior (read: PurseBop Scores at Hermès Faubourg Saint Honoré: Part II of the Trilogy).
Staycation in Chicago.
Weekend trip to DC – This time I brought my Birkin 25 in bubblegum pink and a Chanel mini in orange patent. Both nested beautifully inside the zippered Artois. Again I really enjoy the secure inside pocket for my phone and wallet.
Nesting bags: Artois tote mm contains Birkin 25 that contains mini Chanel classic flap.
The mystery Hermès box coming home from DC. Note the zippered Artois tote containing my bags above that made the trip.
This photo was taken on the return home from DC with the Hermès mystery box in tow. This surprise orange box is from Paris and arrived to the US with my parents. You’ll need to catch up with the end of Part II to follow the twist of events to the #PariswithPurseBop series (read: PurseBop Scores at Hermès Faubourg Saint Honoré: Part II of the Trilogy).In fact I insist you catch up before Part III coming this weekend. Stay tuned.
Few extra Goyard goodies came home with me.
I purchased a mens bi -fold wallet for Mr. PurseBop.
Love PurseBop
XO
Updated: May 26th, 2018
Comments
1 Responses to “Goyard Tote Battle: Artois Takes on Saint Louis”
Hi!
What sizes are the bags in the pictures with the model?