The Saint Louis may be the most visible Goyard bag, but it represents only one part of the house’s collection.
Goyard offers multiple interpretations of the luxury tote. The Saint Louis is light, unlined and deliberately simple. The Artois adds structure, reinforced corners and a zip. The Anjou exchanges the canvas exterior for leather while preserving the familiar open shape.
Beyond those three, the Saïgon turns the house’s trunk-making heritage into a structured top-handle bag, while the Belvédère and Bohème provide more practical hands-free alternatives.
The best choice therefore depends on what you expect the bag to do. Choose the Saint Louis for lightness, the Artois for everyday security, the Anjou for a more elevated leather finish or the Saïgon for a distinctive structured silhouette.
TL;DR
- The Saint Louis is Goyard’s lightest and most recognisable tote.
- The Artois is more structured, reinforced and secure than the Saint Louis.
- The Anjou is a reversible leather interpretation of the Saint Louis.
- The Saïgon expresses Goyard’s trunk-making codes most clearly.
- The Belvédère is the strongest practical crossbody option.
- The Bohème offers a relaxed shoulder-bag alternative.
- PM sizes generally suit daily use; larger sizes work better for travel or bulky items.
- Goyardine is lightweight, but it should not be overloaded or cleaned aggressively.
- Personalisation can make a bag distinctive, but personalised pieces are generally less flexible to return.
- Buy for use and personal preference rather than assuming resale growth.
Goyard Bags at a Glance
| Bag | Structure | Closure | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saint Louis | Soft and unlined | Open top with optional leather fastener | Shopping, travel and light daily use |
| Artois | Structured with reinforced corners | Full zip | Commuting and secure everyday use |
| Anjou | Soft leather and canvas | Open top with leather fastener | Elevated casual dressing |
| Saïgon Structuré | Firm and architectural | Trunk-inspired flap closure | Polished occasions and collectors |
| Saïgon Souple | Softer and more relaxed | Flap closure | Day-to-evening use |
| Belvédère | Streamlined messenger shape | Secure tab closure | Crossbody wear and travel |
| Bohème | Soft hobo construction | Zipped top | Casual shoulder carrying |
What Is Goyardine Canvas?
Goyardine is the patterned coated canvas used across much of the house’s luggage and handbag collection. Its repeating chevrons form a distinctive geometric surface that is recognisable without conventional logo lettering.
The material is valued primarily for its low weight and flexibility. This is why even a large Saint Louis can feel surprisingly light before it is filled.
However, lightweight canvas should not be treated like rigid luggage. Goyard advises owners to avoid excessive weight, rough surfaces, moisture, oils, make-up, perfume and prolonged heat. The house recommends cleaning canvas and leather gently with a soft cloth rather than using commercial cleaning products. Goyard Care Advice
Goyardine appears in classic shades such as black, black and tan, navy and burgundy, as well as brighter green, yellow, orange, red and pale-blue variations.
Saint Louis: The Lightweight Icon
The Saint Louis is the natural starting point for understanding Goyard. It is an unlined Goyardine tote with two leather handles and a removable interior pouch.
The bag is reversible: the patterned canvas can face outward, or it can be turned inside out to reveal its linen-and-cotton weave. In practice, most owners use the Goyardine side externally because it is the bag’s defining feature. Goyard Saint Louis PM
Its strengths are simplicity and weight. The Saint Louis folds relatively flat, making it useful as an additional travel bag. It can also accommodate irregularly shaped items more easily than a structured handbag.
Its limitations are equally important:
- The open top provides limited security.
- The base is unstructured.
- The slim handles can become uncomfortable when overloaded.
- There are no substantial internal compartments.
- The corners and handle glazing require care with frequent use.
Choose the PM for everyday essentials and the GM for travel, shopping or larger loads. Avoid treating either size as a heavy-duty laptop bag without using an organiser and controlling the weight.
Artois: The Best Everyday Goyard Tote
The Artois resembles the Saint Louis but solves several of its practical weaknesses.
Four leather corners reinforce the base, while a zip secures the opening. The interior includes a floating pocket, and the bag holds its shape more effectively when set down. The Artois also has longer handles than the equivalent Saint Louis PM. Goyard Artois PM
These additions make the Artois the strongest all-round Goyard tote for commuting, frequent city use and travel through crowded environments.
The structured construction means it cannot fold as compactly as the Saint Louis. It is also heavier, although still relatively light compared with a fully leather tote.
Choose the Artois PM for everyday use and the MM if you regularly carry documents, a tablet, a light layer or travel essentials. The MM includes a full zip, leather corner protection and a linen-and-cotton interior. Goyard Artois MM
Anjou: The Leather Alternative
The Anjou is closely related to the Saint Louis, but its primary side is crafted from calfskin leather and lined with Goyardine canvas.
Like the Saint Louis, it can be reversed. One side provides the quieter appearance of a leather tote; the other displays the house’s patterned canvas. The bag also includes a removable pouch and leather Croc Universel fastener. Goyard Anjou PM
The leather construction makes the Anjou feel more substantial and polished. It works particularly well when a canvas tote seems too casual but a structured top-handle bag feels too formal.
The Anjou Mini is designed around essentials and transitions easily into evening. The Anjou PM offers greater daily capacity and can be carried by hand or on the shoulder.
Choose the Anjou if you appreciate the Saint Louis shape but want:
- A more luxurious tactile finish
- Greater visual depth
- Two genuinely different exterior looks
- A tote that works with tailored clothing
- A compact leather option for day-to-evening use
The main disadvantages are additional weight and the greater care required by the exposed leather side.
Saïgon: The Trunk-Making Statement
The Saïgon moves beyond the house’s familiar tote formula. It incorporates details associated with traditional trunks, including wood elements, leather corners and visible rivets.
The Saïgon Structuré Mini has a firm, architectural body and can be worn with or without its strap. Its proportions suit evening events, lunches and occasions where only a phone, cardholder, keys and a few small items are required. Goyard Saïgon Structuré Mini
The Saïgon Souple Mini retains the wood and leather references but uses a softer construction. It is the easier version for casual day-to-evening dressing. Goyard Saïgon Souple Mini
Choose the structured version for maximum visual impact and the Souple if comfort and flexibility matter more. Both are less practical than an Artois or Belvédère, but they reveal more of Goyard’s design heritage.
Belvédère: The Practical Crossbody
The Belvédère is the strongest option for buyers who prioritise hands-free carrying.
It has a secure but accessible closure, adjustable leather strap and both interior and exterior pockets. The PM is compact enough for weekends and travel, while the MM offers more space without becoming a conventional tote. Goyard Belvédère PM
Its design was inspired by the small bags once carried by log drivers—the historical occupation of the Goyard family. This gives the bag a functional story that feels different from the aristocratic references behind several tote names.
Choose the Belvédère for sightseeing, commuting and daily errands. It is more secure than the Saint Louis and less formal than the Saïgon.
Bohème: The Relaxed Shoulder Bag
The Bohème is a softer alternative to Goyard’s angular totes and structured top-handle bags.
Its curved body sits naturally against the side, while the zip makes it more secure than an open Saint Louis. The standard version works as an everyday shoulder bag, and the Mini offers a lighter option for compact essentials.
The shape feels more casual than an Artois or Anjou, making it particularly effective with denim, knitwear, relaxed tailoring and travel outfits.
Which Size and Colour Should You Choose?
| Your Priority | Recommended Bag |
|---|---|
| Light daily tote | Saint Louis PM |
| Large travel companion | Saint Louis GM |
| Secure everyday tote | Artois PM |
| Work and commuting | Artois MM |
| Compact leather bag | Anjou Mini |
| Elevated leather tote | Anjou PM |
| Structured statement | Saïgon Structuré Mini |
| Hands-free practicality | Belvédère PM |
| Relaxed shoulder style | Bohème Hobo |
Black and tan is the safest first colour because it works throughout the year and coordinates with both warm and cool neutrals. Black offers a more graphic effect, while navy feels softer.
Green, burgundy and grey retain versatility while feeling more distinctive. Yellow, orange, red and pale blue make the canvas more expressive but may be less suitable as an only luxury bag.
Personalisation through initials or stripes adds individuality. Goyard states that its marquage is executed by hand, but personalised products generally cannot be returned, so decide carefully before ordering. Goyard Personalisation
Shop the Edit
Colours, sizes and availability may vary by market and boutique.
Pros and Cons of Goyard Bags
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Lightweight and recognisable Goyardine canvas | Canvas should not be overloaded |
| Broad colour selection | Open totes provide limited security |
| Multiple versions of the classic tote shape | Slim Saint Louis handles may become uncomfortable |
| Hand-painted personalisation is available | Personalised products have return restrictions |
| Designs range from casual totes to structured handbags | Select models can be difficult to view locally |
| Several bags are reversible | Leather versions require more careful handling |
Final Verdict
Choose the Saint Louis if lightness and packability matter most. It remains the simplest introduction to Goyard, but its open top and unstructured body make it better for lighter contents than demanding daily commutes.
The Artois is the strongest practical recommendation. Its zip, reinforced corners and firmer construction make it better suited to work, travel and regular city use.
Choose the Anjou if you want the familiar tote shape with a richer leather finish. Select the Saïgon for a more collectible design, the Belvédère for crossbody practicality or the Bohème for a relaxed shoulder silhouette.
For most first-time buyers, the decision comes down to two models: the Saint Louis PM for effortless lightness or the Artois PM for greater security and structure. The right one is determined not by which is more famous, but by what you actually carry.
