FAQ

Françoise Montague is a Parisian fine costume jewelry house founded in 1945, located at 231 rue Saint-Honoré, just steps from Place Vendôme. Three generations of women have succeeded one another here since its founding, creating by hand signed pieces and statement jewelry in limited editions.

The House embodies uncompromising Parisian elegance: bold volumes, vibrant colors, rare materials—glass paste, rhinestones, mother-of-pearl, and atelier gilding. Each creation is born from a masterful gesture, inherited and reinvented in the tradition of the great artisans of haute couture.

Today led by Rebecca Mamou-Stern, the third generation at the helm of the House since June 2023, Françoise
Montague combines heritage with contemporary design.

The Françoise Montague House was founded in Paris in 1945, in the aftermath of the Second World War. Today, it spans three generations of women designers and is one of the few Parisian haute fantasy houses to have preserved an uninterrupted tradition of craftsmanship for nearly 80 years.

This continuity—a Parisian atelier, family transmission, and devotion to handcraft—is one of the sector’s rarest hallmarks. The House’s archives continue to inspire our collections today, in a dialogue blending heritage and creativity.

High costume jewelry refers to expressive jewelry that emerged alongside high jewelry, where creative freedom takes precedence over the value of the materials. Created in the workshops of Chanel, Dior, and Yves Saint Laurent as early as the 1930s, it uses glass paste, rhinestones, mother-of-pearl, and finely gilded metals to create statement jewelry worn as works of art.

Unlike industrial “decorative jewelry,” high costume jewelry is handmade in small series by artisans whose techniques have been passed down from the great couture Houses. This is the expertise that Françoise Montague has upheld since 1945.

All the jewelry in the Françoise Montague collection is handcrafted in Paris, in our Parisian workshop. From cast glass to gilding, every step is carried out in France, under the Maison’s supervision.

Our sourcing prioritizes France and Europe for every component: artisanal glass paste, rhinestones, mother-of-pearl, imitation pearls. The gilding is entrusted to a Parisian artisan. This exacting standard is essential to the quality and traceability we offer our customers.

Yes. Each Françoise Montague collection is produced in limited editions, and some designs are available as one-of-a-kind pieces. This rarity is due to our entirely artisanal production and the handwork carried out in our Parisian workshops.

When a design sells out, we can sometimes remake it in the same color. However, no clasp, stitch, or bead can be reproduced exactly: each piece of jewelry remains unique in its details and finishes.

At Françoise Montague, we favor distinctive, timeless creations over standardized production.

Our boutique at 231 rue Saint-Honoré offers a selection of vintage jewelry by Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent, Christian Dior and Christian Lacroix, as well as other leading Parisian haute couture houses. Each piece is sourced, authenticated, and restored if necessary before entering our collections.

These jewels tell the story of the golden age of Parisian couture: Coco Chanel and Robert Goossens, Yves Saint Laurent sautoirs from the 1980s, and exuberant Lacroix brooches. They are collector's pieces as much as they are jewelry to wear.

Yes, without exception. Every vintage jewelry piece offered by Françoise Montague is authenticated by our House before being put up for sale. We verify the signature, hallmarks, period, and provenance. No copy or reproduction is ever sold.

Our expertise is based on twenty years of experience, archives, and a network of reliable sources, including former couture house workshops, private collections, and documented estates. In case of doubt, the piece is rejected.

A vintage piece of jewelry signed by Chanel, YSL, or Dior combines three qualities: an immediately recognizable couture signature, a rarity that will only increase, and the craftsmanship of its era, often superior to what is produced today. It is at once a fashion piece, a work of art, and a heritage asset.

Unlike contemporary jewelry, signed vintage pieces benefit from an active secondary market. A good vintage piece does not depreciate—it is passed down.

Yes. The Maison offers a wide selection of clip-on earrings, designed for unpierced ears. The adjustable clip mechanism ensures a comfortable fit, even over extended periods. You can find this option in the “ Clip ” filter.

Clip-on earrings attach to the earlobe without piercing: open the clip, center the jewelry on the earlobe, and gently close it. For extended comfort, remove the clips every two to three hours and massage the earlobe.

If the clips feel too tight or too loose, bring them to a store: our workshop will adjust them for your comfort.

Our metals are plated with fine gold by a Parisian artisan, using bases selected for their skin tolerance. Most of our sensitive customers wear them without difficulty. If you have a known allergy, please let our customer service team know: we will guide you toward the pieces best suited to you.

All our orders are prepared in the Maison’s signature gift box, then carefully sealed with our signature red seal. Each order is therefore ready to give as a gift.

You can also add a personalized message when placing your order by emailing contact@francoisemontague.com.

For those who are undecided, we offer a gift card for any amount, valid in-store and on francoisemontague.com.

For orders shipped outside France, the gift box and message are prepared before dispatch, and no price is shown on the delivery note.

Our website accepts bank cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express), Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, and Shop Pay. All payments are secured by 3D Secure. In-store, we also accept cash within the legal limit, as well as UnionPay cards.

Yes. For eligible orders, payment in 3 or 4 installments is available at checkout through our partner (Alma, Mollie, PayPal ...). The option is displayed automatically when the amount reaches the eligibility threshold. No additional steps are required.

Sign up for our newsletter at the bottom of the page: you will immediately receive a welcome code offering 5% off your first online order. This offer is valid for 1 month from the date of receipt on the entire collection available on the website francoisemontague.com

Yes. All transactions are encrypted with SSL and validated by the 3D Secure protocol, which requests an additional confirmation from your bank.

Click the “Account” icon at the top right of the website, then click “Create an account .” Enter your details and a password. Your personal account lets you track your orders, find your favorite parts, and get early access to our new products.

The Françoise Montague boutique is located at 231 rue Saint-Honoré, 75001 Paris, just steps from Place Vendôme and the Tuileries Garden. Metro: Tuileries (Line 1) or Pyramides (Lines 7 and 14). It is
the Maison’s Parisian showcase for several decades.

The boutique is open Monday to Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and closed on Sundays. Opening hours may be adjusted on public holidays and during Fashion Week. We invite you to check Google Maps or call us before your visit to confirm at +33(0) 1 42 60 80 16 or via WhatsApp at +33 (0)7 61 89 24 71

Yes. Upon request, we welcome our clients for a private appointment outside opening hours, accompanied by one of the House’s advisors. This appointment is ideal for discovering a selection tailored to you or exploring our vintage archives. Book by email at contact@francoisemontague.com.

Private appointments are offered in French and English.

Yes. Our advisors speak fluent French and English, allowing us to better welcome our international clientele from the Saint-Honoré district and the neighboring palace hotels.

The Maison is primarily distributed through its Paris boutique and e-shop francoisemontague.com, which deliver worldwide. A few selected partner retailers offer part of the collection; the up-to-date list is available upon request from customer service contact@francoisemontague.com

La Maison Françoise Montague does not sell, rent, or transfer any personal data to third parties. Your contact details are used exclusively to process your orders, send you our communications if you have consented to them, and improve your customer experience. You may request the modification or deletion of your data at any time.

Our full privacy policy, GDPR-compliant, is available at the bottom of every page of the website.

Our commitments rest on three pillars: preferred European sourcing (France and the EU for most of our components), local handmade production by Parisian artisans, and limited-edition production to avoid overproduction.

Three fundamental differences set us apart: our brass and/or copper are selected for their quality and skin-friendliness; the gold plating has a gold thickness greater than the usual market standards; each piece is then assembled and individually inspected, far removed from mass-production methods.

The result: jewelry with a presence, durability, and finish that are worlds apart from conventional industrial manufacturing.

In mainland France, allow 2 to 3 business days with Colissimo and 24 hours with Chronopost. In Europe: 3 to 5 business days. United States and United Kingdom: 3 to 5 days with DHL Express. Gulf countries and Asia: 4 to 6 business days. Orders placed before 2 p.m. are shipped the same day (business days).

Yes. Maison Françoise Montague ships orders worldwide: Europe, the United States, Gulf countries (the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait), Asia (Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong, China), the United Kingdom, and Switzerland. Delivery times and costs are displayed automatically at checkout based on your address.

International shipments are handled by DHL Express or Chronopost International, with tracking and a signature required upon delivery.

As soon as your package ships, you will receive an email containing the tracking number and a direct link to the carrier’s website. You can also check your order status at any time in your customer account under “My orders.”

For deliveries outside the European Union (United States, United Kingdom, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, Asia, etc.), any customs duties and local taxes are the recipient’s responsibility, unless otherwise stated at checkout. These fees are set by the authorities in the destination country, and we cannot guarantee their amount in advance.

For customers residing outside the EU, French VAT is automatically deducted at checkout, which offsets part of the local taxes upon arrival.

Yes. Upon request, we hand-deliver to all Parisian luxury hotels (Le Bristol, Ritz, Plaza Athénée, Four Seasons George V, Crillon, Cheval Blanc, Mandarin Oriental, Lutetia…) the same day for any order placed before 2 p.m. Contact our customer service team to arrange delivery.

Yes. In-store pickup at 231 rue Saint Honoré is available for every online order. Select the “Click & Collect ” option at checkout: your order will be ready within 24 to 48 hours, and we’ll email you as soon as it’s available.

Yes. You have 14 days after receipt of your order to return a contemporary piece of jewelry that does not suit you, for a refund or exchange. The jewelry must be returned unworn, in its original case and packaging, accompanied by the invoice.

Return shipping costs are the customer's responsibility, except in the event of a defect or an error on our part. We recommend using a tracked and insured shipping service: the Maison cannot be held responsible for a lost return package.

Email our customer service team at contact@francoisemontague.com, specifying your order number and the reason for the return. We will reply with the return address and the procedure to follow. Be sure to keep your proof of postage until you receive your refund.

Refunds are issued within 14 business days of receipt of the package at the workshop, after the item's condition has been inspected.

Yes. For our vintage jewelry, you have 14 days after receiving your order to make a return as part of a refund or exchange request.

As each piece is unique, it must be returned in its original condition, unworn, with its original case and packaging, accompanied by the invoice.

Return shipping costs are the customer’s responsibility, except in the event of a confirmed defect or an error on our part. We recommend using a tracked and insured service: the House cannot be held responsible for loss or incomplete delivery of the return package.

Report the incident to contact@francoisemontague.com within 48 hours with a photograph of the jewelry and the package. We will cover the return and inspection and, depending on the circumstances, repair or replace it with an identical item. We will cover the costs once the responsibility of the Maison or the carrier has been established.

Glass paste should be dry-cleaned with a soft chamois cloth. Avoid contact with water, perfume, cosmetics, and alcohol, which can dull the glass or damage the setting. Store each piece separately in its case to prevent the elements from knocking against one another.

The House's tip: put on your jewelry last, after applying perfume and makeup. Remove it first in the evening, before removing your makeup.

Gold plating is preserved by avoiding water, perfume, chlorine and humidity. Gently wipe your jewelry after each wear with a soft polishing cloth, then store it away from light in its case. Never wear your gold-plated jewelry in the shower, at the pool, at the beach, or while exercising.

With these precautions, our artisans’ gold plating retains its shine for many years. If it develops a patina, we offer a replating service (see the dedicated question).

No. No high-end costume jewelry is designed for immersion. Water, chlorine, and salt damage the plating, oxidize metal components, and weaken the adhesives used to set rhinestones. Always remove your jewelry before showering, swimming in a pool, or going into the sea.

Yes. The Maison offers a repair service for damaged Françoise Montague jewelry, excluding normal wear and tear: rhinestone reattachment, chain restoration, clasp replacement, and replating. Send us a photo of the jewelry at contact@francoisemontague.com for a personalized quote. Most repairs are carried out in our Parisian workshops.

Vintage pieces can also be restored, subject to the availability of the original materials or suitable equivalents.

We assess repairs of jewelry from other houses on a case-by-case basis, particularly vintage pieces signed Chanel, YSL, Dior, or Lacroix. Send us a photo and description at contact@francoisemontague.com: we will let you know whether the repair is possible and its cost.

Yes. Our Parisian artisan applies fine-gold replating to Françoise Montague jewelry and compatible vintage pieces. Allow 2 to 4 weeks, depending on the workshop’s workload. The price depends on the jewelry’s size and complexity. A quote is sent within 48 hours after receiving a photo.

Yes. Customers residing outside the European Union may benefit from a tax refund on any purchase over €100 made at our 231 rue Saint-Honoré boutique. We issue the Pablo I form on-site, which must be presented at the Pablo kiosks at the airport upon departure for validation.

The VAT refund is 10% of the total amount including VAT, depending on the refund method chosen, by bank card.

Our team will assist you throughout the entire process.

The VAT refund form is the customs document that allows non-EU residents to reclaim VAT on their purchases in France. Issued directly in the store, it must be validated at the Pablo kiosks at the airport of departure from the European Union, no later than the last day of the 3rd calendar month following the purchase date. Validation triggers the refund.

Remember to keep the presentation case and jewelry accessible in your carry-on luggage: customs may ask you to present the items before validation.

Prices are displayed in euros (€), the official currency of the Maison for France and the European Union. Visitors from the United States, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, the Gulf region, or Asia can view an estimate in their local currency (USD, GBP, CHF, AED, JPY, SGD…), automatically recalculated based on the current exchange rate. The final charge is made in the currency displayed at checkout.