FAQ

Françoise Montague is a Parisian high-fashion costume jewelry house founded in 1945, located at 231 rue Saint-Honoré, just steps from Place Vendôme. Three generations of women have succeeded each other since the beginning to create, by hand, signed pieces and statement jewelry in limited editions.

The House embodies uncompromising Parisian elegance: bold shapes, vibrant colors, rare materials: pâte de verre, rhinestones, mother-of-pearl, gold plating in the workshop. Each creation is born from a mastered gesture, inherited and reinvented, in the tradition of the great haute couture artisans.

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

The Françoise Montague House was founded in Paris in 1945, just after World War II. It now spans three generations of creative women and is among the few Parisian haute fantasy houses to maintain an uninterrupted craftsmanship tradition for nearly 80 years.

This continuity, a Parisian workshop, family transmission, and loyalty to manual skill, is one of the rarest hallmarks in the industry. The House's archives still inspire our collections today, in a dialogue blending heritage and creation.

High costume jewelry refers to expressive jewelry born on the sidelines of high-end jewelry, where creative freedom takes precedence over the value of materials. Invented in the workshops of Chanel, Dior, and Yves Saint Laurent as early as the 1930s, it uses glass paste, rhinestones, mother-of-pearl, and precious gold-plated metals to create statement pieces worn like works of art.

To be distinguished from industrial "decorative jewelry": high costume jewelry is handmade, in small series, by artisans whose techniques are inherited from the great fashion houses. This craftsmanship has been preserved by Françoise Montague since 1945.

All the jewelry in the Françoise Montague collection is handmade in Paris, in our Parisian workshop. From cast glass to gilding, each 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 craftsman. This requirement is the guarantee of the quality and traceability we offer our customers.

Yes. Each Françoise Montague collection is made in limited edition, and some creations exist as unique pieces. This rarity is due to our entirely handcrafted production and the manual work carried out in our Parisian workshops.

When a model is sold out, we can sometimes reproduce it in the same color. However, no buckle, stitch, or bead can be perfectly replicated exactly: each piece of jewelry remains unique in its details and finishes.

At Françoise Montague, we prioritize singular and timeless creations rather than standardized production.

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

These jewels tell the great moments of Parisian couture: Coco Chanel and Robert Goossens, Yves Saint Laurent’s 1980s sautoirs, the exuberant Lacroix brooches. They are collector’s items as much as jewelry to wear.

Yes, without exception. Every vintage piece offered by Françoise Montague is authenticated by our House before being put up for sale. We verify the signature, hallmarks, era, and origin. No copies or reproductions are ever sold.

Our expertise is based on twenty years of practice, archives, and a network of reliable sources, including former couture house workshops, private collections, and documented estates. If in doubt, the piece is set aside.

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

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

Yes. The House offers a wide selection of clip-on earrings, designed for non-pierced ears. The adjustable clip mechanism ensures comfortable wear even over time. You can find this option in the filter « Clip ».

The clips attach to the earlobe without piercing: open the clip, position the jewelry centered on the earlobe, then gently close it. For prolonged 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 the store: our workshop will adjust them for your comfort.

Our metals are gold-plated with fine gold by a Parisian craftsman, on bases selected for their skin tolerance. Most of our sensitive customers wear them without difficulty. In case of a known allergy, please inform our customer service: we will guide you to the best-suited pieces.

All our orders are prepared in the Maison’s signature case, then carefully sealed with our red signature seal. Each order is thus ready to be gifted.

You can also add a personalized message when placing your order by sending an email to contact@francoisemontague.com.

For those undecided, we offer a gift card with a flexible amount, valid in-store and on francoisemontague.com.

For orders shipped outside France, the case and message are prepared before shipping, and no price appears on the delivery note.

Our site 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 legal limits, as well as Union Pay cards.

Yes. For eligible orders, payment in 3 or 4 installments is offered at checkout through our partner (Alma, Mollie, Paypal ...). The option appears automatically when the amount reaches the eligibility threshold. No further action is required.

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

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

Click on the Account icon at the top right of the site, then on Create an account. Enter your details and a password. Your personal space allows you to track your orders, find your favorite items, 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 has been the Parisian showcase of the House for several decades.

The store is open Monday to Friday from 10:30 AM to 7:00 PM and on Saturday from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM, and closed on Sunday. 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 +33 (0)7 61 89 24 71

Yes. Upon request, we welcome our clients for a private session outside of opening hours, accompanied by a Maison advisor. This appointment is ideal for discovering a tailored selection 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 to better welcome our international clientele from the Saint-Honoré district and the nearby palaces.

The Maison is mainly distributed through its Parisian boutique and its e-shop francoisemontague.com, which deliver worldwide. A few selected partner retail points offer part of the collection the updated list is available on request from customer service contact@francoisemontague.com

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

Our full privacy policy, compliant with the GDPR, is available at the bottom of every page on the site.

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

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

Result: jewelry with presence, durability, and a finish that have nothing to do with traditional industrial manufacturing.

In mainland France, expect 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. La Maison Françoise Montague ships its orders worldwide: Europe, United States, Gulf countries (Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait), Asia (Japan, Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong, China), United Kingdom, 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 signature upon delivery.

As soon as your package is shipped, you will receive an email containing the tracking number and a direct link to the carrier's website. You can also check the status of your order at any time in your customer area, under the “My Orders” section.

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

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

Yes. On request, we deliver by hand to all Parisian palaces (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 to arrange the delivery.

Yes. In-store pickup at 231 rue Saint Honoré is free for all online orders. Select the "Click & Collect" option at checkout: your order will be ready within 24 to 48 hours and we will send you an email as soon as it is available.

Yes. You have 14 days after receiving 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 case and original packaging, accompanied by the invoice.

Return shipping costs are the customer's responsibility, except in cases of defect or error on our part. We recommend sending with tracking and insurance: the Maison cannot be held responsible for a lost return package.

Send an email to our customer service at contact@francoisemontague.com specifying your order number and the reason for the return. We will provide you with the return address and the procedure to follow in our response. Keep your deposit receipt until the refund is processed.

The refund will be made within 14 business days from the receipt of the package at the workshop, after verifying the condition of the jewelry.

Yes. For our vintage jewelry, you have 14 days after receiving your order to make a return, either for a refund or an exchange.

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

Return shipping costs are the responsibility of the customer, except in cases of a defect or an error on our part. We recommend sending with tracking and insurance: the company cannot be held responsible in case of 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 cover the return, appraisal, and, if applicable, the repair or exchange for an identical item. Costs are covered by us once the responsibility of the House or the carrier is established.

Glass paste is cleaned dry, with a soft chamois cloth. Avoid any 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 elements from bumping into each other.

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

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

With these precautions, the gilding from our artisans retains its shine for many years. In case of tarnish, we offer a re-gilding service (see dedicated question).

No. No high fashion jewelry is designed for immersion. Water, chlorine, and salt damage the gold plating, oxidize metal parts, and weaken the adhesives used for setting rhinestones. Always remove your jewelry before showering, swimming, or going to the sea.

Yes. La Maison offers a repair service for damaged Françoise Montague jewelry, excluding normal wear: rhinestone reattachment, chain restoration, clasp replacement, regilding. 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 are also restored, subject to the availability of original materials or compliant equivalents.

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

Yes. Our Parisian craftsman applies fine gold re-gilding on Françoise Montague jewelry and compatible vintage pieces. Expect 2 to 4 weeks depending on the workshop's workload. The price depends on the size and complexity of the jewelry. The quote is sent within 48 hours after receiving the photo.

Yes. Customers residing outside the European Union can benefit from tax refund on any purchase over €100 made in our store at 231 rue Saint-Honoré. We issue the Pablo I form on site, to be presented at the Pablo terminals at the airport upon departure for validation.

The VAT refund is 10% of the total price including tax depending on the refund method chosen by credit card.

Our team supports you throughout the entire procedure.

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

Be sure to keep the 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 House for France and the European Union. Visitors from the United States, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, the Gulf, or Asia can view an estimate in their local currency (USD, GBP, CHF, AED, JPY, SGD…), automatically recalculated according to the current exchange rate. The final charge is made in the currency shown at the time of payment.