FAQ

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

The House embodies uncompromising Parisian elegance: bold volumes, vibrant colors, rare materials such as glass paste, rhinestones and mother-of-pearl, and gilding done in the workshop. Each creation is born of a skilled 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 brings together heritage and contemporary design.

The Maison Françoise Montague was founded in Paris in 1945, in the aftermath of the Second World War. Today, it spans three generations of women designers and is among the few Parisian fine jewelry houses to have perpetuated an uninterrupted craft tradition for nearly 80 years.

This continuity, a Parisian workshop, family heritage, and dedication to handcraft are among the industry's rarest hallmarks. The Maison's archives continue to inspire our collections today, in a dialogue between heritage and creation.

High costume jewelry refers to statement jewelry created on the fringes of high jewelry, where creative freedom takes precedence over the value of the materials. First developed 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 bold pieces worn as works of art.

Distinct from mass-produced “decorative jewelry,” high costume jewelry is handmade in small batches by artisans whose techniques have been passed down from the great couture houses. This is the savoir-faire that Françoise Montague has perpetuated since 1945.

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

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

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

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

At Françoise Montague, we favor singular, timeless designs 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 joining 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 piece of jewelry offered by Françoise Montague is authenticated by our Maison before being put up for sale. We verify the signature, hallmarks, period, and provenance. No copies or reproductions are 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. If there is any doubt, the piece is rejected.

A vintage piece of jewelry signed by Chanel, YSL, or Dior combines three values: an instantly recognizable couture signature , a rarity that will only grow, and period craftsmanship 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 wear. You can find this option in the “ Clip ” filter.

The clips fit onto the earlobe without piercing : open the clasp, position the jewelry centered on the earlobe, then gently close it. For lasting comfort, remove the clips every two to three hours and massage your 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 gold-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’ll guide you toward the pieces best suited to you.

All our orders are prepared in the Maison’s signature box, then carefully sealed with our signature red seal. Each order is 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 can’t decide, we offer a gift card for any amount, valid in-store and on francoisemontague.com.

For orders shipped outside France, the box and message are prepared before shipping, and no prices appear 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 up to the legal limit, as well as UnionPay cards.

Yes. For eligible orders, payment in 3 or 4 installments is offered at checkout through our partner (Alma, Mollie, PayPal ...). L’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’ll immediately receive a welcome code offering 5% off your first online order. This offer is valid for 1 month from the date you receive it and applies to the entire collection on the francoisemontague.com website.

Yes. All transactions are SSL-encrypted and verified using 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 contact details and a password. Your personal account lets you track your orders, find your favorite pieces, and get early access to our new arrivals.

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 jewel box, and has been for several decades.

The store 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 Sunday. 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 +33 (0)7 61 89 24 71

Yes. Upon request, we welcome our clients for a private appointment outside opening hours, accompanied by a Maison advisor. This appointment is ideal for discovering a curated selection or exploring our vintage archives. Book by email at contact@francoisemontague.com.

Private appointments are available in French and English.

Yes. Our advisors are fluent in French and English, so they can better welcome our international clientele from the Saint-Honoré district and the neighboring luxury hotels.

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

Maison Françoise Montague 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 to change or delete 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: prioritizing European sourcing (France and the EU for most of our components), local handcrafting by Parisian artisans, and limited-edition production to avoid overproduction.

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

The result: jewelry with a presence, durability, and finish unlike those of conventional industrial manufacturing.

In mainland France, allow 2 to 3 business days with Colissimo and 24 hours with Chronopost. 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, 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 parcel is shipped, 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, Emirates, Asia…), any customs duties and local taxes are the recipient’s responsibility, unless otherwise stated at checkout. These charges 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 some of the local taxes due on arrival.

Yes. On 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 all online orders. 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 receiving your order to return any piece of contemporary 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 sending your return with tracking and insurance: the Maison cannot be held responsible for a lost return package.

Email our customer service team at contact@francoisemontague.com, including your order number and the reason for the return. We will reply with the return address and instructions. Keep your proof of postage safe until you receive your refund.

Refunds are issued within 14 business days of the package being received at the workshop, after the jewelry has been inspected.

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

As each piece is unique, it must be returned in its original condition, unworn, with its original case and packaging, along with 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 Maison cannot be held responsible if the return parcel is lost or does not arrive in full.

Report the incident to contact@francoisemontague.com within 48 hours, including a photograph of the jewelry and the package. We will handle the return, assessment and, as appropriate, repair or like-for-like replacement. We will cover the costs once the responsibility of the House or the carrier has been established.

Glass paste should be cleaned dry with a soft polishing 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 components from knocking against each other.

Our House tip : put your jewelry on last, after applying perfume and makeup. Take it off 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 in its case, away from light. Never wear gold-plated jewelry in the shower, at the pool, at the beach or while exercising.

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

No. No fashion jewelry is designed to be submerged. Water, chlorine, and salt damage the gold plating, oxidize the metal parts, and weaken the adhesives used to set the rhinestones. Always remove your jewelry before showering, swimming in a pool, or going into the sea. L’eau, le chlore et le sel altèrent la dorure, oxydent les pièces métalliques et fragilisent les colles utilisées pour le sertissage des strass. Retirez systématiquement vos bijoux avant la douche, la piscine et la mer.

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

Vintage pieces are also restored, subject to the availability of original materials or suitable alternatives.

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

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

Yes. Customers residing outside the European Union can benefit from tax-free shopping on any purchase over €100 made at our boutique at 231 rue Saint-Honoré. We issue the Pablo I form on site, which you must present at the Pablo kiosks at the airport before departure for validation.

The 10% VAT refund is based on the tax-inclusive amount, according to the refund method chosen by credit card.

Our team will guide you through the entire process.

The tax refund form is the customs document that allows non-residents of the European Union to reclaim VAT on their purchases in France. Issued directly in 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 jewelry 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 House’s official currency 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 using the current exchange rate. The final charge is made in the currency displayed at the time of payment.