Longchamp’s Maison de Famille: The French Art of Living in Shanghai

A Family Saga That Looks Ahead 

Since 1948, the story of Longchamp has been written like a family saga – now led by the 3rd and 4th generation. True to the founding values of sharing in knowledge, in moments and in life, the Maison’s successors are keeping the unique spark of Longchamp alive. 

The Longchamp Maison de Famille shows this story in motion. Its symbol, the nest, encapsulates the expertise passed patiently from one generation to the next. Just like a bird weaving its shelter, the Longchamp family has shaped a creative legacy made to last. Each room pays tribute to a family member: the entryway and living room of Jean Cassegrain, warm and welcoming, unfolds like a cabinet of curiosities; the staircase of Olivier Cassegrain illuminates the family spirit and history of Longchamp, with portraits and photographs from the archives lining the landing; the kitchen and dining room of Sophie Delafontaine celebrate creativity and the joy of tables packed with people; the garden reflects the vision of Adrien Cassegrain, centred around sustainability and the environment. Upstairs, the library embodies the curiosity of Hector Cassegrain, while the dressing room of Juliette Poupard overflows with Parisian elegance and Longchamp’s innate sense of style. More than a house, the Maison is the reflection of a vibrant and close-knit family united by the art of creating, sharing and looking to the future. 

Modernism with a Parisian Accent 

Nestled in the French Concession of Shanghai, the Paris of the East, the Longchamp Maison de Famille rises up like a bridge between Paris and China. Built in the 1940s and listed as a historical monument, this modernist brick apartment building (150m²) features a distinctive hip roof in red tiles and tall, steel, French-inspired windows which give it a timeless elegance. Outside, a romantic scene unfolds with tables draped in white, hydrangeas and wrought iron furniture, recreating the delicate atmosphere of a Parisian garden.

Inside, each detail pays tribute to the French art of living. Hungarian point parquet and mouldings recall Haussmann-style apartments. The crockery perpetuates an artisanal craft and elevates the offerings from Café Longchamp, a permanent café celebrating the French way of life. Between croque monsieurs, madeleines and canelés, every flavour invites the mind to travel – a delectable link between Paris and Shanghai. The art by David Nash and Etel Adnan, among others, engages with icons of French design, like a René-Jean Caillette side table, a pair of Pierre Guarriche armchairs from 1953, a blue Pierre Paulin sofa and his 1958 Mushroom seats. 

These aesthetic choices weave an intimate tie between heritage and modernity, tradition and daring. The library holds works of French literature, books on art and architecture, as well as iconic comics for younger readers, like Astérix et Obélix (Asterix and Obelix) or Les Schtroumpfs (The Smurfs). Traditional games – bilboquet (cup-and-ball), solitaire, petits chevaux (similar to ludo) – foster a sense of conviviality. In the family games room, a Billard Nicolas table in solid wood calls to mind shared afternoons. The jeu de grenouille (frog game) in the garden keeps the French tradition alive, passed down from generation to generation.  

As day gradually gave way to night, La Maison de Famille in Shanghai came alive with a unique warmth and elegance. The celebration began in the afternoon and continued into the evening, bringing together the Longchamp family and their guests—friends who, within these walls, became like family. 

Together, they celebrated creativity, connection, and French craftsmanship. As night fell, laughter and conversation intertwined, filling the new home with the unmistakable spirit of French art de vivre. 

The Longchamp family, including CEO Jean Cassegrain, Creative Director Sophie Delafontaine, General Manager France Hector Cassegrain, and Events Director Juliette Poupard, welcomed their guests, sharing the stories and traditions of their home while embracing the vibrant rhythm of Shanghai. 

This gathering was more than just an event: it was a true meeting of cultures, a day-to-night celebration where French elegance found a new home.