Goyard's three best-known totes look related because they are. The Saint Louis is open and soft, the Artois is zipped and more structured, and the Anjou lets you flip from canvas to leather. The right one depends less on status and more on what you carry, how much structure you want, and whether you need the top closed.
Goyard ties all three names back to Louis IX of France, better known as Saint Louis. The Saint Louis is named for the king, while the Artois and Anjou refer to his brothers. The naming fits the bags: the Saint Louis is the original shape, and the other two are close relatives rather than something completely separate.
The Saint Louis Tote
The Saint Louis is the bag most people mean when they say "Goyard tote." Secondary guides usually trace it back to the 1930s, and Goyard says it began as a beach bag. That explains the open top, the unlined interior, and the reversible construction. It is also very light: the standard PM is listed at about 280 g on Goyard's current product page.
Saint Louis Key Features
- Design
- Soft open-top tote that folds flat. No zipper. The standard Saint Louis is fully reversible, and current online listings also include a detachable Croc Universel leather fastener.
- Materials
- Goyardine canvas with an unlined linen-and-cotton inner side, plus Chevroches calfskin handles.
- Sizes
- PM (34×28×15 cm / 13.5×11×6 in) and GM (40×34×20 cm / 16×13.5×8 in) are the standard sizes most people compare.
- Strap Drop
- PM: 18 cm (7 in), GM: 21 cm (8.3 in). PM can feel snug over thick coats.
- Included
- Removable inside pouch attached to one handle; some current listings also include a detachable Croc Universel leather fastener.
Pros
- Very light: Easy to carry all day and easy to pack inside a suitcase
- Flexible shape: It takes awkward, bulky items that do not fit well in rigid totes
- Fast access: You can reach in and out without stopping to unzip anything
- Packs flat: Good as a spare travel tote
- Lowest entry price: Usually the easiest place to start if you want a Goyard tote
- Actually reversible: You can flip the canvas inward after beach or pool use
Cons
- No full closure: The top stays open, so your things are more exposed on trains, planes, and in crowds
- Wears faster under heavy loads: The handles and bottom corners take the stress
- No structure: It collapses when you set it down
- Less discreet: It is the Goyard tote people spot most often
Best for: Beach trips, travel, casual errands, and anyone who cares more about light weight than built-in structure.
The Artois Tote
Goyard describes the Artois as a more structured, more secure take on the Saint Louis. The shape is still recognizably Goyard, but the changes matter in use: a top zipper, leather corners, a floating inside pocket, and longer handles. That is why the Artois works better as a commuter or work tote.
Artois Key Features
- Design
- Structured tote with a full top zipper, leather corners, and enough body to stand up on its own.
- Materials
- Goyardine canvas exterior, double-lined canvas interior, Chevroches leather corners and handles.
- Sizes
- PM (40×25×14 cm / 15.7×9.8×5.5 in), MM (50×30×17 cm / 19.7×11.8×6.7 in), GM (68×37×24 cm / 26.8×14.6×9.4 in). MM is the usual work-size choice.
- Strap Drop
- PM: 20 cm (8 in), MM: 25 cm (10 in). Longer than St Louis — works over coats.
- Included
- Interior "floating" zip pocket for organizing small items. No external pochette.
Pros
- Full zip top: Better for crowded commutes, flights, and anyone who does not want an open bag
- Leather corners: The bag wears on leather rather than bare canvas
- Structured body: Easier to load, easier to set down, and easier to use for work
- Longer handles: Better over coats and blazers than the Saint Louis
- Inside zip pocket: Handy for keys, earbuds, or a transit card
- Better with heavier loads: It handles a laptop and daily essentials more calmly than the Saint Louis
Cons
- Higher price: You pay a clear premium over the Saint Louis
- Heavier: The structure and zipper add noticeable weight
- Less forgiving when overstuffed: It does not stretch around odd items as easily as the Saint Louis
- No detachable pouch: You get a built-in pocket instead
Best for: Commuters, office use, travel days, and anyone who wants the Goyard look in a more controlled shape.
The Anjou Tote
The Anjou is the Saint Louis with a leather side. One face is Goyardine canvas and the other is grained Chevroches calfskin, so flipping it changes the bag more than most so-called reversible totes. It is still open at the top, but it feels firmer and dressier in the hand than a Saint Louis.
Anjou Key Features
- Design
- Fully reversible open-top tote: canvas on one side, leather on the other. More body than the Saint Louis, but still soft.
- Materials
- Chevroches calfskin on one side and Goyardine canvas on the other, designed to be worn either way.
- Sizes
- Mini (19.5×19.5×9 cm / 7.7×7.7×3.5 in), PM (33×28×14.5 cm / 13×11×5.7 in), and GM (38.5×33×18.5 cm / 15.2×13×7.3 in) are the sizes most people encounter today.
- Strap Drop
- Mini/PM: 17 cm (6.7 in), GM: 19 cm (7.5 in). Slightly shorter than St Louis.
- Included
- Removable inside pocket and a leather Croc Universel fastener.
Pros
- Two finished looks: Canvas when you want the classic Goyard pattern, leather when you want something quieter
- Dressier hand feel: The leather side makes the bag feel richer and more substantial
- More body than the Saint Louis: The bag does not collapse quite as easily
- Leather edges: The bag has better protected edges than the Saint Louis
- Mini size exists: Useful if the Saint Louis and Artois always felt too large
- Less common: You see fewer of them than Saint Louis totes
Cons
- Most expensive: It is a big jump up from the Saint Louis
- Heavier: The leather side adds real weight compared with the Saint Louis
- No full closure: It is still open at the top
- Leather needs more care: The leather side shows marks sooner than canvas
- Not ideal for harsh conditions: The leather side makes it less carefree for the beach, gym, or damp travel days
Best for: Anyone who likes the Saint Louis shape but wants the option to turn out a quieter leather tote for dinners, work, or dressier days.
Head-to-Head Comparison
This is the short version if you are deciding in a store or comparing a few resale listings side by side:
| Feature | Saint Louis | Artois | Anjou |
|---|---|---|---|
| Closure | Open top | Zipper | Open top |
| Structure | Soft, collapses | Structured, upright | More body, still soft |
| Reversible | Yes | No | Yes |
| Weight (PM) | 280g (9.9 oz) | 460g (16.2 oz) | 440g (15.5 oz) |
| Included Pouch | Yes | No (has interior pocket) | Yes |
| Corner Protection | None | Leather reinforced | Leather edges |
| Materials | Canvas only | Canvas, lined | Canvas + leather |
| Sizes | PM, GM | PM, MM, GM | Mini, PM, GM |
| Price (PM, 2025 guides) | $1,710-$1,890 | $2,470-$2,700 | $2,980-$3,180 |
| Typical resale | Usually strongest | Usually below Saint Louis | Usually below Saint Louis |
| Best For | Casual, beach, travel | Work, commute, security | Two looks, dressier use |
St Louis vs Artois
Choose St Louis if you care most about light weight, packability, and easy access. It is better for casual use, travel, and days when you do not want the extra weight of a zipper and reinforced leather.
Choose Artois if you need a zipper, want the bag to keep its shape, or plan to carry heavier items regularly. This is the better pick for trains, airports, offices, and anyone who gets annoyed by an open tote falling over.
St Louis vs Anjou
Choose St Louis if you want the classic Goyard canvas tote and do not expect to use the leather side. It is lighter, cheaper, and easier to treat as a casual everyday bag.
Choose Anjou if you really want both sides of the bag. The Anjou makes sense when you know you will use canvas for casual days and the leather side for dinners, work, or trips where you want one tote to cover different dress codes.
Artois vs Anjou
These two overlap less than people expect. Artois is the practical one: zipper, longer handles, leather corners, easier commute. Anjou is the one for someone who wants the Saint Louis shape with a second leather look. If you want an everyday work bag, pick Artois. If you want versatility across casual and dressier outfits and can live without a zipper, pick Anjou.
Pricing Guide
Goyard pricing is still one of the messier parts of shopping the brand. Different reputable guides can show different numbers in the same year because Goyard moves prices quietly and not every market changes at the same time. The table below uses PurseBop's January 31, 2025 guide and Sotheby's later guide citing May 2025 updates so you can see the movement instead of guessing which screenshot is "right." For a full model-by-model price breakdown including resale ranges, see our 2026 Goyard price list.
2025 Pricing Snapshots
| Model | Early 2025 U.S. guide | Later 2025 U.S. update | Europe (early 2025 guide) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saint Louis PM | $1,710 | $1,890 | €1,450 |
| Saint Louis GM | $1,890 | $2,080 | €1,600 |
| Artois PM | $2,470 | $2,700 | €2,000 |
| Artois MM | $2,710 | $2,980 | €2,200 |
| Anjou Mini | $2,530 | $2,770 | €2,050 |
| Anjou PM | $2,980 | $3,180 | €2,350 |
How to read this: The point is not that one guide is wrong. It is that older screenshots and forum posts go stale fast. If you are budgeting now, the later 2025 U.S. figures are the safer ceiling. Europe was still cheaper in early 2025, and that gap could widen further once you factor in VAT refunds.
Resale Market
On the resale side, the Saint Louis usually has the broadest demand. Artois and Anjou still sell, but buyers tend to be more selective on price:
- St Louis PM: $1,600-$2,200 (often at or above retail for good condition)
- Artois PM: $1,800-$2,400 (typically 80-90% of retail)
- Anjou PM: $2,200-$2,600 (about 80-85% of retail)
Which Tote for Which Use?
For Work
Best: Artois MM. The zipper matters on commutes, the longer handles sit better over a blazer or winter coat, and the structure keeps a laptop from dragging the whole bag down. The Saint Louis works in casual offices but looks softer and more open. The Anjou can work leather-side-out if you want something quieter and do not need a zip top.
For Travel
Best: Artois GM (for security) or St Louis GM (for packability). Goyard describes the Artois GM as a travel format for weekends or carry-on use, and its double lockable sliders make that credible. The Saint Louis GM folds flat and weighs less, which is why it is still the easier vacation tote. For beach or resort travel, the Saint Louis makes more sense than the leather-lined Anjou.
For Everyday Errands
Best: St Louis PM. It is light, easy to swing on and off, and quick to reach into. If you want more security while running around, the Artois PM is the better alternative. The Anjou works for errands too, but most people do not need a leather reversible tote for grocery runs and school pickup.
For Beach/Gym
Best: St Louis GM. Goyard says the Saint Louis started as a beach bag, and it still makes the most sense there. The unlined reversible build is easier to shake out after sand, towels, or damp clothing. The Anjou's leather side makes it less carefree for the beach or gym, and the Artois is more structure than you need for that job.
For Formal Occasions
Best: Anjou (leather out). Flip to the leather side and the bag looks much quieter than a Saint Louis. You still get the same basic shape, but without the chevron pattern facing out. A dark Artois can also work in semi-formal settings, especially if you want structure and a zipper.
Resale Value Comparison
If resale matters, start with the Saint Louis. It is the easiest of the three to explain and the easiest to sell because most buyers already know the bag, the sizes, and the open-top format.
| Model | Typical resale level | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| St Louis PM | Often near retail or above | Broadest buyer pool |
| St Louis GM | Often close to retail | Good travel-size demand |
| Artois PM | Usually below Saint Louis | Zip top helps, but price still matters |
| Artois MM | Usually below Saint Louis | Popular work size |
| Anjou Mini | Often stronger than Anjou PM | Small-size demand helps |
| Anjou PM | Usually below retail | Higher retail price narrows the buyer pool |
| Claire-Voie editions | Can run well above standard bags | Limited editions bring the strongest premiums |
What lifts resale: clean corners, intact pouch or pocket, limited editions such as Claire-Voie, and complete accessories. Personalized bags with someone else's initials usually need a discount unless the paintwork is subtle or especially attractive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Goyard Artois worth the higher price compared to the St Louis?
If you want a zipper, longer handles, and leather corners that take the wear instead of bare canvas, yes. Those are practical upgrades you notice every day on a commute or when carrying a laptop. If you mainly want a light tote for errands, travel, or beach use, the Saint Louis is usually enough.
Which Goyard tote is best for a first-time buyer?
For most people, it is the Saint Louis PM. It is the tote most people picture when they think of Goyard, and it is the simplest way to see whether the shape works for you. If you already know you need a zipper or more structure, start with the Artois PM instead. The Anjou makes more sense once you know you want this shape and specifically want the leather side.
Do Goyard totes have any pockets inside?
The St Louis and Anjou totes are one big open compartment with no built-in pockets. They each come with a detachable pouch attached to the handle. The Artois has a 'floating inside pocket' — a small interior zip pocket for organizing keys or a phone. Most owners use bag organizer inserts for additional structure.
Can you really reverse the Goyard Anjou tote?
Yes. The Anjou is built to be worn either way, so you can show the Goyardine canvas or flip it to the solid leather side. The Saint Louis is also officially reversible, but the Anjou gives you a bigger visual change because one side is leather rather than canvas.
How much weight can a Goyard St Louis tote carry?
The Saint Louis handles normal daily items well, but Goyard's own care guidance says not to carry anything excessively heavy. The weak spots are the handles and lower corners, so the bag wears faster if you load it with books, heavy bottles, or a laptop every day. If you regularly carry heavier items, the Artois is the safer pick.
Does the Artois tote stand up on its own?
Yes — the Artois is structured and will stand upright on its own when empty or lightly filled. Its flat base and reinforced corners give it a boxier shape. The St Louis completely flops over when empty. The Anjou falls somewhere in between, with slight structure from the leather lining.
Is the Anjou much heavier than the St Louis?
Yes. On Goyard's current product pages, the Anjou PM is listed around 440 g, while the standard Saint Louis PM is listed around 280 g. You feel that extra leather right away, especially if you carry the bag all day, though it is still lighter than a fully leather tote of the same size.
Can the Saint Louis PM fit a laptop?
A 13-inch laptop can fit in the St Louis PM, though it will stick out slightly at the top since the bag is about 11 inches tall. Many people carry slim laptops this way but recommend using a sleeve for protection. The St Louis GM easily fits up to a 15-inch laptop. The Artois MM is better for laptops due to its zipper closure.
Will the Goyard pattern fade or rub off over time?
The Goyardine canvas is quite resilient and doesn't easily fade under normal use. However, the pattern can rub off in high-friction areas — typically the bottom corners after years of use. Physical abrasion rather than UV causes this. Avoid scraping or harsh rubbing, and the pattern should stay sharp for many years.
Why are Goyard totes so hard to buy?
They are still harder to buy than most designer totes because distribution is limited and availability is inconsistent. Goyard now offers some bags online in some markets, but not every size, color, or model is easy to get that way. Many shoppers still need a boutique or department store concession for the exact bag they want, and popular combinations can be out of stock or spoken for.
Do the handles of the St Louis really crack?
Some owners do see wear or cracking where the handles bend near the top of the bag. The risk goes up if the handles are folded sharply or forced to hold heavy weight day after day. Store the bag with the handles upright when you can, and do not leave it hanging by the handles with a heavy load inside.
St Louis GM vs Artois MM — which should I get?
The St Louis GM is significantly larger (about 23x13 inches) and more casual — great for travel or maximum capacity. The Artois MM (about 14.5x11.5 inches) is a medium-large work tote with a zipper. Choose St Louis GM for volume and lightness; choose Artois MM for security and professional settings.
Is the Anjou worth the extra money if I won't reverse it often?
Probably not. If you keep the Anjou on the canvas side all the time, you are paying mostly for the leather side, the firmer hand feel, and the more dressed-up option you are not using very often. It makes the strongest case when you know you want both looks or specifically want the Saint Louis shape with leather.
Which Goyard tote holds its value best on resale?
Usually the Saint Louis. It has the broadest buyer pool, the most familiar shape, and the lowest retail entry point of the three, which makes it easier to move on the resale market. Limited editions and cleaner-condition bags can outperform the standard pattern, while Artois and Anjou buyers tend to be more price-sensitive.
What's the best Goyard tote for work?
For most offices, it is the Artois MM. The zipper matters on commutes, the longer handles sit better over a blazer or coat, and the structure keeps the bag from collapsing around your laptop and charger. The Saint Louis works in casual offices, while the Anjou makes more sense if you want a softer bag that can look quieter with the leather side out.
Final Verdict
There is no single best Goyard tote. Each one solves a different problem:
- Saint Louis is the lightest and simplest option. Pick it if you want the classic Goyard tote for casual use, travel, or the beach.
- Artois is the everyday utility tote. Pick it if you need a zipper, longer handles, and a bag that works better for daily work or commute use.
- Anjou is the reversible option. Pick it if you want the Saint Louis shape with a second leather look for dressier settings.
If you want one bag to cover the most situations, the Artois is the safest all-around pick. If you already know you want the classic casual Goyard tote, start with the Saint Louis. If you care most about switching between canvas and leather, that is when the Anjou earns its higher price. Once you have decided, our guide on where to buy Goyard in 2026 covers official online options, boutiques, and which resale platforms to check.
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Goyard Price List 2026 →
Retail anchors, resale ranges, and model-by-model price notes for every major Goyard bag.
Can You Buy Goyard Online? →
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