LVMH, The Empire

This first episode traces Bernard Arnault’s rise, from taking over his family’s construction business to conquering the pinnacle of global capitalism. Realizing early on that to make money, one first had to sell a dream, he trained in the United States in the methods of aggressive capitalism before returning to France to orchestrate decisive moves: the dismantling of the Boussac Group to take over Christian Dior, followed by the takeover of LVMH, capitalizing on internal rivalries, the 1987 stock market crash, and daring financial schemes. The film shows how Bernard Arnault imposed his vision: to transform luxury into a global industry, structured around iconic brands and products accessible to a globalized middle class. In less than ten years, he laid the foundations for a sprawling empire and, at age 47, joined the exclusive circle of billionaires, now single-handedly embodying the face of contemporary luxury.

At the turn of the 21st century, LVMH was no longer just a luxury empire: it was a state within a state, a political and financial power capable of influencing the press, France’s tax system, and even the intelligence services. Driven by globalization and stock market speculation, the group has launched a series of spectacular acquisitions—from Gucci to Hermès—turning every setback into massive profits and every crisis, including that of 2008, into a catalyst for growth. As it expands its economic power, it has also established itself as an influential political and media player, acquiring "Les Échos" and maintaining close ties with the government. The episode also reveals the empire’s dark side: extreme pressure on designers, an investigation and sanctions by the French Financial Markets Authority (AMF), espionage… With more than 75 brands and a sprawling real estate empire, LVMH has become an integral part of Paris, while positioning itself as a symbol of "French influence" right up to the 2024 Paris Olympics. At the top, plans for the family succession are taking shape: the empire is secured for the long term, and the Arnault name remains inextricably linked to that of LVMH.