France is one of the fashion heartlands of the world and among its accoutrement purveyors are a wide range of sunglasses brands, including some of the country’s most popular labels.
The brands listed below all share two key characteristics: they sell ultra-stylish sunglasses and are cherished among French fashionistas. So whether you’re planning a weekend on the Cote d’Azure, a stroll through a sun-kissed city, a summer hike in the Loire Valley, or simply want to fit in with the cool crowd at a Parisian fashion show, the following are the hottest sunglasses labels to look out for.
AHLEM
Founded in 2014 by Paris-born designer Ahlem Manai-Platt, AHLEM has rapidly grown to become one of France’s most loved eyewear makers. Drawing heavily from the French capital’s atmospheric neighbourhoods – or arrondissements – and their distinctive architecture, the brand creates minimalist but stylish frames, all crafted by skilled artisans located at ateliers across the country. Among their award-winning sunglasses range are a collection featuring tinted lenses and that have been electroplated in 22K fine gold.
Anne et Valentin
Born from the vision of a pair of opticians in Toulouse, Anne et Valentin is celebrated for sunglasses that place personality and self-expression ahead of passing trends. Its frames combine playful colours, unexpected geometric shapes and carefully balanced materials, resulting in designs that are highly distinctive but comfortable at the same time. Their SUNSET collection features sculpted acetate frames with precisely cut details, contrasting matte and polished surfaces, and discreet, jewel-like inserts at the temple tips.
Maison Bonnet
Maison Bonnet’s rich heritage dates back four generations, each of whom have been steeped in the tradition of crafting eyewear that could easily have come straight out of a Parisian haute couture house. Popular with style gurus and politicians such as Yves Saint Laurent, Aristotle Onassis and François Mitterr, the brand specialises in bespoke sunglasses shaped around the wearer’s features, as well as offering a small number of handmade, limited-edition Ready-to-Fit designs. Before crafting a frame by hand, artisans make precise measurements of the customer’s face, with customers able to choose from materials such as colourful acetate and natural buffalo horn with its own unique finish.
Vuarnet
Vuarnet’s story began in Paris in 1957, when an optician and skiing enthusiast developed the innovative Skilynx mineral lens to improve contrast and depth perception in difficult mountain conditions. Two years later, he presented a pair of his 02 sunglasses to French ski champion Jean Vuarnet, whose name the brand would adopt. Today, Vuarnet remains renowned for combining sporty, distinctly French styling with serious optical performance. Its mineral-glass lenses are handcrafted at the company’s factory near Paris and offer exceptional clarity and protection, whether worn in the mountains, beside the sea or around the city. Particularly distinctive are its Glacier sunglasses, which feature removable side shields and nose protection for intense sunlight at high altitude.
Izipizi
Established in Paris in 2010, Izipizi has won the hearts of both the fashion and budget conscious with its sunglasses characterised by cheerful French design and comfort combined with affordable prices. The brand offers a wide mix of unisex frames in a variety of colours and shapes, from soft round-style frames to more angular designs, as well as a selection of polarised lenses. All age ranges are catered for, including adults, kids and even infants, with all of their sunglasses providing 100% UV-protection. Another notable feature is its increasing use of bio-based materials, which are now used across all of Izipizi’s permanent frames.