The Noé (pronounced noh-AY) started life in 1932 as a bag designed to carry five bottles of Champagne. It’s one of Louis Vuitton’s oldest designs still in production — which means genuine vintage Noés from the 1970s and 1980s exist, carry no date code or early three-digit codes, and can be the most interesting LV pieces to collect.
Values
| Style | Fair | Good | Excellent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noé (full size, Monogram) | $300–450 | $480–680 | $720–1,000 |
| Petit Noé (Monogram) | $320–470 | $500–700 | $740–1,050 |
| Noé (Damier Ebene) | $350–500 | $530–730 | $780–1,100 |
| Noé BB (mini, newer) | $380–520 | $560–760 | $800–1,150 |
| Pre-code Noé (1970s–early 80s) | $250–400 | $450–650 | $700–1,100 |
The Petit Noé often sells at a slight premium over the full-size because its proportions work better as an everyday bag.
Vintage Noés (pre-1980)
True vintage Noés — pre-code bags from the 1970s or bags with early three-digit codes — are increasingly collectible. The canvas on older bags is slightly different in texture and the hardware has a warmer brass tone. If you can confirm a pre-1980 Noé, it’s worth more than the table above suggests to the right buyer. However, authentication is harder without a code, so many vintage Noés sell in the middle of the range regardless of era.
The drawstring: what to check
The Noé’s signature feature is its drawstring closure — a leather cord threaded through a channel at the top. This is often the first thing to go: leather drawstrings crack, fray, or break entirely. A missing or damaged drawstring is a functional issue that most resellers will note and discount for ($50–100 off). Replacement drawstrings are available from repair shops.
Authentication
- Date code: On a leather tab inside the bag, near the seam. Pre-1980 bags have no code or a 3-digit numeric code.
- Canvas seam: The Noé is sewn with a vertical seam on the back. The monogram motif cuts at this seam — on genuine bags, the cut is clean and intentional.
- Interior: Genuine Noés have a suede or alcantara lining (older bags) or a coated canvas lining (newer). The interior should smell like leather and canvas, not chemicals or mold.
- Brass hardware: Single brass O-ring at the top, through which the drawstring passes. Solid and weighty — not hollow or plated zinc.
Value estimates are for educational reference. Vintage Bag Value is not affiliated with Louis Vuitton or LVMH.