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Bernard Arnault's New Megayacht Acquired Through Maltese Company to Avoid French Taxes

institutional · 2026-03-29

Bernard Arnault, the CEO of LVMH and one of the world's wealthiest individuals, has purchased a new megayacht estimated at over 500 million euros. The acquisition was made via a company registered in Malta, a strategy similar to that used for his current yacht, the Symphony. This arrangement allows Arnault to potentially avoid French taxes, despite his public claims of being a top taxpayer in France. The vessel, measuring 101 meters in length, is among the largest globally but may face restrictions under new port regulations in Naples, Italy, where it exceeds size limits by 26 meters. The report highlights how high-net-worth individuals utilize offshore entities to minimize tax liabilities, raising questions about fiscal patriotism among the ultra-rich. The context includes broader discussions on wealth inequality and tax avoidance, as referenced in related content about multinational corporations and economic disparities. The article was published on March 29, 2026, by artsixMic, focusing on factual details without endorsing any political stance.

Key facts

  • Bernard Arnault is the CEO of LVMH and among the world's richest people.
  • He acquired a new megayacht valued at over 500 million euros.
  • The purchase was conducted through a Maltese-registered company.
  • This method is used to circumvent French tax obligations.
  • The yacht is 101 meters long, making it one of the largest in the world.
  • It may not comply with port size limits in Naples, Italy.
  • Arnault has publicly identified as a leading taxpayer in France.
  • The report was published on March 29, 2026, by artsixMic.

Entities

Institutions

  • LVMH
  • Mediapart
  • Forbes

Locations

  • Monaco
  • Malta
  • France
  • Naples

Sources