Remember the 19th-century rentiers… those legendary creatures who invented the revolutionary concept of “doing nothing and being adored for it.” They lived off their rents like dragons on their gold, got up at noon, ate with the air of a Greek tragedy, and wondered why the world didn’t admire them enough. Society, they claimed, was “unjust”… especially for those who actually had to work.

Today, the Arnault dynasty has modernized the concept. No more dusty castles: now there are office towers, yachts, and Hermès bags that cost more than a yearly salary. Their control of LVMH now exceeds 50%. Translated into 19th-century language: “we’ve found the ultimate rent, and now it’s global.” Analysts rub their hands together like accountants in front of a champagne fountain: “Yes, everything’s fine, profits are down, but never mind, they’ve still won the real-life Monopoly.”

Imagine for a moment: a world where everyone works while a few own the capital, the brands, the display windows, the bags, and the perfumes. The 19th-century rentier had land. The 21st-century rentier has yachts, jets, and Louis Vuitton almost speaking for them. Economic laws and social justice can’t touch them. They watch from afar, bewildered, wondering if we missed an episode. Yet we’re still told this man “started from nothing”… or a “nothing” of 40 million francs inherited from his grandfather. Truly, a trivial detail.

Meanwhile, we humble mortals keep opening our inboxes, replying to emails, pretending to understand inflation, while the family dynasty observes the world as one observes ants in a golden terrarium. Ah, progress! Fifty shades of gray? No, 50% control, and an infinite shade of sarcasm for the rest of us.

FM