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www.myfrenchlink.com 3rd Quarter 2016

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Malgosia Bela by Mikael Jansson â&#x20AC;&#x201C; messika.com

259, rue Saint-Honoré, PARIS

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• Edito

MY FRENCH LINK MAGAZINE 3rd Quarter 2016 Issue 02

Directors of publication Laurent Mallet & Jean-Luc Bogros

Editor in chief Macha Binot

— A very French attitude... —

t is such an honor for me to be asked to write the editorial for this second edition. Beyond the trust that it shows in me, it provides me a platform from which I can address those of you who wish to visit our country. Your initiative alone demonstrates that France remains one of the world’s leading destinations despite the many challenges our country is currently experiencing and despite the contrarian spirit that we should not necessarily brag about. The anti-establishment spirit for which we are often criticized is being expressed at this very moment with an intensity that the shock of the recent attacks might have caused us to forget. Strikes, demonstrations and debates about the recent government reforms remind us for a spell that, while the social dialogue in France too frequently takes the path of confrontation, it never fails to put respect for our rights first among its demands. You will soon discover this French passion for yourself when you visit us. You will push beyond the headlines to experience its occasional flaws and many qualities, which continue to be the hallmark of a country proud of its culture. Whatever the reason for your trip, this culture is within your reach and I hope that you can grasp it so that, when you return home, you will be ambassadors of a French attitude of warmth and openness to the world. As an elected official representing French citizens living abroad in Africa and in the Middle East, each day at work exposes me to the cultural and economic appeal of our country beyond its borders in the 49 countries that comprise my constituency. Your desire to come visit us attests to the fact that France is and remains a premiere tourist destination, as well as a place for doing business that welcomes professionals and travelers who, each day, further enrich the essential ties that bind us to the world. Neither the attacks nor economic uncertainties shall make us forget what France owes to the many travelers who have never stopped landing on its shores.

Creative Director Céline Faillères Translation Textmaster Revision Audrey Robin Writers Marie Tourres, Pauline Pinsolle & Sandra Serpero Iconography Adobe Stock, RP Publisher “My French Link” is a publication of “My Link”, represented by Magebox SARL, 3 rue Troyon, 75017 Paris • France Printer Ali Bin Ali

You wish to communicate in this magazine, do not hesitate to contact us: Editorial editor@myfrenchlink.com

Advertising advertising@myfrenchlink.com pub@homeagency-media.com Other questions contact@myfrenchlink.com

Fernand Braudel, one of our greatest historians, wrote "The name of France is diversity." In my view, this maxim – already laden with meaning when it was first uttered – is more relevant than ever because freedom and diversity of exchanges are vital to ensuring that this quintessentially French spirit retains in the future the same appeal it holds today for students, tourists and business people.

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Alain MARSAUD • Elected official representing French citizens living abroad in Africa and the Middle East

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Spread the #sweetandsafekiss ! Natural & Organic ingredients with Professional Results.

• Inside

France, a land of wealth and openness —

P 16 |

TRAVEL JOURNAL: Out of Cannes

P 22 |

TRAVEL JOURNAL: 48h in the Nice back country

P 28 |

INVEST: Sophia Antipolis, the French Silicon Valley

P 32 |

MUSEUM VISIT: Cité du Cinéma: the silver screen hub in Paris

P 42 |

EDUCATION: Born to code? Then École 42 is for you

P 44 |

BUSINESS: Interview of Stephane Richard

P 54 |

INTERVIEW: H.E. Sheikh Meshal bin Hamad Al-Thani Qatar’s Ambassador to France

P 56 |

INTERVIEW: Michel Boivin, Economic Adviser and Head of the Economic Department

Current Events

09/24 LES VOILES DE SAINT TROPEZ From September 24 to October 2, the legendary town of St. Tropez welcomes over 4,000 sailors for a race in its bay. Modern and classic yachts converge for the sport of it and for the party atmosphere. The finish line becomes the rallying point for these sea lovers who, over the course of a regatta, willl show that all the miles sailed amounted to a beautiful experience in the elements. |• www.lesvoilesdesaint-tropez.fr

07/02 08/31 09/27 • 07/24

2016 TOUR DE FRANCE From July 2 to 24, the most famous loop in France will depart each morning for a new stage on this tour of France before it comes to a close on the world’s most beautiful avenue: the Champs Elysées. Much more than just a sporting event, the Tour de France is an entire culture that springs up over the days that elapse between the start at Mont StMichel and the finish in Paris. |• www.letour.fr

• 10/03

• 10/05

MAGIS, ABSOLUTE REFERENCE IN THE WORLD OF DESIGN

READY-TO-WEAR FASHION WEEK IS ON ITS WAY

Celebrated its 40 year history at the Centre Pompidou shop. On the occasion of the Paris Design Week 2016, Magis invests the Centre Pompidou Store from August 31 to October 3, 2016. Alongside design objects that embody the brand closer, unpublished anniversary will be on sale. |• Boutique design - Place G. Pompidou 75004 Paris.

The Haute Couture shows were held in early July, with the next round coming in the last week of September, which will give us our first look at the 2017-2018 collections. Style is timeless, while fashion is of the moment. Get a head start and get swept away by the frenzy of Fashion Week in Paris. |• www.modeaparis.com

A FESTIVAL OF HOT SPOTS

OUT OF

CANNES The French Riviera is a lifestyle: an art of living grounded in a passion for doing things right. Here we share our travel notes so you can explore our favorite places for a unique, indulgent trip.

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THE FRENCH RIVIERA

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A FESTIVAL OF HOT SPOTS

OUT OF

CANNES

1 • The InterContinental Carlton in Cannes, between sea and mountain. 2 • The bay of Nice and its yacht marina 3 • Hyère and the surrounding islands. 1

CANNES

Black sunglasses, sunscreen and wind-tousled hair: it’s time for Cannes and its majestic palm trees, memorypaved streets, hidden corners with stories to tell and stretches of beach that have seen their share of Cannes locals and starlets. Beyond Cannes, the city of Nice awaits with its charm, culinary delights and gorgeous landscapes. Between them lie destinations that will win your heart. Hyères proclaims its love of the land with bright orange flowers that scent the town. Pink flamingos show off to those patient enough to wait for their voluptuous dance of feathers. It would be a shame to miss this grand spectacle staged by Mother Nature herself. As for cooking, attention is lavished on the appetite and on taking the time to enjoy a proper feast.

4 & 5 • Hôtel Le Negresco in Nice. 6 & 7 • Hotel Hyatt in Cannes and its sea view. 8 • Hotel Boscolo Exedra 9 • The majestic royal lounge at Hôtel Le Negresco.

FRANCE Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur |• www.tourismepaca.fr

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NICE

HYÈRES

WHERE TO STAY: 5 STARS HYATT REGENCY NICE PALAIS DE LA MÉDITERRANÉE: THE BAY OF ANGELS AND ITS TURQUOISE WATERS The Hyatt Regency Nice Palais de la Méditerranée is ideally located on the famous Promenade des Anglais, near Nice city center and all its attractions. Not only does this luxury hotel have a view of the Mediterranean, it is also just a few minutes from the most treasured points of interest in the capital of the French Riviera, Nice, and from its airport. Hyatt Regency Nice Palais de la Méditerranée features spacious, luxurious accommodations in each of its 178 rooms and 9 suites. The contemporary rooms range from 25 to 117 m2, with balconies or patios that afford breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea or the city of Nice. Hôtel Hyatt Regency Nice Palais de la Méditerranée ***** 73, boulevard de la Croisette, 06000 Nice |• www.nice.regency.hyatt.com

THE NEGRESCO: THE UNEXPECTED LUXURY HOTEL The Negresco opened in 1913. This hotel designed by Henri Negresco immediately began drawing a brilliant international clientele, including Old World royalty and New World magnates, such as the Vanderbilts, Queen Amelia of Portugal, the Count of Paris and Grand Dukes Vladimir and Dimitri. The guest book boasts many impressive names: Salvador Dalí, Princess Grace of Monaco, the Beatles, Louis Armstrong, Elton John… All these celebrities sought to experience the legendary Hôtel Le Negresco during their stays on the French Riviera. Jeanne Augier is the caretaker of the Negresco legacy. The grand dame has owned the hotel since 1957 and devoted her life to preserving and promoting this singular slice of history. It earned its fifth star in August 2009. The facades are based on a neoclassical design with opulent, quasibaroque decorative touches. Along with the Ritz in Paris, it is one of the most venerated luxury hotels in the world. Hôtel Le Negresco***** Member of The Leading Hotels of the World 37, Promenade des Anglais, 06000 Nice |• www.hotel-negresco-nice.com

BOSCOLO EXEDRA NICE: THE PEARL OF THE FRENCH RIVIERA When Cannes and Nice became top spots for the international elite, the influx of creative energy revolutionized the history of the late 19th century. In 1913, the renowned Swiss hotelier Felix Baumgartner called on architect Charles Dalmas to create the building that is now home to the Boscolo Exedra Nice. The hotel was intentionally built in the heart of the city, surrounded by greenery and tranquility and far from the crowds. The peaceful hotel attracts wealthy bourgeois customers who prefer peace and quiet to the bustle of the seaside. The Belle Époque facade and the 18th centuryinspired interior decors appeal to everyone who loves elegance, charm and style. Hôtel Boscolo Exedra Nice***** 12, boulevard Victor Hugo, 06000 Nice |• www.nice.boscolohotels.com

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WHERE TO EAT?

WHAT TO DO? PANORAMIC HELICOPTER TOUR Take flight and marvel at the view. One-of-a-kind sensations guaranteed! |• www.azurhelico.com

LE CHANTECLER - NICE • 2 MICHELIN STARS The Michelin-starred restaurant is at the brilliant, five-star Hôtel Le Negresco, but it stands alone as Nice’s finest restaurant. JeanDenis Rieubland, Executive Chef and Meilleur Ouvrier de France (2007), has earned two Michelin stars for his cuisine and style, which he describes as "inspired by Provence and respectful of its products and history." His masterful menu is served in a fine dining room worth of the French gastronomy traditions. |• www.hotel-negresco-nice.com

YACHTING FROM NICE Check out the unique Yachting Festival that takes place in the glistening Bay of Cannes each year in September. It’s the most prized event of the year. |• www.riviera-ports.com CHRISTIAN PLUMAIL This former Michelin-starred chef teaches "homestyle" cooking classes where you do the shopping, cook and sample the food alonside the chef. |• www.christian-plumail.com

JAN - NICE • 1 MICHELIN STAR A star among stars. South African Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen is an executive chef with a Michelin star, as well as a cookbook author and food photographer. This multi-talented chef concocts dishes inspired by the food markets of southern France that elevate the freshest seasonal ingredients into high-quality fare. |• www.restaurantjan.com

FLAVEUR - NICE • 1 MICHELIN STAR Brothers Mickaël and Gaël Tourteaux are the chefs behind the Michelin-starred Flaveur. These passionate, committed brothers spare no effort in bringing you unforgettable flavors. Flaveur was developed by three men united by a love for fine food, sharing and awakening the senses. They called their concept flaveur whose meaning covers all the sensations experienced when enjoying a dish, whether they come from taste, smell or sight. Every detail is looked over to ensure your experience is complete. |• www.flaveur.net

CASINO PALAIS DE LA MÉDITERRANÉE The Palais de la Méditerranée casino in Nice overlooks the sea and sits on the fabled Promenade des Anglais. 15, Promenade des Anglais, 06000 Nice |• www.casinomediterranee.com

CASINO BARRIÈRE LE RUHL NICE An institution. Perched on the Promenade des Anglais opposite the Mediterranean, the Casino Barrière Le Ruhl Nice is an essential stop for entertainment on the French Riviera. 1, Promenade des Anglais, 06000 Nice |• www.lucienbarriere.com

Sales . . . . . .Charter . . . . .TRAVEL . . . . . . . .JOURNAL . . . . . . . . .... THE FRENCH RIVIERA Management New Constructions

PALMER JOHNSON

BLUE ICE - 46m CENTRAL AGENT

SALE & CHARTER

Available in West/East Mediterranean

ASKING PRICE: E 14.9 M Weekly Charter Rate: E 175.000 + all

In immaculate condition with the greatest and newest Toys and Equipment. A Masterpiece of design and performance! (28 Knots speed) - Accommodation for 10/12 guests in 5 suites. New AV System, TVs and high speed Wifi . Large sunbathing areas, new gym room and Jacuzzi on flybridge. Large array of toys (2 X brand new Wave Runners + Flyboard + Stand Up Paddles + Scuba Diving Compressor and Gear…). Year: 2009 refit in 2014.

Dear guests, G-Yachts is the expert on the French Riviera for Yacht Sales, Charters and Management. Our team will be pleased to assist you in your choice of the perfect yacht and itinerary for your next charter or to advise you and protect you through the Purchase/Sale of any type of yacht. We offer an exclusive selection of luxury yachts, ranging from 20 meters to 134 meters to buy or to charter anywhere around the world. G-Yachts is a reference in the yachting industry and a guarantee for successful charters and safe sales…

Tel. +377 977 705 43 - Mail: charter@g-yachts.com & sales@g-yachts.com

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Buckingham Palace - 11, avenue Saint-Michel - 98000 Monaco

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hours in the

Nice back

country. There is more to southern France than the Riviera. To fully experience the charms of Provence, spend at least 48 hours exploring the roads of the area’s back country.

FRANCE | Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur |• www.routedesvinsdeprovence.com

DAY 1: SAINT-PAUL DE VENCE AND THE MAEGHT FOUNDATION The walled village of Saint-Paul de Vence conceals a thousand wonders within its ramparts. If you love ancient architecture, you will be enchanted as you stroll past fountains, chapels and dungeons. In the 20th century, Saint-Paul was a favorite destination for famous painters such as Dufy, Soutine, Chagall, Matisse and Picasso. Art aficionados will be delighted by the many galleries and artists studios. Wednesday morning is market day on the lawns usually reserved for pétanque games. It’s the perfect time to sample local products (tapenade or socca), soak up the atmosphere on the café terraces or try your hand at pétanque. A stone’s throw from the village, the Maeght Foundation offers visitors one of the largest contemporary art collections in Europe. Works by Miro, Chagall, Kandinsky, Braque, Calder and Giacometti fit naturally with the building and the Mediterranean landscape. From June 4th to November 27th 2016, it will host a gigantic mastaba installation by Christo. Scale models, preliminary drawings and studies for the Abu Dhabi Mastaba will also be on display. Sweet dreams at Terre Blanche Voted as the best spa in France in 2015, Terre Blanche stands at the ready with its luxurious suites and villas decorated in Provencal style. Relax at the infinity pool and enjoy a panoramic view of the surrounding hills. Before sampling the cuisine of Michelin-starred chef Philippe Jourdin, you may opt for a round of golf in a pristine natural environment or a detour to the traditional country house and its divine spa. If you are having a hard time saying goodbye, perhaps the helicopter transfer will make it a bit easier.

1 • La Tulipe Noire vineyard. 2 • Christo preparing for The Mastaba. 3 • The Maeght Foundation gardens. 4 • Terre Blanche Hotel and Spa from a bird’s eye view. 5 • Enjoy a fine dinner on the terrace at restaurant Le Faventia. 6 • The Infinity Pool and its panoramic view at Terre Blanche. 7 • Terre Blanche Hotel is the perfect gateway from the city.

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Photo : © Nejron Photo

48 hours in the

Nice back

country.

8 • Domaine Chateau Gassier and its vineyards. 9 • The vineyards of Domaine Lolicé. 10 • The Domaine Gros’Noré at the foot of La Cadière-d’Azur village.

DAY 2: THERE IS MORE THAN ONE WAY TO EXPLORE THE REAL PROVENCE

The Route des Vins: another way to visit Provence

Set out on foot and get lost in the narrow shaded streets of medieval hillside villages like Seillans, Tourrettes, Fayence, Tende, Mons and Callian. What you will find is a unique cultural heritage. Stop in Biot to watch the glassblowers at work, then head to the Moulin de Mougins for a tasty bite from Alain Llorca’s kitchen (two Michelin stars). For a bird’s eye view of Provence, how about a ride in a glider? With the Club de Fayence, you can soar in utter silence above the mountains, the coast and the islands. Hardcore sports enthusiasts should head to Domaine de Barbossi and its splendid golf course featuring 22 contemporary sculptures displayed amongst lakes and rivers. The stables at L’Étrier host horses and riders with a modern and spacious infrastructure. Last, but not least, the Tennis Country Club boasts six tennis courts, tennis pros and physical trainers. Choose your tournament!

The vineyards of Provence unfurl in a postcardperfect display all the way to the shores of the Mediterranean. Lulled by the sounds of the cicadas, set out in search of the passionate winemakers who make Provence’s rosé wines. From the mount Sainte-Victoire to the Saint-Tropez Gulf, more than 400 winemaking estates await you throughout the region to introduce you to their work, their products (Bandol, Côtes de Provence, etc.), their history and their warm "joie de vivre". A variety of itineraries are available, depending on your time and tastes.

Photo : © Nejron Photo

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48 HOURS EXPLORING

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Here are five places to see a different side of Paris and take advantage of gorgeous weather in peaceful settings that make you forget the hubbub of the city. By day or night, these elegant spots embody the refinement of the French lifestyle with expansive views of the city that reveal its architecture, shine a light on its monuments and satisfy gourmet appetites with panache.

L’OISEAU BLANC: THE MOST ELEGANT TERRACE

|• The Peninsula Paris Hôtel - 19, av. Kleber, Paris 16th - T. 01 58 12 66 05

This majestic terrace on the roof of the Peninsula hotel is nestled in the clouds, where Paris itself is the guest of honor. French cuisine dominates the menu, which serves classy dishes made with seasonal, regional products. Whether you’re in search of a magical lunch or dinner, the patio at L’Oiseau Blanc is a true gem for celebrating pleasant afternoons in the sun or under the shade of an umbrella as you serenely sip on fresh fruit cocktails. When happy hour rolls around, festive tapas are presented with great fanfare under the flickers of the Eiffel Tower. Paris at your feet, what more could you want?

Get some fresh air in Paris!

Slip past the carriage entrance to discover Le Ralph’s and an outdoor room that boasts an extra touch of Left Bank elegance. Tables are set on the cobblestones of a bright inner courtyard with enough space between them to ensure privacy. Well-chosen fabrics, burnished teak, wrought iron and ample banquettes scattered with plump blue and white cushions enhance the authentic charm of this soothing hideaway tucked in the courtyard of an opulent mansion built in 1683. The menu at Le Ralph’s delivers faithful versions of culinary traditions from across the pond interpreted with flair by Chef Nicolas Zanel. |• 173, boulevard St-Germain, Paris 6th T. 01 44 77 76 00

LE RALPH’S: THE MOST ROMANTIC TERRACE

PATIOS AND ROOFTOPS:

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At number 15 on the prestigious Avenue Montaigne, La Maison Blanche sits atop the roof of the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées. This enduring, enchanted perch looks out over the Eiffel Tower, Les Invalides and the Seine. Inside you will find plush rooms while the splendid terrace affords remarkable views of Paris. The menu features delicate dishes with Mediterranean influences from Chef Hervé Nepple, a connoisseur of French regional products. The real deal!

|• 15, avenue Montaigne, Paris 8th - T. 01 47 23 55 99

LA MAISON BLANCHE: THE MOST STYLISH TERRACE At Molitor, you are both in Paris and far away… Designed as a summer port of call, the 5,300 ft2 of rooftop patio makes Molitor the perfect place to relax and recharge in a friendly atmosphere for a barbecue, afternoon tea or cocktail. Arranged around an expansive stainless steel bar and an aromatic garden, it has several spots that offer unbeatable views of the Eiffel Tower, the legendary summer pool and the western side of Paris: high bar tables, a solarium, a bar, 80 seats and a landscaped garden. The scents of summer also waft over the sunny menu dreamed up by Chef Julien Mercier. |• 18, av. de la Porte Molitor, Paris 16th - T. 01 56 07 08 50

MOLITOR: THE MOST BUCOLIC ROOFTOP TERRACE

Perched on top of the Palais de Chaillot, Café de l’Homme serves up a breathtaking view over the Trocadero gardens, the Champ-de-Mars and the Eiffel Tower. This ultra-chic address decorated by architects Gilles & Boissier confidently updates the Art Deco style of the 1930s and delivers a spectacular, sprawling terrace with 3,200 ft2 of pure elegance. As for cuisine, the menu features products and recipes from France, with occasional detours to the rest of the world’s continents. |• 17, place du Trocadéro et du 11 Novembre, Paris 16th T. 01 44 05 33 15

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CAFÉ DE L’HOMME: THE MOST ICONIC TERRACE

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. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .INVEST . . . . . .... SOPHIA ANTIOPOLIS

Sophia Antipolis, the French Silicon Valley

With 1,500 businesses spread over 2,400 hectares and occupying 1 million square meters of office space, Sophia Antipolis – a mere stone’s throw from Cannes and Nice – is the number one technology cluster in Europe. Created in 1969 at the initiative of Senator Pierre Laffitte, it continues to be a gold standard in innovation.

FRANCE | ProvenceAlpes-Côte d’Azur

|• www.sophia-antipolis.org 1 & 2 • Technologic cluster Saint-Philippe. 3 • Sofia Antipolis and its gold course from the sky. 4 & 5 • Sofia Antipolis is home to multinationals and small companies.

SOPHIA ANTIPOLIS: AN INTERNATIONAL REPUTATION Intel, Bosch, Samsung and Huawei have also chosen this Mediterranean site for their operations in France. Approximately 15% of the companies at Sophia are owned by foreign interests; there are workers from 63 countries. Many international investors feel it is a unique technology cluster. Just what attracts these businesses from

the United States, China, Japan and Korea? "The top draw at Sophia is a strong university focused on innovation with a research laboratory. It was recently recognized as an ‘Initiative d’excellence’ (IDEX) by an international panel of judges. The cooperation between the university and private companies generates real scientific power. Plus, the sheer number and diversity of the businesses at the site make it possible to pool skills, create synergies and forge dynamic networks and opportunities. Finally, the great lifestyle on the French Riviera, which comes with its own cachet, also makes it really attractive," explains Étienne Delhaye, Executive Director of Sophia Club Enterprises. A FUTURE-FOCUSED TECHNOLOGY CLUSTER The technology cluster at Sophia Antipolis is mature, but not old: it plans to create another 10,000 jobs by 2030. Its foundation and business club are working together to leverage the full potential and energy of this ecosystem. Thanks to a recently added campus devoted to information technology, significant land yet to be developed (500,000 m2 of office space can still be built at Sophia) and sound governance, the technology cluster is well equipped to adapt to the challenges of the future.

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AN UNMITIGATED SUCCESS From multinationals to small companies to start-ups, the business ecosystem at Sophia Antipolis is rich and extremely diversified. Many research and development departments for the information, health, chemistry and environment technology sectors have built up operations here. It was, for example, the birthplace of Amadeus, a great success story. The company was created in 1987 by Air France, Lufthansa, Iberia and SAS to develop advanced technological solutions to manage, distribute and sell travel services. The group now employs a staff of 13,000 across the globe, including 5,000 at Sophia, and records annual sales in excess of 3 billion euros. Over 45 years, regardless of the economic climate, the number of jobs at the Sophia site has risen each year. Today it is home to 35,000 jobs, 4,500 researchers and 5,000 students. Its success has never wavered.

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NEWS ........... .................... CULTURE

Culture

Museum PALAIS DE TOKYO: PERFORMANCE ART Palais de Tokyo is hosting the first solo exhibition in France by the Korean artist Ayoung Kim (born in 1979 in Seoul). This follows on from her residency at the Pavillon Neuflize OBC, Palais de Tokyo’s research lab. The immersive sound installation that she presents at Palais de Tokyo takes root in the basement of the Palais Garnier – specifically in the depths of its famous underground "lake" – which she uses to stage a long forgotten mythical flood. Until August 29, 2016 |• www.palaisdetokyo.com

NEW AT CENTRE POMPIDOU-METZ "Sublime: The Tremors of the World." At a time of ecological upheavals and alarmist statements, the exhibition also explores two radical changes in the concept of the sublime: the spectator realizing their partial responsibility in the disordered world, and the catastrophe itself, nowinvisible under the effects of our activity. To be experienced through September 5, 2016 |• www.centrepompidoumetz.fr

VILLA NOAILLES: YESTERDAY AND TODAY. Villa Noailles, a sunworshipping house overlooking the Bay of Hyères, promotes a new lifestyle that puts nature in front and center. An impressive array of artists had a hand in its design: stained-glass windows by Louis Barillet; furniture by Pierre Chareau, Eileen Gray, Djo-Bourgeois and Francis Jourdain; a cubist garden by Gabriel Guévrékian; and art by Piet Mondrian, Henri Laurens, Jacques Lipchitz, Constantin Brancusi and Alberto Giacometti. The house will reopen this July to host exhibitions that offer even more cultural depth. Open every day except Tuesdays and holidays, from 2pm to 7pm. Open only in the evening on Friday, from 4pm to 10pm. (closed in the morning). |• www.villanoailleshyeres.com

THEATER IN THE SPOTLIGHT AT THE AVIGNON FESTIVAL Avignon will welcome visitors to the 70th edition of this three-week celebration and theater and dance July 6 to 24. All day long, the city’s streets and cultural venues are brought to life with plays, clown performances and shows that will delight young and old alike. There is something for everyone and every level of art appreciation. Between the rise and fall of the curtains on this year’s festival, there will be nearly 2,000 performances. July 6 to 24, 2016, in Avignon (30). |• www.festival-avignon. com

Never lose sight of your dreams

Marie-Josée launched an eco-responsible jewellery workshop. Today, thanks to the excellence of the Orange network, she is in permanent contact with her customers to respond to their needs. With Orange Money, she can pay her suppliers in the simplest way possible. And who knows, one day she might be the winner of the Orange Social Entrepreneur Prize in Africa.

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If Marie-Josée has made her dream a reality, imagine the possibilities open to you.

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La Cité du Cinéma © L. Desmoulins

Temple of the 7th Art in Paris

Access to the studios.

9 film studios from 600 to 1200 m2.

Digital cutting workshop.

LA CITÉ DU CINÉMA

Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets is one of the biggest budgeted films in the history of cinema (197 million euros), outpacing even the most recent Star Wars movie. In the spring of 2016, actors from the blockbuster, including Cara Delevingne, Dane DeHaan, Rihanna, Clive Owen and Ethan Hawke, reported not to California, but rather to Seine-Saint-Denis – just outside Paris. For that is the home of the Cité du Cinéma, a facility dreamed up by French director, writer and producer Luc Besson that boasts ultra-modern studios and cutting edge equipment for every stage of moviemaking, from script development to post-production.

One of the VIP suites à the Cité du Cinéma.

Fitness gym.

The exceptional «Nef». LINK n° 2

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1 • The "Nef" hosts events such as fashion shows, parties, conventions. 2 & 3 • Immerse in the cinematographic world thanks to various workshops. 4 • Cocktail party for Orange. 5 • The 500 seats auditorium and its Art Deco atmosphere. 6 • SOCFIM 20th anniversary at the Cité du Cinéma.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .CULTURE . . . . . . . . .... LA CITÉ DU CINÉMA

Along the side, nine hangars ranging from 600 to 2,000 m2 house movie sets and 6,000 m2 of workshops and lofts. These comprise the Studios de Paris. Every trade and craft involved in making movies is represented: editing rooms, 3D studio, digital printing and cutting for sets, sewing workshops for costumes and more. The complex also houses the offices of several production companies, including Luc Besson’s Europacorp. Plus there are two schools to train the next generation of film professionals: École Louis Lumière and École de la Cité, founded by Luc Besson. The twoyear curriculum is free and does not require incoming students to have a degree. Over the course of training, Besson himself teaches a few master classes on the mechanics of script writing or directing to the 60-odd students, who are ideally positioned to swing right into action and express their creative potential. A SUCCESS IN FRANCE AND ABROAD The goal of the Cité du Cinéma was to create the best studios in Europe and thus bolster France’s appeal for shooting major international productions. The iconic

complex truly is a high-end resource for many directors from around the world, who have fallen for the natural sets and the talent pool in the "City of Lights". The studios are all the more attractive since, in January 2016, the French government introduced a new tax credit equal to 30% of spending for foreign productions filming in France. This incentive has already been a great success, as reported by the National Film Center after the first quarter of 2016. The Cité du Cinéma is a city unto itself where The make-up artists, students, carpenters, sound engineers, extras and famous actors all cross paths. It has already accommodated 30 shoots (TV, shorts and feature films, advertisements) and hosted prestigious visitors such as Bill Clinton, Robert de Niro and Kevin Spacey for film productions or special events. There is a steady stream of screenings, exhibitions and business seminars. For example, Netflix, the American video streaming giant, recently organized a huge promotional event at the facility. The Cité du Cinéma is clearly running on all cylinders.

Saint-Denis

Cité du Cinéma 20, rue Ampère - 93413 Saint-Denis |• www.citeducinema.org

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A ONE-OF-A-KIND PROJECT When it was christened in September 2012, the Cité du Cinéma instantly earned the nickname "Hollywood on the Seine". This grandiose project was the brainchild of Luc Besson, the successful movie director behind The Big Blue, Nikita, The Fifth Element and, more recently, Lucy and The Family. Renovating and converting a former power station into 80,000 m2 of movie production space took over 10 years and 170 million euros. This unique complex is a commanding structure, akin to an industrial cathedral. Deep inside the power station, visitors find themselves in the gigantic "Nef" topped by a glass roof that is 200 meters long and 18 meters tall. The one-time boiler room with its multicolored graffiti was left intact.

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A WOMANâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S STORY Rose Desgranges came from the bourgeoisie of the Champagne region. She arrived in Paris in 1940 alongside her mother, Henriette Rose Desgranges, in the wake of a family tragedy. WorldÂ WarII was raging and she was forced to work to support her family, abandoning her dream of becoming a pianist.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .FASHION . . . . . . . .... ROSE DESGRANGES

She replied to a classified ad and became an apprentice to a renowned hair stylist and wig maker at the Figaro Club on the ground floor at 70, rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, across the street from the Élysée Palace. The Figaro Club was owned by Albert Meyer, a popular hairdresser with the neighborhood’s most elegant ladies. Rose worked full time at the salon. She was a stunning beauty and filled the salon with her wit. Albert fell head over heels in love with Rose and married her. Rather than offering her jewelry, Albert went to his lab to concoct an elixir with hand-picked ingredients: a fragrance to declare his love.

This perfume fully embodies what Rose signified for him: confident femininity, elegance, sensuality, an active woman with a refined style. During the Faubourg’s annual festivities, Rose decided to promote her fragrance. She set up a perfume fountain in the courtyard and dabbed a drop of her elixir on the ladies’ handkerchiefs. The entire neighborhood was infused with "Rose Desgranges!" Her "shop" was transformed into a showcase to sell this "French-style perfume". 70, rue du Faubourg Saint Honoré, 75008 Paris • +33 (0)1 42 65 40 47 |• www.rosedesgranges.com

Top Note: Rose, bergamot, tangerine Middle Note: Ambrette, jasmine, iris, ylang-ylang Bottom note: Vanilla absolute, musk, patchouli, oak moss Insider information: Only one original bottle of the Rose Desgranges fragrance still exists from 1961. Created by a master glassmaker and bearing its initial label, it highlights the statue in the alcove that reigns over the inner courtyard.

THE MUSE Laura-Rose Presgurvic, Rose Desgranges’ granddaughter, is the natural heir to this family saga. When asked about what Rose Desgranges passed on to her, she says: "My grandmother was always a model. She inspired me as a woman and as an artist... She helped make me what I am today. She gave me a taste for elegance and the desire to be feminine, to be different. The most moving memory? Her smell, her perfume! That emanation was her trademark... Her presence filled the air with fragrance as soon as she arrived anywhere - it was her!"

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ROSE DESGRANGES PERFUME is an invitation to embark on an olfactory journey. Rose Desgranges is a sensual, silky, floral scent enriched with notes of musk over a woody-moss accord with a hint of patchouli, wrapped in vanilla absolute.

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Professor Alexandre Mignon, MD-PhD

Is an anesthesiologist at Hôpital Cochin and Necker APHP in Paris and Co-director of the iLUMENS Department of Health Simulation at Université Sorbonne Paris Cité. He is also Associate Professor at Columbia University in New York City. He earned an MBA in strategy at HEC and founded the start-up Medusims®, which works under an agreement with the university to develop virtual simulation solutions called Serious Games.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .HEALTH . . . . . . .... ALEXANDRE MIGNON

"A health simulation expert guided by the three fundamental principles of pedagogy, evaluation and research."

You mentioned the possibility of 20 million people accessing to medical training. Can you tell us more about that? We are sponsoring a training project that uses physical simulation (mini-mannequins) and virtual simulation for developing countries to reduce perinatal mortality (mothers and babies).

Could you tell us more about your role at iLUMENS? I created iLUMENS in 2011 with Professor Antoine Tesniere, a young student of mine, when he was not yet a professor. I served as director for five years, then he took the lead so I could focus on exports and business development. I also founded a spin-off start-up (Medusims®) that is the digital arm of iLUMENS; it works in public-private partnerships with iLUMENS (or the equivalent). Does your team work abroad? I spent a year in New York at Columbia University and I consult for many platforms in Morocco, Tunisia, Brazil and – soon, I hope – in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. What do you think are the next big avenues of research in your sector that could revolutionize medicine? There are three pathways to explore: research (but expect fewer revolutions than in the last 50 years, excluding preventive and precision medicine, i.e. personalized care), organizations (teamwork, treatment path, use of Big Data, the quantified self) and, lastly, individual and collective education and evaluation to ensure that everyone in the world receives the highest level of care in keeping with evidence-based medicine. Is nanotechnology becoming indispensable to all treatments and what major changes could this bring about? Undoubtedly, but it will not change everything in medicine (I’m not a specialist in this field). Still, we are witnessing major advances, such as artificial intelligence, 3D printing, stem cell culture and robot-assisted surgery. The only thing that is certain is that we will need more humane health professionals because no robot or new technology can replace human contact. I learned that from my mentor Axel Kahn, a reasonable, humane man. One of the big problems today is that science is moving a lot faster than ethics and it’s probably creating more problems than we think! In the beginning, we only see the progress, but 10 or 20 years later, concerns start to emerge. It’s a fascinating topic and one to continue following.

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Beyond the initiatives you’ve set up in France, could you tell us about how your method is being applied abroad? We started with the World Health Organization (WHO) hand hygiene observation method that several million health professionals need to be trained around the world by 2020. We were also seeing the transformation of learning with the advent of digital tools and realizing that we no longer ask people to know everything by heart because high-quality knowledge is available "Alexandre Mignon everywhere. Instead, we are asking has developed international people to know how to do things: collaborations with the countries to have skills and performance. of the Gulf, the Middle East and North Simulation has a role to play Africa, in particular to export iLUMENS here as in many other sectors. expertise. He is also working with the France lagged behind North United States to test a disruptive approach America when it came to to teaching and medical evaluation on both applying these techniques sides of the Atlantic. He is the sponsor of to health, but it is making up the iLUMENS project for AMU (Aix-Marseille for lost time and exporting Universités) and the Saint Joseph of Beirut its know-how. School of Medicine in Lebanon. He is in charge of the first 'Health Simulation' Can you share with us a MOOC posted online in May 2016 relevant example of a project on FUN (France Université deployed abroad to facilitate Numérique)". access to medical practice? iLUMENS signed a partnership with Saint Joseph University in Lebanon to build its future simulation center. iLUMENS is also interested in emerging countries. We consult with Africa, for example in Dakar with Université Cheikh Anta Diop – I have great pictures! What’s remarkable in those countries is that they want to dive straight into modern medicine. They will not go through all the stages we experienced, so we have to help them achieve medical efficiency, but with resources that are, as of yet, limited. However, we know that education is fundamental and that, in this field, the digital capabilities introduced by Google, Apple, Facebook, Amazon and so on are game changers.

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France is inventing

MEDICINE OF THE FUTURE In December 2014, Professor Alain Carpentier implanted the first artificial heart made by French firm Carmat, resuscitating the world’s hopes for the future of heart transplants. Surgical robotics, imaging, implants, artificial organs, when it comes to new applied technology for medicine, France has a dense network of remarkably successful pioneering companies.

Today health technologies are revolutionizing medical progress. Recent discoveries in disciplines such as metallurgy, plastics, smart textiles, electronics, nanotechnology and even the digital world have opened up new prospects for the life sciences. For the most part, the solutions developed by so-called biotech or medtech companies have been applied in oncology, infectious diseases, neurology and surgery.

Christian Lajoux, Chairman of Medicen, a business cluster devoted to developing innovative technologies for health, offers an explanation for this success: "France has a top-notch multidisciplinary scientific environment. There is a dynamic pursuit for excellence and strong industrial know-how. Finally, academic research is well integrated with hospitals, which creates fertile ground for developing biotechnology companies."

France has an ecosystem at the forefront of medical technologies. Its proportion of therapeutic products in phase III (advanced development stage) is higher than the European average. At the intersection of health and engineering, this sector includes more than 600 companies that design and produce medical devices for preventive, diagnostic and therapeutic uses. According to eHealthTech, an association of e-health companies, France is among the top five countries in the world in this market whose volume could exceed 300 billion dollars by 2022.

Now public institutions have acknowledged the potential of this market. Financing mechanisms, investment programs and export assistance measures have all been set up. French expertise is now recognized worldwide and medtechs make up the third-largest industry for foreign investment, after energy and digital technology. RosaTM, a neurosurgical robotic assistant from Medtech, is the leader in its category and a showcase for French achievement. It is the standard in operating rooms in 12 countries, where it is used to treat pathologies like epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease and certain tumors. In 2012, its founder Bertin

1 • Pr. Alain Carpentier 2 • Artificial heart by Carmat 3 • Exoskeleton by Wandercraft 4 • The neurosurgical robotic assistant RosaTM

Nahum was named the fourth-leading hightech entrepreneur on the planet after Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerberg and James Cameron by the Canadian magazine Discovery Series. Medtech also received the Company of the Year Award in the Neurosurgery Robotics category from Frost & Sullivan. A bioglass implant that turns into bone mineral, a bioactive knee ligament prosthetic (Lars), Neuronaute (BioserenityTM), a t-shirt that diagnoses epilepsy, an ultrasound system (SuperSonic Imagine) that identifies micro-tumors without a biopsy, Beta-BioledTM (Achimej Technology), a pocket kit for at-home blood testing (Wandercraft), an exoskeleton to enable paraplegics to walk – a project funded by Xavier Niel (Free) to the tune of 300,000 euros, eyeglasses connected to a retinal implant (Pixium Vision) to restore sight to the blind, a blood test that detects cancer before a tumor even appears (Rarecells® System). These are all French inventions that will radically change how physicians practice and improve patient health.

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Born to code?

Xavier Niel • Founder of École 42

Did you read The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams? This science fiction novel asks the ultimate question about the meaning of life and the super-computer in the book gives a rather cryptic reply: 42. This number inspired the school of the same name, founded by Xavier Niel, CEO of Iliad, the parent company of internet access provider Free. The digital career training center is proud to be different and aims to give everyone a chance. As long as they have coding in their blood. Paris 17th

Nicolas Sadirac • Director of École 42

ÉCOLE 42

Then École 42 is for you...

96, boulevard Bessières, 75017 Paris |• www.42.fr

"I’ve been working with the Internet for 20 years, but the main problem in my profession is still the same. How do we recruit talent and how do we find the developers we need to design softwares that will enable us to create innovative products?" wonders Xavier Niel, who invested cc to create the school in 2013. The École 42 admissions process is extremely rigorous. Out of 15,000 applicants, only 1,000 are chosen. No money? No degree? No problem! The Paris-based school seeks potential above all else – candidates with a hint of ingenuity, a pinch of creativity, a flair for computers and quite a lot of perseverance. It does not matter whether you earned a formal education in France or elsewhere (3% of students hail from oversees). After an initial online test, the 4,000 survivors are thrown into the deep end: the "swimming pool." 30 days and 30 nights of living and breathing coding in commando mode on the school premises.

It’s sink or swim, but if you make it, you can enroll in the school tuition-free and take advantage of all its technological resources 24/7 in a high-tech building that sprawls over more than 43,000 ft2: the Heart of Code. It is home to a thousand purring iMacs with giant screens connected to an ultra-high speed network and gigabyte storage servers. "Over the years I have come to believe that we must completely revolutionize the educational system," explains Nicolas Sadirac, Director of École 42, whose teaching methods are intended to shake things up. Here, there are no theoretical courses, schedules, study halls or even professors. Rather there are collaborative projects and advisers who motivate students and encourage them to push their own limits. There is only one rule: a new exercise is handed out every day at 8:42 am. The goal is to learn from each other, acquire knowledge in real-life situations, foster independence

and a sense of initiative and develop qualities that are prized in the business world, such as productivity, personal investment and continual self-directed learning. Entrepreneurship is also encouraged through a partnership with HEC to create start-ups. Because capacity for innovation and digital transformation are major economic challenges, these budding programmers are getting attention. Distinguished guests have honored the school with visits: French President François Hollande, French Minister of the Economy Emmanuel Macron, PayPal founder Peter Thiel and Netflix CEO Reed Hastings. Large corporations are also keenly interested in their work. For example, hackathons have been organized in conjunction with Alstom, GDF Suez and the Paris police force. In February 2015, the 10 people who completed the curriculum were immediately hired. Coding? Definitely a career with potential.

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Stéphane Richard, Chief Executive Officer n Stéphane Richard, you manage one of the world’s biggest telecom groups with a large footprint in Africa and the Middle East. How is French culture an asset to your company as it does business in 28 countries? Orange is an international player with a unique characteristic: we are the only European group with a strong presence in Africa and the Middle East. That is truly distinctive in the telecoms landscape! As for French culture, it is first carried by language. In francophone Africa, it is a bridge between us and the countries, which makes it easier for us to conduct business. Orange also has close ties with the embassies in all those countries. But it is more than a culture: it’s a network grounded in cultural and diplomatic affinities. Is there a French corporate culture? I’m tempted to say yes. Comparing Orange to other international telecom groups, I find that the French are good at international expansion. They have a real capacity to adapt to local ecosystems. When we enter a country, our goal is to strike a balance between local and expatriate managers in the company. Actually, Orange has few expatriates in the Africa-Middle East zone: just 60 employees out of a region-wide staff of over 20,000. We aim to recruit locally and I think that we have developed considerable expertise in this regard. We are highly adaptable and open at Orange. So instead of coming in with a ready-made system to apply to their new markets, I think that French companies are more like "sponges" in the sense that they create a hybrid culture that blends their corporate culture with the local mindset. This is what has enabled French companies to successfully expand abroad. n Orange is a hotbed of innovations that are not limited to the world of telecommunications. How are the cultural diversity of your staff and your quest for differentiation around the customer experience as embodied in the "Essentials 2020" approach, a way to internationalize "French innovation know-how?" The idea behind "Essentials 2020" is both simple and vast. We want to give our customers an unparalleled experience every day and all our actions work toward that goal. Their experience must be the best relationship possible, starting with initial contact and lasting for the entire duration of their time as a customer of our group. This is a real challenge in our business, where products are sold in mass. At Orange we have over 8,000 people working on the innovation chain. Our technocenters and labs enable us to be well rooted in the countries that comprise our market, where the needs are quite specific and there is immense creativity. We are quite present in Tunisia, Egypt, Côte d’Ivoire and Jordan.

n Can you give an example of how that works? With regard to innovation, the best example is payment via mobile phone. That project originated in Africa. I’m referring to Orange Money, which allows customers to access banking services such as money transfers and mobile phone payment and now has nearly 18 million users. This use was born in Africa to meet a local need, then was extended to Europe. In fact, Orange Money was just launched in France to provide a simple, economical way to send money to Africa using a mobile phone. Another example is reloading prepaid SIM cards. An emergency "additional units" system was implemented. The ability to credit a few units so that users can top up their cards was created in Botswana and subsequently became a widespread success. Plus, it builds customer loyalty. In the area of connected agriculture, we launched m-Agri (m-Agriculture services) in order to improve farmer income, boost agricultural productivity and strengthen the value chain. n Now that you are Co-Chair of the AfricaFrance Foundation, will the responsibilities that come with that position reflect even more robust support for the African continent, along the lines of the 2015 Africa Social Entrepreneur Award that was given out in Cape Town a few weeks ago? The foundation’s goals are compelling. The original idea was to contribute to and accelerate Africa’s economic take-off. In that respect, forming a club where businesses talk to businesses is something relatively new, especially because the French and the Africans are on an equal footing. The mechanism is unusual: the French and African private sectors work together to issue recommendations to the authorities on certain topics. The foundation is participating in the economic aspects of the next France-Africa summit. Other substantive issues are also being addressed, such as training – digital in particular. In this way, civil society, through a club that serves as a forum for discussion, analysis and the pooling of resources, is working to help speed up economic development through the private sector. n This year Orange is a partner for the Euro Cup 2016. What does it mean for Orange to take part in an international sporting event? This is an opportunity at two levels. First there is the technical challenge of providing all the communication services for the tournament because Orange decided to make the Euro Cup 2016 the most connected UEFA Euro Cup in history. The group is responsible for the transmitting live feeds of the matches

being played in 10 French stadiums, plus more than 680 wireless Internet access points have been installed in the fan zones. More than 800 Orange employees are assigned to this exciting undertaking. Beyond the technical aspect, Orange partners with major events that bring people together. After working as the official telecommunications operator for major international tournaments like the 1998 World Cup or, more recently, the African Cup of Nations, it seemed quite natural to partner with Euro Cup 2016. We like to be where the action is and the UEFA Euro Cup 2016 is a major public event. It’s a matter of pride for us. We are talking about two billion TV viewers – matches that enthrall the entire planet, especially in Africa and the Middle East. When you talk to people there about Euro Cup 2016, their eyes light up. And six of the European countries where Orange does business are participating: it will be a big party for us at Orange! n Many international companies choose to expand to France. In your opinion, what are the three biggest advantages that drive "France envy" in their executives? I would start with the education and skills of employees. Then I’d say the French mentality. They like their companies, especially compared to the rest of the world. We have productive, imaginative and efficient employees. Of course, our labor is sometimes a bit more expensive, but it has many strengths that you cannot find elsewhere. And in technology and industry, we have real opportunities. With regard to digital, we are particularly dynamic and are the leading European country in creating start-ups. Finally, I would point to the quality of life in France and the quality of our infrastructure. The road and rail transport systems are very valuable, as well as our digital infrastructure, thanks to the committed policies of the government and operators. At Orange, for example, we install fixed or mobile ultra-high speed networks with fiber optics or 4G wherever our customers need it. n In conclusion, and to tackle France from a different perspective, what would be an ideal weekend for you? Where would you go and what would you do? I like going home to Cévennes in the Massif Central, but I also love the mountains and skiing. Depending on the season, I would think about the seaside; a weekend on the French Riviera is very tempting. Otherwise, a weekend in Bordeaux or in the Dordogne is quite pleasant. You can see I’m at a loss to give you a clear answer: France deserves a lot more than a weekend!

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .INTERVIEW . . . . . . . . . .... STÉPHANE RICHARD

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«There are many French groups ranked among the top 500 global companies in proportions that exceed the share of French GDP in world GDP»

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ÂŠ Laborant

Visit the old factory of Parfumerie Fragonard in Grasse, and give yourself a treat with a fragrance from the boutique.

. . . . . . .IN . . THE . . . . .WORKSHOP . . . . . . . . . . . .OF . .... FRAGONARD

A FRAGRANCE full of grace!

FRANCE | ProvenceAlpes-Côte d’Azur

Fragonard Parfumerie & Historic Factory 20, boulevard Fragonard - 06130 Grasse |• www.fragonard.com art of living. Infused with passion and grace, Fragonard is an escape to the town of Grasse, where its historic plant serves each day as a theater for creation and unique scents. This is where – for the last 90 years – the staff have devoted themselves to producing various fragrance collections.

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A very special year for the House of Fragonard, which is celebrating its 90th year. The name Fragonard resonates like poetry. This family-owned company has never stopped exploring the boundaries of creativity since 1926, sharing with us its quest for expertise and flair for the French

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2 While Paris is the capital of fashion and Bordeaux and its wines are world famous, Grasse sets the standard in perfumes. Known for its rare scents, such as lavender, myrtle, jasmine, rose, wild orange blossom, mimosa and violet, Grasse now stands as an icon in the world of fragrance. This year the House of Fragonard is honoring the iris, the symbol of nobility, with a new line of products infused with the scent of the flower of 2016. The blossom known to perfumers as blue gold has many facets: violet, mimosa and woody notes subtly enhanced with fruity touches of carrot and raspberry. It takes no less than one ton of iris rhizomes to get 200 grams of Iris Absolute, whose price is around €100,000 per kilogram! The famous perfume brand founded in 1926 by Eugène Fuchs, a Parisian notary born entrepreneur, opened its first shop in one of the city’s oldest manufacturing sites. Its name pays homage to the great local painter JeanHonoré Fragonard, who was himself the son

of a master perfumer and glove maker to the royal court. Eugène Fuchs sought to honor the town of Grasse, which had welcomed him and his family, as well as the refinement of 18th century art. This decision also underscores his desire to run an operation that is mindful of tradition. This sense of tradition has been faithfully pursued by the subsequent generations that have taken the reins of the company. Jean-François Costa went about modernizing the business. In the 1970s, this great art connoisseur began assembling his collections of perfumery-related artifacts to open the Grasse museum and two museumboutiques in Paris. Now his daughters, Agnès and Françoise, hold the keys to Fragonard’s destiny. Like the generations that preceded them, they wish to make their own contribution to the brand and have chosen to develop scented home products to create a whole world of refinement inspired by Provence or tinged with exotic dreams.

. . . . . . .IN . . THE . . . . .WORKSHOP . . . . . . . . . . . .OF . .... FRAGONARD

INFORMATION

Factory tours by appointment at tourism@fragonard.com

IRIS EVENTS IN 2016

Apprentice Perfumer Workshop Discover the world of fragrance and the ancient techniques and secrets of perfume makers and create your own eau de toilette! Presented by a perfume making specialist, the workshops offer an unforgettable experience for your senses. Make a reservation on our website | • www.fragonard.com

EXHIBITS TROMPE-L’ŒIL: THE ART OF ILLUSION

April 25th 2011, to September 30th 2011, Musée Jean-Honoré Fragonard  14, rue Jean Ossola, Grasse.

1 & 2 • Old Factory of Parfumerie Fragonard in Grasse 3 • Poster for the 90th anniversary of House of Fragonard 4 • Agnès and Françoise Costa 5 • Gold and glass salt-bottle 6 • 1946 "Belle de nuit" fragance box

LACE AND FINERY: PROVENCE TREASURES

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March 26th to December 31st 2016, Provence Museum of Costumes & Jewelry 2, rue Jean Ossola, Grasse.

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Paolo Sari the first 100% organic Michelin star FRANCE | ProvenceAlpes-Côte d’Azur

Avenue Princesse Grace MC, 98000 Principauté de Monaco Tel. : +(377) 98 06 50 05 - Everyday, from March 4th to October 23rd 2016. |• www.monte-carlo-beach.com

Monte Carlo Beach is a timeless address removed from the excitement of the Place du Casino. It is more discreet and far more than a hotel. Monte Carlo Beach is a like a plush jewel box: intimate, luxurious, discreet and elegant. Under its terracotta curves, the facade of Monte Carlo Beach stands in contrast to the Beaux Arts style of the other buildings on Place du Casino. Not to mention the beach cabanas and solariums that anchor the "Seabathing Society" in a new era... Make way for modern times!

When Monte Carlo Beach debuted in 1928, its grand opening celebration was immortalized by the famous American columnist Elsa Maxwell, an event that was recorded in the datebooks of every socialite! Monte Carlo Beach became the new gathering spot for the artistic, musical and cultural elite. To celebrate its 80th birthday, Monte Carlo Beach

got a comprehensive renovation, with interiors designed by the talented India Mahdavi (Claridge’s in London, Condesa in Mexico City, Villa des Alyscamps in Arles), who reimagined the hotel as an "ode to the Mediterranean." The new outdoor environment conceived and developed by landscape artist Jean Mus greets guests on their swimming outings.

. . . . . . . . . .IN. .THE . . . . .KITCHEN . . . . . . . . .OF . .... MONTE CARLO BEACH

1 • Monte Carlo Beach from the pier. 2 • Fillet of San Remo red shrimp. 3 • Raw and cooked artichoke Carpaccio. 4 • Chef Paolo Sari. 5 • Sea view terrace at restaurant Elsa. 6 • Enjoy a 100 % organic Italian cuisine at La Pizzeria.

THE DAWN OF THIS NEW ERA IS ALSO REFLECTED ON THE PLATE. MONTE CARLO BEACH PLAYS THE GREEN CARD THANKS TO PAOLO SARI, THE FIRST CHEF TO EARN A MICHELIN STAR WITH ITS 100% CERTIFIED ORGANIC CUISINE. Paolo Sari was born in Venice and spent his childhood in the kitchen with his mamma, helping her make dried pasta and handrolled gnocchi. He clearly received a gourmet upbringing that shaped him for life, enabling him to create indelible memories for us decades later, thanks to a sacred passion for the culinary arts born in the City of the Doges. As a teenager, he went to culinary school and learned the secrets of Italian dishes that have spread across the planet: saffron risotto at Marchesi, the first three-star distinction for Italy, stuffed ravioli, spaghetti al dente, cappelletti in broth, tagliatelle in ragù, antipasti, breaded veal scallops... all the building blocks of his superlative know-how. Paolo Sari grew up to be a chef with keen taste buds and deft hands, even-keeled and enthusiastic: the foundation of a future great chef from across the Alps. Paolo has the look of an eternal teenager with an eager eye and sharp mind. This globe-trotting ambassador of Italian cuisine has wielded his knives here, there and everywhere. He worked at the Four Seasons in London, at the Dorchester with Swiss master chef Anton Mosimann and at Pierre Koffmann’s Tante Claire (three Michelin stars) before embarking on a world tour of sorts: South Korea, China, Japan and kaiseki cuisine. To cap it all off, Paolo spent three months at a monastery studying vegetables.

At the helm of the Monte Carlo Beach restaurant, Paolo Sari enforces an inviolable rule: 100% organic. Everything that comes into the kitchen - even the pepper and champagne - is organic. The Venetian applies the motto "a healthy mind in a healthy body" to his cooking each day, starting with the rigorous selection of food products (vegetables, fruits, herbs, etc.) supplied by farmers and farm stands in neighboring villages like Saint-Jeannet. Paolo Sari is familiar with every small harvest delivered and all the local co-ops, with their culinary craftsmanship. It all goes into dishes like the "Sama Organic" plate of carrots, zucchini, spring onion and garden herbs moistened with olive oil and seasoned with Camargue salt. The same holds for the raw and cooked artichokes, baby fennel, English peas in a delicious cream with zucchini blossoms, green beans and mountain new potatoes - a rarity in the French Riviera. Paolo Sari wants to know everything about the provenance of his deliveries, including the meat from the slaughterhouse, where the cuttlefish are caught, the origins of the sage, gray shallots and spring garlic and so on because, for him there is no real cuisine without transparency and consistency. As a thorough chef, Paolo Sari has created a menu of 20 items that reconcile gourmet indulgence with health. And supremely demanding standards.

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Welcome to the local edition

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His Excellency

Sheikh Meshal bin Hamad Al-Thani

Qatar’s Ambassador to France

How long have your Excellency been assigned as an ambassador to France? I was appointed as an ambassador to France in 2013; I arrived in Paris, this beautiful city, in mid- November and started to perform my official duties the same year. Qatar Embassy 1 rue de Tilsitt, 75008 Paris, France +33 1 45 51 90 71 consulat@qatarambassade.com

France is the first tourist destination in the world. According to you, what are France’s main advantages that would attract a Qatari tourist? The question includes part of the answer. You mentioned that France is the first tourist destination in the world. France has the necessary characteristics to attract people, whatever their nationalities and cultures are, and the Qatari tourist is part of the large world. France has in fact multiple regions, which are different from each other in terms of geography and architecture, or even in terms of lifestyles. Furthermore, the Qatari tourist highly appreciates the deeply rooted French civilization which left its mark on the march of humanity. In this sense, the French culture, in its broad sense – including arts and literature, poetry and novel, music and theater – is one of the most prominent features of France, especially as the annual festivals held by various French cities and regions, in all these fields, attract many tourists and lovers of a richly varied culture. In addition, France is characterized by its very distinctive architectural art and lifestyles. Its museums are not confined to big cities, thus, you can find some of them in small cities and even in small towns and could tell us a lot about the traditions of the people and their local industries. Perhaps beyond all that, what distinguishes a city like Paris, which is a microcosm, is that it represents the intersection of all cultures around the world, where you’ll be able to attend every day a seminar or a lecture on this country or that, discuss this issue or that, which concerns one area or another from the different regions of the world. You’ll also be able to see a play telling the story of a particular culture, either in the French language or in its mother tongue, as you can daily listen

to the music of this country or that. You may find the equivalent of all these factors in some other countries, but you will never find them combined the way they are in France, and this is what makes France a special country, since a tourist or a stranger will always find in France something that looks like him. What are, according to you, some emblematic places that should be visited in France, besides Paris and the French Riviera? France is a big country in terms of land area and historical value, as well as in terms of geographic, urban and cultural diversity. We should not forget that the various French regions are distinguished by the diversity of their geological composition and geographic situation which explain the diversity of their agricultural, then industrial, products. Some of these areas, especially those situated in border areas, have been influenced throughout their history by the adjacent countries, such as Spain, Britain, Germany or Italy, and this influence is visible in the architecture and lifestyle. The nature of a region close to the Spanish border is different, in terms of geographical terrain, from the region of Bordeaux, which is itself different from Brittany and Normandy bordered by the English Channel, which separates France from the United Kingdom. All of these regions are also different from Alsace and Lorraine, close to Germany, and from the regions close to Italy or bordered by the Mediterranean Sea. It is sure that Paris remains an extraordinary city, not only in France, but in the whole world as many consider it to be the most beautiful city in the world. It is also certain that the Riviera (Côte d’Azur) has a special flavor, because of all that constitutes its distinctive uniqueness. However, there are other cities and regions which have their own attractive features, such as the Loire region, famous for its old and ancient palaces, which constitute architectural jewels and tell stories, deeply rooted in the history of France. I can also mention here Mont-SaintMichel, situated in the Normandy region near the borders of Brittany, or the city of Étretat overlooking the English Channel, and also the French Alps.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .INTERVIEW . . . . . . . . . .... MESHAL AL-THANI

What places French companies can occupy in the process of this economic evolution? During the last years, the Qatari market opened its arms to the French companies to invest, and there are more than 100 French firms operating in the State of Qatar. The Qatari State has also adopted, in recent years, many legislations that facilitate investment and permit to take advantage of 100% of the incomes of these investments, thus opening the way for foreign companies to invest in Qatar in a direct way. We expect that the French companies will occupy, in the future, advanced positions in the Qatari market. The economic cooperation between the two countries will contribute to reinforce the place of French firms in Qatar.

The State of Qatar has become a place to be in the 21st century economy. What is your vision for the development of the economy in the coming years? The State of Qatar has been a pioneer in the

What are, according to you, the best job and investment opportunities for Qatari nationals in France? Here I need to talk about the French-Qatari joint project, which was launched this year in

"We belong to a region whose peoples are eager for peace and eager to reach a stage where love is the master, not hatred."

France: the Qadran economic circle, which is meant to develop economic cooperation between French and Qatari institutions and companies, especially since France became the second economic partner of Qatar in 2015, after being its ninth partner in 2014. Both countries will seek in the next stage to enhance the vitality of economic relations, which are based on the strong economic growth in Qatar and on solid diplomatic, political and economic relations; and to promote reciprocal investments. We have come a long way in the various fields of cooperation and we are now in the process of searching for new and innovative ways to promote and develop this cooperation to go to fields that have not been yet explored. Actually, this represents the essential task bestowed on Qadran economic circle. Executives in Qatari institutions in charge of Qatari investments abroad have engaged huge investments in France. These investments, both official and private, include a variety of sectors such as real estate, media and industrial enterprises, luxury products and big stores. I would like to say that these investments amounting to 7.6 billion euros in companies listed at the Paris Stock Exchange and 30 billion in SME, reflect the Qatari confidence in the French economy, despite the crisis it witnessed since 2008. We have full confidence in the French economy because the Qataris are confident that France (official institutions, economic bodies, and the French people) is able to overcome the problems and difficulties, as proved by the French citizens throughout their long history. What is your ideal weekend in France, which addresses would you recommend to your fellow countrymen? Away from major cities, towns and tourist attractions listed in tourism and travel books, I would advise the citizens of Qatar to visit a number of small historic villages, some of which trace back their foundation to the Middle Ages. Some of these villages are counted among "the most beautiful French villages," which are many, and scattered all over the regions of France, each having its own special flavor. In short, these villages represent the historical France and hold a fragrance of the past, leaving the tourist in front of landmarks he never saw before, and would not expect to see in the France known by mainstream tourism. I cannot give an exhaustive list of the names of these villages, but I will mention some of them, such as: Gerberoy in the Picardy area, Salers in the Cantal region, or Yvoire bordered by Lake Geneva in the Savoie region.

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development of future plans and projects, in order to diversify the Qatari economy and ensure the future of coming generations, away from oil and gas revenues. This is the 2030 Vision, which is part of the policy outlined by His Highness the Father Emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, and led by His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, the Emir, may God preserve him. Qatari officials, in the concerned economic bodies, realize that investing in the Qatari human being represents the highest investment. Investing in the knowledge economy, in the fields of future sciences, and in the digital world is a way to achieve the desired goals. This has made the State of Qatar an advanced model, not only for the countries of the region, but also for bigger countries such as France. I remember here, a declaration made by the former French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development, Mr. Laurent Fabius, who said that his country was inspired by the Qatari experience to develop a vision for France for the year 2025.

Sport is a major common point between Qatar and France. What are, in your eyes, the values that sustain our two countries to share this passion? Yes, sport constitutes an important point of convergence, as the people of both countries share the same passion. I think that sport, as a concept, means openness to the other and his acceptance, even though he is a competitor. I am confident that the French people’s passion for sports reflects its desire to open up to the other, the different, in every sense of the word. The French people seek to connect with other peoples, interact with them and benefit from their cultures. Above all, this passion and this openness express the desire to establish peace in the world. In this sense, what distinguishes the French people is equivalent to what characterizes the Qatari people, and I may say that this includes all the peoples of our region, which lies along the Silk Road, between the West and the East. The State of Qatar has always, as is the case with all the countries of the region, opened its arms to the stranger coming from any part of the world. The meaning of openness to others takes in our region its true dimension, especially in light of the crises and problems taking place in our area. We need to send a message to the world, the entire world, saying: "We belong to a region whose peoples are eager for peace and eager to reach a stage where love is the master, not hatred." Today France is hosting a major sport event: the UEFA European Championship, which began to turn into a popular sports festival in all French cities, similar to what happened when France hosted the 1998 World Cup. Tomorrow Qatar will host the 2022 World Cup, which will turn, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, Emir of Qatar, may God preserve him, Qatari officials and the Qatari people, into a festival, not only for sport, but for peace as well. France is no doubt one of the countries which are most able to perceive the message that the State of Qatar wants to send in this sense, especially, if we look at the slogans of liberty, equality and fraternity brought by the French Revolution more than two hundred years ago. It is worth mentioning in this regard, that the UEFA European Championship will be followed thoroughly by a Qatari sporting delegation, composed of 64 persons, 38 of whom are appointed by the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy to observe the games and transfer this expertise to the State of Qatar.

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Michel Boivin,

Economic Adviser and Head of the Economic Department How do you perceive the role of the Economic Department in Qatar? The role of the Economic Department of the Embassy of France in Qatar can be divided into four missions that support France’s economic efforts in Qatar and serve bilateral interests: • Economic analysis and monitoring to provide insights to French authorities on the Qatari government’s economic situation and public policy and on opportunities for France in the country. In this regard, the French business community in Qatar contributes to our analysis, especially regarding export terms, the economic status of the various sectors in which its members operate and the overall business climate in the country. • Economic diplomacy, which entails maintaining good relationships with Qatar’s major buyers and economic community. In addition, the Economic Department assists the ambassador with all his activities relating to the economy, preparations for interviews and speeches given at events organized by the embassy or Qatari institutions. • Support for French companies with contracts to export to Qatar. The Economic Department provides operational assistance to French companies doing or seeking business in Qatar so they can respond to calls for tender, for example. • Promotion of France’s appeal as a destination for Qatari investment. For example, in 2015 and 2016, the Economic

Department held "Investment Majlis," which convened Qatari businessmen and decision makers, as well as French public and private stakeholders, to strengthen business ties and develop investment opportunities between our two countries. On a daily basis, these responsibilities take the form of in-depth communications with major public and private buyers in Qatar and high-profile attendance at many events held in Doha. Since 2014, trade relations between Qatar and France have been increasing at a brisk rate. In 2015, France became the Emirate’s second-biggest trading partner. How do you explain this success? It’s true that bilateral economic relations have experienced strong growth in recent years. Several records were set in 2015: • French exports to Qatar totaled 2.729 billion euros, a surge of 88.7% compared with 2014. The rise in our exports is mainly due to the delivery of Airbus aircraft, including the A350, whose worldwide launch has been entrusted to Qatar Airways, along with the A380, A320 neo and so on. But our expanding exports to Qatar are also very significant even outside the aeronautics sector, with an increase of about 34% between 2014 and 2015. It should be noted that these figures do not necessarily reflect all of France’s exports to Qatar since a great deal of volume, especially consumer

goods, moves through the Dubai free zone. • As a result, our trade balance with Qatar reached a record surplus level of 2.45 billion euros in 2015, putting the country in fifth place internationally, behind the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Singapore and the UAE. • In 2015, France became the second largest supplier to the emirate, with a 10.35% market share in 2015, versus 3% in 2014, ahead of Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, China and the UAE. It is now second only to the United States. • In 2015, French companies signed civil and military contracts with Qatar worth approximately 8 billion euros. This success is attributable to several factors: • First, our outstanding know-how and the value for money offered by our companies. France is recognized for its expertise and technology in many fields, such as defense, engineering, transportation, energy, chemicals and equipment, not to mention consumer goods, including luxury. • Intelligent work with France (government authorities and private sector) to support the projects of French companies vis-à-vis Qatari decision makers. • Excellent bilateral relations based on trust and mutual respect. • The Francophilia – and even Francophone skills – of many Qatari policy makers, including those at the highest levels of government.

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MICHEL BOIVIN

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Michel Boivin In your opinion, which vectors and sectors will help France consolidate its position? There are many vectors by which we can strengthen France’s position and most of them already exist: • The French business community, much of which is organized in the form of clubs and clusters, such as the Qatari-French Business Club (operating since 1999) and French Team 4 Sport (an initiative created in 2013 that unites French companies in the sports sector), and also foreign trade advisers. • All the French subsidiaries working in Qatar that are demonstrating their expertise on the ground: in 2015, the number of such companies exceeded the symbolic threshold of 100. The presence of French franchises and brands also continued to grow with, for example, FNAC’s triumphant debut in Doha, a first in the Gulf! • Finally, there is the French community living in Qatar: at 5,000 French people, it is the third-largest Western contingent after the Americans and the British. There are several growth sectors in Qatar for our companies, which strive to meet the needs of Qataris: • Industry: aeronautics, defense, energy, water, environment... • Infrastructure: transportation, construction, stadiums, roads... • Intermediate goods: steel pipes, handling equipment... • Capital goods: industrial. • Consumer goods like perfume and jewelry, clothing, automobiles, or pharmaceuticals. – which were among the top 20 products exported by France to the Qatar in 2015. Finally, there are the health and education sectors, which are priorities for Qatar.

The tourism industry is a common engine for growth. How can you create synergies that are beneficial to both countries? With the help of Capago, the Embassy of France in Qatar has implemented a simple, fast system to issue visas to Qataris to make it easier for them to travel to France, which is developing new, high-end concepts in urban tourism, shopping, leisure activities, amusement parks and wellness. Furthermore, the embassy is also implementing many initiatives to bolster France’s appeal as a travel destination for the Qatari public, such as the annual "Taste of France" dinner, "French Language Week" and the cultural activities put on by the Institut Français in Qatar. Our two countries share the same vision – founded on high-end tourism, business tourism centered on major conferences/trade shows and sports tourism, such as the 2022 World Cup and other upcoming events for Qatar and, for France, the 2016 UEFA Euro Cup currently underway and the 2024 Olympic Games, which Paris is in the running to host. We must work together to create tourism synergies between the two countries: I’m thinking in particular about the activities of entities like the French agency Atout France that promotes France among Qatari tourism professionals and the Qatar Tourism Authority, which targets the public in France.

Authority (QIA), just behind the United Kingdom – and that’s on top of private investments. There is a certain balance because, when it comes to outflows, Qatar is also the number two recipient of our investments in the Gulf, after Saudi Arabia. For the moment, most Qatari investments in France are going toward real estate, hotels, luxury brands and so forth, but France is encouraging Qatar to invest more in transportation and infrastructure with the "Grand Paris" project, for example, and in industry and the health and education sector. To attract foreign investors, starting with the Qataris, France has embarked on ambitious reforms in recent years to improve the appeal of its economy by reducing social security contributions, opening up government contracts to competition (especially in distribution and transportation), simplifying the administrative and legal environment for businesses, creating innovation incentives, signing a growth pact and adopting a new law to encourage growth, employment and equal economic opportunities. Moreover, each year France also organizes a Strategic Summit on Economic Attractiveness attended by heads of foreign companies from around the world and the highest-ranking French officials to identify ways to improve the country’s business environment.

At the same time, our Qatari friends are investing heavily abroad and France is their number two partner in Europe. In your view, which sectors and specific characteristics of the French economy will help attract more investments from Qatar in the coming years? Indeed, France is the second-biggest recipient of funds from the Qatar Investment

French Embassy in Qatar Economic Department in Doha West Bay, Diplomatic Area, Doha | • w w w. a m b a f r a n c e - q a . o r g / s e r v i c e economique

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THE DOYENNE OF PARISIAN DEPARTMENT STORES The world’s first department store, the Bon Marché, opened its doors in the Saint-Germaindes-Prés neighborhood in 1852, giving life to the idea of visionary Aristide Boucicaut. Over the years, the Bon Marché has become the symbol of the Left Bank and its artful approach to life, where fashion, design, fine foods, art and culture mingle with impossible elegance.

Starting with its unique architectural style, everything about the Bon Marché was designed to please the casual stroller. The most prestigious names (Louis Vuitton, Dior, Chanel…) share space with a selection of exclusive brands and new designers about to break big. From the spectacular women’s shoe department under the Art Deco glass roofs to the grand escalator by Andrée Putman, from the Grande Épicerie with its one-of-akind gourmet experience to the most extraordinary wine cellar in Paris with "grands crus" and rare wines, the Bon Marché epitomizes luxury and the chic side of living well, Paris style. International customers in search of an authentic Paris experience rub elbows with French shoppers devoted to the store’s singular mindset and quality of service. n THE BON MARCHÉ JUST GETS BETTER AND BETTER! Flanked by Rue de Sèvres, Rue de Babylone, Rue du Bac and Rue Velpeau, the most prestigious Parisian department store celebrated its 160th anniversary in 2012. Since then, the Bon Marché has embarked on an extensive renovation project, honoring its commitment to excellence. One example is the new look of the Grande Épicerie de Paris, which now boasts a restaurant under a cupola on the second floor that show-

cases the expertise of its buyers and producers. The home departments have moved to a new building, where they occupy the floors above the Grande Épicerie gourmet grocery. This update actually brings the store closer to its roots because that is how it used to be organized. In addition to restoring some of the Art Deco features that made it famous, the changes have made the two-floor space more convenient with the addition of a skybridge on the third floor that connects with the fashion building. On the ground floor, the watch department now sits opposite a new jewelry department – an ultra-feminine haven that continues the style-making tradition of the Bon Marché Rive Gauche with its own collection of statement pieces for special occasions. Finally, a new space awaits in the 2,000 m2 devoted to the world of women’s shoes. Imagine a sumptuous architectural setting with jaw-dropping displays and remarkable light thanks to the renovated glass roof. This exceptional "shoe room" definitely makes a strong statement. n FASHION AT THE BON MARCHÉ: A NEW SELECTION FULL OF SURPRISES On the second floor, the new fashion area is debuting unprecedented concepts. One example is the world’s first denim station with a customization workshop that can cater to your every whim. Come for the New York label 3x1, Paris-based

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LE BON MARCHÉ - RIVE GAUCHE

1 • The Bon Marché in Paris. 2 • Beauty department on the 1st floor. 3 • Women fashion department on the 1st floor. 4 • The Art Deco glass roofs and the grand escalator by Andrée Putman. 5 • Women fashion department. 6 • The Sporting Room. 7 & 8 • The Denim Station and its customizing workshop.

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F L O O R S

36,000 m2

1,500 m2

Of production workshops that turn out breads, pastries and prepared foods

2,000 m2 For women’s shoes 2,100

Employees on site

1,400

Brands

3,300

Unique products from around the world at the Grande Épicerie 24, rue de Sèvres - 75007 Paris Contact us: +33 (0)1 4439 8000 n |• www.lebonmarche.com

Notify, British brand M.i.h and classics like Levi’s®, 7 For All Mankind and Acne Studios. The same floor also has a Sporting Room with the Hashtag Store, which only stocks young online brands that are updated regularly. On June 11th, the fashion space will welcome the Sunlee Howard Café, a hair salon presided over by Marisol Suarez, who specializes in cutting dry hair and will offer her services in the fall, making the fashion floor a comprehensive destination for whiling the time away. With contemporary designers, popups, exclusive capsule collections and newcomers, the essence of the Bon Marché is distilled into this space under the glass roof. n A CONSTELLATION OF CUSTOMIZED SERVICES All it takes is a phone call and the Bon Marché Rive Gauche will schedule personalized bookings for you to shop comfortably. With the "By Appointment" service, a wardrobe consultant meets with clients in private lounges and chooses outfits, accessories and shoes to meet their needs. The Bon Marché also provides beauty and make-up advice, spa treatments, hairstylists/ barbers and shoe shining. Of course, it

also has a tax refund desk coat check, valent and home delivery. n THE BON MARCHÉ CELEBRATES FINE FOODS The dining options at the Bon Marché are calm oases that offer delightful gourmet breaks. Read on to learn about some of the options. La Table proposes French-style menus for breakfast, lunch and dinner that shine a light on seasonal products. Le Balthazar offers a menu designed to complement the wines stocked around it. Rose Bakery Tea Room conjures a tea room spirit for table service or take-away treats that feature natural, gourmet cuisine. Primo Piano whisks diners away to Tuscany with a changing menu of refined dishes that are always inspired by fresh market products. L’Artisan de la Truffe is made for fans of the "black diamond". Et Ayamé honors Japanese cooking traditions with authentic techniques to prepare sushi on the spot.

1 • The Shoe Room and its amazing glass roof. 2 • Restaurant La Table. 3 & 4 • La Grande Épicerie de Paris gourmet store.

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