About Lagardere

History

1945-1980

1945
  • Creation of Matra (Mécanique Aviation TRAction). The company starts work on researching and developing a twin-engine plane designed to have a maximum speed of 800 km/h (the fastest propeller plane in the world).

1945
  • Hachette launches Elle and the earliest titles in its current group of publications.

1951
  • The sound barrier is broken in horizontal flight for the first time in Europe by a special Matra engine (Mach 1.4).

1953
  • In partnership with Henri Filipacchi, Hachette launches the Livre de Poche imprint, which remains a market leader today.

1961
  • The European space programme begins. Matra becomes the first prime contractor for satellites.

1963
  • Jean-Luc Lagardère is appointed CEO of Matra, which at the time has a workforce of 1,450.

1967
  • The Matra 530 is presented at the Geneva Motor Show.

1972
  • Matra is appointed prime contractor for its first automated urban transport system, the VAL.

1974
  • Third consecutive victory in the Le Mans 24-hour rally and second manufacturers' World Championship title for Matra-Simca.

1975
  • Matra wins a contract from the CNES and the ESA to build the loading bay for the new European launcher Ariane.
 
 

 

Press releases

2010/03/11

Athletics: New partnership agreement with Dailymotion for live and VOD broadcast of the 2010 World Indoor Championships in Doha

2010/03/10

2009 Full-Year Results

A.Lagardère's editorial

“I am convinced that we must continually cultivate and strengthen our company fundamentals, which are both straightforward and sound.”


The group's activities

Lagardère has distinguished itself as a market leader in the book publishing, distribution, press and audiovisual, management and marketing of sporting rights sectors.

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The group's values

The Group has clear values that determine its personality. Lagardère's creativity, boldness and independence have helped to create a modern, innovative media group that's in touch with its times.