About Lagardere

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.