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

2022/08/04

Monthly information relating to the total number of voting rights and shares making up the share capital

2022/07/26

First-Half 2022 results

Message from the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

"The conversion of Lagardère SCA into a joint-stock company (société anonyme) with a Board of Directors in 2021 marked a new chapter in the Group's history. Our governance is now characterised by a calm and constructive relationship with our main shareholders, which reinforces the integrity and durability of our Group..."
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The group's activities

Created in 1992, Lagardère is an international group with operations in more than 40 countries worldwide. It employs around 27,000 people and generated revenue of €5,130 million in 2021.
The Group is structured around two priority divisions.

 

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The group's values

Lagardère's values and corporate culture are founded on two pillars: its rich and varied history and the commitment of the people, past and present, who represent it.