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

2022/07/06

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

2022/06/29

Hachette Livre publishes its first CSR report for France, outlining the achievements of 2021 and the outlook for 2022

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.