France

Founded: 1821 Employees: 21,693 Sales: EUR 9.01 billion (US$8 billion) (1999) Stock Exchanges: Paris NAIC: 311225 Fats…

Gross Billings: Ffr 27.11 billion Stock Exchanges: Paris London SICs: 7311 Advertising Agencies; 7319 Advertising, Not…

Founded: 1837 Employees: 4,096 Sales: FFr 6.08 billion (US$1 billion)(1999) Stock Exchanges: Paris Ticker Symbol:…

Founded: 1859 SICs: 2084 Wines, Brandy & Brandy Spirits With extensive vineyard holdings throughout France's Burgundy…

864:Charles the Bald asserts the French monarchy's control of production of currency.

Founded: 1964 Sales: $482.8 million (2003) NAIC: 311422 Specialty Canning; 311823 Dry Pasta Manufacturing; 312130…

Founded: 1911 Sales: $317 million (2003) NAIC: 511120 Periodical Publishers; 511130 Book Publishers; 422920 Book,…

With an activity dating back to the 17th century, Pochet SA has remained a force in France's glass-making industry by…

Founded in 1665 as the royal glassmakers to Louis XIV, Compagnie de Saint-Gobain is a multinational group of over 1,000…

1561: Demange Didier arrives in Strasbourg.

Acclaimed the world over for its Rémy Martin cognacs, the group Rémy Cointreau S.A.

A household name among the world's needlepointers, France's Groupe DMC (Dollfus Mieg & Cie) is also the world's leading…

While most companies are content to count their histories in years, Marie Brizard & Roger International S.A.

Assets: FFr4.014 billion (US$695 million) AXA, an insurance group with mutual companies at the head of its financial…

Operating Revenues: EUR 18.28 billion ($22 billion) (2003) Stock Exchanges: Euronext Paris Ticker Symbol: AGF NAIC:…

Groupe Bolloré is a diversified industrial conglomerate with leadership status in most of its operating areas.

The name Baccarat has become nearly synonymous with luxury.

One of France's oldest newspaper groups, Société du Figaro S.A.

Bureau Veritas SA is one of the world's leading companies providing QHSE (Quality, Health, Safety, and Environmental)…

Few names are as famously fragrant as Guerlain.

Agence France-Presse (AFP) is the world's oldest news agency and one of the world's top three, behind the United…

Havas SA, a wholly owned subsidiary of utilities and telecommunications giant Vivendi SA, is the largest publishing…

Eiffage is one of France's leading construction and civil engineering groups, posting nearly FFr 32 billion in total…

Lazard LLC is one of the last of the world's leading private investment banking firms, and one of the world's top ten…

One of the most illustrious names in French financial history, Worms et Cie has functioned since the 1980s primarily as…

Robertet SA is one of the world's top ten developers of flavor and perfume additives and ingredients.

Groupe Louis Dreyfus S.A.

Stock Exchange: Paris Groupe de la Citée, a holding company owned by Compagnie Europ&eacute-ne de Publication (CEP) and…

Based near Lille, France, Bonduelle SA is Europe's leading producer of prepared vegetables.

Vicat S.A.

Formerly known as the Générale des Eaux Group, Vivendi Universal S.A.

LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton SA, created through a $4 billion merger in 1987, is the world's leading luxury goods…

Société du Louvre does not run that Paris museum, but its properties are almost as distinguished.

Leroux S.A.S.

Group Matussière & Forest SA (MF) is one of France's leading makers of "communications paper," which includes newsprint…

Suez Lyonnaise des Eaux has transformed itself into one of the world's leading multi-utility powerhouses, offering…

Total Assets: EUR 1.72 billion ($1.63 billion) (1999) Stock Exchanges: Paris Ticker Symbol: 18420.PA NAIC: 52211…

France's Groupe Legris Industries is a diversified industrial group with leading domestic and worldwide positions in…

LDC is now Europe's leading poultry processor after edging out fellow French rival Doux Père Dodu in 2004.

Papeteries de Lancey has entered a new era of its 120-year history.

One of France's oldest publishing groups, Bayard SA is also one of the country's largest, particularly in its three…

Known as Imetal until 1999, Imerys S.A.

One of Europe's leading manufacturers of cement and concrete products, Ciments Fran&ccedils also provides the…

Metaleurop S.A.

Bénéteau SA is the world's largest manufacturer of sailing yachts and pleasure craft, under the Bénéteau and Jeanneau…

Ticker Symbols: PEC; PY NAIC: 331312 Primary Aluminum Production; 326112 Unsupported Plastics Packaging Film and Sheet…

The fourth largest telecommunications corporation in the world, France Telecom Group is also one of the last remaining…

1980s:Group Pechiney acquires a significant stake in Carbone Lorraine.

Montupet S.A.

With one of the most illustrious names in motion picture history, Gaumont SA has developed into one of Europe's leading…

Rhône-Poulenc S.A.

Of the leading independent food retailers in France, Comptoirs Modernes S.A.

Le Cordon Bleu S.A.

PSA Peugeot Citroen S.A.

One of the most illustrious names in motion picture history, Pathé remains one of France's leading forces in film…

Vivarte SA, formerly Groupe André, is Europe's leading retail footwear group and a major force in the continent's…

Zodiac S.A.

With operations in more than 100 countries, Alcatel Alsthom Compagnie Générale d'Electricité was the second-largest…

France's second largest company in terms of market capitalization (after France Telecom), Alcatel S.A., formerly known…

Casino Guichard-Perrachon S.A., or Groupe Casino, is one of France's largest retailers--battling it out with Carrefour…

Amec Spie S.A.--known simply as Spie until March 2003--is one of Europe's leading providers of engineering and project…

1970s:Acquisitions of Weber & Broutin, SAMC, and 25 percent of Ciments Fran&ccedils.

L'Air Liquide SA (Air Liquide) is the world's leading producer of industrial gases, with operations in 60 countries…

Weber et Broutin France is a subsidiary of Saint-Gobain S.A.

Galeries Lafayette S.A.

Groupe Monnoyeur is a leading retailer, wholesaler, and rental agency for construction and other machinery in France…

A member of British media giant the Pearson Group since 1988, Groupe Les Echos is among France's leading financial and…

One of France's most important developers and producers of military aircraft, including the famed Mirage series and…

Guyenne et Gascogne is engaged in retail commercial distribution, with a primary focus on food products through the…

Faiveley S.A.

1980s-90s:Company pursues a number of acquisitions, including Bost, Garnache, Virax, Dela, Britool, SK Hand Tools,…

Operating Revenues: EUR1.4 billion ($1.2 billion)(2001) NAIC:485210 Interurban and Rural Bus Transportation; 485410…

In France, cheese is spelled with a "B"--for Bongrain, Besnier, and Bel, the country's top three cheese and dairy…

Deveaux S.A.

Fromageries Bel is France's third largest cheese producer, after Besnier and Bongrain.

Groupe Rougier SA is the holding company for a forestry products group specializing in the logging and processing of…

Leroy Merlin SA has built one of Europe's top Do it yourself (DIY) and home improvement retail groups.

France's Valeo is the tenth-largest supplier of components and systems to the worldwide automobile and truck industry.

Chanel SA is one of the legendary names in perfumes.

Madrange SA is Europe's leading producer of cooked hams and other deli meats.

Nocibé SA is the third largest chain of selective perfume stores in France, trailing only Marionnaud and Sephora.

Rallye SA is one of France's--and the world's--top retail groups.

1940s:Company begins production of telex machines.

Smoby International SA is France's leading toy manufacturer and number three in Europe.

Ticker Symbols: FR0000120271 (Euronext), TOF (London), TOT (New York) NAIC: 212111 Bituminous Coal and Lignite Surface…

Geodis S.A.

France's Groupe SEB is one of the world's leading manufacturers of small appliances and other products for the home.

From its home base in Limoges, France, Legrand SA is a worldwide leader in the design, manufacture, and distribution of…

Publicis S.A.

Eram SA is the leading manufacturer of shoes in France, producing more than 11 million pairs of shoes per year.

France's Colas S.A.

Christofle SA commands respect worldwide for its luxury table service products, including the company's traditional…

Lafuma S.A.

France's Vallourec SA is one of the world's leading producers of seamless tubes, stainless steel tubes, and drill…

Groupe Lapeyre S.A.

Besnier SA is France's largest dairy products producer and one of the largest dairy products producers in Europe.

One of the world's largest airlines, Société Air France is trying to shake a somewhat troubled reputation and a…

Located in the Vendée, in the northwestern region of France, Fleury Michon S.A.

France's l'Entreprise Jean Lefebvre is engaged in highway construction, services, and maintenance, and related…

The Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer Français (SNCF) is the state-owned railroad of France.

Sabaté Diosos SA is the world's number two producer of natural and artificial corks for wine bottles and the world's…

Crédit National S.A.

Producer of what many consider the most prestigious newspaper in France since the end of the World War II, Le Monde S.A.

Aéroports de Paris, a financially independent company owned by the French government, is responsible for the operations…

Manitou BF S.A.

One of the world's pioneering auto makers, Renault S.A.

Snecma Group is considered the world's oldest manufacturer of aircraft engines.

Christian Dior S.A.

France's second largest company, Electricité de France (EDF), is a state-owned utility involved in all phases of…

Not content to be Europe's third largest provider of natural gas, Gaz de France (GDF) is gunning for that market's top…

Groupe Soufflet SA is one of the world's leading agro-industrial groups with an emphasis on grain collection, cereal…

Former sugar cane producer Groupe Bourbon S.A.

A Parisian legend, Tati SA is on its way to becoming a worldwide name.

Retailing powerhouse Association des Centres Distributeurs E.

Gefco SA, based in Courvevoie, France, is one of Europe's leading logistics groups and one of the top ten in the…

Bouygues S.A.

By 1990, Sucden suffered losses of more than FFr476 million, the first loss in the company's history.

Total Assets: FFr 49 billion (1996) Stock Exchanges: Paris SICs: 6153 Short-Term Business Credit Cetelem S.A.

Moulinex S.A., the once proud leader of the European small household appliance market, has seen troubled times for most…

The FNAC chain of retail stores is France's leading purveyor of what the company refers to as "cultural goods." The…

The Rothschild name is not only associated with high finance, it is also synonymous with the world's finest wines, made…

Simco S.A., an acronym for Société d'Investissements Immobiliers et de Construction (which translates roughly as…

Autoroutes du Sud de la France SA (ASF) is that country's largest operator of toll roads.

Burelle S.A., based in Lyons, France, is a holding company for two principal businesses: Compagnie Plastic Omnium and…

Since the organization's early days as a vacation village concept pioneer, Club Mediterranée S.A.

With its "contract of confidence," Darty S.A.

With 11 percent of the French market, Groupe Promodès S.A.

The June 1997 fusion of Filipacchi Medias S.A.

Christian Dalloz SA is one of the world's leading manufacturers of protective equipment for the work environment.

Framatome SA is a diversified, international manufacturing company and also the world leader in nuclear power…

As the world's second largest retailer, Carrefour SA operates more than 10,300 stores in France and abroad under more…

Auchan is one of the world's top retail and distribution groups with more than EUR 22 billion in revenues each year.

In just 40 years, Yves Saint Laurent, the man, has fashioned a legend, while the Yves Saint Laurent company, Groupe…

Roussel Uclaf is one of France's most important pharmaceutical companies and among the world's leading diversified…

Groupe Zannier S.A.

Sodiaal S.A.

Groupe Sidel S.A.

World-renowned Laboratoires de Biologie Végétale Yves Rocher is one of the world's leading producers of plant-based…

1920s:Banque Nationale de Crédit merges with Banque Fran&ccedilse pour le Commerce et l'Industrie.

EADS SOCATA is the light plane division of European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company EADS N.V.

Known until 1994 as BSN Groupe S.A., Groupe Danone is one of the largest food companies in the world.

Manutan International S.A.

After a dizzying series of complicated restructurings, acquisitions, and divestments that began in 1980 when the…

Sodexho Alliance SA is the worldwide leader in food and management services.

Cap Gemini Ernst & Young is one of the world's heavyweights in the information technology services industry.

L.D.C.

Mr.

Assets: FFr52.40 billion (US$9.07 billion) on des Assurances de Paris (UAP) is 75% owned by the French state, and is…

Unibail SA is France's leading commercial property management company, with a portfolio of office buildings, shopping…

Union Financière de France Banque SA (UFF Banque) is an asset manager with a difference.

Groupe Castorama-Dubois Investissements operates the leading chain of DIY (do-it-yourself) and home improvement…

ITM Entreprises SA is France's largest supermarket group, with more than 2,700 stores under some 11 formats throughout…

France's Steria SA has leapt onto Europe's computer services scene, claiming the number eight spot in that market after…

G.I.E.

GFI Informatique SA is one of the fastest-rising information technology (IT) services companies in France, with its…

Fast-rising Penauille Polyservices SA is one of the world's leading commercial services companies, operating through…

Royal Canin S.A.

Paris-based SCOR S.A.

Selectour SA is France's leading network of independent travel agencies.

France's Coflexip S.A.

Alain Afflelou SA is one of the leading optical retailers in France, with a network of more than 475 largely franchised…

France's Essilor International is the world's leading manufacturer and distributor of corrective lenses for…

Groupe Guillin SA is one of Europe's leading manufacturers of plastics packaging products for the food and related…

Pinault-Printemps-Redoute S.A.

Skis Rossignol S.A.

Since the early 1990s, the European plastics giant Sommer-Allibert S.A.

State-owned Compagnie Générale Maritime et Financière (CGMF) is one of the largest maritime transportation companies in…

Expand SA has carved a place for itself as France's leading television programming production company and has become…

France's Groupe Alain Manoukian is a leading designer, distributor, and retailer of ready-to-wear fashions, with an…

Groupe Partouche SA is gambling on keeping its number one position in France's casino industry.

France's Brioche Pasquier S.A.

As Europe's largest computer leasing company, ECS S.A.

Pernod Ricard S.A.

Bricorama S.A.

Groupe Go Sport S.A.

Kiabi Europe is a leading French clothing retailer, operating 110 stores in France as well as 12 stores in Spain and…

Société Norbert Dentressangle S.A., named after the company's founder, is one of France's top three freight trucking…

BigBen Interactive S.A.

Dassault Systèmes S.A.

Once a model "mini-conglomerate," Dynaction S.A.

Paris-based Accor S.A.

France's Infogrames Entertainment S.A.

Camaïeu S.A.

With nearly 14 million subscribers across Europe and Africa, Canal Plus ranks as one of the world's premiere…

Brittany, France-based, Guillemot Corporation has taken the fast track toward becoming one of the world's premier…

Marionnaud Parfumeries SA is one of Europe's leading retail perfume specialists.

Ugine S.A.

Métropole Télévision is one of France's leading television broadcasters and programming producers.

Usinor Sacilor was the result of the merger in 1986 of Usinor and Sacilor, the two major French iron and steel groups.

France's Ubi Soft Entertainment S.A.

France's Eurofins Scientific S.A.

Télévision Fran&ccedilse 1 is a diversified multimedia producer and broadcaster, centered around TF1, France's oldest…

Assets: FFr1.02 trillion France's "green bank" was nicknamed for its roots in agriculture.

Euro Disney S.C.A.

Compagnie des Alpes is the world's leading ski lift operator, a specialty which includes not only the construction and…

Grévin & Compagnie SA is France's leading operator of amusement parks and tourist attractions (in terms of attendance…

1597: Relais de louage, a stagecoach service intended for private use, is created by royal edict.

Transiciel SA in one of France's fastest-growing information technology consulting groups, claiming the number three…

France's Business Objects S.A.

Elior SA is one of the top three contract catering groups in Europe--and number one in France and Spain.

Neopost S.A.

Fast-rising Pinguely-Haulotte SA has captured the top spots in the market for self-propelled aerial work platforms.

French holding company Fimalac S.A.

Nexity S.A.

Réseau Ferré de France (RFF) owns France's railroad infrastructure.

Faurecia S.A.

One of the world's leading specialty chemicals companies, Rhodia SA--the former chemicals and fibers & polymers units…

Vilmorin Clause & Cie is the world's leading supplier of seeds for the professional gardener and the consumer home…

Atos Origin S.A.

Dalkia Holding is Europe's leading provider of energy services.

France's Nexans SA is one of the world's largest manufacturers, installers, and integrators of cables and systems,…

Société d'Exploitation AOM Air Liberté SA (AirLib) is France's second largest airline.

Terrena L'Union CANA CAVAL is one of France's top three cooperatives and one of the country's leading agro-industrial…