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HRH Prince Alwaleed bin Talal bin Abdulaziz Alsaud, Chairman of Kingdom Holding Company, received at his office, His Excellency Ambassador Bertrand Besancenot, French Ambassador to Saudi Arabia.

The meeting was also attended by a team from KHC, Ms. Heba Fatani, Executive Manager of the Corporate Communications Department, and Ms. Nahla Alanbar Personal Assistant to HRH the Chairman.

The meeting began as the French Ambassador thanked Prince Alwaleed for the meeting. During the meeting, the two discussed the social and economic bi-lateral relations between Saudi Arabia and France, and the Ambassador updated HRH on the progress of the construction that is bring the Islamic Arts galleries of the Louvre to completion.

Moreover, the Mr. Besancenot referred to the historic significance of the galleries. Also, HRH referred to the strong relationship he has with France through multiple investments and projects, and asked the ambassador to relay cordial regards to the French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

Prince Alwaleed has made contributions to the economic and cultural fronts in France. Topping the list of HRH’s investments in France are the George V Hotel and Euro Disney Paris. In addition, in 2005 HRH funded the creation of an exhibition space for the Islamic arts department at the Musée du Louvre in Paris with a contribution worth US$20 million.

In August 2008 Prince Alwaleed hosted a luncheon in honor of French President Sarkozy at the George V Hotel in Paris. The two also discussed the official ceremony that was held on the 16th of July 2008 during which HRH and the French President laid the cornerstone of the new Islamic Arts wing at the Musée du Louvre in Paris.

In 2006, Prince Alwaleed was bestowed the medal of “Legion of Honor,” with the rank of Commander by the former French President, Jacques Chirac during an official ceremony held at the Élysée Palace.

The medal is the country’s highest civilian honor, and it was bestowed to HRH in recognition of his role in strengthening Saudi-French cultural, business and economic relations. In 2007, HRH was awarded the “Golden” medal by the French Minister of Culture and Communication, Mrs. Christine Albanel.

Prince Alwaleed acquired the George V Hotel in 1996. The hotel re-opened mid-December following an ambitious renovation to restore the glory of this landmark.

The George V Hotel has earned many awards and accolades including World's Best International City Hotel for 7th consecutive year in the 2007/2008 Andrew Harper's Hideaway report; Top International Hotel in ZAGAT Survey’s 2008 Top International Hotels, Resorts & Spas edition (the same recognition was also received in 2004 and 2005 as well); Best City Hotel Worldwide for 4th consecutive year and Best City Hotel in Europe for 6th consecutive year in Gallivanter's Guide’s 2006 edition; Best International Business Hotel in Conde Nast Traveler’s 2006 US edition; Best Hotel in Europe in 2006 and World’s Best Hotel in 2004 by Institutional Investor magazine; Best Luxurious Hotel in the World in 2002-2003 by L'hôtellerie magazine.

In March 2002, Forbes Global published a survey of 25,000 executives who frequently travel to international destinations. The number one choice of these sophisticated travelers was the Four Seasons George V Hotel in Paris.

Also, the hotel’s restaurant “Le Cinq” was awarded its third-Michelin-star (the highest a restaurant can earn) for 4 consecutive years. Moreover, the Zagat Survey of Paris Restaurants 2006/2007 edition ranked George V to have the Best Gastronomic Restaurant in Paris, Best Hotel Restaurant for dinner in Paris and Best Restaurant for Services and Cuisine in Paris. In 2006, Gallivanter's Guide ranked “Le Cinq” as Best Hotel/Resort Cuisine.

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