WesWorld

[SIZE=1]This is just a quickly-compiled list of a number of important French businesses; it is not intended to be exhaustive, but is completely historical to the very best of my knowledge.[/SIZE]

Banks and Finances:
- AGF (Assurances Générales de France): French insurance company.
- Banque de l'Indochine: financial company founded 1875.
- Banque de l’Union Parisienne
- Banque de Paris et des Pays Bas
- Banque des Pays de l’Europe Centrale
- Bolloré: a French investment and industrial holding group headquartered in Puteaux, founded 1822.
- Compagnie Parisienne de Garantie: insurance firm
- Crédit Commercial de France (CCF): banking firm dating back to 1858, one of the six largest banks in France.
- Crédit Foncier de France: national mortgage bank, founded 1852.
- Drouot Group: French insurance company
- Mutuelle de L'assurance contre L'incendie (the Ancienne Mutuelle): French insurance company, founded 1816.
- Société Générale: financial services company, founded 1864.

Industrial and Manufacturing, Defense Companies:
- La Sentinelle de St-Quentin - Tir et Préparation Militaire: French arms manufacturer.
- Munitions de Chasse, de Tir et de Guerre: arms manufacturer.
- Manufacture des Armes de Bourges - artillery, small arms.
- Manufacture d'Armes Prost & Fraisse: arms
manufacturer, associated with St-Etienne.
- Manufacture des Armes de Puteaux - artillery, antitank guns
- Manufacture des Armes de Tulle - small arms (MAT 49 submachinegun)
- Saint-Chamond: firearms and artillery manufacturer
- SAGEM (Société d’Applications Générales de l’Électricité et de la Mécanique): electronics manufacturer founded 1924. Includes Sagem Défense Sécurité, a division for the manufacture of cameras, gun sights, periscopes, radar, and avionics. (In 1942, they develop the telex machine.)
- Sté d'Armes Automatiques de St-Etienne: major arms manufacturer.

Industrial and Manufacturing, Shipbuilders:
- Ateliers et Chantiers de la Loire: Shipbuilder based in Nantes
- Beneteau: French sailboat manufacturer in Croix-de-Vie, established 1884.
- Direction des constructions navales (DCN): Major French naval shipbuilder, founded 1631.
- Forges et Chantiers de la Gironde: shipyard at Lormont on the Gironde estuary.
- Société Nouvelle des Forges et Chantiers de la Méditerranée: Shipbuilder in Toulon, La Seyne-sur-Mer, and Graville.
- Zodiac: manufacturer of inflatable boats.

Industrial and Manufacturing, Electronics:
- La Compagnie Générale d'Electricité (CGE): electronics company; founded in 1898. Eventually becomes Alcatel.
- Compagnie des Machines Bull: manufacturer of punch-card machines (and eventually computers). Founded 1931, reorganized 1933.
- Compagnie Électro-Mécanique (CEM): electrical engineering manufacturer, a subsidiary company off Brown, Boveri & Cie.
- Compagnie Française Thomson-Houston (Thomson CSF): electronics manufaturer associated with General Electric (USA) and Thomson Mechanike Ergastiri Electronike (Atlantis). Radar developer.
- SAGEM (Société d’Applications Générales de l’Électricité et de la Mécanique): electronics manufacturer founded 1924. Includes Sagem Défense Sécurité, a division for the manufacture of cameras, gun sights, periscopes, radar, and avionics. (In 1942, they develop the telex machine.)
- Société d'Electronique appliquée à l''Automatisme (SEA): computer manufacturer
- Societe des Usines Chimiques du Rhone

Industrial and Manufacturing, General:
- Air Liquide: founded 1902, Air Liquide is a major supplier of industrial gases to medical, chemical, and electronic manufacturers.
- Aubert et Duval: Steel mill in Issoire with a 40,000-ton forging press.
- Compagnie Générale des Eaux (CGE): water supplier for Paris, founded 1853.
- Delattre-Levivier: Manufacturer of steel-rolling mills, as well as metal silos and other associated things.
- Lafarge: industrial company specialising in cement, construction aggregates, concrete and gypsum wallboard. (Technically "Société anonyme des chaux et ciments de Lafarge et du Teil.") Founded 1833.
- Nyco: manufacturer of industrial lubricants and chemicals for the pharmaceutical industry and PVC compounds. Founded 1929.
- Saint-Gobain: industrial materials manufacturer specializing in glass and glass treatments, fiberglass, and fiberglass insulation.
- Société Bic: pen manufacturer.
- Société Générale d'Enterprises (SGE): construction and general engineering company founded 1899.

Construction
- Société Anonyme pour la Construction et l'Entretien des Routes: road-rolling company.
- Société Chimique & Routière de la Gironde (SCRG), road construction company founded in 1910.
- Societe de Construction des Batignoles: French construction company.
- Société Générale d'Enterprises: construction company.
- Société Routière Colas: road construction company.

Materials and Resources, Agriculture:
- Agricole et Miniere des Nouvelles Hebrides S.A.
- Biscuits Fossier: biscuit and bread manufacturer in Reims.
- Bonduelle: processed vegetable manufacturer, founded 1853.
- Brasseries Kronenbourg: beer brewery founded 1664 in Strasbourg.
- Chocolat Bonnat: French chocolate manufacturer established in 1884.
- Chocolat Menier: French chocolate manufacturer established in 1816.
- Darégal S.A.: herb manufacturer based in Milly-la-Forêt, founded 1887.
- Debauve & Gallais: French chocolate manufacturer established in 1800.
- Fauchon: gourmet food company.
- Fischer Brewery: beer brewery founded 1821 in Schiltigheim, Alsace.
- Groupe Danone: French dairy producer.
- Jas Hennessy & Co.: French winery, founded 1765.
- la société Besnier: French dairy and cheese manufacturer, founded 1933.
- Lefèvre-Utile: biscuit manufacturer in Nantes.
- Marie Brizard et Roger: alcohol distributor from Bordeaux, established 1755.
- Meilland SA: rose growing business, founded 1850.
- Rémy Martin: winemaker (Cognac) founded in 1724.
- Société Degrémont: drinking water specialist, founded 1939.
- Société d'exploitation des Etablissements René Neymann: company founded 1850, manufacturer of unleavened bread.
- Thomas Hine & C°: French cognac house, founded 1817.
- Valrhona: French chocolate manufacturer established in 1922.
- Vilmorin: seed producer, founded 1742

Materials and Resources, Chemical:
- MSSA SAS: chemical manufacturer.

Materials and Resources, Oil:
- Antar: petroleum company founded in 1927 in Merkwiller-Pechelbronn, Alsace.
- Bureau de Recherches de Pétroles (BRP): oil company.
- Compagnie française des pétroles (CFP): French oil company founded 1924.
- Etablissements Maurel et Prom S.A.: oil drilling company, originally founded in 1813 as a shipping house.
- Régie Autonome des Pétroles (RAP): oil company.
- Schlumberger / Société de Prospection Électrique: oilfield drilling specialist founded 1926.
- Société Nationale des Pétroles d'Aquitaine (SNPA): oil company.

Materials and Resources, Steel:
- Escaut-et-Meuse: steelmaker, founded 1882 in Anzin.
- Forges et Aciéries de Denain-Anzin: Steelmaker in Lorraine.
- Les Forges et Aciéries du Nord et de l'Est: French steel-maker in Lorraine, founded 1882.
- Les Hauts Fourneaux: Steelmaker in the Lorraine region, founded 1849.
- Société des forges de Châtillon-Commentry-Neuves-Maisons: Steelmaking company in the Châtillonais region, formed by merger in 1898.
- Société Métallurgique de Normandie: steelmaking company based in Caen, originally founded by the Thyssen Group.
- Usine de Senelle-Maubeuge Unimétal: steelmaking company in Longwy.

Transportation - Carriers:
- Air France: airline founded 1933
- Cie Aérienne Française: French airline.
- Chemin de Fer de l'Est (Eastern Railway)
- Chemin de Fer de l'État (State Railway)
- Chemin de Fer du Nord (Northern Railway)
- Chemin de Fer de Paris à Lyon et à la Méditerranée (Paris, Lyon and Mediterranean Railway)
- Chemin de Fer de Paris à Orléans et du Midi (Paris, Orléans, and Central Railway)

Transportation - Merchant Marine:
- Compagnie Générale Transatlantique: Steamship line operating as a Blue Riband contender. (Owner of the SS Normandie and SS Marianne.)
- Société Nationale Maritime Corse Méditerranée: ferry company in the Meditteranean, founded 1850.
- Compagnie Francaise de Navigation a Vapeur Chargeurs Reunis: Far Eastern and African services; South American services
- Compagnie Auxiliaire de Navigation: Petroleum trades; fruit trades
- Compagnie de Navigation Paquet: Mediterranean and West African trades
- Compagnie Delmas Vieljeux: Coal trades; ore, mineral and grain trades from North Africa (acquired by CGT in 1941)
- Societe Anonyme les Cargos Algeriens: Rouen to North Africa
- Compagnie des Messageries Maritimes: World-wide
- Nouvelle Compagnie Havraise Peninsulaire de Navigation: Northern France to Mediterranean, West Africa
- Compagnie de Navigation d'Orbigny: Brazil and the River Plate (acquired by CGT in 1941)
- Societe Anonyme de Gerance et d'Armement (SAGA): North African trades; general tramping; fruit trades
- Societe Francaise de Transports Petroliers: Oil and petroleum trade
- Societe Generale de Transports Maritimes a'Vapeur (SGTM): Mediterranean and South American trades
- Societe Francaise d'Armement Union Industrielle et Maritime: Mediterranean trades

Transportation - Auto Manufacturers
- Bugatti: auto maker.
- Compagnie Générale des Établissements Michelin: tire manufacturer founded 1888. Owner of Citroën.
- Citroen: auto maker.
- Darl’mat: Puegeot agent with carbody business.
- Ford SAF: auto maker.
- Gueudet: auto maker.
- Heuliez: auto maker.
- Laffly: manufacturer of trucks, utility vehicles, and firetrucks, founded 1849.
- Panhard: auto maker.
- Peugeot: auto maker.
- Renault: auto maker.
- Société Anonyme Française du Ferodo (later Valeo): parts manufacturer.
- Solex: carburetor manufacturer established in 1905.
- Transall Corporation: Franco-Atlantean-Russian corporation established in the late 1930s. Invests in substantial part in Mostar Aluminium Works Ltd. in Yugoslavia.

Transportation - Rail Manufacturers
- Alstom: industrial conglomorate founded 1928; specializes in electric generation and electric locomotives. AH: builds diesel engines.
- Schneider et Cie: manufacturer of electric motors and locomotives; an associate of Westinghouse. Founded 1836.
- Societe Franco-Belge: a manufacturer of railway locomotives.
- Compagnie générale de construction de locomotives (Batignolles-Châtillon): French railway locomotive manufacturer in Nantes, founded by Forges de Châtillon-Commentry-Neuves-Maison and Société de Construction des Batignolles.
- Corpet-Louvet: Steam engine manufacturer based in Paris, founded 1855.
- Dyle and Bacalan: constructor of railway equipment and occasionally aircraft; founded 1879. Founded the Serbian-based Societe du Material de Chemin de fer du Serbia a’ Nis / Nis Railway Equipment Factory in 1884 and continues to hold shares in that company. Related to the shipbuilding firm Ateliers & Chantiers Maritimes du Sud-Ouest & de Bacalan Réunis.

Aviation Manufacturers:
- Amiot: purchased by Bloch (Dassault) in 1942.
- ANF Les Mureaux: Merged into Societie Nord 1937.
- Arsenal de l'Aéronautique: Government-owned military aircraft manufacturer.
- Bloch: Top Three French aircraft manufacturer operated by Marcel Bloch.
- Breguet: Major French aircraft manufacturer. A merger with Societie Nord was completed in 1941 to become Breguet-Nord.
- Caudron (owned by Rennault)
- Compagnie Française d'Aviation (Civil only)
- Dewoitine
- Farman
- Fouga: glider and woodworking manufacturer.
- Gnome-Rhone
- Hanriot
- Hispano-Suiza: Aero-engine and automobile manufacturer.
- Latécoère: Flying boat and naval aircraft manufacturer.
- Loire-et-Oliver: military aircraft manufacturer.
- Loire-Nieuport: merged into Dassault (Bloch) in 1942.
- Morane-Saulnier
- Potez: Merged into Societie Nord 1937.
- Societie Nord: aircraft manufacturer formed in 1937 by the merger of Potez, CAMS, and ANF Les Mureaux. Merger with Breguet proposed 1941.
- Turbomeca

Transportation, Bicycles and Motorcycles:
- Alcyon: bicycle and motorcycle manufacturer.
- Cycles Follis: bicycle manufacturer founded 1903.
- Gitane: bicycle manufacturer established in 1925.
- Gnome et Rhône: motorcycle and aero-engine manufacturer.
- Manufrance: mail order company selling bicycles, firearms, and other things.
- Motobécane: bicycle, moped, and motorcycle manufacturer established 1923.
- Stella: bicycle manufacturer.
- Terrot: bicycle, motorized bicycle and motorcycle manufacturer established in 1862.

Consumer Products:
- A. Cazeneuve: steel wool manufacturer, founded 1905.
- Antoine Courtois: musical instrument manufacturer.
- Babolat: manufacturer of tennis, badmitton, and squash equipment.
- Baccarat Crystal: glassware manufacturer located in Baccarat, France; founded 1764.
- Buffet-Crampon: French musical instrument maker. Buffet-Crampon has opened a second workshop in Riga, hiring local craftsmen.
- Cartier SA: French luxury jeweler and watch manufacturer.
- Courvoisier: French wine label
- Gaumont Film Company: founded 1895.
- Hermès: high fashion house specializing in leather, etc.; founded 1837.
- La Cornue: oven manufacturer, founded in 1908.
- La Spirotechnique: diving equipment manufacturer established as a subsidiary of Air Liquide in 1942.
- la Société Besnier: dairy products manufacturer, founded 1933.
- Lacoste: high end apparel company, founded 1933.
- Lafuma: apparel company founded 1930.
- Laurent-Perrier: Champagne house founded in 1812.
- L’Oreal: cosmetics company, founded 1909.
- Nicholas: wine retailer founded in 1822.
- Pathé: film manufacturer founded 1896.
- Petitcollin: French toymaker.
- Pleyel et Cie: renowned piano and harp manufacturer founded 1807.
- Publicis Groupe: advertising group founded 1926.
- Pyral SAS: recording device manufacturer.
- Rhône-Poulenc: chemical and pharmaceutical company founded 1928.
- Roullet & Decamps: French toymaker, founded
- S. T. Dupont: designer label for cigarette lighters, briefcases, pens, etc.
- Shark: motorcycle helmet manufacturer, founded 1929.
- Société Française de Fabrication de Bébés et Jouets: French toymaker.

Miscellaneous
- Compagnie de Suez: part operator of the Suez Canal.

Miscellaneous, Sports:
- Lyon Olympique Universitaire (Le LOU): French rugby union, founded 1899

Miscellaneous, Services:
- Betjeman & Barton: tea merchant, established 1919.
- Cartier S.A.: jewelry chain.
- Docks de France: distributor founded 1904.
- Groupe Casino: retail goods distributor founded 1898.
- Galeries Lafayette: French department store, founded 1893.
- La Samaritaine: French department store.
- Le Bon Marché: French department store, first department store in the world.
- Le Palais des Thés: tea importer and producer.
- Mariage Frères: gourmet tea company.
- Mauboussin: jewelry store.
- Pinault-Printemps-Redoute: mail order company founded 1875.
- Printemps: French department store.
- Van Cleef & Arpels: jewelry and watch company.

Indochina-related Investment Companies:
- Societe Anonyme pour l'Industrie Naphthe
- Societe Commerciale et Industrielle de Naphthe Caspienne et de la Mer Noir
- Societe Commerciale et Industrielle de Naphthe Mazout
- Societe Generale de Huiles de Petroles
- Societe Maritime des Petroles
- Societe pour l'Exploitation des Petroles
- Societe des Caoutchoucs de l'Indo-Chine
- Societe des Caoutchoucs de Binh Loc
- Societe des Caoutchoucs de Padang
- Societe des Plantations des Torros Rouges: Rubber plantation company
- Societe Francaise des Charbonnages du Tonkin
- Societe Miniere du Tonkin: coal and mineral mining company in Tonkin (N. Vietnam)
- Societe d'Etudes et d'Exploitations Minieres de l'Indochine
- Societe des Etains et Wolfram du Tonkin
- Societe des Etains et Wolfram de Pia-Quoc
- Societe des Sucreries et Raffineries d'Indochine
- Societe des Ciments Portland Artificiels de l'Indochine
- Societe des Mines Nickeliferres
- Issoire Works, Societe Centrale des Alliages Legers

Serbia/Yugoslavia-related Investments: (thanks to Bruce)
- Usines Minieres et Fonderies Associces: major iron works founded in Serbia in 1892 with French capital; it has a continued association with Bonnardel of Lyon.
- Societe Francaise des Mines de Bor: Copper-mining company in Serbia, founded 1904.
- Franco-Serbian Coal and Cement Works (Industrie de la Houille et du Cement Franco-Serbe): in operation since 1880, substantially owned by Banque de Paris et des Pays Bas.