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It Takes a Wealthy Man to Raise a French Village
The New York Times ^ | August 12, 2009 | STEVEN ERLANGER

Posted on 08/12/2009 5:51:12 PM PDT by Cincinna

Edited on 08/12/2009 6:15:30 PM PDT by Admin Moderator. [history]

LACOSTE, France — The Marquis de Sade once lived here in this hotbed of Protestantism, a stunning town built of café-au-lait-colored stone, holding the heights across the Luberon River valley from the proud Catholic spires of Bonnieux. He was jailed and institutionalized after the residents of the town objected to his sexual and political views; his castle here was sacked in 1789.

Pierre Cardin, 87, seems an odd inheritor. But after he bought the ruins of the castle nine years ago and then established a summer music festival here, some of the 450 residents of Lacoste, which votes for the left, began to treat him like a hated nobleman, a representative of global capitalism. Nor did it help that he kept on buying properties, even at a fair price.

Now he says he owns 42 buildings in this picture-postcard village, and he has no patience with the locals who think he is destroying the town. Instead, having sunk nearly $30 million into Lacoste, while employing 80 people in the summers, he thinks he has saved it.

Pierre Cardin, 87, seems an odd inheritor. But after he bought the ruins of the castle nine years ago and then established a summer music festival here, some of the 450 residents of Lacoste, which votes for the left, began to treat him like a hated nobleman, a representative of global capitalism. Nor did it help that he kept on buying properties, even at a fair price.


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Extended News; Foreign Affairs
KEYWORDS: france; marquisdesade; pierrecardin; tourism
Now he says he owns 42 buildings in this picture-postcard village, and he has no patience with the locals who think he is destroying the town. Instead, having sunk nearly $30 million into Lacoste, while employing 80 people in the summers, he thinks he has saved it.
1 posted on 08/12/2009 5:51:13 PM PDT by Cincinna
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To: Cincinna

what is this double double talk talk talk all about?


2 posted on 08/12/2009 5:55:17 PM PDT by HiTech RedNeck (The Democrat Party: a criminal organization masquerading as a political party)
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To: Cincinna; nctexan; MassachusettsGOP; paudio; ronnie raygun; Minette; fieldmarshaldj; untenured; ...

** FRENCH POLITICS AND CULTURE PING LIST *** FREEPMAIL ME IF YOU WANT TO JOIN ***

NO GOOD (ENTRPRENEURIAL) DEED GOES UNPUNISHED


Pierre Cardin says he owns 42 buildings in Lacoste, and he has no patience with the locals who think he is destroying the town.


The castle of the Marquis de Sade, owned by Mr. Cardin, towers above Lacoste, a village built of cafe-au-lait-colored stone


Lacoste has nothing to do with tennis and crocodile shirts.


3 posted on 08/12/2009 5:59:13 PM PDT by Cincinna (TIME TO REBUILD * PALIN * JINDAL * CANTOR 2012)
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To: HiTech RedNeck

Pierre Cardin is a remarkable man. As one of France’s top designers of Haute Couture, he has also created a billion dollar industry of accessories, perfume, and ready to wear.

Pierre Cardin has taken a hundred million of his own money to rebuild this magnificent “Eagle’s Nest” village in the South of France, creating hundreds of jobs and revitalizing an ares that had seen better times.


4 posted on 08/12/2009 6:03:37 PM PDT by Cincinna (TIME TO REBUILD * PALIN * JINDAL * CANTOR 2012)
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To: Cincinna

Yes, Cardin is the hero of this story. I hope he arranges to preserve the quality of the village after his death - and ignores any notions like importing an Algerian Moslem tribe.


5 posted on 08/12/2009 6:21:35 PM PDT by Malesherbes (Sauve Qui Peut)
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To: Cincinna
It Takes a Wealthy Man to Raise a French Village

And some bad attitudes to raze one.

6 posted on 08/12/2009 6:24:17 PM PDT by decimon
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To: Cincinna

Those ornery French, prouder if the village went to pot.


7 posted on 08/12/2009 6:29:34 PM PDT by HiTech RedNeck (The Democrat Party: a criminal organization masquerading as a political party)
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To: Cincinna

It takes a villiage to satisfy Bill Clinton.


8 posted on 08/12/2009 7:07:08 PM PDT by Clintonfatigued (Liberal sacred cows make great hamburger)
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To: Cincinna

Interesting. I had no idea Monsieur Cardin was still alive.


9 posted on 08/12/2009 8:10:36 PM PDT by Clemenza (Remember our Korean War Veterans)
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To: HiTech RedNeck
Talk, Talk
10 posted on 08/12/2009 8:27:45 PM PDT by blam
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To: HiTech RedNeck

“Those ornery French, prouder if the village went to pot.”

Exactly what I was thinking. Inbred leftist a$$holes.


11 posted on 08/12/2009 9:16:31 PM PDT by stephenjohnbanker (Pray for, and support our troops(heroes) !! And vote out the RINO's!!)
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To: Cincinna

I find it interesting that the author says DeSade was jailed and
institutionalized for his views on sex. DeSade actually poisoned and
raped young servant girls. He also tortured them. That is why
he was hated and arrested.


12 posted on 08/13/2009 5:58:55 AM PDT by gussiefinknottle (woof!woof!woof!)
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To: Cincinna; martin_fierro; AdmSmith; Berosus; bigheadfred; Convert from ECUSA; dervish; ...
The Marquis de Sade once lived here
I'm sure Cardin will soon have this village *whipped* into shape! Thanks Cincinna!
13 posted on 08/15/2009 6:15:12 AM PDT by SunkenCiv (https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/__Since Jan 3, 2004__Profile updated Monday, January 12, 2009)
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To: Clemenza

Having visited this place, I can tell you it is amazing. The whole area is beautiful and the people are friendly.


14 posted on 08/15/2009 6:25:30 AM PDT by shankbear (Al-Qaeda grew while Monica blew)
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