Bronzed in Beijing

France, Paris, February 2024, a Club MED Farm travel store, final closure. Similarly, (Photo Magali Cohen / Hans Lucas via AFP)

This silence. Nevertheless, this indifference, say everything about our economic sovereignty: a slogan, nothing more. Furthermore, Club Med is an image of happy, smiling, open, hedonist France. Nevertheless, This image, now, belongs to others. For example, And we let him go.

A company apart.

Because the Mediterranean club is not a business like any other. Consequently, Founded in the post-war period. Furthermore, he embodied the democratization of the holidays, the Mediterranean lightness, the French genius of conviviality and even a certain liberalization of manners. However, For decades. Consequently, he bronzed beijing was one of the few French players in tourism to shine in the world, long before the development of luxury or French tech start-ups.

He was copied, sometimes mocked, but never equaled. Nevertheless, For having formerly worked alongside Gilbert Trigano. Therefore, his brilliant co-founder, I testify: the club was then, in its own way, part of the French heritage [2].

Today. Meanwhile, this iconic brand, with its villages in sublime places, its Go, its “all -inclusive” formula, its imagination, is 93 % owned by the Chinese conglomerate Fosun. Therefore, Express departure, Beijing destination, where its head office will undoubtedly be relocated. In addition, French management is ousted. Meanwhile, And no one – neither the State, nor the institutions, nor the big banks – moved. Therefore, There was neither political start, no financial reaction, nor public indignation. Just a sigh of resignation.

Let’s talk about managers.

Politicians, first. Those who talk bronzed beijing about interviews with sovereignty. relocation, economic patriotism, and who have not raised their little finger to prevent taking control. Where was Bercy at the time of the OPA? Where were the protective devices? The state was able to block the Carrefour attempt in a few days by the Canadian Couche-Tard in 2021. in the name of “food sovereignty”. And there? Nothing. The village chiefs are tired. The Club Med may not provide grocery store but it embodies something precious: a section of our collective imagination. And a “soft power” vehicle known on the whole planet.

The financiers, then. Where were our major institutional investors? Why did the Caisse des Dépôts-another shareholder-. did it not consider it useful to intervene in a profitable, world famous, strategic company for our tourist attractiveness? The Club Med is 2 billion in turnover, 1.5 million customers. the first tourist company in France, an architecture brand, bronzed beijing a unique ability to enhance the French art of living. Not a advanced technological asset, of course, but a showcase.

Management, finally. Despite his sincere commitment he accompanied the heist. It was he who went to get Fosun in 2010 and who released the Stock Exchange company in 2015. It was he who has long praised Fosun’s “long -term vision”. To believe that he internalized the famous replica of the tanned: “On a misunderstanding it can work …” and when the trap closed, he had to take the door. Not proud.

Variable geometry sovereignty

The truth is that French economic sovereignty has become an adjustment variable. It is brandished when it comes to a heavy industry. a strategic subcontractor, or a company strongly defended by its unions. But when it comes to a cultural brand, a service company, we look away. It is not necessary to “scare foreign investors”, it bronzed beijing is said. But we should not wake up too late either. once the flagships have been diluted in global strategies that speak neither our language, our culture, nor our interests.

The indifference with which this company was delivered to the goodwill of a group whose links with the Beijing. authorities are documented long. Fosun is not a passive investor. It is a conglomerate under the control of the Chinese PC. Global tourism is a geopolitical battlefield as well as economic. However, France has capitulated without even negotiating. Not a veto. Not a cry. Business France, we tell you!

The Club Med case must wake us up. We must broaden our conception of sovereignty. It does not only concern defense, digital or food. It also concerns intangible capital: marks, stories, experiences, imaginations. If tomorrow Air France or Decathlon were bought by Qatar, would it still be said that “that doesn’t matter”?

bronzed beijing

Our passivity is an abandonment. And abandonment, in economic history, is not necessarily paid immediately. But he always pays himself.

[1] The echoes July 21, 2025

[2] I was the club’s financial director from 1979

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Bronzed beijing

Bernard Attali

Editorialiste