Sitting at the top of the Arc de Triomphe sipping on a glass of champagne in the middle of the morning was an unforgettable experience for the 40 Bienvenue members who were invited to celebrate the 40th anniversary of our organisation.

"From afar the building is an arabesque, evoking a woman whose hair is blown by the wind, move closer and this woman transforms into towers" wrote Chateaubriand.

For over a century, this maison has perfected its unique technique of creating pâte de verre, or poured glass. This craft was practised by bead makers in ancient Egypt, Rome, then Venice.

"Nothing can escape the power of fate"