Ardian lends its support to two new stations at Orly airport and Le Bourget RER as part of the Grand Paris Express project

Paris, 8 January 2019 - Ardian, a major nome in infrastructure and commercial estate investment, has today confirmed ils support for the Grand Paris Express artistic and  cultural  endowment  fund. Ardian  agreed  to contribute one million euros to the production of permanent artistic works in the stations "Orly Airport" and "Le Bourget RER".

Under the authority of the Société du Grand Paris, the Grand Paris Express is Europe's biggest transport infrastructure project, involving the construction of four new automated metro lines around Paris and the extension  of  two  existing lines, totalling nearly 200 km of track. The ambitious project will include 68 new stations  within the lie-de-France  area. Not just an infrastructure project, Grand Paris is also a cultural adventure on an unprecedented scale. In fact, more thon thirty stations are already under construction under the authority, for each station, of an architect and an artist in order to bring an aesthetic, sensitive and poetic dimension to the new stations.

Ardian has decided to support this initiative, with the hope of making the region more attractive, creating a more even balance between the various areas of the city and offering a new transport experience for thousands of users. A major nome in core infrastructure and commercial property, Ardian has put ils nome to this long-term project, which will bring every person closer to their destination and result in faster and more pleasant daily commutes.

The Orly Airport station is designed by the chief architect of Aéroports de Paris, François Tamisier and the Portuguese artist VHILS. With an estimated 95,000 journeys made every day, this station is a veritable economic hub. There are 173,000 jobs located within l km from the station, of which 28,000 are connected to the airport.
The Bourget RER station is designed by the duo composed of the architect Elisabeth de Portzamparc  and Jeppe Hein, a Danish artist living in Berlin. Connected to RER line B, one of the busiest in the region, the station serves 860,000 passengers every day.
 
According to Rémi Babine!, President of the Endowment Fund: "This is an opportunity to embark upon an extraordinary adventure as we witness the metamorphosis of our capital. A new scale, new journeys, new momentum and new directions, the future Grand Paris Express metro network will be the driving force behind  a rate of change  not seen since the 19th century. lt is essential that everyone understands the stakes, and we must shore il with the public to ensure the project fulfils ils full social potential. This project will allow us to work together, communicate,  expand and contribute  to the emergence of a culture "beyond the ringroad" and write the story of  Grand Paris. We  are very pleased with this new partnership. By offering dedicated  support  for the endowment of works, Ardian  is participating in the emergence of a new metropolitan identity and the construction of a capital on a revisited  scale, better connected, more attractive and more inclusive."

Pierre Emmanuel Becherand, Managing Director of the Endowment Fund, adds: "We are delighted with this first partnership dedicated to the production of two station works which inaugurales a new phase in the deployment of artists & architects working together. We hope to capitalise on this momentum by involving private enterprise in the realisation of the cultural and artistic Grand Paris Express."

Mathias Burghardt, Member of the Ardian Executive Committee and Head of the Infrastructure business  declares: "We are very proud to be part of this world-class project. "With the increasing urbanisation of the  lie-de-France  area, improving transport is a priority. As a company based in the heart of the regions, il was only  natural for us to gel involved with the Grand Paris Express. lt is also an opportunity  to work with  world-famous  architects  and  artists, and our collaboration will make il possible to add a touch of culture to people's daily lives."

Stéphanie Bensimon, Head of Ardian Real Estate, concludes: "lt made sense for us to support this project which serves some of the region's larges! business centres. As an investor in commercial property across the Paris area, we want to help improve the movement and experience of thousands of people as they make their way to work".