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L'ÉPOQUE sign exhibited at the Carnavalet Museum in Paris


The Foundation in 1845

The newspaper L'ÉPOQUE has been founded on October 1st, 1845 at 3 rue du Coq Héron in Paris (near the newspaper La Lanterne and the Petit Figaro, both at 5 rue du Coq Héron) under the patronage of François Guizot and directed by Félix Solar until 1847.

 

This dynastic and ultra-conservative newspaper could have concerned "La Presse", which had turned against the Ministry. In large format (75 x 50 cm), the newspaper have dealt with politics, but also with science, law, commerce and literature.

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Stock Dividend of 125F - Paris 1846

Relaunched in Paris in 1865 by Ernest Feydeau, writer, stockbroker, press owner and archaeologist, L'ÉPOQUE has been a political, moderate and independent newspaper. The first issue of L'ÉPOQUE, a daily evening newspaper, has appeared on 9 March 1865. The new newspaper has been financed and managed by a company with a capital of 400,000 francs, based at 5 rue Coq Héron and founded by Feydeau and a partner, the annuitant Jules Giraudeau. The latter had become joint Managing Director of the newspaper, while Feydeau had retained the functions of Editor-in-Chief and Political Director

L'ÉPOQUE - Ernest-Feydeau

Ernest Feydeau - Founder of L'ÉPOQUE en 1865

Its editorial line, aimed at complete independence, is liberal on the rights of the press and citizens, but conservative on certain important political and social issues. L'ÉPOQUE thus represents the opposite view of the opposition newspapers of the late 19th century. On 14 June 1866, Feydeau had sold L'ÉPOQUE to Frédérick Terme, who thus had became the newspaper's new Editor-in-Chief and CEO, before selling it for 100,000 francs to Auguste Dusautoy, Napoleon III former tailor.

 

Napoleon III, who had sbeen upported by General Fleury, seems to have been not only the inspiration for Dusautoy's L'ÉPOQUE but also its financier, as can be seen from accounting documents founded in the Tuileries after the fall of the Imperial regime.

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Caricature of L’Époque's Editorial Team by Gilbert-Martin

Under this influence, L'ÉPOQUE became the unofficial newspaper of the liberal Empire thanks to Clément Duvernois, who had been its Political Director from July, 1st 1867, while Terme retained the position of Editor-in-Chief.

 

At the beginning of 1868, L'ÉPOQUE changed and became a morning newspaper. Duvernois thus became the new owner of the newspaper on 1st April, having acquired Dusautoy's shares. Frédérick Terme had to restructure the newspaper, which at that time had a circulation of 2,900 copies.

 

On February, 1st 1869, the newspaper stopped publishing daily and became a weekly before its refoundation.

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L’ÉPOQUE's men in 1867 : Dusautoy, Napoléon III and Duvernois (illustration by Régamey, 1883)

In 1937, Henry Simond re-established L'ÉPOQUE as a daily newspaper. The first issue appeared on 9 June 1937, with an editorial board composed of former journalists from L'Écho de Paris. When Henry Simond died on 24 July 1937, André Pironneau and Henri de Kérillis took over the title of Co-Director, while Raymond Cartier became Editor-in-Chief.

 

His political positioning, conservative but resolutely hostile to National Socialism, did not guarantee him a large number of readers. Circulation reached 92,000 copies in early 1938.

L'ÉPOQUE - Paris Magazine

After the Anschluss in March 1938, L'ÉPOQUE was the only French daily to seriously consider the possibility of war against the Third Reich. It rejected the Munich Agreement of September 1938.

 

However, its publication was interrupted on 10 June 1940 due to the invasion of Paris by the German army.

 

It resumed on 3 May 1945 with the subtitle "Sunk in June 1940". L'ÉPOQUE ceased publication for good at the end of 1946 until its refoundation.

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The Renaissance in 2023

Since its beginnings, many journalists, writers, poets and politicians of the late 19th century have contributed to the success and reputation of L'ÉPOQUE as a liberal source of information.

 

In 2023, His Royal Highness Prince Nereides Antonio Giamundo de Bourbon, cultural diplomat and founder of the conglomerate NDB GROUP (NEREIDES DE BOURBON GROUP) and the diplomatic club NEREIDES CLUB - INTERNATIONAL CULTURAL DIPLOMACY CORPORATION, announced the renaissance of L'ÉPOQUE after 178 years and becomes its new owner and publisher.

L'ÉPOQUE - Nereides de Bourbon

H.R.H. Prince Nereides Antonio Giamundo de Bourbon - Founder & Editor-in-Chief of L'ÉPOQUE in 2023

However, the creative direction has been entrusted to the artist Lello Ammirati, who has already been Creative Director of the NDB Group since 2007. Thank you to the use of a blockchain licence issued by NDB GROUP and powered by LutinX, L'ÉPOQUE has made its beginnings in the metaverse.

 

True to the liberal values of its first founder, L'ÉPOQUE has become a new source of freedom of expression and inspiration

L'ÉPOQUE Paris magazine - Lello Ammirati - Directeur Artistique

Lello Ammirati - Creative Director of L'ÉPOQUE

Since January 2023, L'ÉPOQUE has been a magazine published by NDB GROUP.

 

L'ÉPOQUE is present online and has a global reach. L'ÉPOQUE is considered an international reference for French lifestyle and is one of the leading magazines in the premium press.

 

It offers a photographic view of cultural and contemporary lifestyle.

 

L'EPOQUE covers selected topics in current affairs, cultural, business, diplomacy, industry trends, philanthropy, art, fashion, luxury, gastronomy and more.

 

In the world of information, L'ÉPOQUE is a reliable and independent source.

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