6 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THE FRANCE
- The famous cruise ship France was manufactured and built by all French companies and served as a symbol of French luxury, modernity and innovation. The France was the last great French ship of state and was in service from 1962-1977.
- The ship’s interiors were designed by 48 French decorators, including Jacques Dumond, Dominique, and Jules Leleu. Dumond designed the Saint-Tropez lounge, the largest room on the ship, and used furniture of his design including bar stools and chairs.
- Contemporary materials like aluminum were widely used for the furniture and fittings, no less than 500 tons.
- The France’s maiden voyage to New York from Le Havre arrived on February 3, 1962, with 1,806 passengers on board. Famous passengers over the ship’s history included the likes of Cary Grant, Salvador Dali, Andy Warhol and Tennessee Williams.
- From 13 -26 July 1967, The France docked at the Ile Notre-Dame in Montreal, acting as a secondary French pavilion at the 1967 World's Fair, Expo 67. Commissioned by Mobilier national, Olivier Mourgue designed the Montreal Chair the same year for the VIP lounge in the main French Pavilion.
- Sheila Hicks was a passenger in 1968, taking with her the wall hangings designed for the Georg Jensen Center for Advanced Design, NY.
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