Personally, I always find the Heritage days very rewarding, as they dwell on developing all of France’s rich heritage. I’m fortunate enough to work in a very prestigious location, which is in a Haussmannian building. Also, as history is one of my passions, I find anything connected to it very interesting. I have learned a lot from showing visitors around the Central branch on the Heritage day, as there are always one or two people who know more than us! So there is a sort of mutual enlightenment!

I really enjoy presenting our gorgeous Central branch. Also, Société Générale has had quite a bit of bad press in recent years what with the current goings on and the various affairs concerning the company. Given this state of affairs, if I can do my little bit to boost our company elsewhere than behind a desk, if I can make my personal contribution to restoring our Group’s image, then why not, as every little bit helps!

If we didn’t have the Heritage days, people wouldn’t necessarily come in off the street as, from the outside, the front of the building looks just like all the other buildings, except maybe the Galeries Lafayette opposite. That said, some people come here on purpose as they want to see the strong room and its famous door..

When the visitors -who are not necessarily clients- enter, they are instantly impressed by the interior of the branch. This is good for us, as it is another way of communicating with the public; it’s like another form of marketing! In addition visitors are always very receptive to the fact that it is employees working in the branch who lead the tours.

I have seen how important it is to talk to them about the history of Societe Generale and how this branch came to be built and that is what I liked about the Heritage days. I fully embraced my role as an ambassador and was happy to recount all the anecdotes and tales about the branch. I was still a banker, but people got to see bankers in a different light.”

Figures
20 employees from the Central branch welcomed over 3,000 visitors over the weekend of 18/19 September for guided tours lasting 30 minutes that included a tour of the main public space, a visit to the strong room and a presentation of the crafts taught at the Ecole Boulle in Paris by its students (chairmaking, marquetry, cabinetmaking, tapestry, engraving, sculpture in wood, wood turning, bronze sculpture, jewellery).