Paul Ricard

Paul Louis Marius Ricard (July 9, 1909 – November 7, 1997) was a French industrialist and creator of an eponymous pastis brand which merged in 1975 with its competitor Pernod to create Pernod Ricard. Ricard was also an environmentalist and the developer of two Mediterranean islands.

Early life

Ricard was born in Sainte-Marthe, then a small hill village in Provence, to a family of wine merchants. Sainte-Marthe is now part of the 14th arrondissement of the city of Marseille. Ricard married Marie-Therese Thiers in 1937, with whom he had two sons and three daughters.

Pastis

After studying at the Lycée Thiers in Marseille, Ricard was discouraged from an early passion for painting by his father, who made him join the family wine business.

As a young man Ricard was introduced to the alcoholic beverage pastis by an old shepherd. Pastis, an anise flavored liqueur and apéritif, had been banned with other aniseed based spirits during the First World War, accused of undermining the French war effort. In a still in his bedroom Ricard experimented with creating a more refined version, using, among other things, star anisee, fennel seeds, liquorice and Provençal herbs. Ricard's precise pastis recipe has never been disclosed and remains a secret.

Paul Ricard (trimaran)

Paul Ricard was a hydrofoiled trimaran. In 1980, Éric Tabarly sailed the vessel to beat Charlie Barr's transatlantic record on Atlantic, which had stood for 75 years.

See also

References