Paul Ricard

Paul Louis Marius Ricard (French pronunciation: [pɔl lwi maʁjys ʁikaʁ]; 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.

[2] After studying at the Lycée Thiers in Marseille,[3] Ricard was discouraged from an early passion for painting by his father, who made him join the family wine business.

In a still in his bedroom Ricard experimented with creating a more refined version, using, among other things, star anise, fennel seeds, liquorice and Provençal herbs.

[2] Ricard was prepared for the lifting of the prohibition on milder forms of aniseed spirits in 1932, and quickly overtook established companies like Pernod.

Using his distiller skills he created an alcoholic substitute for petrol for the French Resistance using plums and cherries.

[2] Protesting French government interference in his business, Ricard resigned from the daily running of his company in 1968.

[5] Ricard designed a jug to hold ice and water for mixing with pastis in 1935; it helped promote the brand with French consumers.

[4] Pickup-trucks on the Tour displayed the Ricard colours, and the company provided free music concerts along the route.

After a ten-year absence from the calendar, the French Grand Prix returned at the Circuit Paul Ricard in 2018.

[11] In retirement Ricard painted and acted as mayor of Signes from 1980 to 1988, a small town near the racing circuit that bears his name.