On the 13^th of April, McArthurGlen, Europe’s leading owner, developer and manager of designer outlets, opened the Provence Designer Outlet, the first designer outlet in the South of France and the Group’s 23^rd centre in its expanding portfolio. The centre will feature 125 stores including eight cafes and restaurants within a gross lettable area (GLA) of 25,000m².

Provence Designer Outlet will further strengthen McArthurGlen’s European footprint and its presence in France. The opening of the centre will see some of the world’s most famous luxury, premium and lifestyle brands come to this beautiful region, offering tourists and French shoppers year-round discounts up to 70% off.

Julia Calabrese, McArthurGlen’s CEO, said: “Our aim is to invest in the local region and to create an exciting new tourist attraction. The Provence Designer Outlet has presented us with new opportunities to work collaboratively with our brand partners as well as the local authorities and communities to create a true retail destination. This centre marks a major milestone in McArthurGlen’s expansion plan in France and we are very excited to be opening our doors to shoppers on the 13^th of April.”

Frédéric Vigouroux, Mayor of Miramas, added: “After working in close partnership for over six years with McArthurGlen, we are delighted to see Provence Designer Outlet open its doors in our city of Miramas. The centre will contribute over 600 jobs and tourism spend to the local economy and enhance the offer available in our beautiful region.  We will continue to work collaboratively with McArthurGlen to maximize the benefits to our region and communities for the long-term.”

The centre has been designed by French Architects Marseille Architecture Partners (MAP), and built by French construction company, Eiffage. It will feature Provençale style architecture and a vertical garden installation at the entrance by the renowned French botanist, Patrick Blanc. McArthurGlen has designed the centre to integrate into its surroundings, and to respect the highest standards of sustainable development. Features of sustainable design include solar panels over an area of nearly 2,000m², irrigation canals and energy efficient LED lighting.

Mike Natas, Deputy Managing Director of Development at McArthurGlen, said: “We have worked with some of France’s best talent from across the industry, and in close cooperation with French authorities to produce a centre that will be a beautiful and enjoyable community and tourist destination. The development itself has been designed to celebrate what was already a stunning site, benefitting from 100-year-old Plane trees, original farm buildings and rich natural vegetation, and designed to BREEAM certified sustainable building standards. We plan to establish the centre as an integral part of the community for local families and tourists to enjoy for decades to come.”

McArthurGlen will open key international luxury and premium brands such as Polo Ralph Lauren, Coach, Michael Kors and Tommy Hilfiger, and leading French brands such as L'Oréal, Maje, Sandro, The Kooples and Zadig & Voltaire. Over one third of brands opening will be French, including ten brands who are new to the McArthurGlen portfolio.

Christophe Deshayes, Managing Director of France, Belgium & the UK at McArthurGlen, said: “Our mission is to create and offer to our guests, French and tourists, a unique McArthurGlen experience: a high-quality brand-mix, a beautiful environment, an interesting and varied food offering, engaging entertainment and, of course, great discounts all year round, all of which come together for a memorable and enjoyable day out.”