This article is more than 3 years old

Chanel threatens to close perfumery over high-speed rail plans

   This article is more than 3 years old
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   Chanel has threatened to close its perfumery in the French city of
   Grasse over plans for a high-speed rail line, which it claims threatens
   the flowers used to make its best-known fragrance, Chanel No 5.

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   In a strongly worded open letter to planners, Chanel said a viaduct to
   carry trains over the picturesque Siagne valley would be a disaster.
   “The construction of a viaduct and the regular passage of high-speed
   trains over these fields of flowers would force Chanel to cease
   supporting its artisanal activities in the region,” the label said.
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   Despite its high tourist numbers, the Côte d’Azur is one of the worst
   served by the country’s high-speed rail network. The journey time from
   Paris to Nice is about six hours.