Some of France’s top luxury companies are exhibiting their wares at a business exhibition in Riyadh this week.

The brand names cover furniture, carpets, lighting, porcelain, silverware, jewelry, watches and other products. There are also woven portraits of Saudi Arabia’s greatest leaders on display.

The three-day exhibition, which started Monday night, focuses on 25 of 70 French companies operating in the Kingdom, said French Ambassador to Riyadh Bertrand Besancenot in the presence of Alauddin Alaskari, deputy foreign minister for protocol affairs, and a number of foreign diplomats.

“The Art of Living in France” exhibition has previously been held in Abu Dhabi, New Delhi and Moscow.

The event at the Faisaliah Hotel was organized by the French Embassy and Saudi-French Business Council. A number of local and foreign dignitaries attended the opening night.

Besancenot said over 70 French companies, including Legrand, a leading firm in electrical and digital infrastructure and the main sponsor of the event, are operating in Saudi Arabia.

He said Saudi Arabia was an important market for these companies, many of them owned by French families. He said the exhibition forms part of a series of traveling events organized worldwide for several years by Ubifrance, a French agency for export promotion.

Besancenot said the exhibition was aimed at professionals and individuals who value the quality and style of French products.

Some of the products on display include outdoor furniture by Ego Paris; traditional seating and furniture by Henryot & Cie; contemporary made-to-measure fixtures and furnishings by SIGébène; inlaid wood and glasswork by Sylvain Bulot; and fine furniture by Taillardat.

There are also chandeliers and wrought iron work from Bagues; a stylish collection from Lucien Gau - of sand casted zinc, copper and solid brass parts — made entirely by hand, from Lum’art; and perfect reproductions of bronze furniture and lighting by Tisserant.

There are fabrics and trimmings from Houlès; fabrics and wallpapers from Nobilis; silk from Lelievre, owner of the prestigious Lyonnais Tassinari & Chatel; and cloths, wallpapers, carpets and furniture from Pierre Frey.

Robert Four — Manufacture D’aubusson, heir to the Manufacture Royale established by Louis XIV, has, among other things, woven portraits of Saudi Arabia’s greatest leaders; and Sabina Fay Braxton offers extrapolations of the ancient techniques of hand printing.

The art of table decoration will be represented by Bernardaud, one of the pillars of Limoges, the birthplace of porcelain; Christofle, the gold standard in luxury and elegance since the 19th century, has enhanced its collection with contemporary current trends; and Ercuis Raynaud displays porcelain and silverware.

Decoration will feature in all its forms including original paintings and high quality prints from Artasa; refined bronzes and ceramics from Paul Beckrich Prestige; ironwork by Pouenat Ferronnier for designing furniture, lighting and fittings; and luxurious bathroom accessories and fittings by Serdaneli.

Chaumet, the legendary jewelry and watchmaker, and the house of ST Dupont are also at the exhibition.

Legrand, one of the construction industry’s major names, and Tanagra, representing four brands - Baccarat, Bernardaud, Chaumet and Christofle - are supporting the organization of the event.

A number of these businesses have been awarded the EPV label (Living Heritage Companies), a mark of recognition awarded by the French Ministry of Economy and Finance to honor companies with traditional craft excellence and expertise.