Google opens new Paris HQ

PRESIDENT Sarkozy has inaugurated a new Google headquarters in Paris.

The web giant has invested more than €100 million in offices in a grand Paris townhouse with 10,000m2 of space.

It will be its headquarters for France as well as for southern and eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa. It includes research and development facilities.

Operations director Carlo d’Asaro Biondo said: “These new French offices, are a long-term commitment – they are an illustration of our desire to actively contribute to economic, social and cultural development.”

The president toured the offices – called the Googleplex - with Energy Minister Eric Besson, accompanied by Google’s executive president, Eric Schmidt.