The financial balance of the accounts has always been a necessity for the Champagne Houses. A lack of profit means the very life of the society is at risk, the suppliers, employees, social benefits and even sometimes the jobs.
     However, as soon as the accounts are balanced, Taittinger remembers to benefit its environment with works of social and cultural patronage. Indeed, if our Great Ancestors had limited their generosity only to the years of real prosperity, their memory would be less remarkable and the reputation of the great altruists would be less important. Taittinger works at maintaining the influence of the wines of Champagne.

A guarantee of continuity

      The quality of patronage can be evaluated by its repercussions. Its presence and its influence in local heritage distinguish it from promotional activity, which is pure advertising or public relations and sponsorship and only has a temporary effect.
     A true social or cultural work is distinguished by its continuity and by the length of its action, which endures through time while maintaining all of its interest. Not only will the inexorable passing of the years not reduce its interest, but also those to come will strengthen the memory. After the achievements of Roederer and Moët & Chandon, Taittinger undertook works of social patronage and the town of Reims is still happy to be the beneficiary.

A tuberculosis sanatorium in the Ile de Ré

     This long story goes back to November 1926. Pierre Taittinger, then Deputy of Paris, bought the former "hôtel des Gouverneurs" on the Ile de Ré at Saint Martin at the request of the Abbot Coulom, doyen of the parish, who dreamed of turning this prestigious place into a work of charity. The magnificent panorama and reinvigorating ocean climate incited Pierre Taittinger to create a tuberculosis sanatorium. The site was extended by the acquisition of neighbouring land and the considerable fitting out took place over 3 years.
      The project attracted a nurse from the Red Cross, Christine Roques (top of her year's group), who left the military hospital of La Rochelle to direct this establishment. On 14th July 1927, the official inauguration united local and governmental personalities with the benediction of the Archbishop. The marine tuberculosis sanatorium took the name of Louise de Bettignies, an admirable nurse and a victim of enemy troops in 1918.
      Up until 1963, Christine Roques showed herself to be worthy of the memory of her illustrious colleague by welcoming thousands of children with failing health. She handed on the torch to the Dominican Order of Monteils who wished to enlarge the extent of their charitable actions: some convicts from a local prison were invited to help to care for the sick children. The sanatorium then became a marvellous place where the children regained their health and the prisoners readapted to social life. However, after forty years of progressive improvement in the standard of living, the number of sick children diminished and it was possible to think about other social work.

The children of Reims land on the Ile de Ré

     In 1967, Jean Taittinger was halfway through his twenty-year mandate as Mayor of Reims. He donated to his town a domain of 12 hectares, situated on an island already very popular with tourists, so confirming his great natural generosity.
      Renamed "La Grainetière", the property was then fitted out by the "Caisse des Ecoles" (schools fund) as a holiday home for children from 8 to 10 years old. Madame Claude Taittinger became the vice-president of the association, which manages the centre and is responsible for its upkeep.
      Although occasionally shared with other associations, this place is reserved by the Reims "Caisse des Ecoles" for the summer holidays and school seaside trips.
      120 children, taken in municipal coaches, land for each 3-week holiday. Some discover the ocean and its endless horizons for the first time. They all return strengthened by the pure sea air, the invigorating climate, the generous sunshine and the joy of a healthy holiday. It is now nearly 40 years since the patronage of Taittinger has made these holidays available to all the children of Reims.