Intercede Across Borders as the Indispensable Bridge

“When businessman François Pinault bought Palazzo Grassi in 2005, he approached Antoine Bernheim to ask him to intercede with Cardinal Angelo Scola, patriarch of Venice, because he had set his sights on the tip of the Customs House. Two years after taking over the Grassi Palace from the Agnelli family, the Breton industrialist obtained this legendary place in Venice, also coveted by the Guggenheim Foundation.”

“Antoine Bernheim's admiration for the Italians who did everything to rescue French Jews from their oppressors dates back to this time. This personal memory will influence his view of the transalpine relationship for a long time. Although he doesn't always understand Italian business culture, Antoine Bernheim feels that he owes a debt to Italy.”