Since his acquisition in 1939, he has created and developed diverse activities to promote this little paradise.
He made it an agricultural domain, a picturesque film set, a tourism site with infrastructures that are both legendary with the Arènes de Méjanes and its course Camarguaise and unique with the Petit Train de Méjanes.
The domain has also become a meeting point known amongst artists and politicians for its authentic conviviality.
Paul Ricard offered his "lucky star" as a wedding gift to his daughter, Michèle Ricard, in 1970.
Since his acquisition in 1939, he has created and developed diverse activities to promote this little paradise.
He made it an agricultural domain, a picturesque film set, a tourism site with infrastructures that are both legendary with the Arènes de Méjanes and its course Camarguaise and unique with the Petit Train de Méjanes.
The domain has also become a meeting point known amongst artists and politicians for its authentic conviviality.
Paul Ricard offered his "lucky star" as a wedding gift to his daughter, Michèle Ricard, in 1970.
Paul Ricard is 30. In December, he acquires the Domaine de Méjanes with his mom. Fulfilled by this heaven on earth, his inspiration will unleash his passion and creativity. For the rest of his life, he will create as a painter, writer, cinema producer, farmer, architect, humanist.
Alcohol above 16% is forbidden.
Paul Ricard tells his stunned employees: "We are going to become farmers and produce milk in Camargue !".
They move to Méjanes to become builders, farmers, breeders.
A hundred cows are brought to the domain with 500 pigs, chickens, and draft horses. Rice and corn are grown, thousands of fruit trees are planted. "What a joy to have been able to turn a white and pristine land into a luxuriant green one" - Paul Ricard.
Youngest of Marie-Thérèse and Paul Ricard's five children. Michèle has two brothers (Bernard and Patrick) and two sisters (Danièle and Betty).
Creation of the Protis Film firm and first documentary shown on television about Camargue's rice production. Between 1949 and 1965, Paul Ricard will produce and make fifteen movies.
The shooting of this movie during winter takes months. Many gardians from the region take part in the film as well as all the Méjanes's workers. The heroine, Tilda Thamar, is an Argentinian actress with outstanding beauty and sensuality.
Bull Clubs are created by Louis Thiers and Paul Ricard. Inauguration of les Arènes on the 3rd of July by the French rejoneador, Charles Fidani. Fernand Raynaud comes to the Domaine de Méjanes to shoot the movie Les Arènes Joyeuses.
Eight thousand five hundred pears trees and 5 hectares of plum trees are planted on the Domaine de Méjanes.
Paul Ricard goes to Portugal with Charles Fidani and Marius Lescot to buy ten bulls, forty cows, and two stallions from Emilio Infante da Camara.
Paul Ricard chooses the drawing for the Cross of Méjanes.
Creation of the Réjon d'Or.
"Chez Bob" is located alongside the edges of the Vaccarès pond. It will later become the Mazet du Vaccarès.
In March, César Giron, Paul Ricard's son-in-law, directs the first Portuguese cows tienta in Méjanes.
Fernandel visits Méjanes for the first time. He is fascinated by the beauty and history of the place.
Opening of fifteen Gardian huts as tourism accommodations in Méjanes.
Picture of Paul Ricard and his son-in-law in front of the Camargue horses in Saint Pierre square
Paul Ricard and his 1500 guests, gardians with their horses, Arlésiennes, and tambourinaires, are received by the Pope Jean XXIII in Roma at the Vatican.
Fifty thousand fruit trees are now planted on the domain. Méjanes wins the second prize of the Foire Agricole et Commerciale of Saint-Cannat.
The "idol of the youth" is present on the domain for the shooting of his first big film, "D'où viens-tu Johnny ? ".
The singer will celebrate his 20th Birthday in Méjanes with Sylvie Vartan at his side.
The Spanish Basque tenor, known for his most famous song Mexico, falls in love with Méjanes, the Ricard family, and the Camargue. He dreams of having a little house in front of the Vaccarès.
Among the many parties organised by Marie-Thérèse Ricard in Méjanes, the lunch with the photographer Lucien Clargue, his friend Pablo Picasso, the torero César Giron, Luis Mariano and the legendary Manitas de Plata, stays the most memorable one.
He is at the time the president of the Conseil Général of the Nièvre and has just lost the second round of the presidential election against the Général de Gaulle. He will come back a few times to Méjanes.
Imagined by Paul Ricard and built in the Sainte Marthe factory, the Petit Train de Méjanes is inaugurated in May and is the only tourism train to use rails in Camargue. It travels along a 3,5 kilometer-long itinerary across the Domain.
Arrival of Charlie Andrieux on the Domain
In October, Michèle Ricard receives as a wedding gift from her father the Domaine de Méjanes, to which she is deeply attached.
