A ceremony and two anniversaries
The event, known in French as the "prolégomènes," or preliminaries, included music, readings, speeches and the presentation of a key to the future maison. Attendees visited Notre Dame Cathedral before the ceremony; the project occupies a site across the square. Each guest received a package of seeds.
Jane Evison, European correspondent for Cosmetics & Toiletries, attended in her capacity as a director of Cosmetics Cluster UK. International guests and patrons later joined a reception at Chartres' town hall, where a cake marked the GCC's decade of activity. The gathering also celebrated the fifth anniversary of Go4Cosmetics, a European-focused industry association.
The reception welcomed representatives from the GCC's 20 international clusters. Guests added inscriptions to a clay vase that will become a lasting memento of the evening in the completed building.
A world headquarters for the network
Cosmetic Valley identifies the Maison de la Cosmétique as the GCC's future world headquarters. According to its account of the anniversary, 14 international clusters participated in events during Cosmetic 360 Week in Chartres in October 2026.
Founded in 2016 at Cosmetic Valley's initiative, the GCC describes itself as the first international cluster network devoted to perfume and cosmetics. At its 10th anniversary, its membership spans 20 specialized clusters and ecosystems in 17 countries, organized into three geographic zones: the Americas, EMEA and Asia-Pacific.
Exhibitions, workplaces and a garden
The project will rehabilitate the former Jean-Moulin secondary school, which has been vacant since 2019, according to L'Écho Républicain. Construction is due to be completed in 2028; the announced public opening is in late 2028 or early 2029.
Industries Cosmétiques reports that architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte is directing the design of the 2,650 m² building. The maison is intended to receive 100,000 visitors annually and serve a French cosmetics industry valued at 71 billion euros and accounting for 226,000 jobs.
Alongside Cosmetic Valley's headquarters, plans call for coworking areas, a photo-video studio and shared meeting rooms, according to OTE Ingénierie. Permanent and temporary exhibitions will occupy 1,200 m², while the Jardin Cosmétopée will feature plants used in cosmetology. Bouygues bâtiment Centre Sud-Ouest is managing the project with Wilmotte Associés Architectes.
A restaurant and concept-store retail space are also planned, L'Écho Républicain reports. The newspaper describes Cosmetic Valley as the competitiveness cluster representing the French perfume and cosmetics sector's 6,300 establishments. Project promoters also see the maison as a way to address recruitment needs across the sector's dozens of trades; the industry accounts for 3,000 jobs in the Chartres area.
Patrons and funding
Cosmetic Valley launched the project and its patronage campaign at the Petit Palais in Paris on October 8, 2025, with partners and sponsors in attendance. Industries Cosmétiques reports that the campaign is intended to provide part of the project's financing, with a goal of raising 7.5 million to 10 million euros by 2028. Nine sponsors had joined by the launch, including Chanel Parfums Beauté, Crédit Agricole Val de France and L'Oréal Groupe.
At the October 2026 event, 26 patrons were present at hosted tables, among them ingredient suppliers SILAB and the Innovation Company. Evison met with SILAB representative Jean-Philippe Cosson, general manager for sales, international subsidiaries and CSR. SILAB was among the project's earliest patrons.
SILAB CEO Brigitte Closs-Gonthier said: "SILAB is proud to be associated with this remarkable project, which will make a positive contribution to the profile of Made in France and French cosmetics. We also believe that the Maison de la Cosmétique provides a valuable platform for showcasing all the professions within the industry, including that of the active ingredient supplier – a role that may be regarded as a niche profession, particularly when it involves natural active ingredients."
