Éditions Larousse

Éditions Larousse is a French publishing company that specializes in reference works, particularly dictionaries. It was founded by Pierre Larousse in 1852 and is currently owned by Hachette Livre, a subsidiary of Lagardère Group.

History

Pierre Larousse, a French grammarian, lexicographer and encyclopedist, founded Éditions Larousse with the aim of democratizing knowledge and making it accessible to everyone. The company's first publication was the Grand dictionnaire universel du XIXe siècle (Great Universal 19th-Century Dictionary), which was released in 15 volumes between 1866 and 1876.

In the 20th century, Éditions Larousse became famous for its Petit Larousse, a single-volume illustrated dictionary first published in 1905. It is updated annually and has sold millions of copies over the years, becoming a staple in French households and schools.

Publications

Éditions Larousse's catalogue includes a wide range of reference works, from dictionaries and encyclopedias to cookbooks and children's books. Some of its most notable publications include:

• Grand Larousse de la langue française – A comprehensive dictionary of the French language.
• Larousse Gastronomique – An encyclopedia of gastronomy, first published in 1938, that covers all aspects of French cooking.
• Larousse des Jeunes – A series of educational books for children and young adults.
• Larousse Médical – A medical reference book for the general public.

Ownership

In 1984, Éditions Larousse was acquired by Hachette Livre, a subsidiary of Lagardère Group, one of the largest publishing groups in the world. Despite changes in ownership, the company has continued to uphold Pierre Larousse's vision of democratizing knowledge.

See also

• Pierre Larousse
• Hachette Livre
• Lagardère Group
• Petit Larousse
• Larousse Gastronomique