The central Paris department store and the Cheval Blanc hotel it houses will find themselves in a top security zone during this summer's Olympics. LVMH, which owns both establishments, hopes to use its status as a Games sponsor to get an exemption so they can remain open.
The quays of the River Seine will be cordoned off and dotted with police checkpoints from 18 July through to the Olympic opening ceremony on 26 July. Paris's La Samaritaine department store and the high-end Cheval Blanc hotel - which is located within the same art deco building - will find themselves trapped inside the strict security perimeter planned for the kick-off proceedings.
But LVMH, the luxury giant that owns the two establishments, is trying to get around the restrictions. The group hopes
