President - Relais & Châteaux

Together with his brothers, Laurent Gardinier is an influential professional in high-end hospitality: owner of the Relais & Châteaux Domaine Les Crayères in Reims and the restaurant Le Taillevent in Paris, he is actively involved in the hotel and gastronomy industry.
With a degree in political science and economics and a passion for literature, history and philosophy, he likes to reconcile ideals and action: in parallel to his business career, he has held various elective political offices.
A member of the Board of Directors of Relais & Châteaux since 2005 as national delegate for France, representing the 140 French residences, last January Laurent Gardinier was elected President of the Relais & Châteaux Association.
In 2024, on the occasion of Relais & Châteaux's 70th anniversary, it published a new Manifesto focusing on three key themes: reducing the environmental footprint, preserving diversity, particularly under the impetus of the Chefs, and a greater commitment to social responsibility.