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S O U R C E D E S A B AT I L L E S157, bld de la Côte d’Argent - 33120 Arcachon

www.sourcedesabatilles.comFrance

DRINK WELL,DRINK LOCAL

1,500 restaurants in France local starred restaurants in Gironde

38% of the volume permitted by the local authorities (2018 figures)

The Spring only draws

EXPORT23 COUNTRIES IN 2 YEARS

BETWEEN 2013 AND 2018

x3

100% recyclable

GLASS

people work on site

B O T T L E S / Y E A R

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THE ABATILLES STORY

OUR VALUES

LIGHT AND NATURALLY PURE

WATER FOR EVERY OCCASION

OUR PARTNERS

The discovery - 1923The spa - 1926 to 1964Industrialisation - 1970 to 2013Renewal - since 2013

The gift of water Environmentally responsible from supply to waste management My Water, my Region Drink well, sort more and live better

Lovely balance Very low mineral content Zero nitrates Mineral content and guaranteed purity

Everyday water Grand Cru water

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CONTENTS

Every drop comes from the Massif Central mountain range and makes it way to the spring at the speed of a kilometre every 300 years. As it runs through rock, sand and clay it takes up minerals, which determine its make-up that has remained unchanged since 1925. It collects naturally in an aquifer 472 metres (1,549 feet) below the ground.

It has been drawn from there ready to be drunk for almost 100 years.

• THE DISCOVERY - 1923 •

In August 1923, an engineer Louis Le Marié in search of petroleum came across warm water containing sulphur at 25°C (77°F) at a depth of 472 metres (1,549 feet). 70,000 litres (18,500 US gallons) of spring water gushed out per hour shooting to a height of 8 metres (26 feet), making this spring one of the top ten in France.

The pressure it gushed out at made it possible to direct the water straight to the bottling plant, while keeping its natural properties intact. Le Marié was of Breton origin and named his spring Sainte-Anne after the patron saint of Brittany. The French Academy of Medicine formally certified the water on 30th June 1925, calling it “Health Water”, followed by the State on 10th July 1925, whereupon the Abatilles Spa Company was formed under the directorship of Gabriel Maydieu.

ABATILLES NATURAL MINERAL WATER IS DRAWN EVERY DAY IN THE HEART OF SOUTH-WEST FRANCE IN THE BAY OF ARCACHON, A MAGNIFICENT OCEAN OF SEA, SAND AND PINE TREES.

THE ABATILLES STORY

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1 - Discovery of the Spring - 1923 2 - The “Griffon” - 1927 3 - The kiosk 4 - Patrons travelled from all over the world to enjoy the benefits of treatments devised around the therapeutic properties of Abatilles water

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THE ABATILLES STORY

• INDUSTRIALISATION - 1970 TO 2013 •

The spa facilities were built in 1928 and were very successful until 1939. In their heyday, people flocked from all over the world to benefit from treatments derived from the therapeutic properties of Abatilles Water. It was sold in chemists shops and recognized for its virtues in treating osteoarthritis, rheumatism, kidney disease and kidney stones, and high blood pressure. The bar, which still exists today, was always full of people taking the water.

The war left the spa in a sorry state. In 1954, it was re-opened and met with new success thanks to the decision by the Social Security to reimburse spa treatment costs. In 1961, Vittel Group took over Société des Eaux d’Arcachon, the legal entity that had run operations hitherto. The spa was closed in 1964, because Vittel preferred to focus on production by enlarging the bottling area.

• THE SPA - 1926 TO 1964 •

• RENEWAL – SINCE 2013 •

Vittel Group initially sought to diversify production by introducing new products, but then re-focussed on the sole production of still mineral water from 1979.

In 2008, Société des Eaux d’Arcachon was sold by Nestlé Waters to Roger Padois, an Arcachon businessman and his associate Olivier Bertrand, who ran it together until December 2012.

In 2013, the business was acquired by a Bordeaux wine producer and merchant, Jean Merlaut, who owns Château Gruaud Larose in Saint-Julien-Beychevelle in Medoc, an 1855 second classed growth, and Château Malagar that houses the Mauriac cultural centre, partnering with Hervé Maudet, who was appointed General Manager of the spring and who also founded MVins, a wine merchants business, specialising in restaurant sales.

The two new owners initially focused on the spring’s industrial facilities and its employees, investing in a new French production line in 2014, thereby increasing the capacity of the everyday water range from 12,000 to 18,000 bottles per hour.

They invested again in 2018. This time they brought in a new bottling line dedicated to the Bordeaux bottle range for both still and sparkling water.

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THE ABATILLES STORY

1 - The 1930’s bottling line2 - Advertising showing how fast production increased in the 1920’s 3 - The new 2018 bottling line

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THE ABATILLES STORY

1923

1925-1930 1961 20131991

1954 2008The Sainte-Anne

des Abatilles spring is discovered

The Abatilles Spa Company (STA) is founded with a bottling line,

spa facilities, a restaurant and the kiosk. The gardens are laid out

Vittel group takes over the

company operating the spring

It is sold to Bordeaux wine producer and merchant

Jean Merlaut and Hervé Maudet, the present Spring General Manager

Nestlé group acquires Perrier Vittel Group and becomes owner

of the Abatilles Spring

Patients receiving Abatilles spa treatments are

reimbursed their cost by the Social Security

The spring is bought by Arcachon resident Roger

Padois and his associate Olivier Bertrand

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Abatilles Water owes its natural balance to perfect distribution of the different minerals in it. This distribution has lasted more than 90 years. This led to its certification as “health water” by the Bordeaux Academy of Medicine, when the spring was discovered in 1923.

The Abatilles Spring even became a spa recognised for its therapeutic properties and its water was sold as a treatment for osteoarthritis, rheumatism, kidney disease and stones, and high blood pressure.

As well as the natural balance of minerals it contains, Abatilles Water filters out its excess minerals as it passes through the layers of sand, limestone and clay.

With its rate of 354 mg/l of dry residue i.e. dissolved salts, it features on the very short list of French waters with low mineral contents that are liked for their neutral taste and their draining and detox effects.

They are recommended for daily drinking because they aid the elimination of toxins and other toxic substances without any stress on the body’s metabolism.

• LOVELY BALANCE •

• VERY LOW MINERAL CONTENT •

ITS DEPTH OF 472 METRES (1,549 FEET), DEEPER THAN ANY OTHER IN FRANCE ACTS AS A NATURAL GEOLOGICAL BARRIER PREVENTING ANY TYPE OF POLLUTION AND FILTERS OUT EXCESS MINERALS UNTIL THE WATER EMERGES.

This unique purity makes Abatilles Water perfectly drinkable by all members of the family.

LIGHT AND NATURALLY PURE

SPRING WATER VS. MINERAL WATER

Unlike Spring Water, Mineral Water must guarantee a consistent and stable mineral content.

MINERAL CONTENT :Calcium 19 mg/l - Magnesium 9 mg/l - Sodium 100 mg/l - Potassium 4 mg/l - Sulfates 8 mg/l - Bicarbonates 127 mg/l - Chlorides 137 mg/l - Dry residue at 180°C 354 mg/l - pH (still water) 8,2 - pH (sparkling water) 4,8

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Thanks to the protected environment around the spring and its depth of 472 metres (1,549 feet), Abatilles Mineral Water is one of the very few in France to boast a nitrate content of zero.

• ZERO NITRATES •

• MINERAL CONTENT AND GUARANTEED PURITY •

No treatment, just continuous inspection. The water’s natural qualities and purity as it emerges, undergo no treatment of any kind before bottling. Unlike Spring Water, Mineral Water must guarantee a consistent and stable mineral content. To guarantee this purity and stability, a large number of physical, chemical and microbiological tests are carried out internally and by official bodies.

In our laboratories, every two hours, tests are carried out on samples from different points: from the aquifer, as it emerges at the spring, from tanks and from the finished product after bottling and glass bottles, etc. Reference samples from each production run are stored in the sample library for two years and some are sent to CARSO an outside laboratory. The risk of absorption of the components of the PET bottles in the water is also checked. Tests carried out in ovens demonstrate the absence of absorption even at high temperatures and for prolonged periods.

Official testing: every two months, the regional health authority performs independent analyses in laboratories certified by the French Ministry of Health. Natural mineral water is one of the most tested food products.

LIGHT AND NATURALLY PURE

INTERESTING FACT

Nitrates themselves are not bad for the health. The harmful effect comes when they break down into nitrites, which affect the blood’s capacity to transport oxygen through the body.

INTERESTING FACT

More than being an industrial mineral water producer, the Abatilles Spring is a real gift from nature that demands respect and preservation.

Aware and mindful of the footprint of its business, today the spring only pumps 38% of the total volume permitted by the local authorities (2018 figures).

• WATER IS A GIFT •

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• MY WATER, MY REGION •

Abatilles Water has an identity that is intimately connected with its origins in the Arcachon Basin and is defined by the relationship it entertains with people in Aquitaine. To demonstrate how it proudly belongs to the Arcachon Basin, the Abatilles Spring has a committed partnership with the brand B’A (Bassin d’Arcachon).

This philosophy is also expressed in the policies governing raw material sourcing and the distribution of our finished products, which are a way for the Abatilles Spring to play a significant part in the local business environment.

OUR VALUES

On site, a team of 45 people strive, and have done in some cases for several generations, to extract, test, bottle and deliver a mineral water with natural qualities that are identical to those of the water that gushes from the spring.

They are aware of the environmental question and continuously look for ways to reduce the impact of their activities, while trying to give back to nature what has been granted.

• Raw materials solely made in France• Reducing CO2 emissions from transport• Reducing the overall consumption of water and electricity (40% less since 2008)

• ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPONSIBLE FROM SUPPLY TO WASTE MANAGEMENT •

• DRINK WELL, SORT MORE AND LIVE BETTER •

We know the effect of plastic on the environment and have set up and implemented the right practices.

We also talk about this to consumers to develop good sorting practices, while we develop our range packaged in glass.

• Sorting bins in the plant• Regular decreases in the weight of plastic in bottles and caps• Fully recyclable bottles and caps, fully recovered and recycled• Financial contribution to the recycling of PET* bottles through the Eco-emballage organisation *PET : polyethylene terephthalate

We also pay special attention to any technological developments that could reduce our environmental footprint.

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OUR VALUES

ABATILLES WATER ENJOYS A SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP OF AFFECTION WITH THE PEOPLE OF THE GIRONDE REGION. IT IS THE REGIONAL WATER FROM THE ARCACHON BASIN WITH ITS WIDE OPEN SPACES AND FRESH AIR THAT INSPIRE WELL-BEING.

OUR TWO RANGES:

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WATER FOR EVERY OCCASION

THE WELL-LOVED PARTNER THAT MAKES THE WHOLE FAMILY FEEL GOOD

It is the family friend who has often shared in daily life and holiday memories for generations.

Still, natural mineral waterIn 1.5-litre and 50-cl PET bottles

• EVERYDAY WATER •

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• LA BORDELAISE •GRAND CRU WATER

Still or exquisitely sparkling Abatilles Water in a bordelaise glass bottle is a great favourite for the table. Its bottle has the elegance of the great Bordeaux wine bottle, “la bordelaise”. Soft and neutral and exquisitely sparkling, it enhances all the flavours of your dishes and wines. It is a natural choice for wine connoisseurs and fine diners.

In just a few years, Premium Mineral Waters have become essential in the demanding world of gastronomy. Like wine, they are stimulating the appetite and curiosity of consumers and specialists, who are increasingly inclined to learn about and enjoy the subtleties of rare waters.

Abatilles Mineral Water has introduced itself into this category of Grand Cru Waters by fulfilling the four criteria that make them so special:

• An origin and a terroir• A unique palette of ingredients• Unparalleled taste• Distinctive packaging

MUCH MORE THANMINERAL WATER ”

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WATER FOR EVERY OCCASION

Still or exquisitely sparkling natural mineral waterIn recyclable glass bottles: 0.75 litre, 50 cl and 33 clIn PET bottles: 1 litre and 50 cl

Many restaurants have already chosen it:

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AU BISTROT – Bordeaux

AUBERGE EN GASCOGNE – Astaffort

AUBERGE SAINT-JEAN – Saint-Jean-de-Blaignac

BELLE CAMPAGNE – Bordeaux

BELLINI – Bordeaux

BRASSERIE LIPP – Paris

CAFÉ FRANÇAIS – Bordeaux

CAUDALIE SMITH HAUT-LAFITTE – Martillac

CHAPON FIN – Bordeaux

CHEZ BOULAN – Cap-Ferret

CHEZ HORTENSE – Cap-Ferret

CHEZ MARIOTTAT – Agen

CHEZ PIERRE – Arcachon

CLUB TF1 – Paris

COMPTOIR CUISINE – Bordeaux

CHÂTEAU CORDEILLAN BAGES – Pauillac

FAMILIA – Bordeaux

GAROPAPILLES – Bordeaux

GEORGE V – Paris

HÔTEL-RESTAURANT CLAUDE DARROZEHOSTELLERIE DE PLAISANCE – Saint-Émilion

JULIEN CRUÈGE – Bordeaux

L’ESCALE – Cap-Ferret

L’HÔTEL DU PALAIS – Biarritz

L’IBAIA – Bordeaux

L’ORLÉANS – Bordeaux

LA BRASSERIE BORDELAISE – Bordeaux

LA CAPE – Cenon

LA CO(O)RNICHE – Arcachon

LA FERME AUX GRIVES – Eugénie les Bains

LA GRANDE MAISON – Bordeaux LA GRAND’VIGNE – Martillac LA TERRASSE ROUGE – Saint-Émilion

LE 7 – Bordeaux

LE QUATRIÈME MUR – Bordeaux

LE BISTROT DU REGENT – Bordeaux

LE CARREAU – Bordeaux

LE CARRE – Bordeaux

LE CHIOPOT – Bordeaux

LE GABRIEL – Bordeaux

LE MIRAMAR – Biarritz

LE PATIO – Arcachon

LE PAVILLON DES BOULEVARDS – Bordeaux

LE PRESSOIR D’ARGENT – Bordeaux LE PRINCE NOIR – Lormont

LE PUY PAULIN – Bordeaux

LE RESINIER – Le Barp

LE SKIFF CLUB – La Teste-de-Buch

LES CLÉS D’ARGENT – Mont de Marsan

LOGIS DE LA CADÈNE – Saint-Émilion MILES – Bordeaux

PINASSE CAFE – Cap-Ferret

PRES D’EUGENIE – Eugénie les Bains

RELAIS & CHÂTEAUX MICHEL TRAMA – Puymirol SYMBIOSE – Bordeaux

THE MEAT PACK – Bordeaux

VIEUX LOGIS – Tremolat

Star in the Michelin guide

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1,500RESTAURANTSIN FRANCE

13STARREDRESTAURANTS IN GIRONDE

OUR PARTNERS

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Abatilles Mineral Water is the regional water from the Arcachon Basin with its open spaces and fresh air, and tastes of well-being, purity and good health. All sports require proper hydration.

Both hobby and competitive sports express values around which we strive to build close relationships, especially with the large family represented by our local sporting organisations. We have a long-standing partnership with Union Bordeaux Bègles rugby and more recent ones with Girondins de Bordeaux soccer club, the Matmut Atlantique Stadium and the Bordeaux Metropole marathon.

Still or exquisitely sparkling Abatilles Water in a bordelaise glass bottle is a great favourite for the table. The shape of the bottle is reminiscent of the great Bordeaux wine bottle, “la bordelaise”. All the water’s qualities have made it an uncontested partner of many winegrowing organisations and events, and gastronomic get-togethers.

• SPORTSMEN AND WOMEN •

• WINE AND GOOD FOOD •

• AND OUR FRIENDS •

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Every Tuesday and Thursday all year from 10.0 to 11.30, €7 euros per person for the tour. Under 12-year-olds are welcome for free.

• Guided tour of the well and the production workshop to learn about the 7 production steps

• Photo exhibition “From Spring to Bottle”

• Small historical museum

• Sale of “Goodies made in Abatilles”

• Tasting the water at the spring

PLEASE NOTE!

Bookings must be made through the Arcachon Tourist Office

Tel. + 33 557 529 797

• PROGRAMME •

• EUROPEAN HERITAGE DAYS •

Every year, the Abatilles Spring participates in the European Heritage Days. This is a great opportunity to learn some of the secrets behind the only natural mineral water spring in the Gironde département.

EAUNOLOGIE,TOUR AND HERITAGE