It’s often hard to admit, but generally, the French do it better. No-one really admires us Brits for our wild romanticism and ingrained sense of style. We’ve got the London look on lock for sure and we’re proud to often be pioneering the ‘weirder the better’ attitude, but our friends in France are the refined grown-ups. We do ramshackle, they do spectacle.

It’s only fitting then that Martell is celebrating their 300th birthday by compiling the definitive list of French talents across entertainment, gastronomy, art, fashion and mixology. If you’re not already impressed, bear in mind Martell was founded at the height of French Art de Vivre, during the same period Louis XIV gathered the nation’s most talented artists and culturally exciting figures at the court of Versailles. Do you see what they did there?

Not a French Art de Vivre fan? Shame on you. Martell surveyed to find 81% of people from around the world had found it to have an impact on their own culture along with two in five of participants noting the impact of the French lifestyle on painting in particular.

Brush up on your contemporaries with Martell’s list. Spearheaded by ultimate babe, model and actress Diane Kruger, fashion highlights to look out for include Joseph Altuzarra, Garance Doré and Patrick Demarchelier.

Also making it onto the list is architect Emmanuel Picault who’s making moves in Mexico, opening hotels and running his own ‘Chic by Accident’ gallery. Alongside Picault are MoMA exhibited artist Item Idem and creator of LA’s new generation Curated Store, ‘Please Do Not Enter’, Nicolas Libert.

To discover France’s most influential stars for yourself, visit www.martell.com/france300

Photographer: Mary McCartney

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