1685

It was during the reign of Louis XIV that Diego GRADIS, descended from an old Portuguese family who had settled in Bordeaux in the 16th century, set up a trading business in cloth.

Ten years later, he passed it on to his son David. It was at this time that trade with the colonies began to flourish.

1711

David GRADIS decided to devote the company's activities to this area.

He gave up the cloth trade and, in 1711, acquired his first ship, the "Tigre", which would be followed in the following decades by a long line of vessels armed for trade. Maison Gradis shipped to the West Indies, among other things, wines, brandies, flours, bacon and salted beef from Ireland. Its main export is white and raw sugar.

1756

During the long Seven Years' War between France and England, starting in 1756, Maison Gradis was responsible for supplying Canada.

As a reward for granting the kings Louis XV and Louis XVI substantial loans, it was granted exceptional privileges, such as the right to acquire land in the colonies.

1789

Serioulsy affected by the French Revolution, the company nevertheless managed to gradually return to transporting and trading sugar from Martinique. At the end of the 19th century, it was commissioned by the government to sell sugar produced by several factories in the West Indies. 

1914

During the First World War and up to 1920, as sugar-producing regions having been invaded by the enemy, Maison Gradis was commissionned by the government to ensure  (up to 1920) the supply of sugar in France from overseas territories.

1945

The Second World War forced him to put the activity on hold. Faithful to its commercial traditions with the Overseas Territories, relations with the West Indies resumed in 1945.

1975

The gradual decline in sugar production in the West Indies led Maison Gradis to convert its activities.

In 1975, the opportunity arose to enter the Bordeaux wine trade, thus reviving one of the company's 18th-century activities.

2005

In 2005, in view of developments of the region’s wine production and trade, the company made a further move into financial asset management.

2014

The company has been passed on to the new generation and the next, Diego GRADIS and his son Cyril, who are committed to investing the portfolio in sustainable finance, particularly in countries of the South.