Acquisition

RNS Number:4087T
Lafarge
18 December 2003

           Lafarge has acquired EBRD's shareholding in Lafarge Polska

Lafarge has acquired the EBRD's 23% shareholding in Lafarge Polska, which is
made up of Lafarge's cement and aggregates & concrete operations in Poland. The
transaction amounts to Euro84m, bringing the Group's ownership to 100%.

According to Bernard Kasriel, Chief Executive Officer of Lafarge: "This
investment confirms our involvement within the Polish market. The four Divisions
of the Group are present in Poland, a country with a strong potential for
development with its entry into the European Union."

Alain Pilloux, the EBRD's Business Group Director for Central Europe and
Specialised industries, said: "We have been very pleased with the cooperation in
Poland with Lafarge. It is an excellent example of a successful industrial
restructuring that has led to significant improvements in operations. We are
particularly impressed with Lafarge's commitment to the environment."

Lafarge in Poland: With 1750 employees in Poland, Lafarge is present in all
divisions of the group. In a national cement market amounting to 11 million tons
annually, Lafarge owns two fully modernized cement plants, in Kujawy and in
Malagoszcz, with an annual capacity of 3.3 million tons. Lafarge also has 5 new
or modernized roofing plants, 18 concrete plants and 9 aggregate sites as well
as one brand new gypsum wallboard factory.

Lafarge is the world leader in building materials, and employs 77,000 people in
75 countries. The Group holds top-ranking positions in all four of its
Divisions: Cement, Aggregates & Concrete, Roofing and Gypsum. Lafarge posted
sales of Euro14.6 billion in 2002. For further information, please visit our web
site at: www.lafarge.com

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is owned by 60 countries
and two intergovernmental institutions. With Euro20 billion of capital, it employs
lending and equity tools to foster the transition from centrally planned to
market economies in central and Eastern Europe and the Commonwealth of
Independent States.

LAFARGE PRESS CONTACTS:                 LAFARGE INVESTOR RELATIONS:

Veronique Doux:   ([phone]   James Palmer:  ([phone]
[e-mail]              [e-mail]

Brunswick                               Daniele Daouphars:  ([phone]
Stephanie Tessier ([phone]   [e-mail]
[e-mail]

EBRD CONTACT:

Axel Reiserer, [phone]
[e-mail]


Statements made in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-
looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are not Guarantees of
future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions ("Factors"),
which are difficult to predict. Some of the Factors that could cause actual
results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking
statements include, but are not limited to: the cyclical nature of the Company's
business; national and regional economic conditions in the countries in which
the Group does business; currency fluctuations; seasonal nature of the Company's
operations; levels of construction spending in major markets; supply/demand
structure of the industry; competition from new or existing competitors;
unfavorable weather conditions during peak construction periods; changes in and
implementation of environmental and other Governmental regulations; our ability
to successfully identify, complete and efficiently Integrate acquisitions; our
ability to successfully penetrate new markets; and other Factors disclosed in
the Company's public filings with the French Commission des Operations de Bourse
and the US Securities and Exchange Commission including its Reference Document
COB number D03-0375 as updated on June 5, 2003 and annual report on Form 20-F.
In general, the Company is Subject to the risks and uncertainties of the
construction industry and of doing business throughout the world. The forward-
looking statements are made as of this date and the Company undertakes no
obligation to update them, whether as a result of new information, future events
or otherwise.






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END

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