The Paris office of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has represented UK retail giant Marks & Spencer (M&S) on the sale of its French subsidiaries to the Galeries Lafayette Group. The deal will see Galeries Lafayette assume control of M&S’ 18 stores in France, as well as additional real estate.

Corporate partner Yves de Mahenge and real estate partner Benoit Marcilhacy led the deal for Freshfields, with Dominique Paillusseau, Vincent Lassalle and Nicolas Lagesse assisting.