Plans to Dispose of Holding in Essilor

Compagnie de Saint-Gobain
3 May 2000


SAINT-GOBAIN ANNOUNCES PLANS TO DISPOSE OF ITS HOLDING IN ESSILOR

In view of the growth strategies in the businesses of the Group, Saint-Gobain is
planning to make investments which should contribute significantly to geographic
expansion, increased research and development efforts and the increasing use of
new technologies like internet, in particular to broaden client base and develop
new services.

Similarly, Saint-Gobain has recently developed its businesses in the high
performance plastic area, with the Furon acquisition, and in building materials
distribution to building professionals with the acquisitions of Meyer and Raab
Karcher.

In the area of new information and communication technologies, major development
projects have recently been presented for Saint-Gobain's activity in the
distribution of  building products for residential construction or renovation.

The various growth strategies which the group will be implementing in all its
businesses have led to a reconsideration of the strategic value of its holding
in Essilor and to defining, in liaison with Essilor management, the bases upon
which it will dispose of the entirety of hits holding in that company.

This holding has been a good financial investment for the Group. In order that
Saint-Gobain shareholders may benefit rapidly from such a disposal, Saint-Gobain
plans to use part of the funds thus generated for the repurchasing of its own
shares, and plans to carry out this year a further 5% reduction in its share
capital.

On the basis of the foregoing, the Group has now set itself an earnings per
share target (excluding capital gains) of 20% the year 2000.

                      Investor Relations Department
Tel: Florence TRIOU + 33 1 47 62 45 19 - mailto: florence.triou@saint-          
                                                gobain.com

Tel: Lounis BEKKAT  + 33 1 47 62 32 36 - mailto: [e-mail]

                         Fax: + 33 1 47 62 50 62