RNS Number:3977N
Lafarge
10 July 2003


Not for distribution in the United-States, in Canada, in Australia and Japan
     
Euronext: LG, NYSE: LR                               Paris, July 10th 2003


              Lafarge announces a successful 1.3 billion rights issue

Lafarge today announces the successful completion of its rights issue.  The 
final amount of capital raised is 1,305,092,648 euros, through the creation of
31,831,528 new shares.  The offer was 1.48 times over-subscribed. 31,197,780
shares were subscribed on an irreducible basis.  15,828,987 shares were 
subscribed on a reducible basis and will thus be partially allocated.  The new
shares will be listed as of July 15th 2003.

As previously announced, the capital increase will enhance Lafarge's ability to
invest in small to medium sized value-creating opportunities and to accelerate
the strengthening of its balance sheet.

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.  More information is available on www.lafarge.com.

PRESS CONTACT:                             INVESTOR RELATIONS:

Philippe Hardouin  33-1 44 34 12 68        James Palmer:   33-1 44 34 11 26
philippe.hardouin@lafarge.com              james.palmer@lafarge.com

Brunswick                                  Daniele Daouphars:  33-1 44 34 11 51
Stephanie Tessier  33 1 53 96 83 79        daniele.daouphars@lafarge.com
Portable           33 6 22 11 84 98
stessler@brunswickgroup.com
  

This document is not an offer of securities for sale in the United States.
Securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration
with the United States Securities Exchange Commission or an exemption from
registration. Any public offering of the company's securities to be made in the
United States will be made by means of a prospectus that may be obtained from
the company and that will contain detailed information about the company and
its management as well as financial statements.

Statements made in this press release that are not historical facts, including
statements regarding its ability to achieve its debt reduction target, 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.  

The prospectus, together with a UK supplement containing certain additional
information relevant only to shareholders in the United Kingdom has been used as
a prospectus for a public offering of new shares with preferential subscription
rights in the UK and has been mutually recognized by the United Kingdom Listing
Authority ("UKLA") pursuant to, and in accordance with, the provisions for
mutual recognition set out in European Directive no. 89/298/EEC, as a prospectus
for the purposes of the UKLA's Listing Rules and Part VI of the Financial
Services and Markets Act 2000. The contents of this document, which have been
prepared by and are the sole responsibility of Lafarge, have been approved by
BNP Paribas and J.P. Morgan Securities Limited. BNP Paribas is regulated in the
conduct of its designated investment business in the United Kingdom by the
Financial Services Authority and J.P. Morgan Securities Limited is regulated by
the Financial Services Authority, solely for the purposes of Section 21(2)(b) of
the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. BNP Paribas and J.P. Morgan
Securities Limited are acting for Lafarge in connection with the Offering and
no-one else and will not be responsible to anyone other than Lafarge for
providing the protections offered to clients of BNP Paribas and J.P. Morgan
Securities Limited nor for providing, advice in relation to the Offering. BNP
Paribas can be contacted at 10 Harewood Avenue, London NWI 6AA, for the
attention of John Mason (Compliance Officer) telephone number: 00 44 (0) 207
595 33 62.  J.P. Morgan Securities Limited can be contacted at 10 Aldermanbury,
London, EC2V 7RF, for the attention of Rajesh Choudry (Compliance Officer)
(telephone number: 00 44 (0) 207 325 9329). 
Stabilisation/FSA



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