French cosmetics brand founder Yves Rocher dies aged 79

Yves Rocher, the founder of the natural cosmetics and beauty brand that carried his name, died at the age of 79 in Paris on Saturday, dpa reported.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy paid homage to Rocher, calling him a "great French industrialist" who had provided natural beauty products while also working to protect the environment.

Rocher was born in La Gacilly in Brittany and where he began producing beauty products over 50 years ago. He was also mayor of La Gacilly.

The Yves Rocher Group has operations in 80 countries, annual sales of around 2.9 billion dollars and around 15,000 employees.