Apple CEO Tim Cook paid an unexpected visit to an Apple Store in the port of Marseille, France, earlier today, according to French tech blogs Mac4ever.com and iPhone.fr.

Both staff and shoppers got an unexpected surprise when Cook arrived unannounced at the commercial shopping mall of Terrasses du Port, where an Apple Store – the country's 20th – opened last May.

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Photo: Philippe Gouy

Cook strolled around the store talking with Apple employees, chatting to customers, and having his picture taken, before receiving a farewell applause. It's not clear if Cook's trip to France is just a casual visit or something more business-focused, but we'll let you know if we learn more.


In July of last year, it was reported that Apple was planning to open a research laboratory in Grenoble, France that will focus on developing improved imaging sensors and techniques for its iOS devices. Apple was said to be hiring 30 engineers to work at the research lab, which will span 800 square meters.

Update: Tim Cook has tweeted (in French): "Delighted to be back in France to meet our talented team in Marseille."

Update 2: Later on Sunday, Cook was also seen checking out the Apple Store at the Louvre in Paris.

Tag: France

Top Rated Comments

Kabeyun Avatar
105 months ago
Say what you will about Tim Cook (and around here people sure do) it would be pretty cool if I were browsing around an Apple Store and Tim Cook strolled in and struck up a conversation.
Score: 25 Votes (Like | Disagree)
AngerDanger Avatar
105 months ago
This article takes a dark turn if you swap a few words in the title (as I did upon first read).



Attachment Image
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ghost187 Avatar
105 months ago
Initially I thought I read;

"Tim Cook drops unexpectedly from Apple."

Man, that would've made my day!
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
skinned66 Avatar
105 months ago
Say what you will about Tim Cook (and around here people sure do) it would be pretty cool if I were browsing around an Apple Store and Tim Cook strolled in and struck up a conversation.
If that scenario did occur I can say with absolute certainty that it wouldn't be cool for him.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
rudychidiac Avatar
105 months ago
Tim Cuisiner (Lame joke, don't hurt me)
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
djcerla Avatar
105 months ago
Some years ago I had a dream about meeting Steve Jobs. In the dream I was so excited that I couldn't find anything intelligent to tell him, so I ended up with very generic congratulations, that he met with a chilly grin before disappearing.
[doublepost=1486319426][/doublepost]

I wish he could have been at the Apple store last week where my pregnant wife had to spend 90+ minutes to get her iPhone fixed
Gift her a Samsung, so the next fix would take 90 days rather than 90 minutes.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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