Gov. Chris Gregoire with Dassault Systèmes’ CEO Bernard Charlès (Dassault Systèmes photo)

It was not all just about airplanes at the 2011 Paris Air Show at Le Bourget. The French technology company Dassault Systèmes used the event to announce it was leasing 11,000 square feet in the West Lake Union Center in Seattle's South Lake Union neighborhood.

The French technology company announced its plans alongside Gov. Chris Gregoire at the 49th Annual Paris Air Show Tuesday.

Dassault Systèmes focuses on 3D and product life-cycle management software. The company’s applications provide a 3D vision of the entire life-cycle of products from conception to maintenance to recycling for clients in retail, fashion, life sciences and business services.

The company said the new offices will be a hub for Dassault Systèmes in the Northwest. West Lake Union Center is at 1550 Westlake Ave. N. in Seattle's booming South Lake Union neighborhood. The company expects to open the offices later this year.

According to a statement from the governor’s office, Dassault Systèmes has 90 current full- and part-time employees in the Northwest. The company pans to hire additional engineering staff. Local clients include Boeing, REI, Fred Meyer and Paccar.

Here is a statement from Al Bunshaft, Managing Director of Dassault Systèmes Americas:

We’re not only committed to providing best-in-class software to our clients, but best-in-class customer service as well. Our centralized operations in the Northwest will help reinforce Dassault Systèmes’ already strong local connections, and we’re enthusiastic about the collaboration and energy that will be fostered as our Seattle employees interact each day in a state-of-the-art office space located in one of the nation’s key technology areas.

There was real aerospace news at the annual Paris Air Show. Boeing used the show to highlight its work on biofuels, flying a 747-8 freighter using a biofuel blend across the Atlantic Ocean. And on Tuesday, Boeing announced $7.2 billion in new orders from four customers.