Arthur Lloyd 2021 barometer: the most attractive French cities for businesses

The company Arthur Lloyd published its 5th attractiveness barometer of French cities. Atlantic France is well represented with Nantes, Angers, Le Mans and Laval featuring in the top most attractive cities of their categories… and with real estate up to 6 times cheaper than in Paris!

Arthur Lloyd is a national network of commercial real estate advisory firms. Its annual attractiveness barometer of French cities gives an interesting overview of installation opportunities for professionals, which is based on reliable data.

Atlantic France and medium-sized cities have better resisted the crisis

The Arthur Lloyd barometer reveals that approximately 430,000 jobs were created in the private sector in France during the first half of 2021. 59 departments out of 101 exceeded their pre-crisis level, including 4 out of 5 in Atlantic France (Loire-Atlantique, Maine et Loire, Vendée, Sarthe) and 23 departments returned to their pre-crisis level, including Mayenne.

Medium-sized urban areas generally resisted the impact of the crisis better. The study highlights that some cities, such as Angers in Atlantic France, even recorded an increase in employment.

Quality of life and tertiarisation: the major levers of attractiveness

According to Arthur Loyd, the attractiveness of French cities relies on two pillars: their efforts to improve the quality of life and their capacity to develop their economic potential through tertiarisation.

Improving the quality of life 

• Beautification and pedestrianisation of cities 
• Improving available transport with tram lines
• Highlighting culture and heritage 
• Easy access to the sea 

Taking advantage of the tertiarisation of the French economy 

• Developing a talent pool 
• Favourable reception conditions for companies thanks to competitive real estate offers 
• Promotion of sectors of excellence

Business: which are the most attractive French cities?

To carry out a ranking of the most attractive cities in France, Arthur Lloyd divided them into 4 categories. Lyon, Bordeaux and Toulouse are on the podium for the “very large cities”. 

The main cities from Atlantic France rank well in the various categories, starting with Nantes which is the #1 most attractive “major city”. In the “intermediate cities” category, Angers ranks #7 and Le Mans #15, and Laval ranks #5 in “medium-sized cities”.

2 hours from Paris, rent up to 6 times cheaper

Why choose Paris? The best city in France to set up your business is not necessarily the capital! The Arthur Lloyd 2021 barometer shows noticeable price differences in real estate which can be up to 6 times cheaper in one of the main cities in Atlantic France. 

Are you convinced?
Locate your business in Atlantic France!