Why Alsace?
So many reasons to choose Alsace
A thriving economy
Alsace, a leading force in the Grand Est economy, is the birthplace of numerous and diverse industries, showcasing a significant reservoir of expertise.
Situated in Rhineland Europe—an important economic and demographic region with 100 million inhabitants, contributing 30% of the EU’s total GDP—Alsace naturally experiences vibrant and dynamic economic activity.
The region benefits from numerous transport routes, including the ever-present Rhine, which enables industries to efficiently distribute their products to European and global markets via North Sea ports.
The diverse range of local industries and services enhances the region’s skill base, making it a major asset for recruiting skilled labor.
- Alsace accounts for over 50% of exports from the Grand Est region, France’s 2nd-largest in terms of trade in goods and merchandise.
- Additionally, 80% of these exports are destined for European markets.
A unique quality of life
Experience the charm of a region rich in culture, leisure, and gastronomy, and explore its vibrant network of associations.
Alsace actively promotes its heritage and culture year-round, offering spaces and events for all styles, arts, and expressions.
The region is renowned for its wine and brewing industry, along with its many culinary specialties and local products, best enjoyed in its famous Winstubs. This gastronomic richness complements the historical heritage of Alsace, featuring numerous historical sites, castles, museums, picturesque villages, and historic town centers.
Thanks to a more flexible local law on associations compared to the rest of France, Alsace maintains a dense network of over 30,000 associations. This fosters a wide range of sports and cultural activities, encouraging social interaction and community building.
- More than 50 hospitals and clinics in Alsace
- 18000 km of marked trails and 2500km of cycle routes
- 250 museums
- 29 Michelin starred restaurants
High-performance infrastructure
Enjoy quick and easy access to all of Europe thanks to an exceptional network of roads, rail, air, and ports.
Alsace, strategically located at a crossroads, benefits from major transport routes connecting people and goods across Europe.
The region is served by two TGV lines (East and Rhine-Rhône), allowing travel to Paris in under 2 hours. Additionally, it boasts a comprehensive internal network with buses, trams, and regional trains.
Air travel is well-supported with two international airports in Strasbourg and Mulhouse. EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse is one of France’s largest airports, handling 7 million passengers and 114,000 tonnes of freight in 2022.
Alsace is bordered by the Rhine, Europe’s leading commercial river, providing direct access to major North Sea seaports. The region features three multimodal ports, spread across the territory, facilitating the transit of millions of tons of goods annually.
2
international airports
2
high-speed train lines
2
river ports in France
An international mindset
At the crossroads of Europe, the unique history of Alsace has shaped a naturally open and cosmopolitan territory.
Long desired and contested, Alsace has been influenced by neighboring countries for centuries. Now firmly French, it still embraces a multicultural heritage, further enriched by the presence of numerous European institutions.
The close proximity to Germany and Switzerland facilitates daily interactions with neighboring countries. Nearly 60,000 Alsatians cross the borders each day for work, alongside those traveling for leisure, shopping, museums, and hiking.
This multicultural influence extends to education: in addition to the standard curriculum, students can pursue a bilingual French-German education from kindergarten through higher education. International sections offering courses in eight languages are also available from primary school onwards.
- More than 100 European institutions
- 47 embassies, 41 consulates
- 3rd highest density of foreign-owned companies in France
- 1000 companies with international capital
A hub of excellence and innovation
Join a high-performance research and innovation ecosystem supported by renowned universities, business incubators, and research centers.
Alsace boasts a distinguished academic and research environment, with four Nobel Prize winners and institutions like the University of Strasbourg and the University of Haute-Alsace, along with 14 major schools in fields such as engineering, architecture, art, design, and management.
The region is also home to prestigious research organizations, including CNRS, INRAE, and INSERM. Alsace hosts several leading competitiveness clusters, such as the Vehicle of the Future, BioValley in medical research, and Build and Connect for construction.
The exceptional synergy between universities, research centers, and innovation hubs makes the Alsace ecosystem a beacon of excellence in Europe, fostering a dynamic environment for businesses and encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration.
- 76000 students
- 3400 teacher-researchers
- France’s 3rd largest university
- 150 start-ups supported each year
A historically prosperous region
Leverage the natural and human resources of a densely populated region with rich subsoil.
Alsace, a major crossroads for trade and civilization since Antiquity, boasts a diverse and extensive heritage. With nearly two million residents, it ranks among the most densely populated areas in France.
The region’s subsoil is rich in resources, including a water table with 35 billion cubic meters, lithium reserves, large alluvial deposits of sand and aggregates, dense forests, and thriving agriculture.
In terms of energy, Alsace enjoys lower prices than the national average, thanks to a highly efficient electricity network—partly due to the former Fessenheim nuclear power plant, now closed—and substantial local production of green energy, including photovoltaics, geothermal energy, hydrogen, and methanization.
- Density: 229 inhabitants/km², double the national average
- Access to 300 million consumers within a 700 km radius
