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France, an industrial land
France is an industrial land, with a strong, long-standing industrial tradition. Industry today accounts for about 11% of jobs.
Key points of the sheet
- French industry is very diverse. It includes high technology, such as aeronautics or pharmaceuticals. Cars, the food industry, chemistry and energy remain important.
- French luxury goods and cosmetics are recognised all over the world.
- Île-de-France concentrates head offices and research. The South-West, around Toulouse, specialises in aeronautics.
- The North and the East have a major industrial past, such as steel and textiles. These regions have had difficulties, but are slowly reconverting.
- The Lyon basin is known for chemistry and pharmaceuticals. The West is a major centre for the food industry and mechanical engineering.
- Since the 1980s, French industry has changed a lot. Many factories have closed and some production has moved abroad.
- Facing the recent health and energy crises, France is trying to bring industry back to its territory. It is bringing back some strategic production, for example in health, electronics and energy.
- Industry must adapt to climate change and modernise. Many companies invest in green industry, renewable energy and connected factories.
Words to know
- high technology (haute technologie)
- In France, examples are aeronautics or the pharmaceutical sector.
- relocated abroad (délocalisées)
- Since the 1980s, some French production has been relocated, that is, moved abroad.
- to reindustrialise (réindustrialiser)
- Facing the recent health and energy crises, France is trying to reindustrialise its territory.
- brings back (relocalise)
- France brings back some strategic production, for example in health, electronics and energy.
- green industry (industrie verte)
- Many companies invest in green industry.
Test yourself: 3 questions
What does the South-West, around Toulouse, specialise in?
In French, the language of the exam: Dans quoi le Sud-Ouest, autour de Toulouse, est-il spécialisé ?
The South-West, around Toulouse, specialises in aeronautics.
What share of jobs does industry account for in France?
In French, the language of the exam: Quelle part des emplois l'industrie représente-t-elle en France ?
Industry today accounts for about 11% of jobs in France.
Since when has French industry gone through major changes?
In French, the language of the exam: Depuis quand l'industrie française connaît-elle de grandes transformations ?
Since the 1980s, French industry has gone through major changes.
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Source
Sheet “La France, terre industrielle” of the French Ministry of the Interior: formation-civique.interieur.gouv.fr. Content published under the Etalab Open Licence 2.0. This page is a plain-language adaptation made by Hexaciv, which is not an official site: if in doubt, the ministry's text is the one that counts.
Ministry sheet read on 23 October 2026, still identical on 25 October 2026.