VAUCLUSE PROVENCE ATTRACTIVITE

Why set up a business in the Vaucluse?

A dynamic and innovative department:

The Vaucluse covers an area of 3,575 km² and borders three regions. A region on a human scale, its location at the heart of Southern Europe and at the crossroads of major transport routes gives it an exceptional geostrategic position.

Its ecosystems, competitiveness clusters, internationally renowned laboratories and research centres, as well as its range of training programmes linked to its sectors of excellence, facilitate the establishment and acceleration of projects.

In the heart of Provence, the Vaucluse offers the perfect balance between personal and professional life. Its exceptional natural spaces, ideal for a wide range of outdoor leisure activities, and its historical and architectural heritage, which provide an exceptional living environment for its residents, are all assets that make it an attractive place to settle permanently and take advantage of the attractive prices on the property market.

A competitive region with a geostrategic location:

By setting up your business in the Vaucluse department, you’ll benefit from a geostrategic location, giving you easy access to several major cities, such as Lyon, Nice, Marseille, Montpellier and Nîmes via the A7, A9 and A8 motorways, and reach its 9 million inhabitants within a two-hour drive.

Avignon TGV station is connected to Paris Gare de Lyon in 2 hours 40 minutes, with 20 TGV services a day enabling same-day return journeys.

Being less than an hour’s drive from the Grand Port Maritime de Marseille Fos facilitates the international receipt or dispatch of raw materials or finished products.

A range of high-quality land and property options:

With 45% of its business parks located within 10 minutes of major transport routes, the property and land offering is ideally connected to major metropolitan centres. Several of its technology and industrial business parks are specialised to facilitate the establishment of businesses at the heart of specific ecosystems: high-end services, sustainability, aerospace, logistics…

Vaucluse boasts a diverse property portfolio to accommodate projects and support development by offering a suitable business ecosystem, thanks to the presence of business incubators, co-working spaces, third places, new-build offices, and mixed-use, service-sector or industrial business parks.

Sectors of excellence, featuring dynamic companies and global leaders:

Natural Products Sector:

A key sector for the region, linked to agricultural production, the natural products sector encompasses all agri-food, nutraceutical and cosmetic activities, from plant to finished product. It benefits from a high concentration of businesses supported by a comprehensive ecosystem with cutting-edge expertise in biocontrol, natural ingredients and the circular economy.

• Innovation centres: Innov’Alliance Competitiveness Cluster, INRAE Centre, CTCPA (Technical Centre for the Preservation of Agricultural Products), Food In Provence network, the Cosmed business network, Avignon University Agro Sciences.
• Education: IFRIA, ISEMA, Avignon University, ISARA, Lycée Pétrarque…
• Leading companies: Givaudan, Ducros McCormick, Gyma, Soleco-Florette, Charles et Alice, Fuchs, Agis, Raynal & Roquelaure, Orangina Suntory France, Aroma Zone, Durance, Rosier Davenne, Savon Stories, Herbatech, Plantes et Parfums, Le Coq Noir, Green Spot Technologies…

Cultural and Creative Industries Sector:

The cultural and creative industries account for over 5,000 jobs in the performing arts, heritage, audiovisual, animation and video games sectors. A flagship sector for the region’s appeal, the ecosystem is taking shape and growing stronger with several recent set-ups of 2D/3D animation studios. The launch of new production and development support funds is boosting the Vaucluse’s appeal to industry players.

• Innovation centres: La Villa Créative – a landmark venue in the heart of Avignon, the Avignon Computer Science Laboratory (LIA), La French Tech Grande Provence, …
• Education: The École des Nouvelles Images (ENSI), Game Academy, 3IS, the University of Avignon, Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), Avignon School of Art, the Institute of Audiovisual Creative Professions (IMCA), the Higher Institute of Performing Arts Techniques (ISTS), Jacques LECOQ, FINK Formations…
• Leading organisations: The Avignon Festival, the Festival Off, EDEIS, La Station Animation, Circus, Duetto, PVA Médias, FRAMES Festival

Aeronautics sector:

^{The leading} industrial sector in the SUD Region with over 25,000 jobs; thanks to its collaboration with the SAFE competitiveness cluster, the Vaucluse is positioning itself as a leader in New Air Services operated by light aircraft. The 183-hectare Avignon airport site benefits from a prime location and an ecosystem comprising more than 500 employees.

• Innovation Centre: SAFE cluster, SCS hub, Club Sud Drone, PEGASE, the C2RD, SAAP (Société Aéroport Avignon Provence), Team Henri Fabre, The Camp…
• Training: NEXTECH (courses in mechanical engineering and RDM), Aéroclub Vauclusien, Hub’Air, ULM Avignon
• Leading companies: Syt Technologie, Airbots Defence Systems, Airtelis, Farman, Borghino…

Digital Sector:

Digital industries specialise in the design of software and mobile applications, the provision of secure digital solutions, IT services and consultancy, and the delivery of media content.

• Innovation centres: Avignon Computer Science Laboratory (LIA), French Tech Grande Provence and its Start Tech incubator, Competitiveness Cluster for Secure Communication Solutions (SCS)…
• Education: Centre for Teaching and Research in Computer Science at the University of Avignon (CERI), Nextech, ESIEE-IT (cybersecurity)
• Leading companies: CGI, Glanum, Elipce, Tut Tut, ARG Solutions, Vaisonet, Logicgram, Waya Tech…

EcoTech & Energy Sector:

Environmental protection and resource conservation are key challenges for sustainable growth. Eco-technologies – which cover the environment, energy efficiency and green building – are a top priority in Vaucluse.

• Innovation Centres: Ea Eco-Enterprises cluster, Envirobat-BDM, Aqua Valley cluster, Cap Energie cluster, Novachim cluster, Regional Circular Economy Platform (PRECI), Saint-Gobain Research Provence, SATT Sud-Est.
• Training programmes: BTS (two-year vocational higher diploma) AnabioTech, BTS Bioqualité Provence (Erudis apprenticeship scheme) – BUT (three-year technological bachelor) – Biological Engineering: Environmental Sciences and Eco-technologies – Aix-Marseille University,
• Leading companies: Azuvia, SINIAT, Suez, Pellenc ST, Q ENERGY, CNR, Fénix Evolution, Tamisier Environnement, Be Energy, Alcyon…

Tourism Sector:

With over 23 million overnight stays annually, 41% of which were from international visitors in 2023, €1.6 billion in annual expenditure and over 12,000 direct, non-relocatable jobs, the Vaucluse is a highly attractive destination for tourism as it is well-suited to ‘four-season’ tourism. With real potential for development to establish new accommodation projects or leisure venues, the regions of Avignon, the Luberon, Mont Ventoux and the Rhône Valley offer undeniable advantages for investment.

The Spirou theme park, Wave Island, Cabanes des Grands Cépages, the Hôtel le Nesk in Sault and Dynamo Cycles are all testament to the appeal of the Vaucluse as a whole for leisure and accommodation activities.