Hauts-de-France
Regional GDP
€154 billion
Contribution to France's GDP
7.2%
Population
6 million
Area
31 813 km²
Regional capital
Lille
A french region at the heart of Europe's largest consumer marketplace
Hauts de France has an outstanding coastline of more than 190 km (120 miles). Its extensive transport network connects with this wide seaboard through three major ports: Dunkirk (national port for rail freight), Boulogne-sur-Mer (fishing and seafood processing) and Calais (national passenger port). The opening of the Seine-Nord Europe Canal by 2022 will link the Paris area and the port of Le Havre to the whole of the north European system. This advantageous geography means that the region is able to attract a large number of logistics firms.
A manufacturing area
Manufacturing accounts for 16.7% of the region’s value added and provides employment for 17% of the Hauts de France labor force. The region is firmly established in various fields, through major international groups and a dense web of SMEs: it ranks first for railway rolling stock (Alstom, Bombardier) and manufacturing hollow glassware (Arc International, Saverglass), second for textiles, steel production (Arcelor Mittal), building construction and support activities (call centers), and first for the automotive industry (Renault, PSA, Toyota, Sevelnord, Valeo). Hauts de France also enjoys a leading position in the agri-food industry (1,400 establishments), geared heavily towards export, with, amongst other things, vegetable packing.
Transition to growth sectors and high-tech fields
Hauts de France is developing research into use of bio-based molecules in the plant-derived chemistry sector. Traditional industries – cars, textiles, agri-food, chemicals – have started to change though high value-added innovation. New growth drivers are emerging in biology, healthcare, digital technology and the environmental industries. Competitiveness clusters have grown up in seven fields: transport (i-TRANS), retailing (PICOM), nutrition and health (NSL), consumer goods (Euramaterials), seafood (Aquimer), agricultural resources (IAR) and eco-business (Team²).
Welcome to Hauts-de-France
“Reception and Mobility”service of Amiens Métropole and the Amiens Chamber of Commerce
Where to apply for a residence permit
The regional prefecture and all sub-prefectures in Hauts de France are authorized to issue a residence permit.
Education
1st French university center for continuous education, nine universities, more than 40 Grandes Écoles (29 engineering schools, six business and management schools, six specialized schools (journalism, design, digital creation, architecture, etc.), nearly 230,000 students, more than 10% of French engineers trained in the region.
Check the International sections located in Hauts-de-France
Discover Hauts-de-France
Hauts de France is a great region in which to live. Tourist sites: 1st region in the world for Gothic art (cathedrals), 23 belfries listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites. Green tourism: four natural parks, more than 20 listed remarkable gardens, 220km (135 miles) of coastline, 150km (90 miles) of beaches, more than 40 golf courses, culture and leisure – more than 80 museums, including the Louvre Lens, 16 fortified towns, 18 listed châteaux. Numerous tourist events: Braderie de Lille (the largest flea-market in Europe), Main Square Festival of Arras, Paris Roubaix cycling race, etc.