Business in Paris

Paris is a great base for strategic functions in Europe. 75 % of multinational companies with over 500 employees have chosen Paris to locate their European head office, many of them in La Defense.

The Paris region has the highest concentration of headquarters of the 500 biggest international companies in Europe.

Paris is a major decision making centre for Europe and the world.

La Defense business district

Paris hosts the French Government, 150 embassies and the headquarters of international organisations such as Eutelsat, the European Space Agency, the OECD, Unesco and Unicef.

Paris is world's number two city for headquarters of international organisations behind Brussels, ahead of London and New York.

Paris is the economic heart of France and one of Europe major economic players with

Paris Motor Show at Paris Porte de Versailles

> a population of 11 million inhabitants,

> a GDP of 457 billions euros in 2004,

> the highest GDP per capita in Europe at 38,000 euros,

> the largest labour force in Europe at 5.5 million, largely specialising in high added value jobs,

> one of Europe's highest concentrations of higher education centres of excellence.

> 617,000 companies, with sectors of excellence such as electronics, food processing, the aerospace industry, chemicals and pharmaceuticals

> a dominant services sector (particularly to businesses) with 81 % of the workforce in the tertiary sector.

Paris Porte de Versailles | Paris Villepinte | La Defense | Charles de Gaulle airport | Paris Digest