Paris is the capital of France, situated in the north of the country. It is the largest city of France and of western Europe.
Paris was built on the banks of the river Seine. In the middle ages the city became a trading and intellectual centre. From the early days of industrialization, it attracted both heavy and light industries to settle there. In the 19th century, raw materials were shipped to Paris from northern and north-eastern France on newly-opened canals. Ever since then, Paris has been a thriving international city and the generally acknowledged political, cultural and economic centre of France.
Useful facts:
- Size: 2,723 km2
- Number of citizens: 10,000,000
- Population growth rate: 0.32%
- Languages: the official language is French, but most businessmen there also speak fluent English.
Known worldwide as the City of Light, Paris has been a major tourist destination for centuries. The city is famous for the beauty of its architecture, its urban perspectives and tree-lined avenues, as well as for the wealth of its museum collections.
Business guide for the Chinese
Paris is Europe’s biggest financial and business centre. It employs 30% of France’s population and over 40% of French companies are headquartered there.
- Labour force: 5.4 million
- Key sectors: car assembly, aviation, electronics and financial services
- Main knowledge centres: the Economic Development Council
Foreign economic players invest in Paris because it is the largest business district of Europe and Europe’s second largest stock exchange.
The city has two large airports and two smaller ones. The Port of Paris boasts an excellent central location and well-developed port infrastructure.
Paris is the biggest exporter of electricity in the European Union. Other lucrative sectors are the agri-food and pharmaceutical industries, as well as the automotive industry.
- Business events: the Paris Convention and Visitors Bureau helps you to find the right location for business conventions, congresses and trade fairs.
- Policy of subsidies: the Paris Chamber of Commerce and Industry provides all the necessary information on investment grants for new businesses wishing to settle in Paris.
- Port: Port of Paris
- Airports: Charles De Gaulle International Airport, Orly Airport, Le Bourget Airport and Beauvais Airport
