Choose France Summit Highlights €30 Billion French Domestic Investments Amid Economic and Political Turbulence

The Choose France summit, held on November 17, 2025, at the Maison de la Chimie in Paris, spotlighted significant investments by French companies within the country despite ongoing political uncertainty and economic challenges. Traditionally aimed at attracting foreign investors, this first edition focused exclusively on promoting French enterprises investing domestically, a strategic move to bolster national industry amid a turbulent environment.

More than 200 companies gathered at the event, where over €30 billion in French investments were announced, including €9.2 billion earmarked for entirely new projects. Notable contributions include a €2.5 billion plan from Eclairion to develop data centers critical for France’s digital sovereignty, alongside Sanofi's €700 million investment slated for 2025-2026 projects. Other significant commitments featured Danone's €300 million investment aiming to relocate the production of 45,000 tonnes of products by 2028, Urgo's €60 million investment in a new factory in the Loire, and HoloSolis securing €220 million to build Europe's largest solar panel factory in Moselle.

However, the summit unfolded against a backdrop of industrial challenges and political instability. The first half of 2025 witnessed a net loss in industrial sites with 44 openings contrasted by 82 closures, especially impacting the automotive and agri-food sectors. Experts warned of a new wave of deindustrialization, highlighting closures like Mahle's Moselle site and Danone’s historic Blédina factory. Political uncertainty and heavy taxation, with over €50 billion in new taxes voted recently, have dampened investment intentions, particularly among small business leaders.

Government officials, including Minister Anne Le Hénanff and Minister Roland Lescure, emphasized the need for a stable economic framework to foster investment while underscoring France's attractiveness to foreign investors under President Emmanuel Macron's tenure. The summit aimed to reassure French businesses amid growing fiscal pressures and to encourage further domestic reinvestment.

In sum, Choose France 2025 showcased a robust commitment of French companies to invest at home despite a challenging economic and political climate, reflecting a strategic focus on preserving industrial sovereignty and promoting sustainable growth within the nation.