Large cities or small towns: the ranking of the most welcoming cities for living, working and studying

Using 75 indicators from official sources, this 8th edition compares cities based on their size and highlights the strategic choices made by regions to adapt to contemporary challenges.

Overview of the Arthur Loyd Rankings of the most attractive and resilient metropolises and agglomerations

Toulouse, Rennes, Dijon and Bayonne: the big winners in terms of attractiveness

This year, Toulouse, Rennes, Dijon and Bayonne have emerged as leaders in their respective categories, illustrating exemplary trajectories in the French urban landscape.

• After stealing the show from Lyon last year, Toulouse firmly retains its place as the leader of the Very Large Metropolises, thanks to its unparalleled economic dynamism and a trajectory resolutely focused on innovation.
• Rennes, at the top of the major metropolises, stands out for its demographic dynamics and its model in terms of soft mobility.
• Dijon's progress is impressive: after moving from 6th place in 2022 to 2nd in 2023, it has taken first place among Intermediate Cities this year. It stands out for its exceptional quality of life, its dynamic demographic, and its rich university offerings.
• Bayonne, the leader in Medium-Sized Agglomerations, stands out for its idyllic living environment between ocean and mountains, its high level of amenities and its low air pollution, which allow it to grab first place in the "Quality of Life" theme.

The ability of regions to address economic, social, and environmental challenges is shaped by long-term local strategic decisions. While some cities, such as Bordeaux and Strasbourg, are showing progress in this 8th edition of the Arthur Loyd Barometer, others, such as Brest, Grenoble, and Angers, are showing declines. These fluctuations illustrate the intense competition between regions to attract residents, businesses, and investors, as well as divergences in local dynamics.

Local mobility, demographic dynamism and higher education, the major levers of attractiveness

This year's results reveal a strong trend: the attractiveness of territories relies on proactive policies capable of meeting the contemporary expectations of residents and businesses. Three pillars emerge:

Low-carbon local mobility

Performance in terms of low-carbon mobility is a determining criterion for the most attractive and resilient cities. Bordeaux and Strasbourg, for example, are investing massively in dedicated public transport lanes and cycle path networks, thus facilitating daily travel while offering a real alternative to the car. As for Lyon, the metropolitan area continues to expand and strengthen its already extensive offering. These infrastructures play a key role not only in the quality of life of residents but also in the attractiveness of the regions for businesses. Rennes, with its extensive cycle network and its public transport projects, perfectly illustrates this virtuous circle: the decarbonization of transport, while promoting the redevelopment of public spaces, allows the city to gradually change its appearance and improve its quality of life for its residents and attract new businesses.

Demographic dynamism and presence of talent

Cities that successfully attract and retain a young, skilled population ensure a robust local economic fabric. Toulouse, Rennes, and Montpellier, thanks to their high rates of higher education graduates and employment opportunities, create an environment conducive to economic prosperity. This demographic dynamism also strengthens their position as hubs of innovation and economic development.

Higher education, a driver of attractiveness

Education remains a central pillar of regional success. Toulouse, Rennes, and Angers stand out for the richness of their network of engineering and business schools, while Caen, for example, is recognized for the quality of its training. This ability to attract students and researchers not only enriches the local economy but also attracts companies seeking qualified talent.

For Cevan Torossian, Director of the Studies & Research department at Arthur Loyd: “The territories at the top of our rankings demonstrate that attractiveness and resilience are based on a combination of strengths. Among these, we can notably cite soft mobility, demographic dynamism, and the density of higher education offerings, which are proving to be differentiating. Affordable housing remains a challenge, but relatively high prices often reflect an optimal quality of life. These successes are not a coincidence, but are the fruit of strategic investments and proactive policies implemented over the years. Cities that know how to anticipate and respond to today's major challenges are establishing themselves this year as models of resilience and attractiveness.”

The cost of housing, a key issue for remaining attractive

Housing is a priority issue across the country, becoming a source of tension for several top cities, including Lyon, Bordeaux, Rennes, Montpellier, and Bayonne. The downside of attractiveness and an excellent local quality of life is the long-term rise in residential property prices, which complicates access to home ownership and rentals for a portion of the population.

Innovation and green transition: a major challenge

This item is now a central criterion for assessing the attractiveness of territories. While prefectures like Nantes, Lille, and Grenoble are proving to be leaders and are focusing ambitious investments at the departmental level, other departments are also taking up the issue. Strasbourg, Caen, and Poitiers, for example, show room for improvement and could gain momentum in the coming years.

Welcoming businesses, an area to be strengthened

While Toulouse stands out for its economic dynamism and leadership in the aeronautics sector, the lack of new office space, which meets the latest standards for employee work methods, could limit its ability to attract new economic players. Angers, for its part, suffers from relatively high new office rents for its category, making it more expensive for businesses to set up shop in the face of more affordable competition. Consequently, cities have every interest in strengthening their attractiveness by promoting an expansion of their office space offering, thereby facilitating the establishment of new businesses.

For Cevan Torossian, Director of the Studies & Research department at Arthur Loyd: "The success of territories depends on their ability to anticipate and meet the expectations of residents, but also those of businesses. Arthur Loyd supports more than 3.000 businesses each year through its 80 offices in France, and its consultants are witness to the difficulties they may encounter in the context of their establishments or expansion needs. The tightening of criteria for establishing businesses in certain territories demonstrates a growing interventionism of the public sphere which can, in some cases, go against the needs of businesses and the economic realities on the ground. Let us not forget that territorial development is based on a balance between sustainability and economic ambition: to finance the massive investments necessary for the environmental transition, additional wealth must be created. In the long term, these practices, which can sometimes discourage economic project leaders, could hinder the creation of added value and jobs at the national level, and weaken the competitiveness of territories more locally."

The 2024 ranking of the most attractive and resilient metropolises

Very large metropolises

1-Toulouse

For the second consecutive year, Toulouse has won against the very large competing cities and won the Olympic medal.

Toulouse confirms its leadership among the Very Large Metropolises, driven by its economic dynamism and its pioneering role in aeronautics and space. Its university offerings and relatively attractive housing costs compared to competing metropolises reinforce its appeal. By promoting its human capital, Toulouse creates a virtuous circle between education, innovation, and demographic growth.

The metropolis is banking on ambitious projects such as the third metro line, "Toulouse Aerospace Express" (2028) and the high-speed rail line to Paris (2032) to improve its accessibility. Its environmental commitment is notably reflected in the transformation of the Ile du Ramier into a "green lung" and the signing of the Urban Cooling Charter. The bet is therefore more than successful for the Occitan capital, which wins on the themes of "Economic Vitality," "Quality of Life," and "Connectivity, Human Capital, and Growth Potential."

2 – Lyon

Lyon, dethroned again this year, is firmly determined not to give up its silver medal.

Lyon, ranked second this year, remains a leading regional economic power. With a dense business network, excellent European connectivity, and a dynamic job market, the metropolis continues to attract students and talent thanks to its transport infrastructure and efficient cycling network. Ambitious projects, such as the extension of the tramways (lines T2, T8, T9), reinforce its commitment to low-carbon mobility. However, challenges persist: the high cost of housing, problems accessing healthcare, and a relatively high departmental insecurity rate affect its quality of life. Despite this, Lyon maintains a solid international reputation and a recognized higher education offering.

3 – Bordeaux

Bordeaux regained third place on the podium this year, making a strong comeback after falling to fifth place last year.

Bordeaux is back on the podium thanks to its dynamic real estate market and modern infrastructure, particularly in Euratlantique and Bassins à Flot. Its exceptional living environment, supported by quality cultural facilities and strong demographic dynamism, make it a popular destination for students and new residents. Economically, Bordeaux ranks 4th in its category. The relatively low unemployment rate and active entrepreneurial base are not enough to offset the low proportion of management jobs and a limited presence of major private contractors, which will tend to undermine Bordeaux's attractiveness.

Despite limited international connectivity, the city compensates with excellent connections to the capital. While the cycling network is dense, the dedicated public transport offering still has some gaps. Thus, the use of public transport for commuting is still, more than elsewhere, largely in the minority, while the level of congestion on Bordeaux's roads is high. The creation of seven express bus lines (BHNS), the first of which has been in operation since June 2024 and the next ones to come into service from 2027, will allow the metropolis to complement local mobility solutions; this should strengthen its overall attractiveness.

Large metropolises

1 - Rennes

Rennes is holding on and maintaining its position at the top of the podium of major cities.

Rennes retains its top spot among major metropolitan areas, driven by remarkable economic vitality: low unemployment rate, skilled population, and dynamic GDP and employment. The commercial real estate market is booming, with new, high-quality offerings, despite rising rents. In terms of mobility, Rennes benefits from an efficient network of soft mobility options, as well as low traffic congestion. The launch of the high-speed rail line connecting Paris in 1 minutes is a real asset, while the development of the EuroRennes district will strengthen the city's reputation.

Rennes is particularly attractive to young people (aged 15-29), thanks to a dense and renowned network of engineering and business schools. In addition, the city offers a high-quality living environment, with numerous amenities, efficient healthcare services, and a secure environment. Committed to the ecological transition, the city stands out for its initiatives, aiming to create the Janais Industrial Excellence Center, which aims for low-carbon industrial development.

2 – Montpellier

For the second consecutive year, Montpellier has won the silver medal among the major cities.

The metropolis ranks first in the "Business Reception & Professional Real Estate" category, illustrated by the development of the Cambacérès district (130.000 m² by 2028). The demographic dynamism, particularly among 15-29 year-olds, and the generally more favorable recruitment conditions than in competing cities, reinforce its attractiveness, despite a comparatively high unemployment rate (9,7%).

However, Montpellier is falling behind in terms of local mobility (7th place), mainly due to a generally inferior public transport offering compared to competing metropolitan areas. The commissioning of the 5th tramway line in 2025 should improve this situation. The main challenge facing the capital of Languedoc to achieve first place in its category concerns "Quality of Life." Although its geographical location, between the sea and the mountains, is ideal, a certain deficit in amenities and urban facilities as well as the offer of higher education represent room for improvement. In addition, the good provision of health services is not enough to compensate for the safety index, which remains the lowest among its competitors.

3 - Strasbourg

In the East, Strasbourg created a surprise by gaining two places to take 3rd position, thus dislodging Grenoble from the podium.

Strasbourg ranks third, driven by its strategic role as a European capital and its strong international connectivity. The metropolis boasts excellent economic momentum, supported by high-quality commercial real estate and a strong entrepreneurial base. Eager to guarantee its residents an ideal quality of life, Strasbourg relies on a wide range of higher education options (particularly preparatory classes), a good level of childcare facilities, and ranks first in terms of safety.

The transport offering in local mobility and soft mobility is substantial, and Strasbourg is strengthening its network thanks to the extension of line F, which is scheduled to come into service by the end of 2025. Several challenges are hampering the attractiveness of the Alsatian capital, which is facing a slowdown in job creation, a low rate of business creation, and a decrease in the supply of new offices. There is still room for improvement in the areas of green industrial sectors and investment in urban facilities, which could allow the metropolis to take the lead in the ranking.

Intermediate metropolises

1 - Dijon

Dijon moves up a notch and manages to secure first place in the ranking of intermediate metropolises.

Life is good in Dijon! Leading the "Quality of Life" theme, the city attracts visitors thanks to its urban amenities, extensive university offerings, and privileged access to healthcare. The Burgundy capital shines with its unique historical and gastronomic heritage, enhanced by the recently inaugurated Cité Internationale de la Gastronomie et du Vin.

The proactive policy aimed at students and attracting new talent appears to be bearing fruit: the metropolis is experiencing strong population growth among 15-29 year-olds and a relatively high proportion of graduates. The Burgundy capital offers efficient public transportation, including a tram and cycle network. Dijon could further increase its attractiveness by opening its higher education institutions more to international students. The "innovation & green transition" criterion remains a driver for improvement, particularly due to a low level of investment in green industrial sectors across the Côte-d'Or, even though the region is more exposed to climate risks than others.

2 - Caen

Caen achieved a remarkable performance by climbing three places to reach 2nd position: a first in the Arthur Loyd Awards!

With strong demographic growth (particularly among 15-29 year-olds), close to the sea, and relatively protected from the effects of climate change, Caen is a seductive city. The Normandy metropolis is particularly attractive to young professionals and students. While the lack of a TGV (high-speed train) remains a hindrance, Caen compensates with efficient local mobility and is planning structural projects, such as the rehabilitation of its port area to celebrate the city's millennium in 2025. Its dynamic economy, solid employment pool, and cultural activities make it an attractive destination, although healthcare provision and housing tensions could slow this momentum.

3 - Angers

Angers lost its first place and now finds itself on the 3rd step of the podium.

After two consecutive years at the top of the podium in its category, Angers now occupies third place in the ranking. The Angers metropolitan area remains at the forefront in terms of connectivity and growth potential, driven by a young and dynamic demographic and efficient mobility solutions such as its famous "rainbow" tramway. A pioneer in green sectors and innovation, Maine-et-Loire, of which Angers is the prefecture, is resolutely committed to the ecological transition.

With its extensive higher education offerings (particularly business and engineering schools), the city is working to retain graduates within the region. This dynamic contributes to strengthening the job market, supported by a strong presence of executives. However, a slight decline in dynamism in the tertiary market and relatively high rents in its category could hamper the reception of new businesses. Despite this, Angers maintains an exceptional quality of life: it is notably first in its category in terms of health and safety.

Medium-sized agglomerations

1 – Bayonne

Bayonne once again takes the lead in its category and proudly holds its first position in "Quality of Life".

Bayonne dominates the category thanks to its exceptional living environment between ocean and mountains, with low pollution and a safe environment. Although library services are slightly lacking, the city excels in other urban amenities and access to healthcare. Praised by residents and visitors alike, Bayonne crushes all its rivals in terms of demographic dynamism and talent presence, standing out at the top of the podium for each indicator of the item. The downside: housing costs are on a steep upward trend in the Basque Country.

The attractiveness of the Bayonne region as a tourist destination and, relatively speaking, the welcoming of international students offer a good opening beyond France's borders. The city offers optimized soft mobility solutions with a good cycling and public transport network. The Pyrénées-Atlantiques department also ranks among the top 5 for ecological transition thanks to investments in photovoltaic energy. The launch of the 2024-2030 Economic Development Plan, which will support local businesses, should allow it to move up a notch. However, the city's capacity to accommodate businesses remains limited. Commercial real estate transactions are limited given the size of the Basque Country's employment pool, while recruitment difficulties remain acute. The coworking offer remains an asset that allows for the adoption of new working methods.

2 – Poitiers

Poitiers secures its position by remaining on the second step of the podium. The city consistently ranks in the top five for all themes!

Poitiers' performance is once again remarkable. Thanks to the large size of its employment pool, the high proportion of executives and Higher Metropolitan Activities (HMSAs), and the measured unemployment rate, the urban area's economic vitality is undeniable. This has resulted in a dynamic commercial real estate market, particularly for new buildings, reflecting a certain level of tertiarization of Poitiers' economic fabric.

Poitiers maintains its second place this year thanks to a dynamic economy, supported by a large employment pool. Although a concern regarding the lack of new office space remains, the commercial real estate market remains solid. Poitiers has no reason to be ashamed of its demographic vitality and is hot on the heels of its rivals located along the Atlantic coast. The area is distinguished by a high level of higher education graduates and the rapid growth of its young population (2-15 years old). Although a producer of renewable energy, Poitiers suffers from improvable very high-speed broadband coverage and a lack of concrete projects in the green sector, which places it last in terms of innovation. However, the rehabilitation of the former Fonderies du Poitou into a green energy hub should improve the situation. It also benefits from good access to the TGV Sud Europe Atlantique and improvements to TER connections. The city boasts a good level of cultural facilities, but its services to the population (nurseries, health coverage) are still behind those of its rivals.

3 – Valencia

Valencia is holding on and retaining its 3rd place on the podium this year.

Valence maintains its third place thanks to its excellent connectivity and strong international outlook. The Porte du Midi region is banking on a comprehensive higher education offering to attract students, particularly those seeking international mobility, thus contributing to a favorable demographic dynamic. With a highly educated population, it boasts a solid research and innovation network that supports its economic momentum.

Although the unemployment rate remains slightly higher than the average for its category (7,5%), Valencia has one of the lowest recruitment difficulty rates in its category. Furthermore, the metropolitan area boasts an active tertiary market with attractive rents and a dense coworking network. Housing costs are under control, and the city offers numerous daycare spaces, making it particularly attractive for families and businesses.

Methodology

The scope of catchment areas was chosen for the Barometer analysis. It allows us to go beyond the limits of administrative boundaries and to be more encompassing than that of urban areas. Catchment areas make it possible to best reflect the reality of living and employment areas, as well as their influence on administratively dissociated areas that have a real impact on the local economy and the daily lives of residents. The data on investments in green sectors originate from the Trendeo database, an investment observatory in France. These municipal data were reprocessed at the catchment area and regional level by Arthur Loyd. The data on population changes in the territories come from INSEE censuses. The ranking of the most attractive and resilient regional metropolises and agglomerations is based on the Arthur Loyd attractiveness index, which corresponds to the analysis of 75 statistical indicators, most of which come from official and recognized sources (INSEE, Acoss, Banque de France, INPI, Observatoire des Territoires, Eurostat, etc.) encompassing all the components of attractiveness and resilience grouped according to 4 main themes:

• ECONOMIC VITALITY: economic resources + resilience & economic growth
• BUSINESS RECEPTION AND PROFESSIONAL REAL ESTATE: performance of the professional real estate market + business reception and establishment costs
• CONNECTIVITY, HUMAN CAPITAL AND TRANSITIONS: demographic dynamism & presence of talent + innovation & green transition + international openness + national transport & charging stations + local mobility & soft mobility
• QUALITY OF LIFE: environment and climate risks + urban amenities and facilities + cost of housing + higher education + health and safety

These numerical indicators were converted into dimensional indices for the construction of the Arthur Loyd attractiveness & resilience index, used to determine the rankings of the ranking.

50 regional attraction areas analyzed for the ranking according to 4 main categories of attraction areas to compare coherent sets:

• VERY LARGE METROPOLITANS ≥ 1 million inhabitants (Paris IDF excluded, due to its status as a “World City”)
• LARGE CITIES: 500.000 to 1 million inhabitants
• INTERMEDIATE METROPOLITANS: 300.000 to 500.000 inhabitants
• MEDIUM-SIZED CITIES: 100.000 to 300.000 inhabitants

Illustrative image of the article via Depositphotos.com.