Due to its enviable location, Provence is easily accessible from the United States, the Near Middle East and Northern Europe and Africa, and has become an important logistics center in the heart of Europe.

The Mediterranean Sea is the cradle of Western civilization, and traditionally has always been a place for exchanges and convergence. Its culture, myths and monotheist religions have spread throughout the entire world. As the starting point or the end point, Provence is at the heart of these exchanges and for centuries has participated in the development of concepts and ideas, always remaining one step ahead in the economy of networks.

Provence ’s ideal location in the center of the important industrial makes it the primary industrial area of southern France, as well as a major center for Europe and the Mediterranean basin. Over the centuries, merchandise, expertise and ideas have been exchanged here, contributing to the development and cosmopolitan aspect of the region.

Situated betweeen the North and the South, Provence has the leading port in France and the Mediterranean area, It also has the most important airport for cargo and the 2nd for passenger traffic (outside of Paris) and a dense railroad and motorway network. The construction of the Mediterranean HST line marks a significant step forward in land connections between Provence and other large European cities. At the dawn of the 21st century, Paris is only 3h00 away from the Marseilles Saint-Charles and Aix speed train stations.

In the field of telecommunications, Provence proves itself an equally strategic location. A large number of French and foreign telecom operators are concentrated in Provence, including some of the largest in the world. It is a genuine "hub" for Southern Europe, and in the near future for North Africa and the Near and Middle East, and is inescapable for all pan-European or worldwide high speed networks.

A tradition of research and innovation dating back more than 2000 years sets a decisive precedent for economic development. Ranked # 2 in France for public research, Provence counts 10,000 researchers working in 850 laboratories and more than 80,000 students.

The research carried out in these laboratories is recognized internationaly. Among the leading institutes are the European Center for Research and Training in Environmental Geosciences (CEREGE), the Laboratory of Spatial Astronomy (LAS) and the Marseille-Luminy Immunology Center (CIML). The Marseille-Luminy Science and Technology Park combines all elements for success in an enviable setting at the foot of the Calanques sea border.

The Château-Gombert Business Park is specialized in engineering sciences and its development is based on its technology transfer and hiving off activities, and technological cooperation with companies.

The Euro Mediterranean project is an ambitious urban renovation and economic development project in downtown Marseilles and has achieved excellent results in advanced tertiary industries. A Multimedia products industry confirms Provence's traditional position in sound and pictures with two important centers at the Belle de Mai within the Euro Mediterranean operation, and the Saint Césaire Mediapole in Arles.

The Arbois, Aix-en-Provence, Rousset, Marseilles Europoles are important centers of state-of-the-art technologies and these sites are sought after for the quality of their environment and their services.

The Fos site and the area around the Etang de Berre specialize in chemicals, petrochemicals and steelworks and are at the state-of-the-art in research and technology.

Beyond the strategic benefits of economics and geography that Provence affords, it also offers an enviable quality of life. An extremely mild climate, exceptional natural beauty, the proximity of both sea and Alpine mountains, a vibrant cultural life and a wide range of sports activities -- all are factors that not only attract people to this region, but create a sense of stability and loyalty on the part of employees and their families.

A tourist slogan suggests that our guests should "wake up the cigale that is dormant in them", and enjoy singing in the summer. Note that we don’t mention ants, who are busy working. Creativity is natural under the sun of the Provence. We prefer the tasks that bring out the best in us, giving free reign to our individual creativity rather than repetitive tasks. Our sence of hospitality, our love of festivals and festivities, have never left us. No doubt because we enjoy nothing better than inventing and innovating. It used to be said that all Mediterraneans like nothing better than idling. This is not the case in the Provence, where we always have something to do. Our life style is a performance that combines relaxation and efficiency, activity and imagination, work and leisure. Provence was created through exchanges and lives through its networks, and excels in all types of innovation. This is why it is ready to take part in the future civilization of the immaterial.

Marseille, with its controversial past, is unanimously approved for the quality of its cultural activities : events, exhibitions, operas, multi-genre theatre, museums, covering various epochs in the city’s history, sumptous architecture, all help to satisfy history, art and entertainment enthousiasts.