!

the appealGreater La Rochelle HOW BEST TO DESCRIBE LA ROCHELLE?

To convey its remarkable cultural and sporting offering, which makes it one of the most dynamic urban areas in France? To present the ancient history of a rebellious and humanist city, proud of its past yet resolutely turned towards the future? To do justice to this relatively small territory open to the world, with an outstanding quality of life, nestled in the iconic Nouvelle Aquitaine region? To demonstrate its economic assets and its capacity for innovation, as well as the quality of its higher education and research? To give a rundown of the countless initiatives which have made it a laboratory for urban ecology and a European benchmark of sustainable mobility for over forty years?

2 4-5 Unique HOW BEST TO DESCRIBE 6-9 LA ROCHELLE? Upbeat

To convey its remarkable cultural and & vibrant sporting offering, which makes it one of 10-13 the most dynamic urban areas in France? To present the ancient history of a Beautiful & free rebellious and humanist city, proud of its past yet resolutely turned towards the 14-19 future? To do justice to this relatively small Radiant territory open to the world, with an outstanding quality of life, nestled in the & attractive iconic Nouvelle Aquitaine region? To demonstrate its economic assets and its capacity for innovation, as well as The answers which fill these pages paint the portrait of an area whose strength the quality of its higher education and of character is only matched by its multi-faceted appeal. research? To give a rundown of the countless initiatives which have made it a laboratory for urban ecology and a European 20-25 benchmark of sustainable mobility for over forty years? Creative & enterprising

26-29 Intelligent & stimulating

30-35 3 Pioneering & bold • Over 13,000 students • Internationally renowned university laboratories • Over 40 cutting-edge companies in the agribusiness industry • One of the oldest rugby club in France • 230 km of cycle tracks • An amazing climate and exceptional sunshine rate • France’s highest concentration of nautical companies ue

• 40 years of “yellow bicycles” Uniq• 4 millions visitors a year • 90,000 spectators during the Francofolies festival • The 2nd most important marathon of France • The 1st marina on the Atlantic coast • The 3rd French city with the greatest number of protected buildings st 4 • The 1 electric car sharing system By plane: Lyon, London, Dublin, Paris Brussels Geneva, Porto, Ajaccio… NANTES

la rochelle

!bordeaux Unique

By car: 467 km from Paris, 180 km from Bordeaux, 146 km from Nantes… 5

By train: 2h45min from Paris (Average length from July 2017) A whole host of cultural and sporting events punctuate the seasons and help make La Rochelle an upbeat and festive city throughout the year. This dynamic area boasts a rich and eclectic events calendar offering 01 something for all generations. Upbeat

6 vibr ant & vibr ant 7 8

Cultural beats totherhythmof“Lesétudiantsàl’affiche”festival. vitalityA studentareapar forget the“Eclatschorégraphiques”biennialevent. music anddanceschools...Andtalkingofdance,letusnot autumn programmefeaturingteachersfromthenetworkof “Jazz entrelesdeuxtours”festivals,aswellthe“Cd’Accord” Music comesinavarietyofstyleswiththe“Francofolies”and d’Histoire Naturelleandtheaquarium. worthy ofmajorEuropeancapitalsjustliketheMuséum Nouveau Monde,Beaux-ArtsandMaritimemuseumsareall and theconservatoryofmusicdance,etc.Whileits “La Sirène”musicvenue,theMichel-Crépeaumedialibrary national theatre,theCCNchoreographycentre, its culturalprogrammingsuchasthe“LaCoursive” As evidencedbyitsamenitiesrisinglikebeaconstopromote AS AKEYFACTOR INITS DEVELOPMENT. ROCHELLELA WAS QUICK TO EMBRACE CULTURE SPECTACLE A NEVER-ENDING participants andvisitorseveryyear. the SunnySideofDocandGrandPavoisboatshow,draw inthousandsof Film Festival,theFestivalofTVFiction,internationaldocumentarymarketwith professionals. Large-scalehappeningssuchasFrancofolies,the International La Rochelle’svitalityisreflectedinmajorevents,bothforthegeneralpublicand A PLETHORA OFMAJOREVENTS excellence , everyspringLaRochellealso

spirit spirit Team Team

SAILING, NATURALLY As a leading site for hosting international sailing competitions, La Rochelle is one of the busiest coastal stretches of water in Europe with more than 120 events held each year, across a broad range of disciplines and events. Among the most prestigious are the Solitaire Bompard Le Figaro and the Mini Transat 6.50. La Rochelle is also a benchmark for the organisation of world championship events, especially in dinghy and Olympic sailing. For a number of years, it has hosted the Team French Olympic Week (SOF), one of the largest French sailing events for all disciplines taken together. La Rochelle is definitely a haven for many talented athletes rising to the highest podium steps, just as Charline Picon did at the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics.

spirit SPORT events ON LAND AND SEA In La Rochelle, sport enjoys a growing presence on both land and sea through such renowned running events as the “Serge Vigot Marathon”, one of the biggest in France, but also half-marathons, the “Sarabande des Filles de La Rochelle” for women only, and trail running events, etc. And swimming and cycling can be added to the list with the La Rochelle Triathlon organised in the Bassin des Chalutiers and at Les Minimes. Motor sports have their place too with the traditional Rallye d’Automne. The La Rochelle sporting calendar also features the Red Bull World Championship high-diving competition held at the top of the Tour Saint-Nicolas, the Vertical Ocean Camp (inclined climbing wall over the Bassin des Chalutiers) or the Galea European Tennis Cup - dubbed the “Davis Cup’s little sister” - where top prospects in men’s tennis face off across the net every year.

RUGBY IN ITS DNA THANKS TO STADE ROCHELAIS La Rochelle is also a city of rugby enthusiasts who unite • 2 nd most important marathon in France, as one behind the Stade Rochelais team resplendent in its after Paris with 10,000 international runners traditional yellow and black. This emblematic and unifying club regularly smashes attendance records at its Marcel • Around 15 major festivals each year Deflandre stadium. More than just a sports facility, the stadium has become a place of communion as well • 90,000 spectators during the 5 days of 9 the Francofolies festival as business networking where all categories of the population intermingle. One of the oldest rugby clubs • 60 shows per year at the national theater in France, Stade Rochelais returned to the elite Top 14 “La Coursive” division in 2014. Since its founding in the 10th century, “the rebel” city of La Rochelle has long cultivated its distinctiveness and independent spirit. It was one of the first French cities to elect a mayor, to be Protestant when the whole country was Catholic, and to prove itself as humanist and ecological before its time. An ancient walled city, it has inherited a rich architectural heritage that has been preserved and enhanced. An age-old city with one eye on the future, La Rochelle has consistently defended the innovative, sustainable and harmonious development of its 02 territory. Beautiful 10 free Beautiful &free 11

A heritage site Akin to an open-air museum, the La Rochelle area is brimming with architectural treasures, ancient stonework and remarkable buildings. A wide variety of styles and periods are in history represented: the Middle Ages with arcaded streets, Renaissance buildings like the City Steeped th Hall, the 18 century mansions of prosperous ship owners and the rural residences of the bourgeoisie to be found in Salles-sur-Mer (chateaux such as Herbaudière, Mortagne-la INDEPENDENT REBORN Jeune, Roullet, Cramahé, Héronière and Founded in the 10th century on a rock The French Revolution and the wars of Borderie). There is also a whole host of villas surrounded by marshes, La Rochelle was at the Empire left La Rochelle somewhat dating from the late 19th century, especially first no more than a simple fishing village. dormant and it only truly reawoke with the in Châtelaillon-Plage, a town in the south of By the 12th century, it had grown into an creation of the deep-water port of La Pallice, the region that has preserved the retro charm of the “Belle Epoque” seaside resorts with its important port. Awarded considerable inaugurated in 1890, a port whose nautical typical architecture, promenade and casino. “privileges” by the Duc d’Aquitaine, it freed qualities led the Germans to establish a The territory has a rural heritage of limestone itself from feudal rule. In 1139, it elected its submarine base there in World War II. The and pretty Charentaise houses as well. first mayor, Guillaume de Montmirail. last French prefecture to be liberated, on 8 May 1945, La Rochelle miraculously suffered no significant war-time destruction. A PLACE OF TRADE The Middle Ages marked the peak of La ON THE RISE Rochelle’s trading activity based on salt and wine (the vineyards growing in the Cognac From 1950 onwards, La Rochelle witnessed production area). It would also remain a surge in its population. New suburbs one of the largest French ports on the sprung up while additional infrastructures Atlantic through to the 15th century. In the also began to emerge: the Les Minimes 16th century, it acquired the status of a free marina in 1972, the TGV to Paris in 1993, city and experienced significant economic the founding of the University the same and cultural development. But 1627 would year. Cultural and sporting events prove a turning point when Louis XIII and flourished during this period too, as did • 3 rd French city after Paris and Richelieu laid siege to the city. After holding urban eco-friendly initiatives (“Yellow Bordeaux with the greatest out for over a year, La Rochelle finally bicycles”, pedestrian areas, etc.). Today, number of protected buildings capitulated in the face of famine. Thanks to Greater La Rochelle, one of the first the maritime trade, the city resumed its intermunicipalities created in France, • 1971: to protect and enhance its 12 activity and expanded. The late 17th century continues to develop through projects city centre, La Rochelle creates saw an intellectual renaissance accompa- which are innovative, ambitious and one of the first “conservation nied by burgeoning artistic influence… responsible in equal measure. areas” of France THE GOURMET BREAK Drawing its inspiration from both land and sea, the local cuisine is dominated by oysters, mussels, meagre fish, mojhettes (white beans), cagouilles (snails), chabichou (cheese), la jonchée (curd) and Pineau des Charentes, etc. Illustrious chefs such Iconic as Christopher and Grégory Coutanceau, Johan Leclerre, Stéphane Hottlet in Saint-Rogatien and Nicolas monuments Durif in La Jarrie, institutions such as the Bar André and hundreds of restaurants sustain and reinvent ARCADED STREETS this heritage with seasonal simplicity and creativity. These thoroughfares are a signatureth century.feature of They La Rochelle allowed whosetraders tradingto display vocation their dates from its foundation in the 10 wares protected from the elements.

THE TOWERS La Rochelle’s towers survived the destruction of the city after the siege of 1628. Flanking the entrance to the Old Port are the Tour Saint-Nicolas, the tallest, and the Tour de la Chaîne. A little further on stands the Tour de la Lanterne whose remarkable spire pierces the sky.

THE RAILWAY STATION Built between 1910 and 1922, this was the last monumental station that the French railways would build. At the time, the sheer scale of the project was extraordinary for a city with a population that barely exceeded 30,000. The external decoration features shells, fish and crabs. • 3 rd French city after Paris and Bordeaux with the greatest number of protected buildings • 1971: to protect and enhance its city centre, La Rochelle creates 13 one of the first “conservation areas” of France In the North of the nouvelle Aquitaine region, at the heart of an outstanding natural environment, La Rochelle boasts all the assets of a relatively small territory where the living is easy. A place of exchange, open to the world, which inspires as much as it 03 attracts. Radiant

14 attrac tive Radiant attrac tive& 15 WHERE THE LIVING IS EASY “A great place to live” are the words most commonly heard from those lucky enough to have tasted the charms of life in La Rochelle. The ocean, an amazing climate, soft and radiant white stonework, emblematic monuments, natural areas reaching into the heart of the city ... La Rochelle offers a unique way of life thanks to a combination of grace and simplicity. A quality of life that local politicians have long shaped and cultivated as part of a strategy to place citizens at the heart of a protected environment and ensure sustainable development.

A MOSAIC OF LANDSCAPES Between Bordeaux and Nantes, not far from the islands of Ré, Oléron, Aix and Madame, the La Rochelle area benefits from a superb location on the Atlantic coast. With 70 kilometres of coastline and 9 municipalities out of 28 bordering the sea, it is turned towards the ocean. In the hinterland spans the Plaine d’Aunis and its fertile land offering an exceptional mosaic of landscapes.

A YELLOW JERSEY CITY Thanks to the many cycle paths and dedicated cycle parks, getting around the area by bike is easy and convenient. Ahead of the peloton of bike-friendly cities in France, La Rochelle is heading towards a bicycle lifestyle and 10% of the total journeys are done by bike. It is also 16 An exceptionalenvironment connected to “La Vélodyssée” et “La Vélo Francette” cycling routes. WORKING TOURISM AS ONE FRIENDLY A COMMUNITY LA ROCHELLE, “DESTINATION LA OF PROJECTS THE DELIGHTFUL ROCHELLE”, RISING ABOVE For more than half a century, the AMBASSADOR OF THE REST intermunicipality of La Rochelle, one of the first CHARENTE-MARITIME Created in 2009, the “Destination La Rochelle” created in France, has opted for a shared vision The “favourite holiday destination of the association comprises thirty public, private founded on “working together”. More than just French” (after Paris), according to a TNS and associative stakeholders from the various pooling services, Greater La Rochelle has been Sofres poll in 2016, Charente-Maritime came tourism sectors in the city (restaurateurs, designed from its creation to be a territory of out ahead of the Hérault, the Var, the Vendée hoteliers, shopkeepers, trade unions and projects, a means to carry out joint actions to and Brittany. The delightful ambassador of elected officials, etc.). It has developed a develop infrastructures and amenities intended Charente-Maritime, La Rochelle is one of the strategy to set La Rochelle apart from other to develop the area, extend its outreach and leading tourist destinations in France with over destinations, on the basis of its common values enhance its attractiveness. 4 million visitors a year. as represented by the sea, the lifestyle and the culture. And all for a unique tourism experience! 17 • 5th most visited French city • 4 millions of visitors each year • 120,000 visitors each year for the Towers of La Rochelle An interna tional city

THE MEETING PLACE FOR MARITIME TRADE, INTERNATIONAL A EUROPEAN PROFESSIONALS FROM A GATEWAY RELATIONS ALL YEAR LABORATORY FOR AROUND THE WORLD TO THE WORLD AROUND SUSTAINABLE MOBILITY Every second year in June, the As a port city, La Rochelle developed The Centre Intermondes runs At the origin of the first generation Health & Food Days, the largest food on the back of international trade, projects to nurture international of bike sharing system, La Rochelle industry convention in Europe, bring first to Northern Europe and England artistic and cultural exchanges, has made innovation a cornerstone together nearly 800 participants. and then to the Americas and Africa particularly by welcoming foreign of its transport policy. A bench- The Sunny Side of the Doc, the with the triangular trade, but also to artists. mark territory at European level, it world’s largest broadcasting market, the Indian Ocean and Asia. It is now The training organisation Prép’Asia regularly participates in experiments interfaces a thousand or so buyers the only French territory belonging prepares professionals and their aimed at developing sustainable and producers of documentaries to the New Hansa (or “the Hanseatic families for expatriation in Asia. mobility and electric solutions in who come every year from all over League of new times”). Recreated The Institut Confucius is active in the particular, such as the “CityMobil2” the world. In September, the Grand in 1980, it represents the biggest dissemination of the Chinese culture programme recently implemented for Pavois, the major international boat association of cities in Europe. and language while fostering the development of automated and show, also attracts exhibitors from From the 16th and especially the economic exchanges (trade, driverless electric public around the world to La Rochelle. 17th and 18th centuries, La Rochelle company formation, etc.) with China. transportation. It boasts a fleet of became “the gateway to the new wor- The Musée du Nouveau Monde electric car sharing system lds”, especially the French Americas. illustrates the relations that France, (Yélomobile), solar-powered electric Thousands of migrants set off for and particularly La Rochelle, has sea buses and facilitates delivery of New France, making the port city one had with the Americas since the goods in the city centre by electric of the cradles of relations between 16th century. vehicles. France and Quebec. 18 La Rochelle is also a member of the Conference of the Atlantic Arc Cities. An interna tional city

INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION Forged by centuries of maritime trade, La Rochelle has continually cultivated links with other cities, people and countries. It has remained faithful to this tradition, this propensity for exchange, through numerous twinning schemes and the “international” positioning of the university since its creation in 1993. La Communauté d’Agglomération de La Rochelle finances several programs of international cooperation, built on long-term partnerships oriented towards training and development actions. La Rochelle welcomes delegations from all countries to share the experience it has developed in many different fields and attracts attention from cities around the world (India, Cape Verde, South Africa, Senegal, Mexico, Indonesia, etc.) seeking expertise. It exports its know-how in clean 19 transport, management of port facilities and museography, especially through its Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle. It also welcomes many scientists from around the world each year. 04 Creative enterprising Greater La Rochelle draws its strength and economic drive from its diverse businesses. In addition to major emblematic groups such as Alstom, Senoble and Léa Nature, SMEs/SMIs are thriving in the area thanks to high-added-value activities, often on niche or high-tech sectors. The technological and industrial past of the territory has gradually given way to a sector-based approach with boating and agribusiness to the fore. On a sharp upward curve since the early 2000’s, the service sector is mainly focused on information and communication technologies.

20 & enterprising

21 AT THE HEART OF BLUE GROWTH The territory of La Rochelle has successfully turned its maritime location into a springboard for development. With four ports (Old Port, Les Minimes marina, Chef-de-Baie fishing port, La Pallice commercial port), La Rochelle is one of the country’s largest port sites, a status that it uses to benefit blue growth. In 2016, it was chosen to host the 12th Assises de l’économie de la mer, the leading event for the French maritime community bringing together top-level decision-making bodies and key economic players in the sector.

THE PORT AUTHORITY LEADS THE WAY Port Atlantique La Rochelle is ranked 6th among the major French sea ports. With the only deep-water facilities on the Atlantic coast, it has combined natural attributes with a strong position in certain sectors to become a major long-term economic player in the area. It is the French leader for the import of forest products and the second biggest exporter of cereals. Its repair and shipbuilding hub groups together ten or so companies, some specialising in super-yacht refits.

• 9.8 millions of tons of treated goods in 2015

THE CHEF DE BAIE FISHING PORT, A MULTI-ACTIVITY PLATFORM As an integral part of the history of La Rochelle, fishing remains central to its identity. Much more than a fishing harbour, the Chef-de-Baie site is now a “seafood hub” and a service centre for professionals in the sector. Thanks to the high standard of its facilities, it attracts multiple sea-related activities (fish trading, salting, smoking, oyster and mussel farming). Its state-of-the-art installations allow it to preserve the freshness and quality of the fish, crustaceans and shellfishes that are landed.

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• 1 major hub of the atlantic coast with 15,000 tons

of seafood products treated in 2015 A MARITIME ECONOMY MARITIME A A UNIQUE NAUTICAL INDUSTRY The nautical industry, which has shaped the identity of the territory, is now one of the cornerstones of the city’s reputation. La Rochelle gathers France’s highest concentration of nautical companies, design & engineering firms and naval architects of international renown that together form a unique ecosystem. It is the birthplace of innovative technologies. From wooden sailboats to aluminium craft, from cruise catamaran to fishing/cruising boats, not to mention the “Formula 1s of the sea”, 1,500 crafts leave La Rochelle boatyards each year. In the Les Minimes district, the city offers one of the largest marinas in the world rivalling ports like Chicago, Los Angeles and Dubai by the number of mooring rings. All of which give it a unique status on the world boating scene.

THE GRAND PAVOIS SHOWCASE A major event in the international boating calendar, held annually in September, the Grand Pavois is one of the largest in-water boat shows in the world. It represents a red-letter event for the trade, a fantastic showcase for La Rochelle boatyards and a great way to promote the territory.

PROFESSIONAL CRAIN, INNOVATION AT THE SERVICE OF BOATING TOURISM

The national benchmark for innovative companies in the boating sector, CRAIN La Rochelle enjoys an exceptional (research centre for architecture and marine industries) develops new technologies, setting and ideal conditions for conducts scientific and technical research and supports projects promoting organising events. Lying mid-way energy savings. CRAIN was responsible for the plans of the Hermione, a replica of the th between Nantes and Bordeaux and less 18 -century frigate, which was also recently rebuilt in Rochefort. than 3 hours (from july 2017) by train from Paris, it has a hotel capacity of more than 2,000 rooms, venue infrastructures AN INTERNATIONAL REFIT HUB suited to all event formats and numerous Specialised in the refurbishment and upgrade of yachts and super yachts, the La specialist providers of business tourism. Rochelle refit hub brings together some twenty nautical and professional boatyards The Espace Encan and Forum des Pertuis with advanced and internationally recognised skills. This kind of know-how is are both top-notch amenities. Reconciling essential to the management and upgrade of these exceptional boats. work sessions, business meetings and relaxation, these facilities await you at La Rochelle for your seminars, congresses, DEDICATED ECONOMIC INFRASTRUCTURES symposia and conferences… Boating and yachting professionals have two nautical centres in the Les Minimes district hosting workshops and offices for their service, production and design activities. Greater La Rochelle also offers them dedicated business parks such as “Atlanparc Périgny”: over 25 hectares to host nautical companies right next door to • 200 business events the largest national concentration of boat builders and equipment (Dufour, Amel, Fora hosted each year Marine, Z Spar Sparcarft…).

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• 310 nautical companies and over 2,000 jobs

BUSINESS AND CONFERENCE TOURISM • 1,700 directly-related jobs • 50 companies

AGRIBUSINESS ATLANTECH: THE ENERGY A REFERENCE IN THE FIELD OF HEALTH AND NUTRITION OF THE FUTURE Known for its traditional skills associated with seafood, the La Rochelle area has It is in the municipality of Lagord in the last twenty years witnessed the emergence of industrial activities focused on on the city’s outskirts that the high-value-added processing. It hosts more than forty leading food industry companies, Communauté d’Agglomération de particularly in the health and nutrition sector, such as Léa Nature, manufacturer of organic La Rochelle and the University have and natural products in the fields of food, health, nutrition, cosmetics and the home; initiated the creation of the Atlantech Senoble, specialising in the manufacture of ultra-fresh desserts; and Innov’ia, the European “low carbon” urban district. leader in the manufacture of tailor-made food powders. This space, which is designed to stimulate activity in the areas of energy THE LA ROCHELLE AGRIBUSINESS ECOSYSTEM efficiency, energy storage and building renovation, hosts industrial players, Required to continuously innovate, food companies benefit from a local “ecosystem” research and training centres, in the territory of La Rochelle that fosters their development. They can harness pioneering housing and service companies. Unique innovation and benefit from all the clout of a collective set-up with the CRITT in France, this new district has “low Agro-Alimentaire (organiser of the Health & Food Days), the Health & Food hub (business carbon” functioning factored into its cluster) and ARIA (Regional Association of Food Industries). They also benefit from design, construction and operation. purpose-built infrastructures (Créatio®AGRO business incubator and its test technology platform “Test’in”, the Agrocéan business park, etc.). Finally, they can find the skills they need from students and draw on the expertise of university research teams.

eaking der in the THE ENERGY TRANSITION thanks esign A testing ground for the “sustainable city”, La Rochelle has attracted and hatched countless VSEs, SMEs and SMIs offering ground-br ey need 24 solutions in the field of energy transition. Companies like AltEn, a specialist in electric and hybrid propulsion of vessels; Créocéan, lea tio® field of marine environmental consultancy and coastal development; Apilab, expert in diagnosis and biomonitoring of the environment to bees... have taken root in the area alongside major players such as Alstom, which has made the Aytré site its global centre for the d and manufacture of TGV high-speed trains as well as trams. Companies in the eco-business sector also find the skills and expertise th to innovate and grow at the University and the EIGSI engineering school. They benefit from appropriate infrastructures such as the Créa Ecoactivités business incubator. INNOVATION Digital FIRST technology

LA ROCHELLE TECHNOLOGY PARK La Rochelle has made support for innovative companies a priority with the will to create an environment a booming conducive to their development. In 2016, it became the 5th conurbation in the Nouvelle Aquitaine region to obtain the “Technopole” label. sector Since the early 2000s, and with the advent of the fibre optic in BPIFRANCE LA ROCHELLE, COMPETITIVENESS ACCELERATOR 2013, La Rochelle has spawned Through its La Rochelle unit, the public investment bank Bpifrance supports local VSEs-SMEs and companies developing expertise in midsize companies in a bid to make them more competitive. transmedia and a new generation of entrepreneurs in the ICT sector. They have found fertile ground CALLS FOR PROJECTS TO GENERATE IDEAS for their projects thanks to dedicated hosting facilities > A unique scheme in France, the annual PULPE call for projects allows thirty or so companies in the area (Créatio®ImagéTIC incubator), to partner students and obtain financial assistance from Greater La Rochelle to produce their innovative public support schemes and high-tech projects. transmedia trade events (Sunny > Moovin: a call for collaborative projects among professionals in the digital cluster “Digital Bay” and Side of The Doc, the Digital trade companies in the territory, intended for sponsors wishing to develop a pilot for their transmedia project. show, French Start Up Cup, etc.). Digital businesses also benefit > Calcium, growth accelerator: a support scheme for industrial companies or those serving industry which from the University’s L3i lab make investments and pledge to create jobs. (Computer, Image, Interaction Laboratory), specialised in smart and interactive management of digital content. Almost all transmedia segments are now represented in the area. Synergies are growing, particularly through the “Digital Bay” ecosystem which assists companies in the digital transition of their business and in developing their digital projects.

25 Combining the benefits of a territory that is both dynamic and locally oriented, La Rochelle offers ideal conditions for learning and research. It welcomes more than 13,000 students to its multidisciplinary university as well as its higher education 05 schools and institutes. Intelligent

26 stimulating Intelligent & stimulating 27 UNIVERSITY NEXT-GENERATION • Over 13,000 student On 1 January 2009, the University of La Rochelle was one of the first in France to become autonomous. Epitomising a new generation of university, • 200 doctoral students it stands out for its support and professional integration of its students, • 246 Research Professors at the partnership-based approaches of its research teams, its close ties with the University, 59 at Sup de business and its international openness. Its laboratories are recognised Co, 15 at EIGSI worldwide for their research into sustainable buildings, the coastal environment, film & photography and digital technology. • 12% of foreign students

EIGSI MULTIDISCIPLINARY ENGINEERING SCHOOL The EIGSI engineering school delivers a high-valued-added, general, scientific and technical education that allows students to master knowledge, expertise, life skills and a capacity to interconnect. It aims to ensure that its future engineers possess the kind of multidisciplinary skill sets which will allow them to innovate as much as manage. In connection with the key challenges facing the territory, EIGSI has made sustainable and smart mobility and coastal protection and energies its twin research themes.

SUP DE CO MANAGERS TRAINED «ON THE GROUND» Groupe Sup de Co La Rochelle provides initial and continuous training in management, from Bachelor to advanced degrees/Masters and MBAs. Its specificity lies in an educational approach based on field experiments designed to train up “new generation” managers. In La Rochelle, Groupe - Sup de Co has made corporate social responsibility a priority through the establishment of a dedicated research institute. It also has a school specia lised in the tourism and leisure sector.

28 INTERNATIONAL OUTREACH, • Over 13,000 student A MAJOR ASSET FOR HIGHER EDUCATION • 200 doctoral students A strategic focus of the University of La Rochelle since its creation in 1993, the cooperation with the Asia-Pacific zone today gives it a favoured position in this booming region. Partnerships with nearly 150 universities mean it can offer joint degrees and significant 246 Research Professors at •  opportunities for student mobility. At the EIGSI engineering school, international experience is a condition of graduation. The structure offers the University, 59 at Sup de 25 dual international courses and engineering students must spend at least 12 weeks abroad. For its part, Groupe Sup de Co La Rochelle Co, 15 at EIGSI offers all of its intake a semester or even a year studying abroad and the possibility of obtaining a dual degree. Its Grande Ecole programme, • 12% of foreign students ranked among the world’s top 70 MBAs by the Financial Times, stands out on the criteria of the international experience of students (12th position) and their international mobility (50th position).

The 2nd most attractive student City of France (“L’Etudiant” magazine, STUDENTS AND COMPANIES: 2016-2017 top) A WINNING COMBINATION Through assignments, internships and apprenticeships, La Rochelle students are in direct contact with businesses in the territory. Since 2007, the PULPE® call for projects created by the Urban Community and the University of La Rochelle has stimulated both the professional integration of students and business innovation. Every year, it rewards research and development projects 29 taken forward by student-company tandems. 06Tuned in to a changing world while remaining bold and proactive, for over forty years, La Rochelle and its citizens have been participating in experiments and innovations auguring the city of tomorrow. Pioneering

30 bold 06 & bold 31 32 URBAN ECOLOGY LABORATORY Consistently one step ahead when it comes to environmental awareness, La Rochelle was already a laboratory of urban ecology back in the 1970s. In fact, forty years ago, it created one of the first “conservation areas” in France to protect and enhance its city centre and then the first pedestrian area. In 1976, it was also AT THE La Rochelle that introduced the concept of a bicycle sharing system in the shape of the legendary “yellow FOREFRONT bikes”. This would become the emblematic colour of the “Yélo” urban transport network. And it was here that the first selective sorting of waste was launched as early as OF ECO- 1995 followed two years later by the first “In town without my car” day. Then came goods deliveries by electric CONSTRUCTION vehicles and electric car sharing system. In 2015, still The first solar collectors for domestic hot water in considered a benchmark area for its experimentation and collective housing appeared as early as 1977. In 1988, innovation, it received a “Smart Mobility City Award” for La Rochelle adopted an urban heating network associated its pioneering work with passenger transport vehicles, with an incineration plant for household waste. This both electric and driverless (CityMobil2). Energy Recovery Unit now produces heat for 5,000 homes Today it continues to demonstrate its commitment to the and businesses, as well as an industrial steam network quality of life in the city particularly through (Solvay plant). In 2008, the municipal greenhouses were the differentiated management of green spaces and its fitted with 700 sq.m of photovoltaic panels i.e. one of the “Ville apaisée” approach initiated in 2015 when the Old largest integrated panel installations in France at the time. Port was closed off to car traffic. Today, many projects (social housing programmes, public buildings) apply the principles of ecoconstruction. A charter for sustainable construction is binding on all new structures. With the low carbon Atlantech Park in Lagord, La Rochelle has led the way again with a unique project in France: an entire area dedicated to energy eco-efficiency in urban areas and the renovation of buildings. 33

• 300 self-service bicycles

Recycling of household waste

Greater La Rochelle was the first conurbation in France to implement selective sorting in 1995. It possesses an ultra-modern sorting centre that meets High Environmental Quality standards both in terms of its design and its operation, with an integrated learning path to raise inhabitants’ awareness of eco-friendly practices. It also has a Local Waste Prevention Programme. The aim is to achieve a 7% reduction (approximately 5kg/per capita/year) in production of household and similar waste in the territory within five years.

• 5,000 housings heated through the urban heating network

ch nd A CERTIFIED CLIMATE ENERGY POLICY heir

In a bid to push ahead with its drive for energy control and savings, in 2011, La Rochelle signed up to the Cit’ergie approach, the Fren o meet version of the European label eea® (European Energy Award). Issued by ADEME, this “climate Energy” label rewards municipalities a 34 intermunicipalities for their control of energy policies and the fight against climate change by enabling them to structure and optimise t energy policy. La Rochelle was certified in late 2013. La Rochelle Urban Community and La Rochelle City have also jointly signed the Covenant of Mayors, document committing the territory t and exceed the EU 20% CO2 reduction target through the implementation of a Sustainable Energy Action Plan. DETERMINED TO DEVELOP ZOOM SUSTAINABLY

As early as 1996, Greater La Rochelle adopted an Environmental Charter Yélo requiring it to protect natural areas, restore the quality of its water resources and landscapes, develop soft transport links and walking trails and maintain its green spaces without pesticides, etc. Adopted in 2014, Agenda 21 creates a new sustainable development impetus aimed at accelerating changes in behaviour at the local level. It contains concrete actions to develop sustainable building, promote market gardening and foster selling in short circuits, educate people in citizenship, etc. In parallel, the Territorial Energy Climate Plan features almost forty actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the area and adapt to the future impact of global warming.

SMART PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Yélo, the innovative Greater La Rochelle public transport network, is tailored to the diverse needs of each user category. Simple to use with a single card, it covers beyond the bus a significant share of electric travel modes such as car sharing system (Yélomobile), shuttle buses running between outlying park & ride zones and the city centre and solar-powered electric boats. And includes of course 35 famous self-service bicycles! 6 rue Saint-Michel / CS 41287 17086 La Rochelle Cedex 02 - FRANCE Tel. +33 (0)5 46 30 34 00 [email protected] www.agglo-larochelle.fr

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Photos : Frédéric LE LAN/CdA de La Rochelle Julien CHAUVET/Ville de La Rochelle (p. 3) auremar©Fotolia.com (p. 34) emuck©Fotolia.com (p. 24) Scisetti Alfio©Fotolia.com (p. 34) pbombaert©Fotolia.com (p. 13) Pexels ( p. 5, 7, 15, 19, 21, 32) Création : 1, 2, 3 ! Simone Impression : Imprimerie Rochelaise, le nouvel R. November 2016

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