Technology and Innovation

French companies lead in urban transport technology. Alstom, beyond building trains and trams, develops integrated signaling and control systems. Its Urbalis platform enables automated metro operations worldwide. Keolis operates transport networks from Boston to Shanghai, exporting French management expertise.

Start-ups contribute fresh innovations. Cityscoot's electric scooter sharing predated American competitors. Vulog provides technology for car-sharing operators globally. Zenpark optimizes parking through dynamic pricing. These companies benefit from French cities' willingness to experiment with new mobility solutions.

The Saclay plateau, France's answer to Silicon Valley, focuses significantly on mobility innovation. Researchers develop autonomous vehicles for closed campuses. Students test e-bike designs. The proximity to Paris provides a real-world laboratory. This ecosystem approach—combining research, start-ups, and established companies—accelerates innovation.