World City Guide

Business

Business Profile
Lyon’s 2000 years of history illustrate the ability of this city to adapt to changing circumstances. Lyon was the first French city to exchange currency and the first centre of banking in France.

Lyon and its hinterland form a dynamic economy, accounting for some 10% of French Gross Domestic Product. This makes it an attractive European site and the largest area for development outside Paris. Other factors behind its success include its geo-strategic position, excellent communication network and the interplay between the private and public sectors of the economy. Additionally, Lyon has excellent research facilities, such as several universities, ‘Grandes Ecoles’ and research laboratories, such as the National Scientific Research Centre (CNRS) and the National Institute for Health and Medical Research (INSERM).

The city is home to a diverse range of businesses. Those that enjoy an international reputation include textiles, chemicals and pharmaceuticals. The urban areas of Lyon have attracted several renowned IT companies, such as Cap Gemini France and Infogrames. Lyon and the surrounding area are home to more than 100 hi-tech companies employing some 2000 people. Additionally, the region is considered the French and European capital for interactive leisure. Outside Paris, Lyon is also the main centre for business and management consultancy services, including companies such as Ernst and Young and Altran. The service sector as a whole represents about three-quarters of the total jobs in Lyon.

Most hi-tech companies are located in the Garland area, while Part-Dieu is the more general business district of Lyon, where large restructuring is underway. To the northeast of central Lyon is La Cit Internationale, which has been home to INTERPOL, the international police organisation, since 1990.

Compared to the national average of 8.7%, unemployment in the Rhne-Alpes region is about 7.2%. For the past couple of years, Lyon itself has steadily had one of the highest rates of job creation in France, particularly in the service sector.

Business Etiquette
Offices are normally open Monday to Friday 0900-1800, with an hour lunch break between 1300 and 1400. Since the introduction of the 35-hour week in France, some people are not available in offices on Friday afternoons. Suits and ties are the norm in the financial sector, while the dress code in other businesses tends to be more relaxed, although it is still better for business visitors to avoid being too casual.

The French always exchange business cards at meetings. It is best to address people for the first time with their full title (Monsieur, Madame, Mademoiselle, Professeur or Docteur). If speaking French, it is advisable to use the polite ‘vous’ form when meeting for the first time or if the relationship is formal. The informal ‘tu’ should only be used once the other person has started to use this him/herself.

Meetings may be booked for before or after lunch but will often occur over lunch or dinner, where wine will play a big part in the meal. Normally, the person who organised the meeting pays the bill. More social dinners are often long and leisurely affairs in Lyon. At formal dinners, diners must wait for the most important guest or the host to give the signal to start eating.