Châlons-En-Champagne

Châlons-en-Champagne is the regional capital of Champagne-Ardenne, located between Paris, the Renan axis and the Rotterdam-Marseille axis and has. The proximity of a great consumption and production area such as the Parisian region (150 km) is an important strength. More than 70% of the European production and consumption is located in a perimeter of around 5 hours around Châlons-en-Champagne. The city has strengths to develop its activity. The motorway infrastructure for logistics, vast land areas conducive to major business areas, the presence of water essential to agro-industry, the competitiveness cluster Agro-Industries and Resources of Champagne-Ardenne, the TGV East line and the international Vatry airport are among the projects that give a new impetus, with significant impact in terms of job creation and allow to expect a new growth on the Châlons-en-Champagne territory.

The offer of higher education remains low (only 1 800 students) and encourages the migration of youth to other cities. This weakness also has an impact on the ability of innovation and research in the territory of Châlons-en-Champagne, that counts however only few public and private laboratories.

Main challenges for the city and its hinterland:

• Improvement of the attractiveness of economic and residential area to stop the decline in population.
• Preserving a vulnerable territory.
• Valuing the historical and environmental heritage of the town and making it more attractive.