Angers sector of excellence

Plant sciences are deeply rooted in Angers’ identity. This historic sector brings together a vast network of players, including 5,500 employees, 3,000 students, and 450 researchers, all working on tomorrow’s plant production and agricultural innovations. Frequently awarded the title of “Greenest City in France,” Angers is a global benchmark in the field, where plants are an integral part of both the economy and the landscape. Home to France’s leading horticultural basin, the region boasts a rich ecosystem driven by Végépolys Valley, a world-class competitiveness cluster. This is supported by a robust research and training infrastructure.

Angers hosts internationally renowned institutions, including Institut Agro, Agrocampus Ouest, École Supérieure d’Agricultures, and ISTOM (School of International Agro-Development). These organisations, together with numerous research facilities, contribute to the international prominence of the Angers region.

Plants are ever-present in Angers, not only economically and visually, but also in leisure. Terra Botanica, Europe’s only theme park dedicated to plant life, opened in northern Angers in 2010 and continues to be a resounding success.

The plant sector regularly brings the city to life through major events like SIVAL (over 25,000 professional visitors annually), Salon du Végétal (600 exhibitors and more than 10,000 international professionals), and the Salon des Vins de Loire. In 2019, Angers hosted the Greensys Congress, followed by the International Horticultural Congress (IHC2022) in 2022, which welcomed 2,500 delegates from 88 countries.

Health and biotechnology are among the most innovative sectors in Angers, fostered by cross-sector collaboration. With over 8,400 employees, 3,400 students, and 350 researchers, healthcare is a major pillar for employment, training, and research in the region.

Several major institutions distinguish themselves through their excellence. The Angers University Hospital (CHU d’Angers) stands at the forefront with its cutting-edge health simulation centre. It was the driving force behind the first international multi-sector simulation congress, ICMASim, which took place in 2019. The city is also home to the Paul Papin Centre, part of the Western Cancer Institute (Institut de Cancérologie de l’Ouest), a regional leader in cancer treatment that helps position Angers on the international stage.

In addition, prestigious clinics such as the Clinique de l’Anjou and the Clinique de la Main contribute to the region’s reputation for medical excellence. Angers also belongs to the Atlanpole Biotherapies centre of excellence, a nationally recognised initiative launched in 2005 that promotes innovation in biotherapies and healthcare solutions.

This vibrant ecosystem is showcased during major scientific events hosted in the city, including the “Connected Science and Health in Angers” congress (S²CA), the Francophone Days of Nursing Research (JFRS), the Kiné 3.0 congress, the Western Society of Occupational Medicine and Health (SMSTO) symposium, and the congress of the French Society of Pediatric Neurology (SFNP).