The intermediaries regional cities in France: how attractive?[Les Métropoles Régionales Intermédiaires En France : Quelle Attractivite?]

[This study was designed to compare the attractiveness of the intermediaries regional cities. Urban units between 200 000 and 500 000, are characterized by economic functions whose level does not present a significant transnational radiation, but still have many assets, size limits, for example, diseconomies of agglomeration. To ensure the relevance of the study, the author has retained comparable interim metropolises, 7 regional capitals: Caen, Clermont-Ferrand, Dijon, Metz, Montpellier, Orleans and Rennes. Their attractiveness was compared from 7 criteria for population and employment, both at the level of the urban unit to that of the city center. It shows a clear hierarchy. The most attractive city-wide urban unit is Montpellier and across the town center Orleans. Several factors explain this ranking. The cities that have invested in innovation are more attractive than those which persist traditional industrial activities. Similarly higher ranking ones whose economy is diversified and have valued their transport networks. How the city's services in the regional capital also comes into play.]