All but two of France’s 12 largest cities have seen their financial situation deteriorate during the last decade, a recent study reveals.
Of the country’s principal cities, only Nice and Montpellier saw their situation stabilise or improve, said the Institut Montaigne think tank, whereas others including Paris, Rennes, and Marseille, saw a downturn.
Nice and Montpellier performed well due to stable budgets and a targeted investment strategy, particularly in the ecological transition and transportation sectors.
The deployment of free public transport for residents in Montpellier is considered a cornerstone project for the city, though it has been criticised for lack of effectiveness.
Other cities performed poorly due to increased spending outweighing budgets, leading to higher debt or the need for local taxes to be raised. Paris was singled out, with property taxes rising by more than 50% since 2014 despite its deteriorating financial position, resulting in it being ranked bottom of the list.
Rennes fell from first place in 2015 to eighth (joint with Nantes) in 2024.
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Despite seeing a slight decrease in its financial situation, Toulon remains the most stable of France’s largest cities.
The think tank warns that financial security should be among the major factors for voters in the upcoming 2026 municipal elections.
The standard spending for every €100 in a major French city is as follows:
