Market Research in France: The Best Data Sources

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1. INSEE: The Essential Reference for Your Market Analysis

Statistics are indispensable for any solid market study. Having figures that cannot be disputed is a must—especially if your business plan needs to pass the scrutiny of a bank to obtain a professional loan. The National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE) remains the primary source for any market research in France. This institution provides a wealth of demographic, economic, and social information that forms the foundation of any serious study.

Census data allows you to analyze the population by municipality, department, or region. You will find breakdowns by age, education level, socio-professional categories, and income. This information is crucial for defining your target audience and sizing your potential market.

The “Local Statistics” service from INSEE deserves special attention. It allows you to create customized territorial profiles by combining different indicators. You can compare your target area with similar territories and identify local specificities.

Consumption surveys reveal the purchasing habits of the French by sector. These sectoral data help you understand consumption trends and position your offer on the French market.

2. Data.gouv.fr: The Central Platform for Public Data

The official portal for French public data centralizes more than 60,000 datasets from 500 organizations. This platform is a single entry point to all available public information.

Economic data by sector allow you to analyze the structure of the French economic landscape. You can access company statistics by NAF code, business creations and failures, as well as sector performance indicators.

The richness of data.gouv.fr lies in the diversity of its sources: ministries, local authorities, public institutions. Each data producer publishes its information using standardized formats, making it easier to use.

The major advantage of this platform is the free access and regular updates. Files are available in usable formats (CSV, JSON, XML) and come with detailed metadata.

3. Societe.com: All Financial Data on French Companies

Understanding the profitability of a project or conducting a competitive analysis requires examining the financial results of other companies. In France, Societe.com compiles legal, administrative, and financial information on French companies: status, activity, revenue, profit, balance sheet, and more. Most of this information is paid. Fortunately, since 2020, free alternatives exist, notably through the INPI portal. Societe.com still provides some free information, including revenue for the last two fiscal years (when available).

Financial analysis helps you understand the situation of your competitors, but it also allows you to assess the financial health of future suppliers and partners. This can be an excellent indicator of the attractiveness and stability of a market.

For B2B companies, this tool is also extremely valuable for defining your target and building your prospect list.

4. Chambers of Commerce and Industry: Territorial Expertise

The CCI network is a valuable source of local economic information. Each chamber develops an in‑depth understanding of its territory and the companies operating within it.

CCI economic observatories regularly publish studies on the local economy, business creation, employment, and high‑potential sectors. These territorial analyses complement national data by providing local insights.

CCI also conducts business climate surveys among companies in their region. These quarterly barometers reveal activity trends, hiring intentions, and the concerns of local business leaders.

The personalized support offered by CCI advisors is a major asset. These experts know the local economic ecosystem inside out and can guide your research toward the most relevant information sources.

5. Bpifrance: Financing and Economic Analysis

Bpifrance does more than finance companies. This public institution also produces numerous studies on the French economy and sector trends.

The Bpifrance Création website offers methodological guides for conducting market research. These educational resources explain how to structure your approach, identify information sources, and analyze collected data.

Bpifrance studies analyze financing dynamics by sector and region. They reveal growth sectors, business financing needs, and investment trends. This information helps clarify the development potential of your market.

The database of companies financed by Bpifrance provides insight into supported projects in your sector. This information can reveal emerging trends and ongoing innovations.

6. Professional Federations: The Leading Source of Sector Information

Each industry generally has one or more professional federations that collect and distribute specialized data. These organizations are often the most precise source for sector statistics.

Professional federations conduct regular surveys among their members on business activity, prices, production volumes, and forecasts. These sector data are often more detailed and more recent than public statistics.

Annual reports provide a comprehensive overview of the sector: key figures, market trends, regulatory issues, technological innovations. This global view is particularly useful for understanding sector dynamics.

Participating in federation events (trade shows, conferences, general assemblies) gives access to informal information and networking opportunities with industry players.

Health

The data available on the ANSM (National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products) website is aimed at healthcare professionals and suppliers of medical products. In the “Dossier” section, you will find detailed information on many pharmaceutical and medical products. ANSM also provides analyses focused on public health issues, available in the “Publications” section.

Agri‑food Sector

The agri‑food sector is represented by ANSES (French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety). The agency’s website compiles indicators on the agri‑food market as well as essential legal information. Visit the publications section and use the search engine to find the information you need for your market research in France.

Additional information on food‑related regulations can be found on the website of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food. ANSES publishes a comprehensive report every seven years on the evolution of French eating habits. This report is a goldmine for anyone entering the sector. We covered the latest edition on our blog (see here).

Agriculture

The main website for professionals in the agricultural sector is the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, which lists legal data and trends in French agriculture and food. You will find extensive information on legislation, agreements, and agricultural policies.

Housing

The ANIL (National Housing Information Agency) website provides extensive data on the French housing market. Numerous scenarios and issues are described to best support tenants and homeowners. ANIL also offers a section of studies that provides comprehensive insights into housing‑related topics.

Energy

For the energy sector, the national point of contact in France is ADEME, the Agency for Ecological Transition (formerly the Agency for Environment and Energy Management). Numerous studies are available in the Library section.

7. Eurostat: The European Dimension of Your Market

Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, provides harmonized data for all member states. This source is essential for positioning the French market within its European context.

Eurostat’s sector statistics allow you to compare France’s performance with that of its European neighbors. This helps identify the specific characteristics of the French market and potential opportunities for international development.

Foreign trade data reveal import and export flows by product and by country. These insights shed light on the competitiveness of French companies and the openness of the national market to international competition.

Harmonized surveys on household consumption across Europe allow you to compare purchasing habits between countries. This European perspective enriches your understanding of French consumer behavior.

8. Private Competitive Intelligence Platforms

Several specialized companies offer competitive intelligence platforms that aggregate and analyze multiple data sources. These paid tools provide a synthetic and up‑to‑date view of markets.

Societe.com and its competitors provide access to legal and financial information on all French companies. These databases allow for detailed competitive analysis: revenue, workforce, financial results, executives.

Sector‑specific platforms offer automated monitoring of industry activity. They aggregate news, investment announcements, executive movements, and product innovations.

The advantage of these tools lies in their ability to process large volumes of information and automatically detect weak signals. They effectively complement manual analysis of traditional sources.

9. Market Research Firms

The French market research sector includes many specialized firms, organized by industry or type of analysis. These providers offer custom studies or standardized sector reports.
IntoTheMinds offers online surveys, B2B and B2C market studies tailored to your needs. These analyses can be qualitative (interviews, focus groups) or quantitative (online surveys, statistical studies).

Sector‑specific consulting firms develop deep expertise in their fields. Their studies combine quantitative analysis with field experience to provide an operational view of markets.

Investing in a custom study is justified when public sources do not sufficiently address your specific problem. Costs can be shared by participating in multi‑client studies.

10. Geomarketing and Territorial Analysis Tools

Geographical analysis is an essential dimension of any market study. Several tools allow you to map and analyze economic data by territory.

The IGN (National Institute of Geographic and Forest Information) offers mapping services that combine demographic and geographic data. The Geoportal allows you to visualize socio‑economic indicators on interactive maps.

Geomarketing solutions such as Smappen, Articque, or Géoconcept offer advanced territorial analysis features. They allow you to define catchment areas, analyze local competition, and optimize commercial location strategies.

These tools generally integrate INSEE data, company files, and mobility information. They provide indicators of commercial potential and predictive models to assess territorial attractiveness.

To make the best use of geomarketing data, consider the following:

• Define a geographic catchment area based on regional demographics and economics
• Analyze consumer purchasing behavior in this area (e.g., through online surveys)
• Identify competitors in the market
• Review the legislation relevant to your sector to avoid major compliance errors

These data will be particularly useful if you need to conduct a PESTEL analysis.

FAQ

What is the difference between INSEE data and data.gouv.fr?

INSEE produces France’s official statistics, while data.gouv.fr centralizes data from all public organizations. You will find INSEE data on data.gouv.fr, but also data from ministries, local authorities, and public institutions. Data.gouv.fr therefore offers a broader view than the INSEE website alone.

Are IntoTheMinds studies worth the investment for a company?

IntoTheMinds studies represent a significant investment, but they provide in‑depth analysis that is difficult to reproduce internally. Expect around €5,000 for quantitative studies and up to €30,000 for complex studies combining several methodologies. On average, a market study costs €8,500. For a company, this investment is justified when launching a new product, during strategic development, or when expanding into a new geographic area. The failure rate is high—especially in the first seven years after a company is created—so having the right information is essential for success.

How can you access professional federation data for free?

Many federations publish free summaries of their studies on their websites. Annual reports often contain key sector figures. To access detailed data, membership may be required, but it also provides access to a valuable professional network.

Can private platforms be trusted?

Private platforms generally aggregate official sources (INSEE, INPI, commercial courts). Their added value lies in processing and presenting the data. Always check the sources used and cross‑reference with other information to validate important conclusions.

How frequently are the different sources updated?

INSEE updates its main statistics annually, with some quarterly data. Data.gouv.fr follows the update schedule of each data producer. Private platforms often update their databases monthly. Professional federations usually publish their statistics once or twice a year.