Industry

Maine-et-Loire is the 2nd industrial county (département) in the West. 45% of its active population works in industry. The county has been able to develop this sector, due to the strong tradition in clothing and shoes, making Choletais and Mauges, which between them have 400 small and medium-sized industrial companies, the leading centre in Europe in children’s clothing and an important fashion centre (Catimini, Eram, Newman are leading makes). In addition, the area has seen great diversification in food technology (Brioches Pasquier, Charal) and plastics technology.

Research and innovation

More than 1,200 researchers have devoted their expertise to innovation, and this in a context of constant communication with the industrial network.

The county  (département) contributes to research by favouring partnerships between various organisations  (CNRS, INRA, INSEAD) and by stimulating innovation. It supports laboratories by giving them subsidies and by attracting new skills. It encourages innovation in very varied domains, such as plant technology, chemistry, materials, computer-aided electronics, health, social sciences and technology transfer. It is a founder member of the Angers high-technology centre (Technopole). This novel complex was founded in 1986 and has three purposes: admittance/services, exchanges and communication. Its mission is to promote the development of innovating activities, research in the interest of the general public and exchanges between universities and those involved in the economic life of the county.

Reception and partnerships are the keys to success of this project backed by the CountyCouncil (Conseil général). The strength of Anjou is that it coordinates the intervention of the town authorities concerned by research issues.

Agriculture

More than 30,000 people are employed in agriculture, on more than 11,000 farms, the average size of which is 42 hectares (104 acres).

There is stable production, with 53% of its potential devoted to farming and 47 % to different types of cultivation. Maine-et-Loire is the top producer of potted plants, blackcurrants and mushrooms in France. It holds 5th position nationally for its produce. The agriculture in Maine-et-Loire still benefits from European recognition, because of its vineyards and the presence of Végépolys.

Horticulture

By promoting this activity created in the second half of the 18th century, Anjou has become the first horticultural region in France.
From in vitro projects to bulbs and cut flowers, there are green fingers in the county! Among the companies that demonstrate the success of this sector, one can cite Florcas-Camus, Minier, Turc, Taugourdeau, etc. Pomanjou and the orchards of Anjou, among others, represent arboriculture. Seed specialists are also represented, such as Limagrain, Pioneer, Sandoz-Caillard, Numhens and Pelletier. Many higher education and research establishments are located in Angers, which is a well know skill centre in this domain.

The County Council (Conseil général) takes part in the development of Anjou as a European plant centre. With the creation of Floriloire, it has helped reinforce the logistical and commercial organisation of the local horticultural companies. It has promoted several initiatives that show its determination to bring about growth and innovation. An example of this is the establishment in Angers of the Community Office of Plant Species (Office Communautaire des Variétés Végétales (OCVV)), which was previously located in Brussels.

The county plans to create an international showcase of Anjou horticulture, through a project to establish a park dedicated to plants : Terra Botanica.

Viticulture

Viticulture is a major asset to the county. There are 20,000 (49,421 acres) hectares of wine producing vineyards. These produce a million hectolitres (21,996,925 gallons) every year and there are 27 “appellations d'origine contrôlées (AOC)” exported worldwide. There’s a wine for everyone’s palate, among the well-rounded or dry white wines,  “Pimpants” rosés, and red wines such as “Saumur-Champigny”.
There are also the “Coteaux du Layon” and the sparkling wines such as the “Crémant de Loire”. 

Tourism

Apart from its rich historical heritage, tourism in Anjou combines a wide range of activities and natural sites (Maulévrier park, Lathan park, Isle Briand County Estate, etc.).

There are currently 135 tourist sites open to the general public. These welcome 2.3 million visitors every year. Angers is a historical and cultural town that attracts a great many visitors every year, who are sensitive to its world famous heritage and cultural events. The Saumurois is also a first class tourist site.