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| French region of Grand Est | |
|---|---|
| Name | Grand Est |
| Settlement type | Region |
| Subdivision type | Country |
| Subdivision name | France |
| Established title | Created |
| Established date | 1 January 2016 |
| Seat type | Prefecture |
| Seat | Strasbourg |
| Area total km2 | 57483 |
| Population total | 5589589 |
| Population as of | 2019 |
French region of Grand Est
Grand Est is a northeastern region of France formed in 2016 by the merger of Alsace, Champagne-Ardenne, and Lorraine, with its prefecture at Strasbourg. The region borders Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, and Switzerland, and includes major cities such as Nancy, Reims, Metz, Mulhouse, and Troyes. Grand Est is characterized by its role in cross-border institutions like the European Parliament, industrial heritage tied to the Coal Basin of Lorraine, and cultural landmarks such as the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims and the Palais Rohan.
Grand Est extends across parts of the Paris Basin, the Vosges Mountains, and the Ardennes, encompassing the Marne, Moselle, Rhine and Meuse watersheds. The region contains protected areas including the Ballons des Vosges Regional Natural Park and the Parc naturel régional de Lorraine, and features viticultural zones such as the Champagne plain and the Alsace wine region. Border crossings connect urban agglomerations like the Strasbourg Eurométropole with Kehl, Basel, and Luxembourg City via transnational corridors including the European route E25 and the Rhine Valley.
Territories now in Grand Est have historic ties to the Holy Roman Empire, the Kingdom of France, and the German Empire following the Franco-Prussian War. The region witnessed major engagements of the First World War such as the Battle of Verdun and the Second Battle of the Marne, and Second World War operations including the Battle of France and the Siege of Strasbourg. Political landmarks include the Treaty of Westphalia, the Treaty of Frankfurt, and postwar reconstruction influenced by institutions like the Council of Europe and the European Coal and Steel Community. Industrial history is marked by the Lorraine iron ore extraction, the Mulhouse textile industry, and the development of companies such as Schneider Electric and Peugeot.
Grand Est is administered by the Regional Council of Grand Est seated in Strasbourg, with representation in the French Parliament via deputies from constituencies across departments like Bas-Rhin, Haut-Rhin, Moselle, Meurthe-et-Moselle, Marne, Aube, Haute-Marne, Vosges, and Ardennes. The region interacts with supranational bodies including the European Union institutions in Strasbourg and cross-border networks such as the Greater Region. Elections feature national parties like The Republicans, Socialist Party, La République En Marche!, National Rally, and regional movements including Alsace d'abord proponents.
Grand Est's economy combines heavy industry, viticulture, and services, with flagship economic actors including the Reims champagne houses (e.g., Moët & Chandon, Veuve Clicquot), automotive sites of Renault and PSA Peugeot Citroën, and manufacturing hubs in Mulhouse and Metz. Energy and raw materials sectors reference facilities built on Lorraine coalfields and the Cattenom Nuclear Power Plant, while technology clusters involve institutions like the European Institute of Innovation and Technology networks and research centers affiliated with Université de Strasbourg and Université de Lorraine. Transport corridors link to the Port of Strasbourg and logistics nodes serving Rotterdam–Antwerp–Ghent corridors.
The population reflects historic Franco-German influences with communities speaking varieties such as Alsatian language and Lorraine Franconian, and immigrant populations from Italy, Poland, Portugal, and North Africa (Maghreb). Urban areas include the Strasbourg metropolitan area, the Metz metropolitan area, and the Reims metropolitan area, while rural zones retain traditional communes like Colmar and Haut-Kœnigsbourg. Demographic challenges involve ageing populations similar to trends in Lorraine and youth migration to metropolitan centers such as Paris and Lyon.
Grand Est hosts UNESCO sites like the Strasbourg Cathedral environs and the Champagne hillsides, houses and cellars, along with cultural institutions including the Opéra national du Rhin, the Palais des Ducs de Lorraine, and the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Reims. Festivities range from the Strasbourg Christmas Market to the Fêtes Johanniques de Domrémy and the Nancy International Street Theater Festival, while gastronomic traditions highlight choucroute, quiche lorraine, and champagne maisons such as Taittinger and Pommery. Architectural heritage spans Romanesque sites like Mont Sainte-Odile, Gothic cathedrals exemplified by Reims Cathedral, and industrial monuments such as the Cité du Train.
High-speed rail connects Strasbourg TGV station to Paris Gare de l'Est via TGV lines, and cross-border services include the TGV Est Européen and regional links to Basel SBB and Frankfurt am Main Hauptbahnhof. Major autoroutes such as the A4 autoroute and A35 autoroute intersect regional arteries, while river transport uses the Rhine–Main–Danube Canal and inland ports like the Port of Strasbourg. Airports include Strasbourg Airport and Metz–Nancy–Lorraine Airport, and research on future mobility involves projects associated with the European Investment Bank and trans-European networks including the TEN-T corridors.