for our common future - toulouse francejean castex prime minister. 6 | ecmwf facility 3, toulouse -...

for ourcommonfuture

ECMWF FACILITY 3 TOULOUSEFRANCE

2 | ECMWF Facility 3, Toulouse - France 3

For our common future

Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 4

Government commitment � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 5 Jean Castex, Prime minister

Local authorities commitment � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 8 Conseil régional Occitanie, Conseil départemental de la Haute-Garonne, Toulouse Métropole

Why Toulouse? � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 8 Anny Cazenave

1 - W O R L D - C L A S S M U LT I D I S C I P L I N A R Y S C I E N C E S � � � � � � � � 1 1 A N D S E R V I C E S F O R E M B R A C I N G E U R O P E A N A M B I T I O N S

2 - A G R E A T D E D I C A T E D F A C I L I T Y : � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 1 2 E C O F R I E N D LY, C O N N E C T E D T O T H E C I T Y A N D T O E U R O P E

3 - T O U L O U S E , A G R E A T P L A C E T O L I V E � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 1 6

4 - A N E A S Y W E L C O M I N G � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 1 7 E N V I R O N N E M E N T F O R F A M I L I E S

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For our common futureThe European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) produces cutting-edge science and world-leading numerical weather predictions and monitoring of the Earth system, for a safe and prosperous society�

France is a country that has loved and supported science, for centuries, in all its fields� Thus the action of the State, whatever the government, is systematically directed towards supporting scientists, the world of research and those involved in its practical and useful applications for human beings and the entire biosphere, in France, Europe and all over the world�

As we know without a doubt, the challenges of our century are biodiversity loss and climate change, because it conditions most of all the others� France has a particular responsibility in this area, as the country has been committed to improve the situation for decades�

ECMWF staff meet the challenge on climate change and improve the knowledge of the environment� Based on fruitful European cooperation, through part of the Copernicus Programme, the Centre is at forefront of the battle, by providing state of the art data and making them available to a maximum of communities and users, as well as allowing new applications and addressing new market needs�

We therefore have a common interest.

I am convinced that the establishment of ECMWF’s new facility in Toulouse, alongside its headquarters based in Reading and its High-performance computing facility based in Bologna, would be the best way for the Centre to continue to position itself as a world leader to tackle the forthcoming environmental and climate challenges at stakes including severe weather prediction�

A location in Toulouse would indeed provide a unique opportunity for the Centre to join a world-class scientific community, ranging from advanced research to fully operational solutions for end users, located in a truly attractive and international region� This new geographic location would also provide its staff with excellent, affordable and sustainable living conditions, notably in terms of employment and education�

Following its decision to move part of its staff, ECMWF faces a challenging period, that involves a great deal of preparation and support for its teams� France is committed to providing, through its proposal, the best conditions for the Centre to fully achieve the relocation process smoothly and continue delivering with excellence its missions for Copernicus services�

Emmanuel MacronP R E S I D E N T O F

T H E F R E N C H R E P U B L I C

France’s bid, an opportunity for ECMWF and its staffECMWF is an essential organisation in the knowledge of the evolution of weather and climate conditions that Europe will experience in the coming years� Its work in collecting and analysing data with the constant aim of improving numerical weather forecasts enlightens Member States and enables them to develop more effective public policies�

ECMWF faces today a double challenge� In the short term, the centre has to relocate part of its activities to another country, which requires intense preparation and support for its teams, in particular so that they can continue to focus on their core mission, which is so important for them and for the future of our societies�

Beyond this change, ECMWF will have to sustainably develop its activity by integrating itself into a high-performance ecosystem and by welcoming the best profiles and their families, to ensure the excellence of its current and future productions�

I have one certainty: setting up in France in the Région Occitanie is the best chance to take up these challenges and to offer ECMWF the best prospects for the development of its services� A location in Toulouse would place the Centre at the heart of the European capital of aeronautics, space and environmental services and the country’s most dynamic metropolis, connected to European and world capitals�

In a Cocagne region, where the art of living is recognised, attractive in all respects, from education and employment to cultural and sporting life, open to the international scene,

ECMWF teams and their families will find an exceptional quality of life for themselves and their future colleagues�

The local authorities carrying the bid, accompanied by Météo-France and the entire exceptional scientific and technical ecosystem of the metropolis, are perfectly aware of the needs of ECMWF� Alongside them, the Government will do its utmost to ensure a perfect welcome� The partnership will install the Centre’s activities in a new dedicated building, exemplary in terms of sustainability, at the heart of the ecosystem� Together, the State and local authorities will offer personalised support to enable ECMWF, its teams and their families to settle in France�

While the region already has the capacity to receive pupils, the partners will create an International School to further improve it�

France is thus proposing the hosting agreement that offers unprecedented reception conditions for ECMWF and its staff, who will be able to benefit, for example, from free public education or, in terms of health and care provided by some of the best establishments in the country�

Because France is the country that organised COP21, during which the first universal climate agreement was unanimously approved by 195 States and the European Union, it has a duty to offer the best conditions of welcome and development prospects to ECMWF� France’s offer to host the Centre in Toulouse will make this possible and provides the guarantees for its successful relocation and further improvement of its activities for the benefit of all Member States and all Europeans�

Jean CastexP R I M E M I N I S T E R


Schooling is compulsory, free and secular in France

The Government has chosen Toulouse to be France’s candidate to host the ECMWF� This is the best possible choice, particularly from an educational point of view�

The University of Toulouse is the second created in France, founded in 1229, and today has 130,000 students, including 15,000 foreign students� It has systematically been for years one of the best student city in France in all the rankings, and in the top 70 in the world�

ECMWF staff and their families will f ind exceptional reception conditions in Toulouse, from the kindergarten to the baccalaureat and beyond for university studies�

To further improve these conditions, the Government and local authorities have decided to create a new international school for the start of the 2022 school year� More than just an establishment, it is an educational and a territorial project that will enable to better prepare the pupils for the future�

I am convinced that, in the troubled times we are currently living through, we have an imperative duty to create the conditions for young people to better apprehend their future, and this undeniably involves an education that is ever more open to Europe and to the world� The children of ECMWF staff members will find these conditions in Toulouse, and the State services will support each of them specifically, for their success and their integration into a changing world�

Jean-Michel BlanquerMINISTER FOR NATIONAL EDUCATION, YOUTH AND SPORTS

A great hosting agreement

Because France is deeply committed to support European policies and programmes in climate and weather forecast, we would be very proud to host a new ECMWF facility in Toulouse, a city with unique features and a particularly attractive environment for staff members and their families�

We believe ECMWF scientists play a crucial part in monitoring and modelling the Earth system as well as ensuring better risk prevention through the Copernicus

programme and the forthcoming Digital Earth initiative

and we want to help ECMWF fulfil its ambition to position itself as our European champion in these strategic fields�

Along with local authorities, we are therefore committed to diligently conclude a hosting agreement providing privileges and immunities, so that ECMWF join the 60 international organisations that have already chosen to operate from France�

Jean-Yves Le DrianMINISTER FOR EUROPE AND FOREIGN AFFAIRS

Bruno Le MaireMINISTER FOR THE ECONOMY, F INANCE AND ECONOMIC RECOVERY

Together towards the green deal

France is fully engaged with its European partners towards the green deal, aimed at making EU climate-neutral by 2050� To overcome this challenge, ambitious and collaborative scientific programmes allowing detailed knowledge of the Earth fluid envelope and its interacting parts, as well as their evolution, and in support of innovative operational solutions such as Copernicus services are essential�

The Copernicus programme aims to provide and develop a European sovereign capacity in the field of Earth and en-vironmental monitoring� It is a key contribution in support of ecological transition for the monitoring of agroecology, climate and ecosystems and for the protection of soils and biodiversity� I firmly believe that Copernicus’ current and future challenges such as the Carbon cycle monitoring will fully benefit from the favorable scientific, innovative and industrial environment of the French proposal�

Based on the strength of our common history and our mutual support in the field of research and operational meteorological science for the benefit of public authorities and citizens, the proposal is part of a reinforced continuity of this common destiny for the new challenges that arise in order to achieve the ecological transition�

Barbara PompiliMINISTER FOR ECOLOGICAL TR ANSITION

Our major scientific challenges

France shares with the ECMWF the ambition to have cutting-edge research capable of meeting the scientific challenges for understanding the Earth fluid envelopes and interacting parts behavior leading to better numerical weather predictions and climate change monitoring� The internationally recognized research infrastructures in that domain contribute with enthusiasm and determination to the French proposal and join in a collaborative approach towards this common goal�

Earth observation programs in different environmental fields associated with a detailed knowledge of the different physical processes as well as the tremendous opportunities offered by technological and digital advances allow us to project towards the development of a realistic digital earth twin at the European level� The research institutes mobilized in the proposal from France fully share this ambitious goal, and support open research concerned with interfacing disciplines such as numerical, environmental, atmospheric and climate sciences�

The research and innovation environment of the French proposal has a proven know-how in facilitating the transfer of research to society thanks to a rich ecosystem made up of research and innovation institutes, industries in particular in the space domain and a network of small innovative companies and startups� In order to strengthen and support the arrival of ECMWF in this ecosystem, a dedicated support program for doctoral and post-doctoral students will be set up over 5 years�

Frédérique VidalMINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION, RESEARCH AND INNOVATION "OUR MA JOR SCIENTIF IC CHALLENGES"


Local authorities commitmentToulouse Métropole, Région Occitanie and the Département de la Haute-Garonne are hereby jointly committed to deliver offices and associated services above and beyond ECMWF expectations. Our territories constitute one of the most vibrant international hub for developing new solutions to face the current world challenges.

The brand-new facility that will be constructed for that purpose has been designed to become the flagship of the Toulouse Aerospace Campus capable of hosting up to 250 staff from the day of its delivery in early 2023. We are committed to provide a fully equipped transitional space for up to 90 staff from the day ECMWF takes its decision next December.

These offices are located just next door to the Facility 3 in a building delivered in 2017 named B612 (The Little Prince asteroid) fully dedicated to innovations and advanced research.

At ECMWF discretion, these offices could advantageously be used at no cost as forerunner offices to facilitate exchanges and ease the implementation of the transitions period for both ECMWF staff and their families.

Last but not least, we are committed to facilitate and accompany the installation of the ECMWF families and make sure that they enjoy Toulouse and its region. For that purpose, a dedicated Welcome Desk and preferred accesses to numerous services and commodities will be put in place.

52 years ago, in 1968, a thousand CNES staff members have been asked to move from Paris to Toulouse. To make it happen, the deal was to offer a free return to all individual and families not willing to stay beyond a one-year time period. Not a single one took the return-ticket. It is our pride that our visitors, hosts and citizen enjoy the Pink City, whatever their expertise, age, conditions and origin.

Jean-Luc MoudencMAYOR OF TOULOUSE , PRESIDENT OF TOULOUSE MÉTROPOLE

“I am proud and honoured to support the French offer for the installation of teams from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasting� Proud and also fully committed to make it happen in the best possible conditions� Firstly for the sake of the missions that ECMWF conducts for which I have no doubt that Toulouse will bring an outstanding contribution, and secondly but on an equal footage, for the sake of all the teams of experts, staff and families who will enjoy all the connections, opportunities and beauties of the Pink City� Throughout the age, Toulouse’s dynamic has always

been innovation and excellency to address major challenges of the world� That of knowledge and responses to changes in the Earth system is not the least of them� All together for the good of each and all ECMWF Members States there is no doubt that, jointly with the Région Occitanie and Département

de la Haute Garonne, we will hit this immense environmental challenge� Better than elsewhere, we will collectively provide the scientific, technological and operational responses, without compromising on the excellence imposed by the challenge that human kind has to face for the planet”�

Georges MéricPRESIDENT OF THE DÉPARTEMENT DE LA HAUTE GARONNE

I support France’s bid to set up ECMWF�

To choose Toulouse, in Haute-Garonne - one of the most attractive departments in France and the youngest in the Région Occitanie - that is to choose economic dynamism, ecological development and a certain way of life�

The Département de la Haute-Garonne is involved on a daily basis, alongside its partners, to ensure that the area is modern, innovative and competitive, a framework that appeals to major French and European groups�

The Toulouse city offers an exceptional public-private technological area in the field of aeronautics, space and embedded systems (Cnes, Onera, Airbus, Thalès, Alenia Space), and of course meteorology� Its universities are internationally recognised� In addition, the families of the European Centre’s staff will find in Haute-Garonne all the educational, cultural, sports and leisure facilities necessary for a successful integration�

When they will move in France, they will find Haute-Garonne

to be a true and generous area, where diversity is combined with an art of living and modernity� »

Carole DelgaPRESIDENT OF THE RÉGION OCCITANIE / PYRÉNÉES-MÉDITERRANNÉE

“Hosting the new facility of ECMWF in the Région Occitanie is one of my greatest ambition and I am fully committed to offer the best solution for its relocation and future development in Toulouse�

Climate issues are part of the region’s top priorities and our goal is to become the first positive energy region in Europe� As such, we have recently launched the first regional Green New Deal in Europe to support the Region’s economic and ecological development as well as the digital transition�

The region already supports numerous key players involved in weather and climate issues� The relocation of ECMWF in Toulouse will be a win-win opportunity to foster R&D in the Occitanie, in France and more globally in Europe� The Région

Occitanie is the leader in France for R&D intensity� Toulouse and surroundings are even in the top 7 in Europe with 4�7% of GDP devoted to R&D�

Toulouse would be an ideal new home for ECMWF, the city is endowed with exceptional environment and the quality of life is renowned around the world� The region welcomes 50�000 new inhabitants each year attracted by the sunny weather, the slow living, the culture, the gastronomy, the Pyrenees and the Mediterranean Sea�

Other authorities across the region – Toulouse Métropole

and the Département de la Haute-Garonne – are fully behind this initiative and will do their utmost to support the ECMWF to remain the best numerical weather prediction centre in the world and guarantee a smooth interaction and transi-tion with other meteorological hubs in Europe� As President of the Région Occitanie, I am delighted to back Toulouse’s bid to host the ECMWF� I will do everything in my power to help the scientists and their families settle in Toulouse� I am proud to be part of this major challenge for our continent and for our planet�”

Anny Cazenave GEOPHYSICIST, 2020 VETLESEN PRIZE ,

MEMBER OF ACADÉMIE DES SCIENCES,

IPCC LEAD AUTHOR,

INTERNATIONAL SPACE SCIENCE INSTITUTE , BERN, CH,

LEGOS, OBSERVATOIRE MIDI - PYRÉNÉES, FR.

Why Toulouse ?A tangible and effervescent scientific breeding ground accessible to ECMWF

“Toulouse embodies the full range of French scientific and technical strengths needed to successfully welcome ECMWF� This region is a very active, quite attractive and widely-open place in Europe, endowed with academic research, applications and services assets� Its scientific institutions and operational agencies have been used to working in synergy for many years and to develop strong inter-actions with a very dynamic private sector� This unique landscape creates innovative scientific and technical outcomes in various domains, especially the monitoring of the environment, computer sciences, and multi-sectoral applied services�

From the PhD students to the senior scientists, we are all eager to contribute to the challenges embraced by ECMWF, which require a great deal of scientific research efforts in many different domains that ultimately have strong societal implications�”


A S C I E N T I F I C C O M M U N I T Y, A N D R E L A T E D H I G H E R E D U C A T I O N I N S T I T U T I O N S C O V E R I N G A L L R E L E V A N T D O M A I N S F O R E C M W F , N O T A B LY E A R T H M O D E L L I N G A N D O B S E R V A T I O N

ECMWF will find many institutions, some already its partners, committed to contribute to its upcoming endeavours� Proximity will increase synergies and reinforce ECMWF’s attractiveness and long-lasting performance�

Occitanie is in the top 10 of European regions (out of 281) for R&D intensity� All players attached to “University of Toulouse” and national research agencies are located less than 10 km away�

Multidisciplinary university in fundamental and applied science

Earth’s fluid envelope and interacting parts of the Earth-system and Earth Observation

Human sciences and economics of climate change

H I G H LY S T R U C T U R E D A N D W E L L S U P P O R T E D E N D - T O - E N D V A L U E C H A I N S , N O TA B LY R E L AT I N G T O S P A C E B A S E D A C T I V I T I E S , W I T H A S P E C I A L E M P H A S I S O N U S E R U P T A K E

In Toulouse, research efforts are motivated by environmental challenges and multi-sector needs, going from observation to concrete applications for end-users� They are notably driven by operational objectives, in line with ECMWF’s missions�

They involve an exceptional set of public and private stakeholders, experts in developing, operating and using innovative Earth Obser-vation systems and products: operational agencies, Météo-France, Mercator Ocean International, CNES…; private companies of all sizes, Weatherforce, Telespazio or Capgemini�

More specifically, Toulouse’s standing position in Europe on space-based activities provides a favourable scientific and operational context to a full use of satellite information� Unprecedented volume and diversity satellite observations will constitute a major contribution for ECMWF activities with a comprehensive space ecosystem around CNES, strongly connected to worldwide partners�

This context – user driven services pulling science, world-class space sector – provides the most favourable conditions to innovation and the maturation of research, which are firmly encouraged and supported�

1 - World-class multidisciplinary sciences and services for embracing European ambitions

France and Toulouse offer ECMWF a world-class multidiscipli-nary scientific and industrial community connected to a broad range of partners worldwilde� Open to Europe and to the World,

the scientific institutions, higher education institutions and opera-tional agencies interact with a unique and particularly active private sector to create added-value through innovation�


A C O M M U N I T Y K E E N T O W E L C O M E E C M W F A N D S T A R T N E W C O L L A B O R A T I O N S

The entire French community, and namely IPSL experts in Paris-Saclay laboratories, welcome the arrival of ECMWF in Toulouse, on topics such as greenhouse gases monitoring and the Digital Earth twin� A wide-spectrum of services from suppliers, contractors or partners is available to contribute to ECMWF endeavours� Highly

qualif ied students are also waiting for the ECMWF with a strong willingness to contribute to its actions for the environment� To facilitate new collaborations, the Région Occitanie and the French governement offer a dedicated 5M€ research programme during 5 years�

Located in the heart of the Toulouse metropolis in “ Toulouse Aerospace”, the new extension of the science and technology campus, the new facility will meet all of the specification requirements: 5 floors accessible only by ECMWF staff, a dedicated exercise room, and priority access to a 250-seat amphitheatre and a restaurant�

The reception hall will be three storeys high, with natural light� A large meeting room will be available on the top floor� There also will be gardens, terraces and patios including loggias, an accessible green roof terrace and a large central square�

A G U A R A N T E E D D E L I V E R Y T I M E

Until delivery of the new facility, the first staff members will be wel-comed at the B612 which is a 24 500 m² complex hosting many space, aeronautical innovation and embedded systems companies, just around the corner from the permanent building�

Construction of the final facility will begin as soon as France is selected� To secure the delivery date, the building permit has already been

obtained and cleared of any claims� Only 30 months are needed between ECMWF’s choice and the delivery of the facility allowing a delivery date of June 2023 with still enough flexibility for ECMWF to be fully involved in finalizing the interior developments�

Operational risks are well under control and the B612 would be able to host the 150 ECMWF staff in the case of unprobable delays�

A S U P P O R T I N G A N D F A V O U R A B L E P L A C E F O R C O P E R N I C U S , W I T H S E V E R A L L O C A L I N S T I T U T I O N S A L R E A D Y A C T I V E I N T H E P R O G R A M M E

ECMWF will f ind in Toulouse a pro Copernicus environment, connected to the Copernicus stakeholders in Europe� Its teams will be close to many players engaged in various roles, ranging from science to user uptake such as Mercator Ocean international operator of the Copernicus Marine Environment Monitoring Service (CMEMS) or Thales Alenia Space and Telespazio which participate in the Carbon Human Emission project, led by ECMWF preparing future Copernicus developments� ECMWF can benefit from this

environment for its upcoming Copernicus, Numerical Weather Prediction and Digital Earth challenges contributing to the centre’s objectives and ambitions for 2021-2027�

Numerous local f irms, SMEs, start-ups are already familiar with Copernicus data and specifically atmosphere / climate services� The presence of the Copernicus services will foster new collaborations and synergies within a European network.

2 - A great dedicated facility : ecofriendly, connected to the city and to Europe

D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 0

Choice of Toulouse to welcome ECMWF F3

J A N U A R Y- J U N E 2 0 2 1

Choice of detailled design of the facility / support

for the relocation process

J U N E 2 0 2 1

B612 fully operational to welcome from 20 up

to 150 people

J U N E 2 0 2 3

ECMWF F3 fully operational to welcome from 150 up

to 250 people

https://www.ecmwfrance.com/french_proposal.mp4

EXCEPTIONAL CONNECTIVITY

The site is connected to the city center, the universities, numerous scientific organizations and residential neighborhoods by bus - 150m away, by train - the Montaudran train station puts the district just 5 minutes from Toulouse’s main railway station, and by bike – for in-stance the most important one in the Région Occitanie along the Canal du Midi, an UNESCO world heritage site� In 2025, the facility will be about 200m away from a metro station, with a shuttle every 90 seconds�

There is also easy access by car to the rest of the metropolis and the countryside, and, within 90 minutes to the mountains or the seaside�

Connection with the international airport takes 30 minutes today by car� In 2025, the subway will connect ECMWF to the international Airport in about 35 minutes�

Easy day to day mobility

Daily mobility is easy and sustainable with a well-developed public transport system (the 3rd largest in France in terms of passengers)� serving 115 towns in the Toulouse area and providing 132 million

commutes per year� The automated metro offers one of the highest frequency in the world and is the 1st in France to provide 4G service� There are numerous public transportation options including:

A Z

M E T R O

2 metro lines (3 lines in 2025)

T R A M W A Y

2 tramway lines

T R A I N S

20 regional trains

B U S

140 Bus lines

DIGITAL

Toulouse Aerospace has the greatest number of redundancies in the optical f iber network in Toulouse� Continuity of the digital connect ion for the systems provided wil l be contractually guaranteed� ECMWF’s facility will also be connected to RENATER network and services (10 Go/s and up to 100 Go/s for specif ic

research projects)� Serving students, researchers, teachers and staff in the Education and Research community, RENATER offers a highly reliable and secure network simplifying collaboration and convergence in scientif ic and academic projects at national, European and international levels�

H I G H S U S T A I N A B I L I T Y

In Toulouse, sustainability is a an overarching ambition: the Région Occitanie is engaged in a strategy to become a Positive Energy Region by 2050, dividing by 2 its territory’s consumption and multipling by 3 its renewal energy production� Toulouse Métropole’s energy-climate plan obtained the European Energy Award in 2019� Toulouse Aerospace and its innovation campus have been certified as an Ecovillage�

As part of these policies, the ECMWF facility will be certified BREEAM Excellent� It will be connected to the urban heating network, with more than 70% of the heat from renewable sources and, beyond the requirement of the BREEAM Excellent label, electricity will be generated on site by photovoltaic panels� It also has a low carbon footprint thanks to a high level of shell insulation and glazing performance, use of bio-sourced materials and local supplies, plus an efficient and controllable LED-based lighting�

More than 3,000 trees will be planted in the ecodistrict and the facility itself will contribute to the development of biodiversity� The roof of the car park and the intermediate-level roofs of the facility will host biodiverse range of local and non-allergenic flora (3 strata of vegetation including trees, bushes and perennials or sedum and garrigue-type vegetation) and fauna, also featuring insect hotels and bird houses�

Bicycle parks, showers and lockers as well as EV charging points will facilitate sustainable commutes� The building’s main façade will look onto a 3 ha wooded park� The building will benefit from a view of the historical Aeropostale runway transformed into an pedestrian-cycling esplanade path�

https://www.ecmwfrance.com/scientific_environment.mp4

https://www.ecmwfrance.com/copernicus.mp4


With a third metro line in Toulouse by 2025, a new metropolitan rail express network, a high-speed rail link to Paris and several bus rapid transit lines planned, green mobility will continue to develop�

There will be 800 km of bicycle paths� The Express cycle network project will be completed in 2022 with 13 dedicated cycle lanes and 370 km of additional facilities�

There are 5 motorways serving Toulouse and 7,000 places for vehicles in relay parking facilities�

E A S Y A C C E S T O E U R O P E

Through its international airport, Toulouse is well connected by air to the main European hubs and capitals such as London, Amsterdam, Frankfurt or Lisbon, even excellently to Paris and Madrid�

Toulouse is also well connected by train, via Paris (even one night train)�

1:00

1:20

1:40

1:50

2:00

Toulouse

Toulouse3:45

4:20

7:00

9:00

Geneva (3 DF)Lyon (5 DF)

DF: Direct Flight per day Madrid (5 DF)

Paris (15 DF)Brussel (3 DF)Roma (1 DF)

Munich (1 DF)

London (3 DF)Amsterdam (3 DF)

Lisbon (3 DF)Franckfurt (2 DF)

Berlin (1 DF)Dublin (1 DF)

1:00

1:20

1:40

1:50

2:00

Toulouse

Toulouse3:45

4:20

7:00

9:00

BarcelonaMarseille (7 DT)

DT: Direct Train per day

Paris (5 DT)+ Night train Paris

8:20 (DT)

Brussel London

Public authorities will also invest in a wide range of infrastructure: a third metro line in Toulouse by 2025, a metropolitan rail express network, a high-speed rail link to Paris via Bordeaux (LGV GPSO, enshrined in the French law) and several bus lines with exclusive right-of-way and a high level of service.

All these projects represent more than €15 billion of investment, financed in particular by the French Government’s Recovery Plan and local authorities.


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A N E X C E L L E N T, D I V E R S I F I E D A N D F R E E O F C H A R G E E D U C A T I O N A L O F F E R

The Toulouse area boasts both public and private education options whose capabilities are constantly growing, providing EMCWF’s staff with an extensive array of education choices in various languages from age three right up to high school� They are mostly located in the city center, which fits with the proposed location for the facility� Should

families need assistance in choosing and accessing educational institutions, this is included in the relocation package for ECMWF staff� The ministry for Education and local authorities will also set up a specific welcome desk for all pupils starting their school year in September 2021 in Toulouse�

EARLY CHILDHOOD DAYCARE

Toulouse is no exception with a dense network dedicated to early childhood, welcoming children from 2 months to 3 years old (4,000 registered childminders who welcome maximum 4 children in their home, 11,000 places in 310 nurseries) and a

variety of choices for older children� There are f ive bilingual inter-company nurseries available close to Toulouse Aerospace� An additional one is due to open in June 2021 (40 children) in the district�

PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE FREE OF CHARGE

Public schools and state-subsidized private schools (for which school fees are below €1,500 per year), follow the French school curriculum and allow pupils to opt for international sections, where a major part of teaching is carried out in a language other than French�These schools are very well recognized by international universities, particularly in the

United Kingdom, and enable students to go on to university education across Europe and elsewhere in the world�

Fully private schools are more expensive but enable pupils to follow the full curriculum of UK or Germany�

TOULOUSE HAS A VARIETY OF INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS

There are already 4 international Senior High Schools and 4 Senior High Schools with binational sections (2 in downtown Toulouse teaching German and Italian)� These high-schools prepare for OIB, ABIBAC, BACHIBAC, and ESABAC exams�

Moreover, there are 32 Junior High Schools and 30 Senior High Schools offering reinforced language classes in the Toulouse area�

In addition, the creation of a new International School has been decided by the Government and local authorities and is already in motion� In 2022, it will offer a complete programme of bilingual education from year 3 to the baccalaureate (15 levels)�

Passing the Baccalauréat gives access to higher education� A wide variety of cursus are accessible in Toulouse’s Public Universities (the third largest of France)� A wide range of Bachelor and Master programmes are taught in English�

The University of Toulouse is the second created in France, founded in 1229� Toulouse hosts 130,000 students, including 15,000 foreign students� It has systematically been for years the best student city in France in all the rankings, and in the top 70 in the world�

4 - An easy welcoming environment for families

S O M E T H I N G F O R E V E R Y O N E

The city has a unique quality of life in terms of weather, nature, gastronomy and wine, culture and heritage�

The Occitanie region offers 8 sightseeing destinations listed on UNESCO world heritage, 45 villages classified “Most beautiful villages in France”, outdoor activities in the Pyrenees, the Massif Central and the Mediterranean sea, more than 400 festivals and cultural events�

Toulouse is also a sport oriented city and tops the national leader board when it comes to the number of sports facilities per household� The city also has the highest number of professional clubs in France and over 500 amateur clubs focusing on all kinds of sports, with a special deep-rooted love for rugby�

The Occitanie region is full of places to practice outdoor sports, with skiing, mountain biking and hiking in the Pyrenees just 1h30 from Toulouse, and water sports on the Mediterranean coast also 1h30, and the Atlantic Coast�

Toulouse is a welcoming, vibrant and an international city� It welcomes 20,000 new residents every year, 15% of whom come from abroad and 30% of whom are executives� In total, about 100�000 foreigners already live in the Toulouse area� There are 5 general consulates and 34 honorary consuls from a variety of countries� Expatriates will find more than 150 international cultural centres, institutes and associations�

According to Internations�org, France is well ranked on how it welcomes foreigners, and Toulouse was awarded 1st city in 8 developed countries for “Employee and worker satisfaction” (Censuswide 2016)� Toulouse is also ranked #1 best student city in France, taking into account many aspects of integration of this population (Le Figaro 2020)�

In 2018, more than 5.4 million people visited Toulouse.

https://www.ecmwfrance.com/lifestyle.mp4

3 - Toulouse, a great place to live

E A R LY C H I L D H O O D

From 3 months

K I N D E R G A R T E N

2-3 to 5 years old

E L E M E N T A R Y S C H O O L

6 to 10 years old

J U N I O R H I G H S C H O O L

11 to 14 years old

S E N I O R H I G H S C H O O L

15 to 17 years old

Toulouse is a great place to live in for ECMWF staff and their families� La Convivencia belongs to the unique History of Toulouse and its Occitan traditions� Its values have been perpetuated throughout the ages for

the sake of all the newcomers� At that time, entering Toulouse would make any visitors a Toulouse citizen� It represents nowadays a unique value of tolerance, friendliness and welcome�


A D Y N A M I C J O B M A R K E T F O R S P O U S E S L O O K I N G F O R E M P L O Y M E N T

With more than 616,000 jobs, the Toulouse urban area is a dynamic and attractive employment zone� It has been the first French city in terms of job creation, excluding Paris, for the last ten years� One job out of three is occupied by an executive and the area is the second French Metropolis in terms of research laboratories� The employment area is characterized by the coexistence of large groups (Airbus, Thales, Capgemini��) with a very dynamic fabric of small or medium-sized enterprises� Like elsewhere, the local job market has been affected by COVID19 but it has shown its resilience and strategic sectors are well supported by recovery plans�

Many current partners and institutions connected to ECMWF have expressed an interest in recruiting more international candidates� They would be delighted to consider spouses/partners applications for a job or assignment�

To help them seize the best opportunities, relocation support will include French language lessons, outplacement support as well as professional development training for those who would need to update their professional and technical skills.

A T A I L O R - M A D E E X T E N S I V E R E L O C A T I O N A S S I S T A N C E

As early as January 2021, public authorities and a dedicated relo-cation agency will provide support throughout the entire relocation process to ensure smooth settlement in Toulouse�

This will include easy access to information and preparation through Reading-based presentations of Toulouse, webinars, and on-call meetings as well as week-end guided tours in Toulouse� A dedicated relocation consultant will provide individual help to each family in finding living accommodation most suited to its requirements and

going through the tenancy or sales agreement and utility set-up� Each family can also be assisted by a consultant in order to complete certain administrative procedures�

With a housing market of more than 600,000 homes in Toulouse, 50% of which are flats and 50% of which are houses (including many detached houses with a garden and a swimming pool), it is easy to find great living conditions�

A F F O R D A B L E H I G H - E N D M U LT I L I N G U A L H E A LT H C A R E

France is rated #1 in the OECD for access to healthcare.

Toulouse offers a large access to an exceptional range of healthcare services, ranging from general physician to hospital care� It is a regional

healthcare hub with the Toulouse University Hospital (8 hospitals located within 3 different sites, 3,000 beds, 740,000 patients per year, 15,700 employees) and 9 private clinics including a reference center in cardiology�

The city of Toulouse and Occitanie region offer an exceptional and a unique quality of life in terms of weather, nature, gastronomy and wine, culture and heritage…

for our common future - toulouse francejean castex prime minister. 6 | ecmwf facility 3, toulouse -...

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