The Idea

Senator Pierre Laffitte, the mastermind of Sophia, in an article entitled "Latin Quarter in the fields" published by Le Monde newspaper in 1960, described the future Science Park not only in terms of economic, but also on a social and cultural level. In fact, Sophia is also known for its concern about urban development, the environment and its quality of life. As a result, it was required by the community that two third of entire area of Sophia which represents 2300 hectares (1/4 of Paris area) remains green land. Thus, on 1500 hectares were planted Mediterranean species which made up the Green Belt" around Sophia Antipolis. The remaining 800 hectares were divided as follows:

• 150 hectares dedicated to leisure and inhabited areas are the home for almost 3,500 families
• 650 hectares are allocated for national and international companies as well as research organizations and centers for higher education.

The name

The name Sophia Antipolis derives from the Greek "sophus" meaning wise, clever, and intelligent. Antipolis is the Ancient Greek name for Antibes, which is just a few kilometres to the south, it can also be described as "the anti-city" meaning at the opposite. Thus, the origin of Sophia Antipolis symbolizes "an international city of wisdom, science and technology at the opposite of Antibes". However, for those of you who are a less theoretician and prefer contemporary answer, it was said that Pierre Laffitte's wife at the time being was named Sophia.

Brief history of the Sophia

The area where Sophia Antipolis is situated has been an important region far back in history. In the Middle Ages, it was an important European trading centre. Up to the middle of the twentieth century, the area remained principally a farming area. The olive and wine provided the main crops along with the rose and the jasmine, which were used to make perfume. During the last two centuries tourism was the primary key factor for development. The creation of Sophia Antipolis represents the most radical change in modern time.

- Before Sophia Antipolis we only had grapes and olive trees here.
Mr Philippe Vandelli in Valbonne praise the day when the science park settled in the valley.

-It brought both jobs and money. And that's most important thing…

Sophia Antipolis, internationally recognized as an innovative Science and Technology Park, includes over 1200 companies representing almost 35,000 employees in four main sectors of activities: information technology, health and bio tech sectors, higher education and research and natural sciences. Its crossroads of cultural diversity is substantiated by the number of foreign capital which accounts for more than 25 percent of these jobs. Creative capacity, entrepreneurship and innovative management methods are some of the core values for Sophia Antipolis.

Foundation Sophia Antipolis

The Foundation Sophia Antipolis has played a critical role in the development of Sophia. Created in 1984, by Senator Laffitte, its mission is to facilitate exchanges and prospective reflection at the French, European and international levels, in the fields of science, industry and culture. The objective of the Foundation is to create an environment which will facilitate international partnerships and support technology transfer.

Geographically at the crossroads of Europe and the Mediterranean Sea, Sophia Antipolis, since the beginning, has sought a position at the crossroads of technology, art, philosophy and ethics. Ç Artistic creation and scientific creation proceed from the same natureÈ, says Senator Pierre Laffitte Côte d'Azur Développement ( http://www.investincotedazur.com/uk)

Côte d'Azur Développement

C.A.D. (Côte d'Azur Développement) is the official regional economic development and service agency for the French Riviera. CAD works to create and sustain a region that is globally competitive - fuelled by a diversified, technology-driven economy - and positioned to achieve sustained economic prosperity and opportunity for businesses and residents.

CAD's core mission is to assist companies in locating or expanding - and with solving problems - while also focusing on issues of regional competitiveness. CAD's tailored approach accommodates the needs of growing businesses, while ensuring a smooth and trouble-free integration into the Cote d'Azur.

CAD is a private, non for profit organization, which has been in existence for 20 years.

Telecom Valley

The Telecom Valley association, a non-profit organization, was founded in 1991. It was created to exchange ideas and share international experience in the areas of IT and Telecom. Today, its mission is to anticipate, develop and promote the uses, services and technologies that are building the future of telecommunications.

Since its inception, Telecom Valley has initiated and endorsed several IT projects in the areas of E-Learning, M-tourism and Knowledge Management. The success of their projects and the creation of partnerships with other high tech associations throughout the world were based upon Telecom Valley's unique skills and expertise in order to build a rich platform of information exchange.

La Chambre de Commerce et Industrie Nice Cote d'Azur

The Chamber of Commerce of Nice Cote d'Azur represents over 54,000 businesses of all sizes and all sectors of activities. The Chamber of Commerce presents a strong and united voice from businesses throughout the region in promoting progressive regional public policy. With more than one century of effective business leadership in the public policy arena, the Chamber of Commere of Nice Cote d'Azur is addressing today the challenges that affect the economic well-being and quality of life of the region.

The Chamber works year round in diverse ways to strengthen the region's prosperity and livability while ensuring environmental quality and social equity.

CASA (Communauté d'Agglomération Sophia Antipolis)

The implementation of a recent national law on "inter-community" has brought the creation in january 2002 of this new structure called CASA. Eventually, this new authority will succeed the existing structure called SYMISA (Syndicat Mixte de Sophia-Antipolis).

CASA regroups 16 communities around a "chartre de développement". This charter encompasses 10 major topics addressing issues from maintaining each communeâs identity and diversity, to a sustainable economic development, housing and land use, transportation, and encouraging partnerships between key regional and national institutions as well as economic leaders, to mention only a few points of the charter.