The South Region is home to nearly 30% of residents aged 60 and over, one of the highest proportions in metropolitan France. This demographic reality is driving growing demand for age-friendly housing, connected healthcare solutions, personal care services, and support solutions for caregivers.
The regional silver economy sector is supported by a strong network of public and private stakeholders, including the Personal Services Cluster (Pôle Services à la Personne), the South Gerontology Center (Gérontopôle Sud), and the STAR Carnot Network (Réseau Carnot STAR). It also benefits from territories actively engaged in innovation and pilot projects, such as Nice, Toulon, and Digne-les-Bains, as well as a flagship event, the SilverEco Festival, held annually in Cannes.
At a glance
Why choose the South of France for the silver economy?
Several factors make the Région Sud an ideal location for silver economy businesses.
Favourable demographics: nearly 30% of the regional population is over 60 years old. The share of those aged 75 and over is growing faster than the national average.
An attractive region for retirees: the Région Sud welcomes new senior residents each year, drawn by the quality of life and climate.
A flagship event: the SilverEco Festival is held every year at the Palais des Festivals in Cannes. The Région Sud has been a partner since 2021.
Regional support: the silver economy is registered as a Regional Interest Operation (OIR) in the SRDEII. The Silver Economy Month rallies the regional ecosystem each year.
Key figures
Innovation and research ecosystem
The regional sector relies on dedicated research and support structures focused on ageing and autonomy.
Committed territories
Nice Côte d'Azur Metropolitan Area: engaged in connected health and home care solutions. The Nice University Hospital and R&D centres work on cognitive frailty screening and AI in healthcare. The "Aging Well Together" program is an example of a research initiative that brings together experts from various scientific fields (University Hospital Center (CHU) and Université Côte d’Azur) to generate new knowledge on programs aimed at preventing the loss of independence among older adults.
Marseille: France's second-largest health hub, home to the Gérontopôle Sud and PSP PACA. The AP-HM conducts research in geriatrics and remote care.
Toulon Provence Méditerranée Metropolitan Area: a priority sector with the AG2R Silver Lab (testing innovations in real conditions with seniors) and the "Bien chez Soi" programme (home adaptation).
Provence Alpes Agglomération: labelled "Full Health Territory", with a health Living Lab in Digne-les-Bains dedicated to silver economy innovation.
Carnot STAR Network and Gérontopôle Sud
The Carnot STAR Institute (Aix-Marseille University) brings together 10 research units and offers industrial partners access to scientific expertise on ageing, functional decline and adapted sport.
The Gérontopôle Sud, established in 2018 by the Région Sud and ARS PACA, operates from three offices (Marseille, Toulon, Nice). Its missions: monitoring ageing trends, geriatric training and innovation support. It produces a regional Ageing Atlas.
What are the priority areas of the silver economy in the South of France?
The OIR Silver Economy roadmap is structured around three priority areas.
Adapted housing
Providing housing that meets needs throughout life: home adaptation for ageing, senior service residences, home automation and home care solutions. Players such as Schneider Electric (home automation), Senioriales (senior residences) and the TPM "Bien chez Soi" programme contribute to this area.
Innovation for healthy ageing
Telemedicine, remote monitoring, connected medical devices and artificial intelligence applied to healthcare. Regional companies such as VA2CS (AI-based fall detection), Sensoria Analytics (cardiovascular risk), and Infini Connect (remote assistance) are developing solutions in the region.
Caregiver support
Solutions and services dedicated to family caregivers: respite platforms, digital coordination tools, training. The ADMR network and the ARCADE Assistances Services association (Marseille) structure the home care offer in the region. PSP PACA runs the Club Silver Sud, bringing together around forty companies in the sector.
Where to set up your business? Suitable business parks
The region offers suitable infrastructure for offices, laboratories and production facilities.
| Site | Focus | Key advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Nice Méridia (Écovallée) | E-health & connected health | Close to Nice University Hospital and digital health R&D centres. |
| Toulon East Business Park | Services & Housing | Tertiary and logistics area at the heart of the region's densest senior population. |
| Provence Alpes Business Park | Well-being & Prevention | "Full Health" territory, ideal setting for sport-health and prevention activities. |
Explore all available business sites
risingSUD expertise: your partner for business set-up
risingSUD supports investors throughout their establishment in the Région Sud: real estate, grants, innovation networks, recruitment.
- Identification of suitable real estate and premises.
- Connection with sector stakeholders (PSP PACA, Gérontopôle Sud, Eurobiomed, Carnot STAR).
- Access to funding schemes (regional grants, BPI France, European programmes).
- Project structuring support.
3 questions to our Silver Economy sector expert
Which silver economy innovations are growing the fastest in the South of France?
Remote monitoring and e-health for seniors have accelerated significantly in recent years. We support companies developing connected home care solutions, coordination platforms between caregivers and health professionals, and tools to prevent loss of autonomy. The regional ecosystem (Nice University Hospital, Gérontopôle Sud, PSP PACA) offers concrete testing grounds to trial these innovations before market launch.
For a silver start-up, is it better to target B2B (care homes, hospitals) or B2C (individuals)?
Both markets have potential, but B2B offers faster access. Healthcare facilities and care homes are actively seeking innovative solutions, and the Région Sud has a structured network (Gérontopôle Sud, PSP PACA) that facilitates introductions. B2C requires more time and marketing investment, but the potential volume is considerable given the regional demographics. Our recommendation: start with B2B to validate usage, then expand to B2C.
What is the main challenge for silver economy companies in the South of France?
The multiplicity of public stakeholders. Between the ARS, Departments, Metropolitan areas, pension funds and mutual insurers, companies can waste time identifying the right decision-maker and the right funding scheme. This is precisely where risingSUD adds value: we know the processes, the calls-for-projects calendars and the right contacts in each institution.
Leading companies trust us:
ADMR, AG2R LA MONDIALE, ARCADE, DOMINO FAMILY, INFINI CONNECT, LE GROUPE LA POSTE, OUI ACRE, SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC, SENIORIALES, SENSORIA ANALYTICS, VA2CS, EBIODY, CHEF BASIL
Spotlight on social innovation: the ViagéVie project
ViagéVie is a new care model for the elderly based on France’s life annuity system that allows people to remain in their homes after the sale of their property and receive monthly payments. Initiated in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur by the Caisse des Dépôts public bank, SOLIHA, and the La Poste group, ViagéVie is setting up a general interest program that allows older adults (house owners) to stay in their homes in good conditions thanks to a suite of care services that are provided. The program is financed by the income generated by the sale of their property through the life annuity system. When the property is finally vacated, it is put on the market through a separate program to encourage home ownership.
FAQ: Everything about silver economy investment in the South of France
Why test your product in the South of France before a national rollout?
The region has a concentration of seniors that is representative of the demographic trends expected across Europe in the coming decades. Several territories (Nice, Toulon, Digne-les-Bains) have set up Living Labs to test solutions in real-world conditions.
What grants are available for personal services companies?
Regional schemes exist for employee training and the digitalisation of organisations, in addition to innovation support (BPI France, European programmes). risingSUD helps identify these funding options.
How can I access gerontology research networks?
The Gérontopôle Sud (three offices: Marseille, Toulon, Nice) and the Carnot STAR Network (Aix-Marseille University) provide access to scientific expertise on ageing. The Eurobiomed competitiveness cluster and PSP PACA facilitate connections with researchers and clinicians as well as the "Aging Well" program, which brings together experts from various scientific disciplines.
Sources and references
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