Top 10 Cloud Providers in France: Local French Data Centers Where Your Data Stays Safe
- server-parts.eu server-parts.eu
- 1 day ago
- 8 min read
Updated: 11 hours ago
U.S. laws, like the CLOUD Act and FISA, let American cloud providers be forced to share data from anywhere, even data stored in Europe. This can conflict with the EU’s GDPR privacy rules, causing worries about unauthorized data access or industrial spying.
Dell, HPE & Lenovo Servers For Your Data Center: Save Up To 80%
✔️ No Upfront Payment Required - Test First, Pay Later!
Ongoing trade problems and digital policy disagreements, such as digital taxes or sanctions, create more uncertainty for businesses using foreign clouds. In short, using foreign clouds can lead to losing control of your data, breaking GDPR rules, and facing unexpected service issues due to geopolitical problems.
France is working hard to control its own data by promoting local cloud services, using strict rules like the SecNumCloud label to block foreign access, and investing in French providers so that public services and companies can meet GDPR and health data rules with trusted, home-grown solutions.
In Short, Using Foreign Clouds Can Mean:
Legal clashes: U.S. laws may override EU privacy (CLOUD Act vs GDPR)
Privacy risks: Foreign subpoenas for sensitive data, even if hosted in Europe
Geopolitical disruption: Tariffs or sanctions can suddenly affect services or costs
Top 10 French Cloud Providers with Local Data Centers
Local Cloud Providers in France: OVHcloud
🏢 Company: OVHcloud (OVH Groupe SA) is France’s largest cloud company (founded 1999, HQ in Roubaix), with a global footprint.
📍 Data centers: OVHcloud owns many French facilities. Its SecNumCloud-certified “North France” region spans the Gravelines, Roubaix and Strasbourg campuses. (OVH also has sites in Paris (multi-AZ region), Bordeaux, Grenoble, Tours, etc.)
☁️ Services: Full IaaS portfolio (bare-metal servers, VPS, public/private cloud instances, managed Kubernetes, object/block storage, CDN, etc.). OVH’s public cloud offers multiple AZ regions (e.g. 3 AZs in Paris).
👍 Strengths: Massive scale and competitive pricing. European ownership means strict EU compliance and high energy efficiency (OVH publishes its PUE). The company has broad offerings (from simple VPS to advanced AI/GPU instances) and high automation. (Customers praise OVH’s performance and transparency; past reliability issues – e.g. a 2021 Strasbourg fire – have led OVH to strengthen multi-zone resilience.)
Local Cloud Providers in France: Scaleway
🏢 Company: Scaleway is a French cloud brand of Iliad (Xavier Niel). Founded as Online.net, it rebranded to Scaleway and focuses on developer-friendly IaaS.
📍 Data centers: Scaleway “owns and operates several data centers in Île-de-France”. Key sites include Paris suburbs (Paris suburbs) and Saint-Ouen-l’Aumône (Val-d’Oise). For example, its DC2 and DC3 campuses are large Tier-III facilities in Vitry.
☁️ Services: Public cloud servers (both x86 and ARM), on-demand GPUs, managed Kubernetes (Kapsule), block storage (Scaleway Elements), GPUs and even a bare-metal solution (Dedibox). Scaleway also offers functions-as-a-service and object storage.
👍 Strengths: Very tech-savvy and transparent (publishes data center metrics). Strong automation and modern APIs attract startups and developers. As a European provider, Scaleway ensures data residency. Its focus on innovation (open source-friendly, ARM-based instances, GPU cloud) stands out. Some users note Scaleway may lack some enterprise polish, but many appreciate its performance-to-cost and ethical stance (environmental focus).
Local Cloud Providers in France: Orange Business Services
🏢 Company: Orange Business Services is the enterprise arm of Orange (formerly France Telecom). It is a major French telecom and IT services provider.
📍 Data centers: Orange runs its own French data centers. Notable sites include the Orange Normandie campus (Val-de-Reuil, Normandy) and several Ile-de-France centers. Crucially, its cloud offerings (Flexible Engine, Private Cloud) are hosted entirely in France.
☁️ Services: Orange offers IaaS and private/hybrid clouds for enterprises. The Flexible Engine platform (built on Huawei OpenStack) provides virtual servers, storage, and networking “hosted in France”. Orange also offers managed Kubernetes, backup, disaster recovery, and connectivity (MPLS VPN, SD-WAN) integrated with its cloud.
👍 Strengths: End-to-end network integration – Orange can link private lines and fiber directly into its cloud. Its offerings come with enterprise SLAs and security by Orange Cyberdefense. The upcoming “Bleu” trusted cloud (JV with Capgemini) will further strengthen its sovereign cloud credentials. Large French companies trust Orange for stability. (Weaknesses: offerings can be complex and sometimes pricier than pure IaaS vendors.)
Local Cloud Providers in France: 3DS OUTSCALE (Dassault Systèmes)
🏢 Company: OUTSCALE was originally Atos’ cloud arm (Bull) and is now fully owned by Dassault Systèmes (French aerospace/3D software leader). It specializes in “sovereign cloud” services.
📍 Data centers: OUTSCALE operates French data centers (e.g. Île-de-France). Its entire infrastructure is located in France and complies with ANSSI standards.
☁️ Services: Public cloud IaaS (compute, storage, networking), managed Kubernetes, dedicated GPUs for AI, bare-metal servers, and specialized services for government, healthcare, and defense sectors. It also offers HDS-certified hosting for health data.
👍 Strengths: Security and sovereignty are hallmarks: OUTSCALE “becomes the first Cloud operator to receive the ANSSI security visa for SecNumCloud 3.2”. It is marketed as a “sustainable, trusted” cloud for sensitive workloads. French and EU customers appreciate its certifications (SecNumCloud, ISO 27001, HDS, etc.) and Dassault’s backing. (Reputation: smaller scale than hyperscalers, but praised for compliance and customer service.)
Local Cloud Providers in France: Ikoula
🏢 Company: Ikoula is an independent French hosting company (founded 1998). It is fully French-owned (recently acquired by French investor Sewan).
📍 Data centers: Ikoula owns two data centers in France: one in Reims and one in Laon (Champagne region). These facilities run on green energy and are managed by Ikoula staff.
☁️ Services: Web hosting and IaaS (Windows/Linux VPS, cloud servers, storage, backup services, domain registration, email hosting, etc.). It also offers CDN, virtual data rooms, and Microsoft 365 hosting. Ikoula’s Cloud IaaS (CloudIKOULA) provides flexible CPU/RAM and snapshot-based backups.
👍 Strengths: Focus on eco-friendly hosting (very low PUE with hydroelectric power). Long track record and personalized support (French-speaking, small-company feel). Good transparency on pricing and energy use. (Some customers note it’s ideal for SMEs needing local support and GDPR compliance, though it’s smaller than big names.)
Local Cloud Providers in France: Clever Cloud
🏢 Company: Clever Cloud is a French PaaS/Cloud company (founded 2010, HQ Nancy). It is 100% French-owned and positions itself as a sovereign cloud provider.
📍 Data centers: Clever Cloud “operates servers in France, exclusively administered by staff based in Europe”. It currently deploys its managed platform on SecNumCloud-approved French infrastructure.
☁️ Services: A fully managed PaaS for deploying applications and databases. Developers can push code (Java, Node.js, PHP, Python, Ruby, etc.) and Clever Cloud auto-scales instances, databases, and Redis caches. It also offers PostgreSQL/MySQL as a service, object storage, and managed Kubernetes.
👍 Strengths: Certified “Cloud de Confiance” participant: Clever Cloud emphasizes immunity to foreign surveillance laws. It simplifies deployment (Git-based, container under the hood) and takes care of operations. Users praise its ease of use and strong security defaults. (Clever Cloud was even selected for French state support to secure SecNumCloud certification.)
Local Cloud Providers in France: Gandi
🏢 Company: Gandi SAS is a French company best known as a domain registrar (founded 1999, Paris HQ) that also offers hosting and cloud services.
📍 Data centers: Gandi runs four data centers, three of which are in France (and one in Luxembourg). Customers can choose datacenter location on creation (all at the same price).
☁️ Services: Gandi provides cloud VPS (configurable CPU/RAM with snapshots), dedicated servers, SSL certificates, mailboxes, and file storage. It also offers container hosting and an upcoming Kubernetes service. Gandi’s offerings are known for flexibility (no locked configs) and transparent billing.
👍 Strengths: Strong commitment to privacy and standards (ISO 27001 certified). Flat pricing (no hidden fees) and extensive self-service API/CLI. The company is trusted by European tech communities. (Customers value that Gandi is GDPR-centric and not profit-driven – for example, free IPv6 and transparent IPv4 pricing are often praised.)
Local Cloud Providers in France: TAS Cloud Services (TAS France)
🏢 Company: TAS Cloud Services (a brand of TAS Group) is a French IT services firm headquartered in Valbonne (Sophia Antipolis) that specializes in managed hosting.
📍 Data centers: TAS runs a Tier-IV rated data center in Valbonne – one of France’s most secure and advanced facilities. (Tier IV means fully redundant systems for maximum uptime.)
☁️ Services: A broad portfolio covering managed web hosting, IaaS, PaaS and SaaS, backup and disaster recovery, cybersecurity, and operational support. TAS offers tailored cloud environments for enterprise applications and projects, with 24/7 monitoring and maintenance.
👍 Strengths: Exceptional reliability (Tier IV with highest fault tolerance) and security. TAS emphasizes a highly proactive, client-focused service with French support teams. Customers in regulated industries (finance, healthcare) trust TAS for data protection and compliance. (TAS’s “data center is one of the most advanced and secure in France”.)
Local Cloud Providers in France: Adista
🏢 Company: Adista (part of the Inherent Group) is a leading French “alternative” telecom and cloud operator for businesses. It calls itself the #1 alternative B2B cloud and connectivity operator in France.
📍 Data centers: Adista operates multiple French data centers (including sites in Nancy and Metz). These facilities support its hosting and connectivity services.
☁️ Services: End-to-end cloud and network services: managed public/private clouds (with HDS-certified health data hosting), backup/DR, unified telecom (VoIP, SIP), secure WAN (VPN, SD-WAN), fiber internet, and cybersecurity solutions. Adista also offers data center colocation.
👍 Strengths: Integrated “last-mile” connectivity plus cloud – Adista can deliver cloud over its own fiber/MPLS network. It is fully subject to French law (both telecom and cloud). Known for strong customer service and industry-specific solutions (e.g. secure healthcare hosting). (As a French-focused group, Adista is a go-to for enterprises seeking both on-site connectivity and local cloud.)
Local Cloud Providers in France: Sesterce
🏢 Company: Sesterce is an emerging French cloud startup focusing on high-performance GPU/AI computing. (Founded by Anthony Tchakerian, ex-Nvidia and OVH.)
📍 Data centers: Sesterce’s primary facility is in Paris (data-center slug “fra-paris-2”). It has announced a major AI data center project in Valence (40,000 GPUs planned).
☁️ Services: GPU-powered cloud and on-demand servers for AI training, analytics and HPC workloads. Sesterce offers bare-metal GPU instances, cluster management, and eventually AI cloud services. It aims to provide local alternatives for machine learning infrastructure.
👍 Strengths: Massive investment in French computing power – e.g. a €450M AI data center in Valence. It pledges 1.2 million GPUs by 2030, targeting cutting-edge AI needs. (Early customers applaud its GPU capabilities and French leadership; as a new player, it promises low-latency for EU AI jobs. Its focus on renewable cooling is also noted.)
Local Cloud Providers in France: Tips & Conclusion
When selecting a cloud provider in France, confirm exactly where your data will be stored. Even if data stays within France, it’s worth verifying the specific region or city—this matters for both GDPR compliance and latency. Support quality can vary, so check real user feedback. French-language forums, client case studies, or provider citations can offer insight into responsiveness, support language, and long-term reliability.
French cloud providers now offer a full range of local alternatives, with options suitable for regulated sectors, performance-heavy workloads, or developer-centric environments. All operate under French jurisdiction and host data on French soil, avoiding the legal uncertainty tied to non-EU ownership. Each provider has trade-offs depending on your priorities: from strong SLAs to flexible APIs to environmental certifications. Use this overview as a starting point to evaluate which aligns best with your business needs, and contact providers directly for tailored offers and clarification.
Dell, HPE & Lenovo Servers For Your Data Center: Save Up To 80%
✔️ No Upfront Payment Required - Test First, Pay Later!
Sources:
Comments