The list of the busiest neighborhoods in regional cities


Pedestrianisation, ease of access by transport and amenities make the difference.

By measuring the flow of pedestrians in more than 80 shopping districts of major regional cities, the Mytraffic research office and the Institute for Higher Metropolitan Studies (IHEDM) have established a list of the ten busiest districts in French cities. The study measured, using the GPS location of smartphones, the average number of pedestrian crossings per hectare and per month throughout 2021.

Thus, with its 278,000 passages per hectare and per month, the district at the top of rue Sainte-Catherine, in Bordeaux, is at the top of the list. “This is very good news that will support the morale of the troops“, reacted to the Figaro Sandrine Jacotot, deputy mayor of Bordeaux in charge of trade. The Bordeaux district is followed in the ranking by that of rue d’Alsace-Lorraine in Toulouse (214,000 passages) and that of Cordeliers, on the peninsula of Lyon (168,000 passages). The full list of winners can be found below.

The central districts of Bordeaux, Toulouse and Lyon dominate the list. Mytraffic

Visitor density was calculated by dividing the average monthly visitation of each zone during the year 2021 by the surface of this zone. The Paris metropolis, which stands out because of its size and its functioning, was deliberately excluded from the study. It should also be noted that in 2021, the closure of borders caused by the Covid-19 pandemic encouraged the French to visit their country. A city like Bordeaux, as a coastal destination, has certainly benefited from this.

Pedestrianization and development, essential assets

Some elements common to several districts of the prize list nevertheless appear, explain the analysts of Mytraffic. What hope to find the recipe for their success. In particular, pedestrianization was an important element in explaining attendance, says Laura Tabuteau, director in charge of the public sector at Mytraffic. The rue de la République, in the heart of the Cordeliers district, in Lyon, has been pedestrianized since 2011, as has that of Alsace-Lorraine, in Toulouse, since 2007. This is also the case for rue Sainte-Catherine in Bordeaux , which began its pedestrianization in 1984. “Before, we used to say: “no parking, no business”. Now, we pass on pedestrian sectors. This is proof that mentalities have greatly evolvedobserves Sandrine Jacotot.

A very high density of shops is found everywhere in these very busy districts, according to a model combining large brands and small shops, for the success of all. “The big brands, often international, play the role of locomotives and lead small independent businesses to their success“, we say at Mytraffic. This is again the case of rue Sainte-Catherine in Bordeaux, which houses an Apple Store, a McDonald’s restaurant, a Zara ready-to-wear store and many independent shops. Urban planning and the ability to reach neighborhoods by diverse means also play a major role, according to Mytraffic. In Toulouse, an urban planning rule prohibits the installation on the rue d’Alsace-Lorraine of companies from the tertiary sector, this for “promote traditional businesses“, indicates Jean-Luc Moudenc, the mayor of the pink city. In addition to the Bordeaux tramway, “we have developed cycle paths», explains Sandrine Jacotot.

The elected official from Bordeaux also highlights the efforts of traders to offer quality commercial offers. If the high attendance of these districts delights their traders, it is not the guarantee of economic health without any complications. “Of course, this street and its businesses evolve at the rate of the economy in general.“recalls Jean-Luc Moudenc, mayor of Toulouse, about the rue d’Alsace-Lorraine which is in second place in the ranking. “But this street is still vibrant“, he acknowledges. “It is not enough to be on a dynamic avenue. It all depends on how the businesses are run. You need a very good reception and make sure that the offers are consistent with the market“says Sandrine Jacotot.

However, not all cities start out on an equal footing. Beyond the facilities, the major cities at the top of the ranking have natural assets that are likely to attract walkers. This, the deputy mayor of Bordeaux readily admits: “Our main marketing argument is that we have the largest commercial avenue in Europe. Rue Sainte-Catherine is a must in Bordeaux“, she says. Another notable fact, the cities at the top of the list have large urban agglomerations, which may explain their ability to bring together many visitors. Grenoble, whose hyper-center is tenth in the ranking, is part of an agglomeration of 433,000 inhabitants. That of Lyon, whose peninsula comes in third place, brings together three times as many people and as many more potential visitors to its city center…



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