École Supérieure du Bois sets up in the Lyon region
In September 2024, Lyon welcomed its very first cohort of Bachelor’s students in science and engineering from École Supérieure du Bois (ESB). This initiative was supported by ONLYLYON Invest and backed by the Lyon Metropolitan Area.
A closer look at the establishment of an engineering school with strong economic, environmental, and social benefits.
Founded in Paris in 1934 at the initiative of the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of National Education, and the Ministry of Industry, École Supérieure du Bois (ESB) is France’s leading higher education institution specializing in wood science and technology. Based in Nantes since 1993, ESB opened a campus in Versailles in 2023, followed by Lyon in 2024. A key strength of ESB lies in its mission, which is rooted in an economic, social, and solidarity-based approach shared by both the Lyon Metropolitan Area and ONLYLYON Invest.
École Supérieure du Bois: a French engineering school with recognized expertise in decarbonizing the construction sector
At a time when environmental challenges can no longer be ignored, wood and bio-based materials represent key resources for shaping a sustainable future. This is why the Lyon Metropolitan Area has made it a priority to promote and encourage the use of bio- and geo-based materials.
This ambition is shared by ESB, whose expertise enables it to train around one hundred young graduates each year. Students are encouraged to imagine, design, and develop innovative solutions to meet the needs of tomorrow.
ESB helps fill a gap in training opportunities in the Lyon region, in a sector that is strategic to the decarbonization of the construction industry.
A hybrid campus in Lyon and Villefontaine focused on sustainable models
With a campus in Lyon for theoretical courses and workshops in Villefontaine for hands-on training, École Supérieure du Bois contributes to the vitality of the Lyon region. It also fosters connections between the Lyon Metropolitan Area and the Porte de l’Isère Urban Community.
The decision to locate in Lyon’s 7th arrondissement, within the Hévéa tertiary center, dedicated to the social and solidarity economy, supports a shared ambition: to train talent and create jobs while contributing to sustainability transitions, particularly in the construction sector. Located near the Rhône riverbanks and higher education institutions, the Hévéa building hosts around thirty organizations focused on social, environmental, and societal issues, creating an engaged community that collaborates and shares common goals.
To further enhance their learning experience, ESB students share spaces and technical facilities with other schools and research centers in Villefontaine at Les Grands Ateliers. Here, expertise converges across architecture, engineering, and the arts. Les Grands Ateliers is a place where innovative building prototypes are designed and built. At the crossroads of research laboratory and fabrication workshop, Les Grands Ateliers form a hybrid environment that bridges professional training and academic research.
Supporting and empowering transition stakeholders in the Lyon region
The Lyon Metropolitan Area is working to transform the metropolitan territory by building a development model for a prosperous and resource-efficient economy that adapts to climate challenges, social justice requirements, and public health imperatives. This is why it actively supports the transition of the construction sector.
In this context, it provides funding to organizations such as Fibois, the interprofessional association for the wood industry, with which École Supérieure du Bois maintains close ties. In addition, it financially supports ONLYLYON & CO, and in particular ONLYLYON Invest, its program dedicated to attracting solutions and supporting the establishment of projects the territory needs.
It is within this framework that ONLYLYON Invest experts facilitated the establishment of École Supérieure du Bois in the Lyon region. In practical terms, ESB benefited from an overview of the local industry and numerous connections with regional stakeholders. The teams also supported the school in its search for real estate solutions and in recruiting students.
Together, let’s build the economy that the territory and its residents need!