The French presence in Michigan began with the founding of Detroit by French explorer Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac in 1702. The French influence can be seen today in many city, street and place names and in the strong presence of a number of French cultural and business organizations.

Approximately 300 French company operations are located in Michigan (source: Michigan Economic Development Corporation). Included among these are the well-recognized names of many large French companies, such as Peugeot-Citroen/USTR, Faurecia, Hutchinson, Delmia and Dassault, Valeo, Plastic Omnium, Sodexho and many others. But there are also many other French companies engaged in varied fields including automotive, aerospace, retail, luxury goods, food and wine products, high technology, medical products and other fields.

New French companies are establishing themselves in Michigan with regularity to take advantage of the favorable location, skilled workforce, extensive research university resources, international airport with direct flights to France, China and virtually all important commercial cities of the world, and affordable living costs.