This chapter discusses policies that support business research and development (R and D) and innovation in France and draws comparisons with other countries. It illustrates the State’s changing objectives and methods in this field, where France is now part of a trend towards “new industrial policies”. It examines in detail the chief instrument by which the State influences business R and D, namely the research tax credit, whose breadth places France at the top of Organisation for Economic Co-operation country rankings. It reviews direct support instruments, including agencies such as Bpifrance (which handles financing), programmes such as competitive clusters (which provide localised support) and sectoral programmes (related to defence, aeronautics, etc.). The chapter concludes with a discussion of France’s policy mix.