As the global AI summit opens today in Paris, Mistral AI — one of France’s AI disruptors — has announced plans to build its first data centre. Mistral co-founder Arthur Mensch highlighted the planned investment of “several billion euros” in this data centre, emphasising how control over storage and processing power provides a crucial advantage in the technological race. In 2024, General Catalyst led a funding round that secured €600 million for the company, bringing its total valuation to €6 billion.
What do we know about Mistral AI’s data centre plans? Read on for more.
Essonne with “several billion euros”
According to the Mistral AI announcement released yesterday evening, the company will invest “several billion euros” in its first French data centre. This investment will enable the training of more powerful AI systems in the coming months, mainly generative AI models using cutting-edge, high-performance chips.
The anticipated data centre will also enhance Mistral’s control over its AI technology — from hardware to software — and reduce its dependence on major US tech firms like AWS and Microsoft. While acknowledging funding limitations compared to American counterparts, Mensch maintains that Europe has the world’s best AI talent. He believes quality products can attract substantial capital, including foreign investments.
Mistral’s data centre is part of Project Eclairion, an “ultra-secure data centre” that spans several thousand square meters. The scalable facility allows for future expansion and should become operational within months —a step toward Mistral’s goal of technological sovereignty. While Mensch didn’t specify the exact financial commitment, the scale of investment aims to establish the company as a global AI leader, not just in France.
The data centre will be in Essonne, in the southern part of the Île-de-France region. This strategic location offers proximity to Paris while providing ample space for a large-scale facility. The site enables collaboration with tech firms and research institutions. Mistral AI will use low-carbon energy sources, particularly nuclear power, aligning with European sustainability goals.
“It’s not black magic”
The data centre announcement follows Mistral AI’s launch of Le Chat, which already outperforms ChatGPT in several areas: better understanding of the French language and European cultural context, enhanced privacy and transparency through open models, and faster performance at 1,000 words per second.
Mistral AI has partnered with Cerebras Systems, an AI chip firm backed by UAE tech conglomerate G42. Cerebras provides Mistral AI with its wafer-scale compute platform, which is integrated into the Le Chat platform. This collaboration has produced “Flash Answers,” a feature that generates 1,100 tokens per second using speculative decoding techniques.
Mensch encourages French users to explore AI tools, stating, “It’s not black magic!” He compares learning AI to mastering personal computers 20 years ago or smartphones a decade ago. He stresses that AI aims to enhance human interactions and save time on routine tasks, not replace people.
Mistral’s co-founder also sees growing European awareness that startup collaboration could establish regional AI leadership. He notes that European companies are innovating and deserve recognition, particularly in medicine — where AI shows promise in emergency department triage, patient care support, and high-risk case identification.
Enhancing France’s position in AI landscape
Mistral AI’s decision to build its first data centre in France is strategically important for the company and the country. It advances France’s goal of becoming a leading AI development and data storage hub. The project strengthens Mistral AI’s independence while boosting its R&D capabilities. By creating its infrastructure, Mistral AI seeks complete control over its AI value chain, from hardware to software.
Mistral’s investment is part of a broader AI infrastructure expansion in France. President Emmanuel Macron announced €109 billion in AI investments from various sources. Canadian fund Brookfield Asset Management intends to invest €20 billion in French data centres and AI infrastructure over five years. Other French companies, including Iliad SA, Orange SA, and Thales SA, plan significant AI investments. This investment surge establishes France as an emerging AI hub, emphasising sustainability through low-carbon energy use.
