Ouest-France is the largest French-language daily newspaper in the world, with a strong regional base and a reputation for centrist, pro-European reporting. Founded in 1944 in Rennes after the Liberation, it replaced the banned Ouest-Éclair and quickly established itself as a “journal républicain du matin.” Today, it publishes 41 local print editions and several digital versions, serving Brittany, Normandy, and Pays de la Loire, while maintaining national and international coverage.

The newspaper is owned by Groupe SIPA – Ouest-France and operates under a unique non-profit association model since 1990, designed to safeguard its editorial independence and democratic values. With more than 700 journalists, 2,400 correspondents, and 1,600 collaborators, Ouest-France reaches millions daily. Its circulation in 2022 was around 645,000 copies, and readership exceeds 2.5 million people per day, making it the most widely read francophone newspaper globally.

Ouest-France’s editorial line has historically leaned toward Christian democratic and centrist values, with a consistent emphasis on European integration and humanist democracy. Its strength lies in balancing local reporting—covering municipal life, regional culture, and civic issues—with national and international perspectives. This dual focus has allowed it to remain resilient against the decline in print media, positioning Ouest-France as both a regional anchor and a global leader in French-language journalism.