Caisse des Dépôts (CDC) is a French public financial institution and long-term investor that works in the public interest to support economic development and public policy goals. It was founded in 1816 and, according to the organisation’s own site, its group of entities is committed “at the heart of territories” to accelerating ecological transition and improving quality of life for everyone.124
Its mandate is broad but consistently public-facing. The CDC and its subsidiaries operate as a public group serving the general interest and economic development of France, with missions carried out in support of state and local-government policies.24 The main activity areas highlighted by official sources include social housing finance, territorial development, business financing, and the transition to a lower-carbon economy.23 The group also presents itself as a long-term investor active in sectors such as housing, real estate, mobility, energy, environment, digital infrastructure, leisure, and tourism.2
For the housing sector, CDC is especially relevant through its role in financing social housing and through its territorial arm, the Banque des Territoires, which supports local actors with loans, equity investments, and advisory services for projects of general interest.26 This makes CDC one of the key public institutions in France connected to affordable housing and broader territorial cohesion policies.23
In sustainability terms, the organisation explicitly links its activity to ecological transition, climate adaptation, and energy sovereignty.4 The material on its website also emphasizes adaptation to climate risks across territories, indicating that housing, land use, and infrastructure resilience are part of its wider public-interest agenda.
The organisation is headquartered in Paris, France, at 56 rue de Lille.12