In a notable shift within the European landscape, Lyon, the third-largest city in France, is making a decisive move away from Microsoft’s Windows and Office suite. Instead, the city is embracing a suite of open-source alternatives, including Linux, OnlyOffice, NextCloud, and PostgreSQL. This transition aligns with a growing trend among European governments to enhance digital sovereignty and lessen reliance on American technology firms.
The Drive for Digital Sovereignty
The impetus behind Lyon’s decision is not merely a reaction to local preferences but a broader strategy that reflects a deep-seated concern regarding data security and autonomy. Following similar actions by Denmark and the German state of Schleswig-Holstein, Lyon’s shift underscores a collective unease among European entities about entrusting their data to U.S.-based companies. The apprehension stems from fears that data could be compromised or that services might be disrupted due to geopolitical tensions, particularly during the Trump administration.
Despite assurances from Microsoft Chairman Brad Smith regarding the company’s commitment to its EU customers, skepticism remains prevalent among several European Union governments. As highlighted in the European Commission’s 2025 State of the Digital Decade report, there is a pressing need for Europe to fully leverage open-source technologies to achieve true tech autonomy.
Supporting Local Economic Development
Beyond the quest for digital independence, Lyon’s initiative is also designed to stimulate local economic growth. The city is developing a collaborative suite known as Territoire Numérique Ouvert (Open Digital Territory) in partnership with regional digital organizations, which will be hosted in local data centers. This initiative aims to provide secure and interoperable tools for videoconferencing, office automation, and document collaboration.
The migration process is already underway, with municipal workstations transitioning from Windows to Linux and Microsoft Office being replaced by OnlyOffice. While the name may evoke LibreOffice, OnlyOffice is distinct, developed by Latvia-based Ascensio Systems as a separate open-source, cloud-based productivity suite available under the GNU Affero General Public License.
Environmental and Economic Benefits
Lyon anticipates direct cost savings through this migration, extending the lifespan of municipal hardware and reducing electronic waste, thereby lessening the city’s environmental footprint. Impressively, over 50% of public contracts associated with this project have been awarded to firms within the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, with all contracts going to French companies. This strategic choice aims to reinforce the local economy, echoing a common theme in other EU initiatives focused on keeping financial resources within Europe.
Training for approximately 10,000 civil servants commenced in June 2025, marking a significant step in Lyon’s transition to Linux. As this migration unfolds, it is being closely monitored as a potential model for other municipalities seeking greater digital independence and sustainability. The prospect of a “Year of the Linux desktop” may not be driven solely by user dissatisfaction with Windows, but rather by a collective governmental desire to mitigate the risks associated with reliance on a single U.S.-based technology provider.