Ouest-France Cuts 156 Jobs

France's top-selling newspaper, Ouest-France, will cut 156 jobs due to falling sales and ad revenue. The paper, which has a daily average circulation of around 600,000, has seen its circulation drop by five or six per cent annually in recent years.

The job cuts, announced on September 23, will include 116 positions in the newsroom, according to union sources. This move is part of a cost-cutting plan aimed at stemming the paper's mounting losses. Ouest-France had a reported 1,500-strong headcount before the cuts.

The paper's financial struggles are evident in its recent loss of nearly €9 million in 2025. In response, Ouest-France aims to return to profit in 2028. The job cuts are a significant step towards achieving this goal, but they have come as a shock to the staff. Union delegate Vanessa Ripoche expressed the sentiment, stating that people are really shocked by the move.

## Why it matters The decline of Ouest-France's circulation and revenue is not an isolated incident. Many local papers in France have faced similar challenges as readers migrate to online editions. The erosion of print editions has led to a decline in lucrative advertising rates, making it difficult for papers like Ouest-France to maintain their workforce. The job cuts at Ouest-France are a reflection of the broader struggles faced by the print media industry.

The impact of these job cuts will be felt not only by the staff but also by the communities that rely on Ouest-France for news and information. As the paper aims to return to profit, it will be important to balance cost-cutting measures with the need to maintain the quality and scope of its coverage. The road ahead will be challenging, but Ouest-France's efforts to adapt to the changing media landscape will be closely watched by the industry and its readers.