The article is an attempt at analyzing the development processes of the French peripheral region, Nord-Pas-de-Calais. This region has been a subject of regional policy for many years, including significant public and private sector investments to help transform the economy. The analysis of key events in the context of the path dependency theory shows that, despite a marked increase in innovation, socio-economic development and some investment success, for the region located between Paris, London and Brussels it is very diffi cult to compete for growth factors.