France has acquired a cutting-edge 18-cat-qubit quantum computer from Alice & Bob, marking the first global deployment of a cat-qubit quantum system1. This system will be integrated with the Joliot-Curie supercomputer at the Très Grand Centre de Calcul, with user access slated to commence in 2027. The acquisition is a key component of France's National Quantum Strategy, aimed at driving research in quantum error correction and hybrid high-performance computing-quantum computing workflows. By leveraging this technology, French researchers will be able to explore new avenues in quantum computing, potentially leading to breakthroughs in fields such as materials science and cryptography. The deployment of this cat-qubit quantum system is a significant milestone, as it enables the exploration of new quantum computing paradigms, so what matters most to practitioners is how this acquisition will accelerate the development of practical quantum computing applications.