France has finalized a groundbreaking acquisition of a cutting-edge quantum computer, marking a world-first achievement. The 18-cat-qubit quantum computer, developed by French hardware developer Alice & Bob, will be operated by GENCI, the country's national high-performance computing agency. This historic procurement is funded by the France Hybrid HPC Quantum Initiative, a comprehensive investment plan aimed at driving innovation in the field. The acquisition underscores France's commitment to advancing quantum computing capabilities, with potential applications in fields such as cryptography and optimization problems. This development is significant, as it demonstrates a major investment in quantum technology, with GENCI poised to leverage the new system to drive research and innovation1. This matters to practitioners and informed readers because it sets a precedent for government agencies to invest in emerging quantum technologies, potentially paving the way for widespread adoption and driving advancements in the field.