It is important to be familiar with the diversity of production models and appreciate their strengths and weaknesses to assess the consequences of modifications to support instruments. This is the aim of this analysis, which focuses on six production basins localised in the North of the European Union and which is based on the one hand on Farm Accountancy Data Network (FADN) data processing and on the other hand on experts and cattle breeders. Having lower work productivity than their Northern competitors, French dairy farms have the advantage of a low purchasing cost of production means (quota and land) and of high-performing feed systems. Although they are penalized at present by high mechanisation expenses and major investments, in the medium term they could become economically better performing thanks to progressive loan repayments and future productivity gains.