Focusing on the French cluster policy, this study aims at evaluating how cluster policies influence the structure of local inventor networks. Based on a panel data of four periods and 94 NUTS-3 French regions, we implement various model specifications to make explicit processes that may drive the impact of the policy. The results suggest that spatial interdependences and region-specific trends should be considered to make correct causal inference about such placebased policies. Overall, the results do not provide clear evidence supporting that the French cluster policy has strengthened the cohesion, efficiency and resilience of local inventor networks.