facts about tourism in france

35 fascinating facts about France

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There are so many fascinating facts about France! France is a land of rich heritage, culture, and ethnic diversity. If you are striving to know about France, this article contains 35 intriguing facts about France that you must know.

1. Largest Country In European Union

2. one of the world’s most visited tourist spot, 3. hexagon – the nickname of france, 4. france shares border with 11 countries, 5. france had the shortest reign – for 20 minutes, 6. french people consumes over 30,000 tons of snails yearly, 7. europe’s second highest mountain is in france – mountain blanc, 8. french army was pioneer to introduce camouflage, 9. france is famous for cheese production, 10. supermarkets in france are not allowed to waste food, 11. the world’s first artificial heart & face transplant carried out in france, 12. louvre museum – world’s largest art museum in france, 13. french gastronomy is recognized as unesco world’s heritage, 14. france manufacture the most expensive wine in the world, 15. sticking a paper fish on adult’s back – april fool’s day tradition, 16. french toast & fries were not invented in france, 17. croissant is not a french invention, 18. turning baguette upside down can cause a bad luck, 19. living snails must have their train tickets, 20. couples are forbidden to kiss on train platforms, 21. paris gare du nord – europe’s busiest train station, 22. france regulates the second biggest european rail network, 23. france organise the world’s best cycle race – tour de france, 24. the oldest human of the world was a french woman, 25. it is illegal to contact employees after their working hours, 26. the world’s longest novel is in the french language, 27. the first camera phone was invented in france, 28. france is the country with the most time zones, 29. hot air balloons, tinned cans & the hairdryer were all created in france, 30. the first public screening of a movie was held in paris, france, 31. france holds the world’s record in roundabout density, 32. parisians hated the eiffel tower at first, 33. france has won the highest number of nobel prizes in literature, 34. “medal of the french family” award, 35. ghost towns in france with no inhabitants, some amazing facts about france.

Imagine strolling down the charming streets of Paris, soaking up the beautiful architecture, and enjoying a delicious French pastry. Or maybe you’re more interested in exploring the stunning countryside, hiking through picturesque villages. And of course, who could forget about the Eiffel Tower? France is a country with so much to offer, and it’s no wonder that it’s one of the most visited tourist destinations.

Are you looking to know about France before your trip? If so, don’t worry, as we have got you covered. In this article, we will uncover 35 fascinating facts about France . You don’t want to miss out on these facts, so without further ado, let’s get started. 

France is the largest country in the European Union, covering a total area of 543,940 km² . It is twice the size of the United Kingdom and eight times that of Ireland. After Ukraine and Russia , France is the third biggest country in Europe.

One of my favourite facts about France is how popular it is! You might be surprised to know that France is among the 10 most visited countries worldwide. Its amazing architecture, rich cultural heritage, and sensational food are a few main reasons for tourist attraction for the last 30 years.

In 2019, approximately 90 million international tourists visited this place, making it the world’s most popular tourist destination. Moreover, Paris, the capital of France, is the world’s third most visited city after Bangkok and London.

French people sometimes call Mainland France by its nickname “Hexagon.” It is due to its distinct shape on the geographical map. It has six sides that make it quite similar to a hexagon. This is one of the lesser know facts about France.

France has a large number of neighbours due to its hexagonal shape. The country shares its boundaries with 11 countries, including Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy , Monaco, Spain, Andorra, Netherlands, Suriname, and Brazil.

One of the most interesting facts about France is that one of their kings experienced the shortest reign. King Louis XIX held the throne for just 20 minutes after his father Charles X’s abdication in July 1830. Later, Louis XIX also abdicated the throne in favour of his nephew.

Louis XIX shares this record with Prince Luís Filipe, who became the King of Portugal after the murder of his father in an attack. However, Luís Filipe was also wounded in the same attack and died after 20 minutes of becoming a King.

Believe it or not, the French eat up to 30,000 tons of snails annually. On average, a single resident consumes over 500 snails yearly. In France, snails are usually called “escargot.”

They are considered a delicacy in France, so people usually enjoy them on holidays and vacations. Most commonly, they are eaten as appetizers – cooked in garlic and butter.

France is home to the second highest peak of Europe – Mountain Blanc. It is located in the French Alps and has an astonishing height of 4,808 meter s above sea level.

Reaching the summit isn’t easy as climbing takes almost 10-12 laborious hours. But don’t worry if you can’t do that; you can still enjoy the view with the help of Europe’s highest scenic cable car at Aiguille du Midi.

Another one of the amazing facts about France is that the French Army was the first to introduce camouflage in 1915. The word “camouflage” derives from a French proverb “to make up for the stage.”

During World War I, artists called camo fleurs were hired to paint all the equipment and vehicles according to their respective surroundings.

It wouldn’t be wrong to say that the French people are so obsessed with cheese that they can’t even imagine their life without that. Not only is France famous for cheese consumption but also for its production. It produces up to 1600 different types of delicious cheese. Some of the most famous cheeses are camembert, Brie de Meaux, Roquefort and Reblochon.

So, if you are visiting France, don’t forget to try these different kinds of cheeses. According to statistics, the volume of cheese produced yearly from cow’s milk in France is between 1.7-1.8 million tons .

In February 2016, France introduced a law to reduce hunger and stop food wastage . According to this law, all supermarkets must donate their unsold and surplus food to charities and food banks instead of throwing them away- I love this sustainability initiative!

One of the most astonishing facts about France is next on the list. Do you know that the world’s first artificial heart transplant occurred at Georges Pompidou Hospital, Paris, in December 2013? 

The artificial organ was 3 times heavier than the original and powered by a lithium-ion battery. In addition, a French Surgeon also did the world’s first face transplant.

In 2019, a whopping 9.6 million visitors arrived at the Louvre Museum – making it the world’s most visited museum. It is home to 66% of the artwork of French artists. Some of the most admired artefacts present here are: 

• The Venus de Milo
• The Horse Tamers
• The Louvre Pyramid
• The Wedding at Cana

This wouldn’t be a post covering the facts about France if I didn’t mention food! France has been known for its exquisite cuisine and lifestyle for ages. In 2010 , UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage added French gastronomy to the list. The French gastronomic meal emphasises celebrating important moments with friends and family.

Apart from its cuisine, France is known for producing the world’s most expensive bottle of wine. The highest bid at an auction for a Burgundy 750 ml bottle was $558,000 . Some renowned French region wines are Burgundy, Rhode Valley, Bordeaux, and Champagne.

In addition to manufacturing the classiest wine, the French also consume tons of wine, i.e., approximately 25 million liters yearly. France is at number second for consuming the largest amount of wine worldwide.

Now comes one of the funniest facts about France. A tradition in France involves children sticking a paper fish onto the adult’s back and then running away, saying “‘Poisson d’Avril,” which means April Fish. So, you better be careful if you are visiting France on 1st April. 

What if I tell you French toast and fries are not French inventions? Just because these items have a French name doesn’t mean they were discovered there. 

French toast was invented by a man named Joseph French in New York. On the other hand, Fries were introduced in the part of Belgium where people speak French. Now aren’t they fascinating facts about France?

The most famous French pastry croissant is Austrian. It is believed that Austrian princess Marie Antoinette carried croissants to France during her marriage with French King Louis XVI.

Every country holds its own superstitious beliefs, and so does France. According to the French, turning a baguette or any other bread upside down on a table is unlucky and can bring misfortune to the people around.

Now let me tell you one of the most fascinating facts about France. It is against the law in France to carry live snails on a train without having their tickets. In fact, as per law, any animal weighing less than 5kg must have its ticket.

Yes, it is illegal to kiss on train platforms in France. This law was introduced in 1910 at the request of the railway chief. The only purpose of this law was to prevent delays in trains’ departure. This is one of the most unusual facts about France.

While talking about railway stations, how can I forget about Europe’s busiest railway station – Gare du Nord.

It is located in the heart of Paris and can manage up to 700,000 passengers daily. Moreover, approximately 220 million passengers pass through this station each year.

With a track length of 29,000km , the French rail network is the second biggest in Europe and the ninth largest in the world. France was the first to use high-speed technology. The country introduced the high-speed TGV back in 1981.

Tour de France is the world’s biggest bicycle race held by France every year in July. This race has been running since 1903 and is over 100 years old. The race lasts for 23 days and covers more than 3200 km.

Jeanne Louise Calment (1875-1997), a resident of Arles, was the only oldest person whose age was independently verified. She lived for 120 years and 164 days. Her longevity, health, and lifestyle attracted the media’s attention.

In France, no boss or business can contact their employees on weekdays or after working hours. Also, French workers do not respond to emails once their time is over. I know we all secretly wish for this law in all countries, which is why this is one of my favourite facts about France!

The longest novel in the world, “ In Search of Lost Time ” (Remembrance of Things Past), was written by the France famous writer Marcel Proust. The novel comprises 7 volumes and 3000 pages. Also, it is an epic read.

Philippe Kahn, a Parisian, introduced the phone camera, and the first photo he took was of his newborn daughter on June 11, 1997. I think we all should be thankful to France for this brilliant invention.

Another one of the most fascinating facts about France is that this country holds the world’s record for having the most time zones. With its 12 time zones, France has beaten Russia and the United States, which have eleven time zones each.

France has introduced many interesting things, from tinned cans to hairdryers. One of the most amazing creations of France was the hot air balloons. They were invented in 1783 by the Montgolfier brothers and are an important part of the history of aviation .

The Lumiere brothers were famous in France for their cinematography and short films they formed between 1895 and 1905. The popular duo organized the world’s first ever public movie screening in Paris on December 28, 1895.

France has almost 30,000 roundabouts now, more than any other country worldwide. The reason behind such a large number of roundabouts is road safety. France has utilized these roundabouts to reduce the overall casualties.

The Eiffel Tower was named after its creator Gustave Eiffel. Although it is currently considered the most remarkable engineering marvel, the Parisians initially hated it. At first, they felt that the Eiffel Tower is hideous and doesn’t fit with the France architecture. 

Also, they thought it would destroy the beauty of Paris. Look how it turned out now. 

No doubt, France is full of amazing French authors. Since 1901, 15 people have won the Nobel Prize in Literature. The list includes Patrick Modiano, Flaubert, Descartes, Voltaire, and many more.

In France, the “Medal of the French Family” is given by the government to the parents or guardians raising four or more children responsibly with dignity.

Some villages in France have a mayor but no inhabitants. After World War 2, these villages were destroyed, and now they are known as “ghost towns.” They are only preserved to keep the memory of those who departed. One such example is Oradour Sur Glane .

Facts about France- further reading

France is the most popular tourist spot for a reason. If you want to discover what else France holds for you, book your ticket to Europe’s largest country right now.

If you know some more exciting facts about France feel free to share them in the comment section below.  And if you enjoyed these fascinating facts about France, why not take a look at these posts too?

• What to do when in Paris- the best 16 things to do in Paris
• A guide to visiting Oradour-sur-Glane
• Travel in Portugal guide
• Zakynthos in Greece best things to see and do
• The 6 best islands in Italy + essential travel tips

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Regional tourism in France - statistics & facts

Diverse tourism patterns, the south of france, grand-est region and overseas departments, key insights.

Detailed statistics

Overnight stay distribution in hotels in France 2017, by region

Number of hotels in France 2018, by region

Share of tourism activity sectors in regional employment in France 2017

Editor’s Picks Current statistics on this topic

Number of hotel rooms in France 2024, by region

Leisure Travel

Inbound tourism volume in Martinique 2010-2021, by type

Number of foreign visitor arrivals in Guadeloupe 2008-2018, by type

Further recommended statistics

• Premium Statistic Overnight stay distribution in hotels in France 2017, by region
• Basic Statistic Share of tourism activity sectors in regional employment in France 2017
• Basic Statistic Number of employees in thetourism sector by region in France 2017
• Basic Statistic Number of employees in tour operator services by region in France 2017

Breakdown of nights spent by tourists in hotels in metropolitan France in 2017, by region

Share of activity sectors characteristic of tourism in total salaried employment in France in 2017, by region

Number of employees in thetourism sector by region in France 2017

Total number of employees in the tourism sector in France in 2017, by region (in thousands)

Number of employees in tour operator services by region in France 2017

Total number of employees in the services sector of tour operators and travel agencies in France in 2017, by region

Accomodation

• Basic Statistic Number of hotels in France 2018, by region
• Basic Statistic Number of hotel rooms in France 2024, by region
• Basic Statistic Number of French tourist arrivals in hotels in France 2017
• Basic Statistic Arrivals of foreign tourists in hotels in France 2017, by region
• Basic Statistic Number of tourist and hotel residences in France 2018, by region
• Basic Statistic Number of campsites in France 2018, by region

Number of hotels in France as of January 2018, by region*

Number of hotel rooms in France as of February 2024, by region

Number of French tourist arrivals in hotels in France 2017

Number of French tourist arrivals in hotels in France in 2017, by region (in 1,000s)

Arrivals of foreign tourists in hotels in France 2017, by region

Total number of arrivals of foreign tourists to hotels in France in 2017, by region (in 1,000s)

Number of tourist and hotel residences in France 2018, by region

Number of tourist residences and apartment hotels in France as of January 2018, by region

Number of campsites in France 2018, by region

Number of campsites in France in 2018, by region

Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

• Premium Statistic Main tourist attractions in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France, 2018
• Premium Statistic Employment in the tourism industry in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France, 2013-2017
• Premium Statistic Investments in the tourism industry in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France, 2017
• Premium Statistic Average tourist expenditure per day and person in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France 2018
• Premium Statistic Domestic hotel overnight stays in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France 2013-2018
• Premium Statistic International hotel overnight stays in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France 2013-2018
• Premium Statistic Hotels overnight stays in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France 2018, by area
• Premium Statistic Domestic tourist flows in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France, 2014-2016, by region
• Premium Statistic Airbnb tourist taxes contribution in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France 2019, by department

Main tourist attractions in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France, 2018

Ranking of the most visited tourist attractions in the French region of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes in 2018, by number of visitors

Employment in the tourism industry in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France, 2013-2017

Total number of employees in the tourism industry in the French region of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes between 2013 and 2017

Investments in the tourism industry in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France, 2017

Investments in the tourism industry in the French region of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes in 2017 (in million euros)

Average tourist expenditure per day and person in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France 2018

Average tourist expenditure per day and per person in the French region of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes in 2018, by place of stay (in euros)

Domestic hotel overnight stays in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France 2013-2018

Number of nights spent in hotels by domestic tourists in the French region of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes between 2013 and 2018 (in millions)

International hotel overnight stays in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France 2013-2018

Number of nights spent in hotels by international tourists in the French region of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes between 2013 and 2018 (in millions)

Hotels overnight stays in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France 2018, by area

Breakdown of nights spent in hotels in the French region of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes in 2018, by type of area

Domestic tourist flows in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France, 2014-2016, by region

Average number of domestic tourist arrivals and departures in the French region of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes between 2014 and 2016, by region (in millions)

Airbnb tourist taxes contribution in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France 2019, by department

Airbnb contribution to tourist taxes in the French region of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes in 2019, by department and city (in 1,000 euros)

Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur

• Premium Statistic Main tourist attractions on the French Riviera 2018
• Premium Statistic Tourism investments in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France, in 2018, by sector
• Premium Statistic Tourist spending in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France, in 2018, by sector
• Premium Statistic Nights spent in hotels by French tourists in PACA, France 2018, by city
• Premium Statistic Nights spent in hotels by foreign tourists in PACA, France, in 2018, by city
• Premium Statistic Hotel revenue per available room in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France 2016-2018
• Premium Statistic Domestic tourist flows in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France, 2014-2016, by region
• Premium Statistic Airbnb tourist taxes contribution in PACA, France 2019, by department
• Premium Statistic Number of cruise passengers calling at Marseille 2013-2018
• Premium Statistic Number of cruise passengers calling on the French Riviera 2013-2017

Main tourist attractions on the French Riviera 2018

Ranking of the most visited tourist attractions on the Côte d'Azur (Alpes-Maritimes) in France in 2018, by number of visitors

Tourism investments in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France, in 2018, by sector

Amount invested in tourism in the French region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (PACA) in 2018, by sector (in million euros)

Breakdown of investments in tourism in the French region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (PACA) in 2018, by sector

Tourist spending in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France, in 2018, by sector

Breakdown of tourist expenses in the French region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (PACA) in 2018, by sector

Nights spent in hotels by French tourists in PACA, France 2018, by city

Number of nights spent by French tourists in hotels in the French region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (PACA) in 2018, by city (in 1000s)

Nights spent in hotels by foreign tourists in PACA, France, in 2018, by city

Number of nights spent by international tourists in hotels in the French region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (PACA) in 2018, by city (in 1000s)

Hotel revenue per available room in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France 2016-2018

Revenue per available hotel room excluding tax in the French region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (PACA) from 2016 to 2018

Domestic tourist flows in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France, 2014-2016, by region

Average number of domestic tourist arrivals and departures in the French region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur between 2014 and 2016, by region (in millions)

Airbnb tourist taxes contribution in PACA, France 2019, by department

Airbnb contribution to tourist taxes in the French region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (PACA) in 2019, by department and city (in 1,000 euros)

Number of cruise passengers calling at Marseille 2013-2018

Number of cruise passengers calling at the port of Marseille between 2013 and 2018

Number of cruise passengers calling on the French Riviera 2013-2017

Number of cruise passengers calling at the French Riviera ports of Nice, Villefranche and Cannes from 2013 to 2017

• Premium Statistic Main tourist attractions in Occitanie, France, 2018
• Premium Statistic Investments in the tourism sector in Occitanie, France 2018, by department
• Premium Statistic Share of employment in the tourism sector in Occitanie, France 2018, by area
• Premium Statistic Share of overnight stays in Occitanie, France 2018, by area
• Premium Statistic Domestic and international overnight stays at hotels in Occitanie, France 2018
• Premium Statistic Overnight stays at hotels on the Occitanie coast in France 2018
• Premium Statistic Domestic tourist flows in Occitanie, France, 2014-2016, by region
• Premium Statistic Airbnb tourist taxes contribution in Occitanie, France 2019, by area

Main tourist attractions in Occitanie, France, 2018

Ranking of the most visited tourist attractions in the French region of Occitanie in 2018, by number of visitors

Investments in the tourism sector in Occitanie, France 2018, by department

Investments in the tourism industry in the French region of Occitanie in 2018, by department (in million euros)

Share of employment in the tourism sector in Occitanie, France 2018, by area

Share of employment in the tourism industry in the French region of Occitanie in 2018, by geographical area

Share of overnight stays in Occitanie, France 2018, by area

Breakdown of overnight stays in the French region of Occitanie in 2018, by area

Domestic and international overnight stays at hotels in Occitanie, France 2018

Number of overnight stays at hotels by domestic and international tourists in the French region of Occitanie in 2018

Overnight stays at hotels on the Occitanie coast in France 2018

Number of overnight stays at hotels by domestic and international tourists in the coastal area of the French region of Occitanie in 2018

Domestic tourist flows in Occitanie, France, 2014-2016, by region

Average number of domestic tourist arrivals and departures in the French region of Occitanie between 2014 and 2016, by region (in millions)

Airbnb tourist taxes contribution in Occitanie, France 2019, by area

Airbnb contribution to tourist taxes in the French region of Occitanie in 2019, by department and city (in 1,000 euros)

• Premium Statistic Main tourist attractions in Grand Est, France 2018
• Premium Statistic Share of investments in tourism in Grand Est, France 2014-2016, by sector
• Premium Statistic Share of employment in tourism in Grand Est, France 2014-2016, by sector
• Premium Statistic Tourist beds in Grand Est, France 2018, by destination
• Premium Statistic Overnight stays in hotels in Grand Est, France 2018, by origin
• Premium Statistic Revenue per room available excluding taxes in Grand Est, France 2018, by destination
• Premium Statistic Overnight stays in camping sites in Grand Est, France 2018, by origin
• Premium Statistic Domestic tourist flows in Grand-Est, France, 2014-2016, by region
• Premium Statistic Overnight stays in Airbnb in Grand Est, France 2018, by city
• Premium Statistic Airbnb tourist taxes contribution in Grand-Est, France 2019, by city

Main tourist attractions in Grand Est, France 2018

Ranking of the most visited tourist attractions in the French region of Grand Est in 2018, by number of visitors*

Share of investments in tourism in Grand Est, France 2014-2016, by sector

Breakdown of investments in the tourism industry in the French region of Grand Est between 2014 and 2016, by sector

Share of employment in tourism in Grand Est, France 2014-2016, by sector

Breakdown of employment in the tourism industry in the French region of Grand Est between 2014 and 2016, by sector

Tourist beds in Grand Est, France 2018, by destination

Breakdown of tourist beds in the French region of Grand Est in 2018, by destination

Overnight stays in hotels in Grand Est, France 2018, by origin

Number of overnight stays in hotels in the French region of Grand Est in 2018, by origin (in millions)

Revenue per room available excluding taxes in Grand Est, France 2018, by destination

Revenue per available room (RevPar) excluding taxes for hotels in the French region of Grand Est in 2018, by destination (in euros)*

Overnight stays in camping sites in Grand Est, France 2018, by origin

Number of overnight stays in camping sites in the French region of Grand Est in 2018, by origin (in millions)

Domestic tourist flows in Grand-Est, France, 2014-2016, by region

Average number of domestic tourist arrivals and departures in the French region of Grand-Est between 2014 and 2016, by region (in millions)

Overnight stays in Airbnb in Grand Est, France 2018, by city

Number of overnight stays in Airbnb in the French region of Grand Est in 2018, by city

Airbnb tourist taxes contribution in Grand-Est, France 2019, by city

Airbnb contribution to tourist taxes in the French region of Grand-Est in 2019, by city (in 1,000 euros)

Overseas France

• Premium Statistic Frequency of overseas regions of France according to French people 2017
• Premium Statistic Number of hotel rooms in Overseas France 2021, by region
• Basic Statistic Number of tourist arrivals in hotels in Overseas France 2017, by region
• Premium Statistic Overnight stays of foreign tourists in hotels in Overseas France 2017, by region
• Premium Statistic Overnight stays of French tourists in hotels in overseas France 2017, by region
• Premium Statistic Number of foreign visitor arrivals in Guadeloupe 2008-2018, by type
• Premium Statistic Inbound tourism volume in Martinique 2010-2021, by type
• Premium Statistic Monthly tourist visit in La Reunion 2016
• Premium Statistic Number of travel accommodations in French Guiana 2018, by type

Frequency of overseas regions of France according to French people 2017

Which French overseas destinations have you visited?

Number of hotel rooms in Overseas France 2021, by region

Number of hotel rooms in Overseas France in 2021, by region

Number of tourist arrivals in hotels in Overseas France 2017, by region

Total number of tourist arrivals in hotels in Overseas France in 2017, by region (in 1,000s)

Overnight stays of foreign tourists in hotels in Overseas France 2017, by region

Average length of stay by foreign tourists in hotels in Overseas France in 2017, by region (in nights)

Overnight stays of French tourists in hotels in overseas France 2017, by region

Average length of stay by French tourists in hotels in overseas France in 2017, by region (in nights)

Number of international tourist arrivals in Guadeloupe from 2008 to 2018, by type (in 1,000s)

Number of international tourist arrivals in Martinique, France from 2010 to 2021, by type (in 1,000s)

Monthly tourist visit in La Reunion 2016

Number of tourists coming to Reunion Island in 2016, by month

Number of travel accommodations in French Guiana 2018, by type

Number of travel accommodations in French Guiana as of January 2018, by type of accommodation

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Tourism in France

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Tourism is a major part of the French economy, representing close to 8% of GDP and 2 million direct and indirect jobs. It is also a recognized soft power asset abroad, and F rance has been the world’s leading tourist destination for years. A record 90 million international tourists visited France in 2019, including its overseas communities.

A sector affected by COVID-19

In 2020, the sector has been hit hard by the COVID-19 public health crisis, leading international tourist revenue to drop by almost half in the first seven months of the year .

Globally, Europe is the second hardest-hit region, behind the Asia-Pacific, seeing a drop in visits of 66% in the first half of the year. The drop in French and foreign tourist spending in France over 2020 is estimated at between 30% and 35%. However, France does appear to be resisting better than its European neighbours , thanks to its solid domestic market.

France’s support to the sector

The Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs promotes and supports the tourism sector through innovative measures suited to the industry’s needs . This cooperative approach led to the creation of the Tourism Sector Committee (CFT) in January 2020, chaired by the Minister of State, Mr Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne.

Its aim is to jointly design effective tourism policies, working on four themes: jobs and training , sustainable development , digitalization , and regulations and competitiveness .

The work carried out at the CFT should lead to the signing of a tourism sector contract to provide effective responses suited to the industry’s needs.

A concerted response to the crisis

The CFT has been particularly useful and effective in addressing the concertation and emergency needs caused by the COVID-19 crisis. Since the beginning of the public health crisis, the committee has met almost weekly.

Its work has helped analyse the challenges and priority needs of the sector in order to seek appropriate solutions. It has helped highlight how numerous and diverse tourism-dependent businesses are , each with its own issues.

Various tools and measures have been established during the crisis:

• A monthly Atout France/Paris Convention and Visitors Bureau barometer;
• Webinars, benchmarks, surveys and studies by Atout France;
• The “This summer I’m visiting France” campaign from June to September 2020 in order to promote domestic tourism;
• An interactive map of tourism venues and services, carried out with ADN Tourisme, to provide information to more than 10 million people on social media. This initiative contributed actively to promoting stays in France among tourists from both France and neighbouring countries.

The measures adopted to safeguard the tourism sector during the public health crisis

Alongside the CFT’s work since the beginning of the crisis, the Minister of State has also met with institutional and private stakeholders from each French region in order to best adapt the Government’s support to the sector.

Tourism companies have enjoyed all the emergency measures adopted by the Government in response to the pandemic’s economic consequences:

• Support for jobs, through the partial employment measure, which the sector has used widely;
• Support for companies’ cash flow through the Government-guaranteed loan (PGE) and the solidarity fund, open until the end of 2020, as well as certain social contribution exemptions;
• Cancellation of instalments of rent and fees for use of public land for SMEs, particularly during administrative closure.

The Government has also announced the creation of a “season PGE”, capped at the turnover of the best three months of 2019, and the postponement of bank repayment instalments over 12 months.

These discussions also contributed to drafting a specific Government plan for the sector’s recovery , totalling €18 billion. The specific recovery plan was announced by the Prime Minister on 14 May 2020, during the fifth meeting of the Interministerial Tourism Committee (CIT). It includes the creation of an investment fund of €1.3 billion managed by the Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations and Bpifrance in order to foster the emergence of more sustainable tourism, more digital and better distributed across the country. The France Tourisme Ingénierie programme, managed by Atout France, has also been granted increased capacity of €29 million in order to support local authorities and private stakeholders wishing to improve the tourism offering.

Moreover, the recovery plan presented by the Government in early September 2020 includes the c reation of a sustainable tourism fund with €50 million to foster the adaptation of tourism activities. Restaurants and tourist accommodation providers will receive financial support (grants) in order to cover the costs of investments for the transition and development of sustainable tourism projects. The French Agency for the Ecological Transition (ADEME) will be the leader for the deployment of this fund, in close liaison with local government in order to address specific needs.

The plan has since been strengthened, particularly as regards the implementation of support measures for the sector such as widening the list of companies eligible under the tourism plan, extending 100% coverage of payroll costs under partial employment, enhancement of the solidarity fund and expansion of the scope of the “season PGE” programme, in constant dialogue with industry stakeholders.

Download the press kit from the Interministerial Tourism Committee (CIT) meeting of 12 October 2020 (in French)

• Atout France • Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations (CDC) • Bpifrance • French Agency for the Ecological Transition (ADEME)

Updated: October 2020

On the same topic

Ministry actions to promote tourism

Destination Inspiration

26 Best Places to Visit in France

Written by Lisa Alexander Updated Jan 19, 2023 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Author Lisa Alexander studied and lived in Paris, and has traveled extensively around the country.

The French affectionately call their homeland "l'Hexagone" because of its distinct six-sided shape. Each corner of France has its own unique character: the rugged and outdoorsy French Alps ; sun-drenched and slow-paced Provence ; the glamorous and gorgeous Côte d'Azur ; and idyllic Alsace , a pastoral region where storybook hamlets are tucked away in the vine-covered rolling hills.

Paris and Versailles are must-see destinations for a first trip to France. Other classic travel itineraries include stops at fashionable seaside resorts, fairy-tale castles, and glorious Gothic cathedrals.

More off-the-beaten-path experiences are found in the countryside, such as at farmhouses in Burgundy , fishing villages in Brittany , and thermal spas in the Pyrenees Mountains .

From cultured cities to pristine nature sites, France offers endless tourist attractions . Discover this fascinating and diverse country with our list of the best places to visit in France.

2. The Charming Countryside of Provence

3. côte d'azur, 4. versailles, 5. mont saint-michel in normandy, 6. the châteaux of the loire valley, 7. strasbourg's unesco-listed historic center, 8. seaside towns & resorts in brittany, 9. biarritz & saint-jean-de-luz, 10. chartres cathedral: a gem of medieval architecture, 11. joan of arc monuments in chinon, rouen & orléans, 12. quaint villages of the alsace region, 13. walled medieval city of carcassonne, 14. mont-blanc & annecy in the french alps, 15. unesco world heritage sites in reims, 16. prehistoric caves in the dordogne & the pyrenees, 17. rocamadour: a medieval pilgrimage destination, 18. bordeaux & saint-émilion, 19. the burgundy region: quintessential france, 20. cirque de gavarnie in the pyrenees mountains, 21. lourdes: france's biggest catholic pilgrimage site, 22. gourmet restaurants & cultural attractions in lyon, 23. belle époque spa towns, 24. gascony region & toulouse in the south of france, 25. the camargue, 26. island of corsica, map of best places to visit in france.

Appreciated for its elegance and joie de vivre, Paris is a grand European capital filled with architectural masterpieces like the Eiffel Tower and the Notre-Dame Cathedral .

Reflecting the city's rich heritage, the Louvre (one of the top museums in Paris ) contains an exceptional fine arts collection, while the Musée d'Orsay and the Musée de l'Orangerie display treasures of French Impressionist art.

Other charms of Paris are its atmospheric medieval quarters and graceful boulevards. Quintessential tourist experiences include shopping at bookshops in the Latin Quarter , strolling the Champs-Elysées , and people-watching from a sidewalk café terrace on the Boulevard Saint-Germain-de-Prés .

In contrast to the grey skies of Paris and northern France, the charming region of Provence basks in bright Mediterranean sunshine most of the year. This rural area feels untouched by the modern world and has a rugged, earthy appeal.

The rolling hills are covered with a patchwork of small farms, olive groves, sunflowers, and lavender fields. Fragrant rosemary, sage, and thyme and other wild herbs grow here in abundance and enliven the local cuisine.

In this dreamy landscape, Impressionist painters found inspiration to create vibrant works of art.

Visitors are enchanted by the villages perchés , which crown Provence's hilltops. Two favorite destinations are Saint-Paul-de-Vence , a picture-perfect walled medieval town (near many Côte d'Azur tourist spots , such as Eze) and Gordes , which is among the top places to see in the Luberon .

In the heart of Provence, traditional ambience is found on the tree-shaded streets and outdoor cafés of Aix-en-Provence , at the festivals of Arles , and by the old seaport of Marseilles .

Also not-to-be missed are the Palais de Papes in Avignon ; the legendary beach resort of Saint-Tropez ; and the Roman theater in Orange , one of the amazing sites of the Haut-Vaucluse .

Also known as the French Riviera, the Côte d'Azur is a glamorous stretch of Mediterranean coastline named for its deep azure-blue waters. The skies are often a mesmerizing cerulean hue as well, thanks to the sunny weather most of the year in this area of southern France.

Stretching roughly from Saint-Tropez (overlapping with the Provence region) to Menton , less than 30 kilometers from the border with Italy, the Côte d'Azur has been a fashionable seaside resort destination since the early 19th century.

Spring and autumn bring milder weather and a quieter, more relaxing atmosphere.

The Côte d'Azur has something for everyone . Nice is the place to enjoy the good life, visit art museums, and stroll along cobblestone streets and palm-fringed boulevards. Within a short drive from Nice are places to visit as day trips , such as splendid waterfront villas and top-notch art museums.

Among the most famous French Riviera tourist attractions are Cannes , which has a dazzling beachfront promenade and an alluring Old Town; and Monaco , a tiny royal principality that is synonymous with luxury and decadence. Both Cannes and Monaco feature five-star hotels, acclaimed restaurants, and yacht-filled marinas.

Sun worshippers flock to Saint-Tropez , a happening summer vacation spot with exclusive private beaches, as well as public beaches that appeal to regular tourists. Vacationers appreciate Antibes for its expansive sandy beaches, atmospheric medieval quarter, and fabulous Picasso Museum housed in a castle overlooking the sea.

A short train ride from Paris is the UNESCO-listed Château de Versailles . Built for Louis XIV (the "Sun King"), this opulent 17th-century palace is a testament to the glory and absolute power of the French monarch.

The château's splendid Baroque façade, dazzling Hall of Mirrors , and fountain-adorned formal gardens allow visitors to imagine a scene of France's bygone royal court.

Versailles immerses visitors into the extravagance of France's Ancien Régime , the glittering world where Marie-Antoinette hosted lavish balls and garden parties.

Tourists may wander around Le Hameau de la Reine , the make-believe country village created by the last Queen as a way to escape the formality of court life. The hamlet includes a lake, orchard, dovecote, and originally had a working dairy.

Mont Saint-Michel is a highlight of the Normandy region, a pastoral landscape of apple orchards, woodlands, and cow pastures. This unmissable tourist attraction ranks number one on the long list of Normandy travel destinations , which includes stellar sights such as historic castles and picture-perfect towns.

Built between the 11th and 13th centuries, the Abbey of Mont Saint-Michel is one of the most awe-inspiring sights in France. The UNESCO-listed abbey is perched on the hilltop of an islet in the Bay of Mont Saint-Michel and is considered a marvel of Gothic architecture.

The abbey church was an important medieval pilgrimage site on the "Way of Saint James" route to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. Modern-day pilgrims still make the journey here, crossing the Bay of Saint-Michel by foot at low tide.

Visiting Mont Saint-Michel is a spirit-lifting experience. Tourists may attend religious services, concerts, and cultural events at this sublime historic abbey.

Like the scene of a fairy tale, magnificent castles are scattered throughout the densely forested landscape of the Loire Valley. Stretching for 280 kilometers, from Sully-sur-Loire to Chalonnes-sur-Loire in Anjou, the Loire Valley is the largest UNESCO-listed site in France .

The region boasts an incredibly rich cultural heritage. During the 15th and 16th centuries, France's kings built sumptuous country retreats here purely for entertainment and enjoyment.

Extravagant châteaux, such as the grandiose Château de Chambord and the emblematic Château de Chenonceau , offer insight into the opulence of the Renaissance-era French court.

French nobles and elites also built stately manor houses, such as the majestic Château of Cheverny and the Château d'Azay-le-Rideau in an idyllic setting with a water-filled moat.

For families with kids, the M ini-Châteaux Park in Amboise is a marvelous destination. Set in two hectares of woodlands, the amusement park features 41 replicas of Loire châteaux built on a 1/25 scale. Children love exploring the kid-sized castles designed with authentic details.

Quaint and cultured, Strasbourg enchants visitors with its old-world charm . The entire historic center of Strasbourg, the Grande-Île , is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site .

When stepping foot into this mostly pedestrian area, one enters the world of centuries past. Medieval cobblestone lanes and narrow alleyways invite travelers to discover a delightful maze of pastel-painted half-timbered houses, ancient churches, and public squares filled with outdoor café tables.

At the heart of Strasbourg, the cathedral amazes all who admire its breathtakingly ornate façade.

The cathedral is within easy walking distance of many top tourist attractions, like the Maison des Tanneurs , a fine-dining restaurant in a classified Historic Monument; the 15th-century Maison Kammerzell , considered a gem of Alsatian Renaissance architecture; and the Eglise de Saint-Thomas , a 12th-century church that played an important role during the Protestant Reformation.

To soak up the quaint ambience of Strasbourg, be sure to wander around one of the most picturesque quarters of the Grande-Île, the Quartier des Tanneurs ("La Petite France"), with its meandering canals, tree-shaded walking paths, and traditional flower-bedecked Alsatian houses. The Rue du Bain-aux-Plantes is especially charming.

Also within the Grande-Île, the Quartier Krutenau is another wonderful neighborhood for a stroll. With the feel of a small village, this lively quarter brims with restaurants, boutiques, and art galleries.

A picturesque coastal region, Brittany has a rich maritime heritage seen in its historic port towns: Saint-Malo , surrounded by old ramparts; the medieval capital of Nantes; and the fortified 14th-century Concarneau .

The seaside also boasts stylish beach resorts like fashionable Dinard on the Côte d'Emeraude, the summertime vacation destination of La Baule on the estuary of the Loire River, and Tréboul near the lovely riverside town of Quimper.

The scenery is dramatic and unspoiled, with secluded sandy beaches and a rocky coastline where wild Atlantic waves crash against the shore. Centuries-old fishing villages are sheltered in quiet bays and on tiny windswept offshore islands.

Breton culture can be traced back to the Celts (the local dialect is related to Gaelic). Similar to Ireland, it is a land of mythology and legends. Today, Brittany is strongly Catholic. Locals celebrate ancient religious customs called "pardons," special festivals when townspeople wear old-fashioned regional costumes.

The local cuisine features delicious specialties such as fresh seafood and savory buckwheat crepes. Brittany also has a famous regional pastry, the " kouign-amann ," a buttery pastry made with croissant dough that is layered with sprinkles of sugar, has a moist cake-like center, and a crispy caramelized exterior.

A blend of Parisian-style elegance and the untamed natural beauty of the Atlantic coast, Biarritz is an upscale seaside resort with fabulous beaches. Biarritz was favored by Empress Eugénie, who loved this area of the Basque region. She chose a sandy hillside overlooking the Bay of Biscay as the location for her Imperial residence, the Villa Eugénie.

This Second Empire palace has been converted into luxury accommodations, the five-star Hôtel du Palais , which offers exquisitely decorated guest rooms and an oceanfront gastronomic restaurant. Next to the hotel property is the Grande Plage , a sandy beach that has attracted sunbathers since the Belle Époque.

Another of the top beaches in Biarritz is the Plage du Miramar . A picturesque scene of colorful, striped cabanas and parasols during summertime, this sheltered beach has the delightful ambience of an old-fashioned seaside resort.

Just a half-hour drive (15 kilometers) from Biarritz is the historic fishing port of Saint-Jean-de-Luz , a popular summertime destination with family-friendly beaches.

Traveling inland 25 kilometers from Biarritz is the traditional Basque village of Espelette. This small village boasts typical half-timbered, red-shuttered Basque houses decorated with rows of dried red peppers called Piment d'Espelette (prized for use in Basque cuisine).

In Spain's Basque country, 50 kilometers by bus, car, or train from Biarritz, the lively seaside city of San Sebastian delights visitors with its elegant architecture, sandy beaches, and gourmet tapas.

If you only have time to visit one cathedral in France, then head to Chartres. Crowning the historic town, the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Chartres is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site . This magnificent Gothic monument dates to the 12th and 13th centuries and is remarkably well preserved.

Visitors are awed by the soaring spires, elaborately decorated façade, and marvelous array of stained-glass windows that give the sanctuary an ethereal quality. Most of the windows were created between 1210 and 1260, which is extremely rare.

During summertime, the cathedral hosts the Chartres International Organ Festival with performances of sacred music on Sunday afternoons.

France's national heroine, Joan of Arc led the country to victory during the Hundred Years' War when she was only seventeen years old. Her divinely ordained mission, instructed by heavenly voices, is still an inspiration to the faithful.

Joan of Arc's remarkable story began in Chinon , where on March 9, 1429, she went to meet the future Charles VII (the "Dauphin") at the Forteresse Royale (a medieval fortified castle). On this momentous occasion, the "Maid of Orléans" informed the Dauphin of his right to the crown and asked for help in forming an army, which was needed to break the Siege of Orléans (a pivotal event during the Hundred Years' War between France and England).

Because of its rich heritage, Chinon is listed as a Ville d'Art et d'Histoire (City of Art and History). At the tree-lined Place Jeanne d'Arc stands a monumental bronze equestrian statue of Joan of Arc depicted as a heroic military leader.

Among the top attractions of the Loire Valley , Orléans is another essential stop on the Joan of Arc trail. The city was saved by the "Maid of Orléans," during the Siege of 1429. After leading the French to defeat the English army, Joan of Arc came to the town's Cathédrale Sainte-Croix to pray. The cathedral's 19th-century stained-glass windows recount the history of Joan of Arc.

In a 15th-century half-timbered house, the Maison de Jeanne d'Arc in Orléans presents exhibits about Joan of Arc, who is now recognized as a saint by the Catholic Church. A bronze equestrian statue of Joan of Arc graces the Place du Martroi in Orléans.

Tourists can learn more about Joan of Arc's life story at several of the top sights in Rouen . At the 13th-century Tour Jeanne d'Arc (dungeon), a relic of the town's old château, Joan of Arc was imprisoned, threatened with torture, put on trial, and accused of heresy.

Since this infamous trial in 1431 and martyrdom, Joan of Arc has been elevated to a saint. Built on the site in Rouen where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake, the Eglise Jeanne d'Arc pays tribute to the saint's legacy. This modern church features an upwards-swooping roof designed to resemble flames.

Rouen also has a museum devoted to Joan of Arc, the Historial Jeanne d'Arc , in the former Archbishop's Palace (a classified Historic Monument) on the Rue Saint-Romain. This museum delves into Joan of Arc's epic story and explains how she changed the course of French history. Evocative multimedia exhibits and videos bring the events to life in a thrilling way.

Bucolic scenery and old-world charm set Alsace apart from the rest of France. The architecture and ambience of the region has been influenced over the centuries by neighboring Germany, as seen in the brightly painted, half-timbered buildings and ornate Gothic churches.

Colmar is the quintessential Alsatian town, full of interesting historic monuments and traditional houses with flower-bedecked balconies. An unspoiled landscape of vine-covered foothills surrounds Colmar, and nestled in the nearby valleys and along the Rhine River are tiny storybook hamlets and picturesque villages.

The Alsace Villages route is a delightful way to explore the region. Many villages are listed as the Plus Beaux Villages de France (Most Beautiful Villages of France), and some are designated as Villages Fleuris (Flowering Villages) because of the vibrant potted flowers that adorn the homes and streets.

Carcassonne has the look of a Disneyland castle, with massive fortifications that enclose the medieval citadel ( La Cité ). The concentric circles of defensive walls feature 52 turreted towers, many of which were renovated in the 19th century by Viollet-le-Duc (who also restored Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris).

The integrity of the ramparts gives Carcassonne a picture-perfect appearance and makes it one of the world's best-preserved medieval towns. Because of its cultural value, La Cité de Carcassonne is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site .

Drawbridges once provided access into Carcassonne. Today, tourists can walk freely into this medieval citadel at any time. Stepping foot into La Cité provides visitors with a glimpse of life during the Middle Ages.

Wandering the labyrinth of narrow cobblestone streets leads to discoveries of historic monuments (such as the Basilique Saint-Nazaire et Saint-Celse and the 12th-century Château Comtal ), small squares, and plenty of touristy restaurants and boutiques.

The French Alps boast some of the most awe-inspiring natural scenery in the world.

The majestic Mont Blanc is the highest mountain in Europe, an iconic snowcapped peak that soars to 4,810 meters. At this altitude, the air is fresh and the landscape is sublime, with crystal-clear lakes, dramatic rushing waterfalls, peaceful valleys, and refreshing pine forests.

During summertime, visitors flock to the Alps to go hiking, cycling, and mountain climbing. In the winter, the French Alps draw many tourists for Alpine skiing, snowboarding, and cross-country skiing. The area has many of France's best ski resorts . Other things to do during the snowy season include ice-skating, dog sledding rides, and old-fashioned horse-drawn sleigh rides.

Besides the spectacular mountain terrain, the region also has a rich cultural heritage linked to the ancestral territory of the Italian royal House of Savoy, as well as the historic Dauphiné region.

The lovely mountain village of Chamonix (about a 15-minute drive from the base of Mont Blanc) offers traditional Alpine ambience, while Annecy (just over a one-hour drive from Chamonix) has an ancient château, lakeside parks, and fairy-tale ambience.

Reims is justifiably placed among France's list of " Villes d'Art et d'Histoire " ("Cities of Art and History").

Of the town's three UNESCO World Heritage Sites , the most renowned is the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims , where French kings were crowned. The most celebrated event was when Joan of Arc escorted Charles VII to the cathedral in July of 1429 for his coronation as king.

Built in the 13th century, the Notre-Dame Cathedral of Reims is a gem of High Gothic architecture. The dazzling exterior features a profusion of flying buttresses and sculpted angels, while the spacious interior has a solemn ambience of spirituality.

Among the city's top attractions , other UNESCO-listed landmarks include the Palais du Tau , a 17th-century Archbishops' Palace, and the 11th-century Basilique Saint-Rémi .

The Dordogne region is one of the best places to visit in France for viewing prehistoric cave paintings. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Lascaux Cave in the Dordogne's Vallée de la Vézère contains masterpieces of Paleolithic art created by Cro-Magnon man.

Although the Lascaux Cave has been closed to the public to prevent damage, visitors may view copies of the cave's artwork at the nearby Lascaux II site (in Montignac).

Also in Montignac is the Centre International de l'Art Pariétal (International Center of Cave Art), which presents exhibits about prehistoric animal paintings and reveals the work of archaeologists. The center includes Lascaux IV , which is a complete replica of the prehistoric Lascaux Cave.

Also in the Vézère Valley, the Grotte de Rouffignac is adorned with paintings of horses, cows, bison, deer, goats, and mammoths.

One of the top attractions of the Pyrenees region is the Grotte du Mas d'Azil , an immense cave decorated with drawings from the Magdalenian and Azilian periods. This tourist attraction deep in the Pyrenees Mountains offers guided tours and admission to the nearby Musée de la Préhistoire .

About an hour drive from the Mas d'Azil Cave, the Grotte de Niaux also has remarkable Palaeolithic art dating from 14,000 to 10,000 BCE. The Grotte de Niaux is open to the public for guided tours (reservations required).

Near the town of Tarascon-sur-Ariège , the Grotte de Lombrives reveals fascinating ancient history, and the Grotte de Bédeilhac dazzles with its rare Magdalenian-era prehistoric art.

Clinging to a sheer cliff, Rocamadour seems to aspire towards heaven. This amazing site was the third most important Christian pilgrimage destination in the 11th century and a stop on the Camino de Santiago pilgrims' route.

The village has seven medieval-era sanctuaries, accessible by steep pedestrian staircases. The most famous is the Chapelle Notre-Dame (Chapelle Miraculeuse), which contains the precious 12th-century Black Virgin (Notre-Dame de Rocamadour) associated with miracles.

Rocamadour's largest church, the Basilique Saint-Sauveur is a UNESCO-listed historic monument. This 13th-century pilgrimage church displays the architectural transition from Romanesque to Gothic.

Outside the village is the Causses du Quercy Regional Nature Park . Within this unspoiled landscape on the Quercy plateaus, grazing goats produce milk that is used to make AOC-labeled Cabécou de Rocamadour cheese. In late May or early June, the Rocamadour village hosts the Fête des Fromages (Cheese Festival) devoted to farmhouse cheeses of the region.

Other top attractions within an hour-and-a-half drive of Rocamadour include: Limoges (145 kilometers away), classified as a Ville d'Art et d'Histoire and one of the top travel destinations in the Limousin region ; and Périgueux (115 kilometers away), a quaint town in the Dordogne region dating to the Roman era, which was also on the Camino de Santiago.

The Bordeaux region is a beautiful bucolic corner of France, where grandiose castles preside over rolling, vine-covered hills. Scenic tree-shaded paths traverse the countryside and follow alongside the Garonne River, as well as its placid canals. Many travelers enjoy exploring this area on a leisurely cycling itinerary.

The region has two exceptional UNESCO World Heritage Sites : the elegant city of Bordeaux , with more than 350 buildings classified as historical monuments, and the little country village of Saint-Émilion, 51 kilometers from Bordeaux, which is packed with notable churches and monasteries.

The Burgundy region is an idyllic landscape of lush woodlands and rolling hills dotted with impressive monuments. Romanesque chapels, ancient towns, and inspiring old abbeys attest to a rich cultural heritage.

Among the top sights of the Burgundy region are the historic city of Dijon , with its aristocratic palaces, ornate Gothic churches, and excellent museums; the charming medieval town of Beaune ; and the monumental Abbaye de Cluny , a Benedictine abbey founded in the 10th century. The abbey belonged to the most influential monastic order of the medieval era.

Besides its incredible history, Burgundy is renowned for gastronomy. The traditional cuisine includes a repertoire of famous specialities such as escargot, Boeuf Bourguignon (Beef Burgundy), and Coq au Vin .

The mountainous Pyrenees region is a soul-inspiring place that offers both natural splendor and spiritual wonders. The region has many sacred pilgrimage sites, as well as rejuvenating spa towns.

The UNESCO-listed Cirque de Gavarnie is nature's version of a cathedral. Forming a semicircle, these awesome 1,700-meter-high limestone rock walls are draped with dramatic waterfalls that tumble down into rushing rivers and peaceful streams.

The entire Hautes-Pyrénées region is part of a national park, the Parc National des Pyrénées , which borders Spain. Within the park are hiking trails through lush forests and verdant valleys.

During wintertime, the French Pyrenees is a popular destination for downhill skiing. Top resorts include Cauterets, Font-Romeu, and the Grand Tourmalet ski area.

Nestled in the foothills of the Pyrenees Mountains, Lourdes is France's most important Catholic pilgrimage site.

Millions of visitors come to Lourdes every year for spiritual inspiration. Some arrive to bathe in the waters in hopes of miracle cures. To the faithful, Lourdes is known for the 70 validated miracles that have occurred here.

The main pilgrimage sites, the Grotto (where Saint Bernadette received her divine visions), and the Basilique Notre-Dame du Rosaire are surrounded by a serene woodland alongside a tranquil babbling brook.

Marian Processions take place every evening at 9pm from April through October. The procession of hundreds of pilgrims holding candles is a breathtaking sight to behold.

An enticing destination for gourmands to visit, Lyon is at the heart of French gastronomy. Lyonnais cuisine is renowned for its delicious regional specialties such as quenelles (fish dumplings served in a creamy sauce), steak, Bresse chicken with morels, sausages, and salads.

Tourists can choose from an incredible selection of restaurants. For casual everyday dining, the "Bouchons Lyonnais" (traditional bistros) allow visitors to sample the authentic local cuisine while enjoying an inviting, cozy ambience.

A top destination for fine dining, the Auberge du Pont de Collonges was helmed by famous chef Paul Bocuse for decades. Today this legendary gastronomic establishment with two Michelin stars has changed its name to Restaurant Paul Bocuse . The restaurant carries on the legacy of Paul Bocuse by continuing to serve his signature dishes.

Besides its gourmet delights, Lyon is rich in cultural heritage . The city's four historic districts (representing 500 hectares) are designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site . Among the many historic attractions are ancient Roman ruins, atmospheric medieval quarters, and elegant Renaissance houses.

Lyon's Musée des Beaux-Arts is second only to Paris' Louvre Museum in its wealth of artistic treasures. The museum contains an outstanding assortment of European paintings from the 14th to 20th centuries, including masterpieces by Véronèse, Rubens, Delacroix, Renoir, Monet, and Picasso.

For those seeking a rejuvenating getaway, the Belle Époque spa towns in the French Alps region, such as the lakeside resorts of Aix-les-Bains and Evian-les-Bains , deliver the ultimate relaxing vacation experience at pampering thermal spas and upscale hotels.

The Pyrenees region is prized for its pristine fresh-water streams and rejuvenating spa towns. During the 19th century, the area's thermal spa resorts such as Cauterets and Luz-Saint-Sauveur attracted a silk-stocking clientele, who came to soak in the healing mineral waters.

Set in a verdant valley, Bagnères-de-Bigorre is home to the top spa resort of the Hautes-Pyrénées region. The town's thermal spa was inaugurated in 1823 by Marie-Thérèse-Charlotte , the daughter of Marie-Antoinette.

In an elegant marble-faced 19th-century building, Les Grands Thermes offers thermal baths filled with certified mineral waters that are said to cure various health conditions. Five-day retreats with lodging are available.

The rural area of Gascony and the city of Toulouse exude the sultry charm of southern France.

Sunny and slow-paced, Gascony (Le Gers) has a traditional rural character that seems untouched by modernity. The rolling hills are blanketed with a patchwork of small farms and dotted with quiet country villages and ancient castles.

Steeped in history dating back to the 13th century, Toulouse is known as " The Pink City " because of its distinctive red-brick architecture. These buildings reflect the sunlight in a rosy-toned hue.

While ambling the pleasant town squares and basking on outdoor café terraces in Toulouse, visitors soak up the laid-back vibe of this beautiful and balmy city.

The UNESCO-listed Canal du Midi runs through Toulouse and flows all the way to the Mediterranean port of Sète near Marseille. The tree-shaded path along the canal is popular for leisurely strolls and cycling.

The Parc Régional de Camargue , just 16 kilometers from Arles in Provence , is a place where visitors can take a breath of fresh air and enjoy unspoiled natural scenery. Marshlands, meadows, salt flats, and pastures blanket the landscape.

In this pristine UNESCO-listed Biosphere Reserve (around 100,000 hectares of protected wetlands), wild white horses roam free, and pink flamingoes thrive.

The nature reserve is home to over 300 bird species, which makes it a paradise for bird-watching. Other famous fauna include the native Camargue Bulls, which are raised for use in bullfighting.

The island of Corsica has a rugged and raw beauty, seen in its dramatic coastal landscapes, pristine forests, and snowcapped mountains. The island is fringed with beautiful beaches, quiet bays, attractive fishing ports, and lively seaside cities, while the inland hillsides are crowned with ancient villages where time seems to stand still.

Sun-worshipping beach lovers and outdoorsy and sporty types (including hard-core hikers) are drawn to the island's incomparable nature sites. The 1,000-kilometer shoreline offers crystal-clear waters that make it a paradise for snorkeling and scuba diving.

More on France

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65+ france travel & tourism statistics (2023).

France is the number one country in the world for tourism.

Did you know that the country had 218 million international arrivals in 2019?

Or that Disneyland Paris, not the Eiffel Tower , is the most visited tourist attraction in France?

With the City of Lights as its capital, the charming countryside, and beautiful language, it’s undoubtedly also one of the best romantic destinations out there.

In 2022, France was also the most sought after destination for Gen Z and millennial travellers .

If you wanted to understand more about things like France tourism income and why tourists visit France, you’re in the right place.

Below are the most interesting and important statistics about travel and tourism in France.

Let’s jump right in.

Sources : Attached with each stat is the source article or data. For a full list of all the sources used, head to the bottom of the post.

Travellerspoint

What country is #1 in tourism?

With 90 million international tourists in 2019 alone, France is the leading country in terms of tourism, way ahead of Spain (81.8 million), the US (76.9 million) , and China (60.7 million).

How many tourists visit France per year?

218 million international tourist arrivals were recorded in France in 2019, but this number fell to just 117 million arrivals in 2020.

On the other hand, it's interesting that merely 2.97% of French baby boomers travel overseas .

How many people visit the Eiffel Tower in a year?

In 2017, a total of 6.2 million people visited the Eiffel Tower. Despite being the country’s most iconic landmark, it’s surprisingly not the most visited tourist attraction in France.

What percentage of France's economy is tourism?

The travel and tourism industry contributed 211 billion euros to French GDP in 2019.

International tourism spending alone made up 7.92% of the country’s total export.

France Tourism Key Statistics

• In 2020, there were 117 million international tourist arrivals in France, a huge decrease from the 218 million recorded in 2019.
• In 2020, an overwhelming majority of international tourists in France (40 million people) were from Europe.
• 53.3 million outbound trips made from France in 2018.
• The number of domestic overnight visitors in France was 186 million in 2019.
• The travel and tourism industry contributed 211 billion euros to French GDP.
• Travel and tourism in France is predicted to directly contribute around 104.3 billion euros to the country’s GDP in 2028.
• In 2019, the total contribution of travel and tourism to employment in France was 2.69 million jobs.
• France welcomes approximately 11 million international business tourist arrivals every year.
• Hotels are the most common type of vacation rental in France, with more than 17 thousand establishments in 2022.

Inbound tourism in France

1. in 2020, there were 117 million international tourist arrivals in france, a huge decrease from the 218 million recorded in 2019., 2. in terms of overnight visits in france, there were 91 million inbound arrivals in 2019., 3. france is the world’s leading tourist destination..

France has been the most visited country in the world for 30 years. In 2018, its 89.4 million international tourists surpassed Spain (81.8 million), the US (76.9 million), and China (60.7 million).

4. Meanwhile, out of the 90 million inbound arrivals in 2018, a majority arrived by land transport.

This includes road transport like car rentals and buses, as well as trains, and this figure could be explained as France is a popular destination for European travelers .

5. Air and water transportation ranked second and third for international arrivals in France in 2018, with 28 million and 6 million arrivals respectively.

6. in 2020, an overwhelming majority of international tourists in france (40 million people) were from europe., 7. in comparison, only 1.7 million tourists from the americas visited france..

8. Indeed, the leading inbound travel market for France is the UK, with 13 million visiting France in 2018 alone.

There were 13 million UK residents visiting France in 2018 , making the UK the leading inbound travel market for France.

9. The average international tourist in France stays for nearly a week during their visit.

French outbound tourism statistics.

How many trips do French people take every year?

10. In 2018, there were 53.3 million outbound trips made from France.

11. that was an incredible increase from the 28.4 million outbound trips taken from france in 2017..

12. The continent to which French residents travel the most is Europe, with 19 million leisure trips made in 2017 to countries within Europe.

In 2019 particularly, 357,000 French tourist arrivals were recorded in Venice.

13. In 2021, 95.6% of outbound tourists from France traveled to Europe, representing approximately 14 million trips.

[Business Wire]

This shows that French residents preferred short-haul destinations due to the existing Covid-19 travel restrictions.

14. In 2018, 16.22 million international trips were made from France by air, compared to 9.68 million trips by land.

15. leisure day trips are popular among french residents, who made 3 million same-day trips for leisure purposes to belgium and 283 thousand trips to the uk., 16. a 2015 survey showed that tourists from france spent more than 25.1 billion euros for their travel abroad per year..

This includes backpackers. France is the third largest source of backpackers in Australia (7.76%) .

17. The average expenditure per outbound French tourist in 2021 was $2,025.5, making them the ninth most valuable outbound source market.

18. a 2021 survey revealed that 56% of french tourists go on a sun and beach holiday, which is in line with the worldwide average of 57%., domestic tourism in france.

How often do French residents travel domestically?

19. The total number of domestic trips in France fluctuated between 2008 and 2019, hitting record-high in 2017 with 277 million domestic trips.

20. in 2020, this number fell by around 50% to just 138 million domestic trips in france..

Covid-19 had drastically decreased the number of domestic trips taken in France.

21. The number of domestic overnight visitors in France was 186 million in 2019.

22. in comparison, day trips are less popular with 85 million same-day trips made in france in 2017 by domestic travelers., 23. the number of same-day trips dropped in 2020, reaching only 60 million excursionists, the lowest level since 2006. , 24. in 2020, leisure-related domestic trips in france experienced the biggest decline, falling from almost 167 million in 2019 to below 140 million in 2020., 25. the average duration of a domestic trip made by french residents is 5.22 days..

This average duration was calculated from 2020 data.

26. For domestic French trips, the most popular transportation type is land, typically by road or rail.

27. the second and third most popular transportations are by air and water, recording 2.5 million and below 500 thousand, respectively, domestic trips in 2020., economic impact of tourism in france.

What percentage of French economy is tourism?

28. In 2019, the travel and tourism industry contributed 211 billion euros to French GDP.

29. this fell significantly in 2020 to 108 billion euros of gdp contribution, which is a 49% decline..

This dramatic drop could be explained by the Covid-19 pandemic, which affected not only France but also tourism in Europe and rest of the world. 

30. The direct contribution of travel and tourism to French GDP has remained relatively stable between 2012 and 2018, hitting 85.1 billion euros in 2018.

direct travel contribution to French GDP

31. Travel and tourism in France is predicted to directly contribute around 104.3 billion euros to the country’s GDP in 2028.

32. in 2019, international tourism receipts in france amounted to $70.8 billion..

[Macro Trends]

International tourism receipts refer to expenditures made by international inbound visitors. This includes international transport and other prepayment for goods and services purchased in France.

33. Unfortunately, international tourist spending fell by 49.19% to just $36 billion in 2020.

34. In 2018 and 2019 each, international tourism spending made up 7.92% of the country’s total export.

Unfortunately, in 2020, the percentage dropped to 4.73% of France’s export. This is once again the result of the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic.

35. The average international tourist in France spent $325 in 2019.

[World Data]

This is a significant drop from the $812 average in 2018. It can be explained by the slight decline in international tourism receipts despite the major increase in number of tourists.

36. In the meantime, French tourists spent an increasing amount in their country since 2012, reching over 115 billion euros in 2019. 

37. of course, this number also declined in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, hitting only 58 billion euros. , employment in french tourism.

How many people are employed in travel and tourism in France?

38. In 2019, the total contribution of travel and tourism to employment in France was 2.69 million jobs.

39. however, in 2020, the total number of employment contribution in the french travel and tourism industry declined to 2.5 million..

40. In terms of direct contribution, France recorded about 1.19 million travel and tourism jobs in 2017.

41. travel and tourism is forecasted to directly contribute to employment by generating approximately 1.47 million jobs in france in 2028., 42. disneyland paris employs over 16,000 people from 124 different countries, speaking 20 languages in 500 different roles..

[Disneyland Paris]

According to Disneyland Paris statistics, the company employs more than 16,000 employees (or Cast Members) for their 500 job classifications. They come from 124 nationalities and speak 20 languages.

Business travel in France

Are there many business travelers in France?

43. France welcomes approximately 11 million international business tourist arrivals every year.

There are around 11 million business visitors in France each year.

44. Among the G20 member countries, the expenditure of business tourists in France is the fifth highest at $23 billion.

45. in 2021, business travel spending made up 16% of the total tourism spending in comparison to leisure travel spending at 84%..

46. France recorded the least number of business overnight stays in April 2020, with only 800 thousand recorded.

During the pandemic, more people worked from home and therefore fewer of them traveled for business purposes.

47. In 2019, 750 trade shows and fairs were held in France.

48. meanwhile, there were 2,800 congresses in france in 2019., 49. out of all visitors in france in 2019, 52 million of them participated in corporate and institutional events., french tourism top attractions.

What is the most visited thing in France?

50. Wine tourism in France has grown by over 30% from 2009 to 2016.

[VisitFrenchWine]

Wine tourism includes visits to wine cellars, wine-making experiences, staying in vineyards or chateaux, wine academy conferences or courses, as well as hikes through vineyards.

51. In 2016, the country welcomed 10 million wine tourists.

52. the largest groups of wine tourists in france (almost 50% of the international visitors) are from belgium and the uk., 53. 50 million tourists visited paris in 2019, making in the most visited country in the world..

[Paris Digest]

Paris received 50 million tourists in 2019 . It’s ahead of London and New York City in terms of the world’s most visited city.

54. The main reasons for visiting Paris is to sightsee and go shopping.

55. the most visited site in france is disneyland, which welcomed nearly 14.9 million visitors in 2017 alone., 56. the second most visited tourist attraction in france is the louvre museum with just over 8 million visitors., 57. it is followed closely by versailles palace (7.7 million) and the eiffel tower (6.2 million)..

Travel accomodation in France

How many hotels are there in France?

58. In 2018, 442.76 million nights were spent in French travel accommodations, an increase from 2017.

59. In Paris alone, there are 56 five-star hotels, making it the city with the fourth highest number of five-star hotels in the world.

As the capital city and hub of the country’s travel and tourism, Paris has 56 five-star hotels .

60. Despite the popularity of France as a travel destination, the number of travel accommodation establishments in the country has been relatively stable between 2009 until 2020, remaining in the 28 to 30 thousand range.

61. tourist hotels are the most common type of travel accommodation in france, with more than 17 thousand establishments in 2022..

Hotels remain the most 

62. With 8,139 establishments, campsites are the next most popular type of travel accommodation in France.

31% of RV owners in 2021 were first-time owners, and the increasing number of RV users means that campsites will grow even more in popularity.

This high number also supports the statistics that France has contributed to why Europe is the dominating force in the global glamping market, with 35.11% of the market share .

63. They are followed by holiday residences, holiday village and family homes, and youth hostels and holding centres.

Holiday villages and family homes are the fourth most common type of travel accommodation in paris, revealing that family trips are also prevalent in French tourism .

64. Monthly arrivals in hotels in France tend to peak during the summer months, specifically in August.

65. french hotels received barely ten million arrivals in august 2020, which is lower than the usual 13 million., 66. from 2011 to 2016, the number of nights spent in hotels in metropolitan france was relatively stable, and then rose significantly until reaching almost 215 million nights in 2019. , 67. unlike the rising trend of travel accommodation in france overall, french residents were actually spending fewer nights in accommodation establishments between 2012 and 2018. , 68. france is the country with the second highest number of active airbnb listings (610,765)..

[AllTheRooms]

There are 610,765 Airbnb listings in France , making it the country with the second most active listings after the United States.

69. With 27,677 establishments, France is the country with second highest number of travel sustainable accommodations on Booking.com.

[Booking.com]

France has the second most number of travel sustainable properties, with 27,677 such listings on Booking.com .

For the last three decades, France remains the most popular tourist destination in the world. Its capital, Paris, is also one of the most visited cities.

Travel and tourism have always been a huge part of the country’s economy, as shown by its table contribution to French GDP.

If you’re planning to visit and book your travels to France, we hope these statistics are insightful!

Did we miss any crucial infos?

Tell us what you think in the comment section!

Meanwhile, check out more statistics here:

• Digital Nomad Statistics
• Female Travel Statistics
• Online Travel Booking Statistics
• Pet Travel Statistics
• WorldPopulationReview
• Business Wire
• Macro Trends
• Disneyland Paris
• VisitFrenchWine
• Paris Digest
• AllTheRooms
• Booking.com

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Tourism in France

  about-france.com - the connoisseur's guide to france.

• ► Covid-19 INFORMATION -  France has opened up again to tourism in a new post-Covid age.   Museums and galleries are open, as are hotels restaurants , shops   tourist attractions and public transport . .    France's international borders with neighbouring countries are open, but the situation may change in function of the way in which the Covid-19 pandemic evolves in France or other countries.
• Covid pass ? These are not required for entry into France. However in the event of a resurgence, the rules may change. ► CLICK HERE for full details about when a covid pass is needed, and how to obtain one. This can be easily done online, as long as you satisfy the criteria. There is no charge.

Practical tips & info

• + Doctors and emergencies
• Find hotels in France
• Hotel guide for France - different types of hotel in France, how to choose, and to get the best rates.
• Other accommodation   - Information about alternatives to hotels, including gites, B&B, hostels and camping.
• Staying safe in France
• Paris hotel guide
• Essential French phrases for tourists
• Cheap car hire in France
• Planning a trip to France
• Day trips to France from the UK
• A weekend trip to France - ten ideas
• French school holiday dates
• Weeks of the year in France
• Shopping in France
• Banks, money and paying for things
• France on a limited budget 
• Opening and closing
• Postage rates from France
• French perfume
• French wine
• French bread
• French cheese

Ways to travel

Travel in france.

• Getting round France  
• Driving in France
• France by train
• France by bicycle
• France on foot
• France by boat
• About-France.com home
• The best of France -  thematic lists
• Find more information on About-France.com.

Seasonal travel to France

• The weather in France
• Paris in the Spring   - Visit Paris and France at Easter or in the Spring time
• Autumn travel to France - Autumn, or the Fall, can be an excellent time of year for visiting France.
• Winter sports and skiing in the French Alps
• Winter sports and skiing in France: the Pyrenees and other areas
• Christmas shopping and markets in France

Main sites & attractions

Things to see and do in france, top tourist sites in france.

• Top tourist attractions in France
• Top free tourist attractions in France
• Ten must-see sights in France , away from Paris
• Best offbeat or unusual sights in France
• Theme parks in France
• Disneyland Paris
• Puy du Fou historical theme park
• The Eiffel Tower
• Mont Saint Michel
• The medieval city of Carcassonne
• Loire châteaux
• Historic monuments in France
• Tourist map of France - the most interesting sites and cities

Cities towns and areas

French cities towns and villages.

• Visiting Paris  - lots of info on sites and sights, getting round, where to stay, how to get by on a limited budget, and more practical information.
• Other major tourist cities: Lyon , Nice Strasbourg , Toulouse
• Most interesting heritage cities in France
• The best towns and other cities to visit in France   other French cities where there is plenty to see and do.
• Small towns in France - a selection of some of the most attractive traditional small French towns
• Beautiful villages in France - notably those that are not overrun by tourists.
• The best of rural France  - discover eight beautiful areas  with unspoilt countryside.
• Best walled cities and towns in France

Rural France

• The regions of France   in France tourism is not just concentrated in Paris. The French regions are very diverse and each region has plenty to offer.
• Wild France - the French countryside
• Wildlife in France
• France for bird watchers
• Wild flowers in France
• The French seaside and coast

Thematic tourism - special interests

• Roman France - the best sites
• Best prehistoric sites -  Carnac, Lascaux, Pech Merle and others, some of the world's greatest prehistoric sites.
• The best art galleries and museums in France   -  museums in Paris and in other French cities too.
• Best medieval cathedrals
• Great medieval castles in France
• Renaissance and classic châteaux
•   First world war sites and memorials in France
• The Tour de France
• Art: Monet and the Impressionists in Paris
• Cycling in France
• Hiking trails - long-distance footpaths in France
• The markets of France
• Scenic railways in France
• Music in France; festivals, concerts and ideas
• Food & eating in France
• Christmas shopping in France
• Wine map of France

Best Time to Visit

Weather & Climate

Top Attractions

Gardens of France

Cities to Visit

Romantic Destinations

One-Week Itinerary

Tipping in France

Currency Tips

Food to Try

Wine Regions

Your Trip to France: The Complete Guide

France Guide: Planning Your Trip

France has it all: vibrant, exciting cities; picturesque countryside; storybook villages; wide, sandy beaches; and a rich history. Work through this guide to plan your trip and learn some basics about the culture, major regions and attractions, local cuisine, currency, and more. Also find tips below on when to go, getting around, and budgeting for your adventure abroad.

Planning Your Trip

• Best Time to Visit : The spring and summer months are generally ideal; the weather is mild and warm, while the landscapes and parks are in full bloom.
• Language: French is the country's official language and is spoken throughout its regions. Most people speak some English, but younger people tend to be more fluent. We recommend learning some basic travel words and polite expressions in French to prepare for your trip.
• Currency: The Euro (€) is the official currency of France.  
• Getting Around: France has an extensive and efficient rail system that connects cities including Paris, Lyon, Bordeaux, Nice, and Strasbourg in just hours through high-speed (TGV) trains. Local train lines offer convenient and affordable connections within major regions throughout the country, and Paris boasts a sophisticated Metro/subway system . Some may prefer to rent a car when visiting France but make sure you fully acquaint yourself with local driving rules and regulations.
• Travel Tip: Before booking your trip, decide how much time you have and how many French regions you can comfortably, realistically visit. Trying to do too much in too short a period of time isn't something we advise. It's better to spend three full, rich days in Paris —and maybe take a day trip to Versailles—than try to hop around the whole country in just a few days.

Things to Do

France is a diverse and rich nation, with attractions to suit all tastes and interests. Each region has its own unique highlights: Paris is full of glamorous avenues and quaint café terraces; the French Riviera boasts azure waters and sandy beaches; and Burgundy, the Loire, and the southwest are home to rolling vineyards. Meanwhile, the mountain landscapes of the Alps and Pyrenees and the rugged coastlines of Brittany and Basque Country attract travelers with the promise of outdoor adventures.

While there's a wealth of things to do, here are three "star" attractions we recommend on a first trip to France:

• Spend at least 48 hours in Paris and explore some of the city's vibrant neighborhoods, including hilly Montmartre and the old-world Latin Quarter . Take a sightseeing cruise of the Seine River at sunset and see why Paris is called the "City of Light."
• Visit Provence and take in its stunning landscapes, from the lavender fields of the Luberon to the beaches of the Côte d'Azur. Taste local specialties such as saffron, seafood, candied fruit, and other treats at a typical Provençal market. See some of the region's picturesque old chateaux and dramatic Roman ruins.
• If you're interested in recent French history, visit Normandy's D-Day beaches and see stirring World War II memorial sites firsthand. While in the region, reserve a day to see the Mont St-Michel Abbey and Bay, a breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage site whose dramatic tidal systems and centuries-old Abbey attract visitors from around the world.

Explore more things to see and do by consulting our guide to the top 30 tourist attractions in Paris, the 20 most popular cities for international visitors , and the top 10 things to do on the French Riviera.

What to Eat and Drink

France's world-renowned food and wine culture awaits no matter what regions you plan to visit. The country boasts more culinary delights than most, from crusty baguettes to creamy, local cheeses; artful pastries; traditional regional dishes; and inventive fusion cooking.

Every region offers its own distinctive cuisine, markets, and restaurant scene. Paris counts an unusual number of Michelin-starred restaurants , but it's also a great place for inexpensive street food and mouthwatering baked goods. Provence is renowned for its seafood and markets heaped with fresh, colorful produce . The southwest draws crowds for its truffles, duck and goose specialities, and distinctive cheeses. Brittany and Normandy produce some of the country's freshest oysters and shellfish, as well as creamy butter, regional cakes, and salted caramel.

Meanwhile, visits to regions such as Burgundy, Champagne, the Loire and Bordeaux offer curious travelers numerous opportunities for wine-tasting and wine tours . Normandy and Brittany are well-known for excellent ciders and apple liqueurs.

Explore our articles on eating out in France and dining etiquette , the best places to dine and taste in Paris , and a food lover's guide to Nice.

Where to Stay

The possibilities for lodging in France range from traditional hotels to B&Bs, rental apartments, and even unusual accommodations such as castles, campsites, and lighthouse hotels. Choosing the accommodations that are right for you will depend on several factors, including your budget, tastes, desired atmosphere, and willingness to cook/self-cater.

Generally speaking, we recommend staying in traditional hotels or self-catered apartments when visiting major cities such as Paris, Nice, Bordeaux or Strasbourg. You'll want to be close to the city center and their main attractions, as well as have easy access to public transport. In the Alps and the Pyrenees, consider renting a rustic mountain chalet or staying in a chalet-style hotel.

In Provence and the Loire Valley, renting a country cottage, old Provençal house, or "apartment" within an authentic chateau can be a memorable experience. If you're staying in a coastal region such as the French Riviera or Brittany, a private beach cottage could be ideal if you plan to cook for yourself, but a hotel with sea views may be more your speed.

See more on your best best lodging options in France, including the best 11 hotels in Paris and the nine best castle hotels in France in 2020 .

Getting There

Most major U.S. airports offer flights to Paris , some with non-stop service, and Roissy-Charles de Gaulle in Paris is France's busiest airport. Orly Airport is a useful hub for international flights from other European countries.

Some airlines also fly into other major French cities, such as Lyon, Nice, Bordeaux, and  Strasbourg . It takes around seven hours to fly to France from New York City.

Air France, Lufthansa, Virgin Atlantic, Delta, and American Airlines are among the companies offering flights to France. If flying from within Europe, consider low- carriers including EasyJet and Ryanair, particularly if you're on a tight budget.

Taking the train can also be a convenient and relaxing way to get to (and around) France, especially from other major European cities. The Eurostar carries passengers from London to Paris in just under two and a half hours. The Thalys high-speed train connects Paris with Amsterdam, Brussels, Rotterdam, and other cities.

Finally, if you plan to visit French cities that are far apart (say Strasbourg and Carcassonne), you might want to fly from one destination to the next. It's relatively cheap and can save you hours of train travel. 

Culture and Customs

Before heading to France, it's always a good idea to learn about local culture and customs. Are French waiters and shopkeepers  really rude? How do you navigate the rules of the French dinner table?

See our guide to avoiding travel mistakes during your first time in France , and learn why these stereotypes about French people are generally far from accurate. Then study some key facts about France before your trip.

Money-Saving Tips

• Consider going in low season (roughly mid-October to mid-March) to save on airfare, hotel rates, and tours. It can be a lot cheaper to travel at these times than during peak season.
• If you're staying in a big- to medium-sized French city , buy a transport pass rather than individual tickets for metro trains, buses, and trams. The Paris Visite Pass is one example; it allows for unlimited travel on Paris' transport network as well as discounted entry to top city attractions. Bordeaux has a similar scheme.
• Also consider staying in a smaller town rather than a big city, where the cost of lodging, restaurants, and other amenities tends to be less expensive. These are some of France's most beautiful small towns and villages.
• Get a rail pass. You'll likely save a significant amount on train travel between cities and regions if you invest in one.
• Before you go, ask your bank about how much you'll be charged for ATM withdrawals, card payments, and other transactions while abroad. Also check with different credit card companies and compare rates.
• Learn more about how to save money during your trip in our full guides to planning budget vacations to France and Paris .

European Commission. " France and the Euro ."

UNESCO World Heritage Centre. " Mont-Saint-Michel and its Bay ."

The Top 15 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in France

Top French Wine Tours, Regions and Wine Routes

The Best Time to Visit France

7 Top Vineyards to Visit in France

France Travel Planner for Every Vacation

One Week in France: The Ultimate Itinerary

Paris Guide: Planning Your Trip

The Essential Guide to Alsace, France: What to See & Do

A Tour of West France

How to Travel from Frankfurt to Paris by Train, Bus, Car, and Plane

Albi: Planning Your Trip

Your Trip to the French Riviera: The Complete Guide

Avoid these First-timers France Travel Mistakes

The Best Time to Visit the French Riviera

The Top 10 Most Underrated Destinations in France

Guide to Nimes in the south of France

Touropia Travel

Discover the World

29 Top Tourist Attractions in France

By Jamie Gambetta · Last updated on May 22, 2024

When the mind ponders a trip to France, Paris quickly makes an appearance. Its storied streets are the very definition of romanticism. But beyond the Notre Dame, the Eiffel Tower and the Champs-Élysées is a sprawling country with the rugged Normandy coast on one side and the French Riviera on the other.


Day trips from Paris to Champagne and Versailles are easy to add to the list of things to do in France. But one needs to make use of the country’s efficient (and fun) train network to venture beyond to such memorable towns as Strasbourg, Lyon, Cannes, and St. Tropez.


Beyond glamour, the turquoise Mediterranean and ancient old towns, the French Alps harbor spectacular scenery where skiing, hiking, and climbing come to the fore.

But perhaps the biggest tourist attractions in France are found among its rich culture with food and wines that are among the most celebrated in the world.

29. Chateau de Chenonceau

The Loire Valley is home to countless spectacular castles. At the top of your list should be the Chateau de Chenonceau. Dating back to the early 1500s, the castle has seen multiple iterations, each an improvement on the last.


Over time, the bridge spanning the Cher grows in length. But as it crosses the water, the arch bridge becomes the pillar that holds up an expanded castle. Showcasing a mix of Gothic and Renaissance architecture, the Chateau de Chenonceau reflects off the water below, offering brilliant photography.


Travelers can make their way into the castle where they’ll find the ornate chapel, the King Louis XIV Drawing Room, and bedrooms fixed with period furniture. Beyond the castle are expansive gardens that stretch into the French countryside.

28. Le Puy-en-Velay

Thousands of years ago, volcanic eruptions carved the landscapes surrounding Le Puy-en-Velay. Today, dormant volcanoes and basalt spires are within constant sight. Yet, perhaps what brings Le Puy the most notoriety is its position along the Camino de Santiago.


For many, the 800km journey along the Way of St. James begins right here. The town has a storied connection to the pilgrimage and religion. One of the first sights you’ll see as you make your way into Le Puy-en-Velay is Our Lady of France statue which showcases the Virgin Mary. It’s almost 23 meters tall.


Beyond the Camino, visitors can experience the town’s traditional lacemaking industry.

27. Epernay Champagne

Alongside Reims, Epernay is the best town to visit in Champagne to experience the local delicacy. A simple day trip from Paris , Epernay, is a wonderful place to sample a wide range of world class champagne. After all, if it’s not from around here, then it isn’t really champagne.


Surrounded by rolling green hills, Epernay is the home of the famous Moet & Chandon. Arguably the world’s most sampled champagne, Moet & Chandon offer a range of tours where you can wander through the cellars and try their beloved drink within a sightly tasting room.


After visiting a range of other champagne houses, make your way to Hautvillers, where you can enjoy expansive views across multiple vineyards.

26. Cannes Film Festival

Along the Cote d’Azur, Cannes is lined with high-end hotels, glamorous boutiques, fine dining and plenty of sunshine. At the center of its fame is the Cannes Film Festival, which attracts the biggest movie stars from across the globe.


Although Cannes is a year-round destination with plenty of things to do, the film festival is one to mark on your calendar. Held in May, it’s a chaotic yet rewarding time to visit the stunning seaside town. You’ll find stars dotting the red carpet outside of the Lumiere Theater at the Palais. The 18 on-site auditoriums host many of the year’s top films.


Sans tux or ball gown and a hefty check, the best way to see movies (for free!) is the Cinema de la Plage, an open-air cinema steps from the Med.

25. Val d’Isere

Alongside Chamonix, Val d’Isere is a destination not to be missed among snowbirds. This world-class skiing and snowboarding destination offers guaranteed snow cover, fun for beginners through to expert, and thrilling après-ski.


On the edge of the Tarentaise Valley, minutes from the Italian border, reaching the high alpine village is a trek. A forty-minute drive up from the valley is immediately rewarded with an exciting destination that harbors enough history to rival its sea-level compatriots.


Beyond the chalets, chairlifts take you up into the heavens. The run awaits, yet you’ll want to take in the spectacular views of the surrounding Alps. Once the day is done, change boots and experience Val d’Isere’s vibrant nightlife.

24. Nîmes Roman Monuments

Around 2,000 years ago, the Romans made their mark upon the town of Nimes in southern France. Today, it’s the most Roman city to exist outside Italy. At the heart of this are the Nimes Roman Monuments that showcase an incredible city at its peak.


Once a major regional capital, Nîmes was where engineers and architects pushed boundaries to create the Pont du Gard, the Maison Carree, Temple of Diana and the Arena of Nîmes.


The Maison Carrée was built around the same time as the birth of Christ. It translates to square house and, incredibly, is almost completely intact. The Arena of Nîmes is another highlight. Similar in age to the Roman Coliseum, it remains in use today.

23. Camargue

Beneath the city of Arles in southern France, the Parc Regional de Camargue is a protected landscape. France is teeming with old town and glamorous coastal enclaves. This sets Camargue apart.


UNESCO has listed this as a Biosphere Reserve, a place where wild horse saunter along the golden sands, at times venturing into the Med. Elsewhere, the park’s famous pink flamingos go about their daily lives.


There are over 300 bird species, both local and migrating within Camargue. This makes the reserve one of the best spots for birdwatching in France. Beyond hiking, you can explore on riverboats, kayaks, or horseback.


22. Vieux Lyon

On the precipice of Fourviere Hill, Vieux Lyon ( Lyon Old Town ) is home to vibrant facades, old communes, churches, and business all reached along paved streets that have been worn smooth by the passage of time.


Thanks to a movement in the 1960s, the Vieux Lyon has remained much as it was going back hundreds of years. It has also been revitalized to the point it’s as prominent a part of local life as the popular Presqu’ile.


Now a World Heritage Site, Vieux Lyon’s three districts are waiting for your footsteps. Within them are three distinct churches, each with an important chapter in Middle Age religion.

21. Bonifacio

Known as the City of Cliffs, Bonifacio is one of France’s best-kept secrets. Clinging to the edge of white limestone cliffs, this seaside town along the Corsica coast is relaxing to visit, even at the height of summer.


Back from the cliffs that fall quickly to the kaleidoscopic Mediterranean Sea, is a medieval town that was once a part of Sardinia, an Italian island. Volcanic activity put an end to the connection leading to waters that are now littered with infamous pirate ships.


The vibe of the oft-chaotic sea is left behind once you step inside the coastline’s oldest town. The fortified Bonifacio is an ancient citadel, with colorful homes, and a culture that is a fascinating mix of Italian and French.

20. Millau Bridge

Touring around southern France is on the bucket list of many travelers. As such, it’s nice to know that such a journey can take you across one of the most incredible bridges in the world. The Millau Bridge stands at 343 meters tall, a world record. Add on stunning panoramas and you’ll quickly be changing course.


The Millau Bridge stretches across the stunning Tarn Valley, connecting a duo of limestone plateaus otherwise known as the Causse du Larzac and Causse Rouge across 2.5 kilometers. The cable-stayed bridge is as visually appealing as the surrounding landscape featuring white towers that often poke through the clouds above.


19. Ètretat Cliffs

Along the hauntingly beautiful Normandy coast, stands the towering white rock known as the Étretat Cliffs. Looking out across the English Channel, the cliffs are home to two famous natural arches that jut into the water, showcasing both its strength and fragility.


The white cliffs are encased in thick greenery, providing a beautiful breadth of colors on a sunny day. It’s easy to scale up the Étretat Cliffs to enjoy vast views of the coast and the ghost white sand below. But it’s from the beach that you can best appreciate the scale of the cliffs and the arches which were initially carved by a rolling river.

18. Reims Cathedral

For eight centuries until 1825, French kings received their coronation within the walls of the Notre Dame de Reims Cathedral. All up there were 29 such kings, which include the famous names of Francois I and Louis XIV. Such was the esteem of the cathedral’s coronations that led Joan of Arc to its doorstep in 1429.


Today, the Reims Cathedral is a brilliant example of High Gothic architecture and is one of the most stunning attractions in France. Despite enduring heavy artillery fire and bombings in the Second World War, it has returned to its former glory. Its front facade features more statues than any equivalent on each and comes with a trio of towering entrances, known as portals.


Like other French cathedrals, Reims also has an enormous rose window which leads to the Gallery of Kings.

17. Strasbourg Old Town

In northeast France, Strasbourg is the capital of the Grand Est Region. Minutes from the German border, Strasbourg’s entire Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Encased in picturesque half-timbered houses and the canals of Petite France, it’s a destination that oozes history.


The wider Strasbourg is a town driven by youthfulness, but its historic interior tells the tale of a city that has lived under many kingdoms and within multiple nations. The narrow passageways act as a maze, guiding you by the pastel homes half covered in wood, past medieval churches and onto vibrant town squares where locals gather in droves on the cafe patios.


Within the Old Town are a number of unique quarters, such as La Petite France and the Quartier Krutenau, each with their own story to tell.


16. Promenade des Anglais

Set along Nice ’s spectacular waterfront, the Promenade des Anglais spans seven kilometers. It splits Nice’s beloved Baroque palaces, historic museums, and high-end shops with its pebbly shores home to scantily clad travelers soaking up as many rays as possible.


While there’s much to do on the city-side of the promenade, it’s along this path that you can best participate in local culture. The Promenade des Anglais boasts a series of cafe terraces, offering gorgeous views of the Med. Festivals are consistently set upon the smooth path and in the center is the Jardin Albert 1er, one of Nice’s original parks.


After a lengthy stroll, the Promenade delivers you to the doorstep of Nice’s memorable Old Town.

See also: Best Neighborhoods & Hotels in Nice

In southeastern France, Annecy is surrounded by giant snow-capped peaks. But little time is spent marveling at the mountains as Lake Annecy steals the show. Known as the Venice of the Alps, Annecy features pastel-colored homes, narrow alleys, and an abundance of old churches. All set upon the waterfront or the town’s series of slim canals.


Between the memorable man-made creations is a town that preserves its natural beauty. Almost 30,000 trees are spread across the locale, a historic town that refuses to grow much beyond its original design. Here, pedestrians are king and getting about on foot is the best way to admire not just the buildings, but each garden and the alpine lake that reflects the surrounding mountains.

14. Bordeaux Wine Regions

Broken up into 38 sub-regions, the Bordeaux Wine Regions are not to be missed. Though enjoying a good wine is one of the most popular things to do in France, you may not enjoy sampling the local tipple in Bordeaux . If that’s the case, you’ll have no problem falling in love with the countryside home to such quaint towns as Pomerol, Graves, and Saint-Emilion.


Set between each charming village is a collection of 7,000 vineyards split by the Gironde Estuary. Mesmerizing views are found around each passing corner, whether it be the lush rolling hills or the sight of the spire rising above a town as old as time.


The Gironde Estuary separates the region along the Left and Right banks. The former is famous for its cabernet sauvignon, while the latter provides sumptuous merlot and white wines.

13. Palace of Fontainebleau

It was here, within the walls of the Palace of Fontainebleau, that Napoleon abdicated the throne and was exiled to Elba. Unsurprisingly, the palace, which dates back to the 1130s, is lathered in history.

Older than the Louvre and the Palace of Versailles, Fontainebleau was once the home of Marie Antoinette, among other famous (and infamous) royal characters. Inside, you’ll find the horseshoe staircase which was created for Louis XIII and where Napoleon saluted his guards for the last time.


Decorated hallways lead you to the renowned Throne Room where Napoleon once sat. It’s the only one of its kind in France to remain exactly as it was. Each part of Fontainebleau has much to say. However, as most travelers choose Versailles, this palace remains easy to explore.


12. Pont du Gard

In the south of France, the River Gardon snakes its way through the surrounded landscapes. As it reaches the Occitanie region, it passes under Pont du Gard, a Roman aqueduct that was built in the heart of the first century.


The aqueduct, which at its height was as long as 50km, is one of the most impressive Roman creations. Built by the ancient Nemausus, a Roman colony, the three-story creation supplied the city of Nimes with water from Uzes. Pont du Gard was pivotal, as it allowed the water to cross over the River Gardon.


In 1985, it joined the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, allowing the preservation and celebration of this historic and vital work of art.

11. Carcassonne

Once you set foot within the town limits of Carcassonne, you’ll understand how it came to inspire the strategic board game that harbors the same name. The ancient town has been impeccably preserved over the centuries, so each step along the cobblestone streets feels like another step back in time.


Among the lush green trees are fortified walls eclipsed by towers that sparkle under the French sun. Also known as La Cite, it’s a fascinating journey back to the Middle Ages, where the streets guide you to historic sites such as the Chateau Comtal, constructed in the 1100s, and the 52 towers that belong to the Basilique Saint-Nazaire et Sainte-Celse.

10. Chartres Cathedral

The story of France’s connection with religion is as old as time, as ancient even as the medieval Gothic architecture strewn across the provinces. Each is a prominent reminder of culture within the middle ages and the endurance of spirituality. Standing at the forefront of this is the Chartres Cathedral.


For over 800 years, the spectacular cathedral, with its twin spires, has inspired the masses and provided a sanctuary. The UNESCO-listed cathedral features impressive stained-glass windows that you can admire from several blocks away.


Two windows are particularly beloved. They are the Blue Virgin and the Passion windows that are almost as old as the structure itself. They both come to life during the annual light show.

9. Dune of Pyla

An hour southwest of Bordeaux, on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean is a soaring sand dune. The Dune of Pyla is the tallest in Europe and grows further eastward every year. On its edges is a vast forest creating eye-catching contrast that only enhances the dune’s beauty.


The Dune of Pyla stretches along the Arcachon Bay for three kilometers, holding off the pounding Atlantic surf while thousands of trees rustle on the other side. At its highest, the Dune of Pyla stands 100 meters above sea level, providing epic west-facing sunsets as the sun dances along the glistening sands.


Whatever the time of day, a quick stroll down to the Arcachon Bay for a refreshing dip will be a traveler’s reward.


8. Palais des Papes

Within the medieval city of Avignon , is the equally medieval Palais des Papes. The remarkable gothic architecture dates back to the 14th century and is the largest of its kind on earth. From then until now, it’s been a constant symbol of Christendom.


At first glimpse, you’ll notice just how imposing the fortress is. Yet it’s equally luxurious within the fortified walls. A visit to the gothic palace will provide you with a look into the immaculate staterooms, ornate chapels lined with historic decor and private apartments where a series of nine popes resided in the 1300s.


Within, you’ll spot countless works of art while the onsite museum dives into the story behind Palais de Papes. Before departing, admire the views of Avignon from the terraces.

7. Chateau de Chambord

Set in the romantic Loire Valley, the Chateau de Chambord is a veritable masterpiece that owes its origins to the French Renaissance. Ordered under the rule of King Francois I in the early 1500s, the chateau features over 400 rooms, 282 fireplaces (naturally) and even 83 staircases.


It’s enough to fill the stats book, yet Francois I, who had planned to use it as a hunting escape, spent only a handful of nights staying within its four walls. It was maintained over the centuries, yet recently it received rejuvenation. The colorful surrounding gardens are now just as much a reason to visit.


The Chateau de Chambord is just one of the numerous incredible castles within the valley. Others include the neoclassical Chateau de Cheverny and the Chateau de Chenonceau. 


6. Gorge du Verdon

One of Europe’s largest canyon, Gorge du Verdon, brings together the strength and might of ancient rock and the turquoise beauty of the Mediterranean. Set between Marseilles and Nice, north of the French Riviera , Gorge du Verdon was carved by glaciers creating cliffs as tall as 700 meters that soar about the milky blue water illuminated by glacial till.


It’s the Grand Canyon, but with a river far more relaxing. The canyon walls are littered with lush vegetation, seeming holding on for dear life as the canyons rise sharply upwards and sometimes over the Verdon River.


Beginning at the Pont du Galetas bridge in the Provence, you can kayak along the river admiring the sheer scale of the canyon with each stroke.

5. Mont Saint-Michel

Surrounded by the chilling waters of the English Channel, along France’s memorable Normandy coast, is the UNESCO-listed Mont Saint-Michel. It’s the castle of dreams known as the Pyramid of the Seas that rises out of the encompassing landscape to provide one of the world’s great vistas.


The castle’s story begins in the 11th century, its awe-inspiring architecture home to Abbey Church (Abbaye du Mont Saint-Michel) draws pilgrims in large numbers a 1000 years later. From the beginning, pilgrims crossed the surrounding bay by foot, a tradition that has not lost steam.


Viewing the castle from a distance will only inspire you to come closer. The aforementioned church is the main attraction, boasting inspiring high-vaulted choirs, ancient naves and striking gothic spires.

4. Palace of Versailles

France has no shortage of groundbreaking architecture. Perhaps the most prominent is the Palace of Versailles. Originally constructed in the 1600s as a hunting lodge for King Louis XIII, such was the beauty of the building that the country’s royal court was moved from Paris to Versailles, up until the infamous French Revolution.


Under an hour from downtown Paris, the Palace of Versailles continues to capture the imaginations of all visitors into the 21st century and remains one of the most popular tourist attractions in the world. Within is five centuries of untouched history and stunning works of art splashed across the ornate walls.

Yet the palace itself, which boasts an incredible 2,300 rooms is the true work of art. The highlight of the palace is the Hall of Mirrors featuring over 350 mirrors that reflect the surrounding gardens.


3. Chamonix

A year-round destination, Chamonix is one of the more famous alpine villages in Europe. Nestled in the foothills of France’s tallest mountain, Mont Blanc, Chamonix captures all that is good about nature and humanity.


The picture-perfect village provides access to a lively local culture where locals and travelers mix within the storied buildings from alpine churches to rustic auberges. But steps from the quaint cobblestone streets bring you to the marvels of the French Alps, from world class skiing and hiking to towering rock walls made for fearless climbers.


One could indulge in only the human or natural aspect of Chamonix and still walk away with an unforgettable experience. Regardless, a mouthwatering, traditional cuisine awaits every evening.

2. St Tropez

In the 1950s, St Tropez was a simple fishing village harboring an eye-catching secret. As tourists ventured elsewhere, locals went about their daily lives surrounded by striking beauty. Upon the release of the film And God Created Woman, the coastal town was forever changed.


Today, it’s a gorgeous hot spot along the famed French Riviera. In the distance the Alps rise across southeastern France, but for visitors’ eyes are firmly fixed on the arresting architecture and the glistening sea.


Eyes dart from spot to spot with the possibility of spotting a celebrity in a town that has now become a hallmark for glitz and glamour. Elsewhere, the calm sea breeze laps the sand as windsurfers and sailors play on the water mere yards from million-dollar yachts.

1. Eiffel Tower

Such is the modern-day popularity of the Eiffel Tower. It’s hard to imagine that it was once despised among local Parisians. Built in 1889, the famous tower which harbors the bulk of Paris ’ romantic sensibilities has come a long way.

No trip to France’s biggest city is complete without a closeup view of the Eiffel Tower’s 8,000 parts. Once you’ve admired the marvelous architecture, wander up the staircase to restaurants across multiple levels, plus wondrous views of the city itself.

Within the tower, you can enjoy fine dining at the Michelin starred Le Jules Verne. Later, venture to the highest level almost 280 meters (905ft). From the jaw-dropping height, appreciate the beauty of the River Seine, Notre Dame, and the Trocadero.

Map of Tourist Attractions in France

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Reader interactions.

January 25, 2024 at 5:57 am

Brilliant list! I’ve been to most of these places and enjoyed them massively. Calanques National Park in Marseille is another one that isn’t featured. There are so many picturesque hikes and fun activities for a busy day out.

November 28, 2016 at 10:14 am

Very good list but Lyon is missing! There is so much to discover…Vieux Lyon, Traboules, Fouviere and its Basilica but mostly lyonnais cuisine as Lyon is the Capital of Gastronomy.

July 14, 2016 at 11:34 pm

Pity that Lourdes is not mention….especially in these times of such unrest….many prayers have gone forth from that Holy Place…much unity and peace has gone forth from there to the world. Our Lady of Lourdes pray for us.

February 2, 2016 at 3:18 am

You’ve listed two of my favourite places in France! First is the Gorges du Verdon. I doubt if there’s anywhere in France that’s more spectacular. The second is the Chateau de Chambord. Certainly my most favourite Chateau in the Loire if not France!

January 25, 2016 at 10:34 am

I think it’s a “pity” that Val d’Isère always comes up as the best ski resort in France. Ok maybe it is not usurped, but many others “genuine” and wonderful villages deserve to be visited in the Alps.

June 23, 2015 at 3:10 am

I ve been to all of that places and if i could go back to one of them i would choose the Gorges du Verdon. Clearly one of the most beautiful canyon in the world. Perfect place for canoeing, swimming, and it’s not really far from the french riviera if your staying there for holiday (around 1 hour by car !)

January 16, 2015 at 5:07 am

Have been up the Dune du Pyla near Arcachon – remarkable ! but take food and drink with you! Have been next to the Eiffel Tower and have skied in Les Contamines but only see Mont Blanc from there – does that count ?!? Yes as someone says surely the Louvre as I think it had something like 7 or 8 million visitors last year!

August 7, 2014 at 6:37 am

I love these places. It makes me feel like I want to visit France and explore these places. This site is soooo useful for my project，wayyyy tooo useful， haha…..Thanks to the writer or blogger of this site/page. Thanks so much !

March 19, 2014 at 4:34 pm

Thanks for the tips. I´m planning a 20 day tour in France next month and certainly I´ll use your informations. I want to include Bordeaux and some other places. Mercy.

March 5, 2014 at 11:36 am

This website really helped with my French homework, it made it quick, easy and enjoyable and I loved learning these facts on these stunning attractions!

February 12, 2014 at 1:43 pm

This really helped me out to giv a wonderfull project on tourism in college thanks to one who wrote tis

January 30, 2013 at 4:34 am

The Pyrenees National Park is just one of the most outstanding areas of natural beauty to be found on this planet!

January 14, 2012 at 8:49 am

Hi this is really helping me on my speech. thnx to whoever wrote this

October 12, 2011 at 6:51 pm

Would love to visit the Chamonix – mountain biking is something I recently took up and this place just seems perfect………

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The essential guide to France’s best regions

Sep 2, 2022 • 10 min read

Every corner of France is rich in culture and things to do © Hernandez & Sorokina / Stocksy United

Rich with culture, cuisine, ancient architecture and glorious countryside, France is one of the world’s most rewarding places to travel. 

Every corner of this picturesque country has its own unique character and charm that will influence where you ultimately decide to go and how to allocate your time. Piece together the jigsaw with our introduction to France’s best regions to visit. 

Stroll the monument-lined streets and magnificent gardens of Paris

The French capital is likely to be one of your most unforgettable memories of France. Defined by icons like the Eiffel Tower glittering by night, Arc de Triomphe straddling the Champs-Élysées and Sacré-Cœur crowning hilltop Montmartre, Paris is crammed with megastar museums like the Louvre and impressionist-filled Musée d’Orsay; the mansion-housed Musée Carnavalet brings the city’s history to life.

Paris’ boulevards and backstreets are made for flânerie (walking without any particular destination), with cafe terraces, cocktail bars, jazz clubs and cinemas, specialized boutiques, street art and innovative cultural spaces at every turn. Parisian parks like the chestnut-shaded Jardin du Luxembourg provide peaceful oases.

In the surrounding Île-de-France region, spectacular châteaux ( Versailles , Fontainebleau and Chantilly , among others) and family favorite Disneyland Paris are an easy day trip away.

Delve into the sparkling cities and vineyards of Champagne

The world’s finest fizz is produced in the beautiful region of Champagne , east of Paris, with prestigious Champagne houses offering cellar tours and tastings, dedicated museums and Champagne routes through its vineyards and villages.   

At the heart of Champagne’s viticultural activity is graceful Épernay . The region’s largest city, Reims , is topped by the sublime Gothic Cathédrale Notre Dame and is renowned for fine dining. A medieval treasure of a town, Troyes has a magical half-timbered center. Renoir took artistic inspiration from the vineyards around pretty Essoyes .

Fall under the spell of enchanting Alsace and Lorraine

East of Champagne, Lorraine is famously associated with its namesake quiche – a must-try while you’re here. Beyond the WWI battlefields of Verdun , fascinating cities include Metz , showcasing modern and contemporary art at the striking Centre-Pompidou-Metz; and refined Nancy .

East again, Alsace runs along the German border to Switzerland in the south. This fairy-tale region of mountains, forests and chocolate-box-pretty half-timbered buildings trailing geraniums in summer retains its Germanic influence in its hearty food such as choucroute garnie (sauerkraut with charcuterie) and white wines, best sampled along the Alsace Wine Route . Medieval architecture is splendidly preserved in the cities of Strasbourg and Colmar .

See battlefields, beaches and beautiful cities in Northern France

North of Paris is Hauts-de-France (Upper France). Its chalk-cliff-framed Côte d'Opale , beaches and wildlife-rich Baie de Somme estuaries are well worth exploration, along with the Somme’s sobering WWI memorials.

On the Belgian border, industrial-center-turned-design-hub Lille is the biggest city with outstanding museums (one is even set in an art-deco swimming pool ) and a strong Flemish influence in its historic center, as well as its beer, which is used in local dishes like a Welsh (cheese melted in beer smothering ham-topped toast). Smaller cities such as Arras and Amiens have Gothic treasures, while Napoléon III's Second Empire reigns in Compiègne .

  Soak up centuries of history in Normandy

Northwest of Paris, Normandy is steeped in history: the   Bayeux Tapestry  that weaves together the story of William the Conqueror's 1066 invasion of England; the offshore abbey-island of Mont St-Michel , which was fortified during the Middle Ages; the medieval city of Rouen ;  Monet’s former home and flower-filled gardens in Giverny ;  and haunting D-Day beaches near Caen, with its imposing 11th-century castle .

Normandy’s coastline gifts the region with seafood (idyllically savored in boat-filled Honfleur ) while inland, lush pastures produce butter, cream and cheese – including in the village of Camembert  –  and orchards producing Calvados apple brandy and corked bottles of cider.

Connect with Celtic culture in Brittany

To the west of Normandy,  Brittany breaks away to the Atlantic. Its earliest neolithic tribes left what’s now the world’s greatest concentration of megalithic standing stones around Carnac , followed by the Celts.

Celtic influence endures in the Breton language, music and identity. Brittany retains the sense of a mystical land, from Josselin’s turreted castle in the forest to the lively capital Rennes . A round the lighthouse-dotted coastline from the walled port town of St-Malo , in  far-flung Finistère ,  and out on islands like Belle Île scattered offshore, the seafood is superb (especially petit bleu Breton lobsters and oysters from Cancale ). But the region is best known for savory galettes and sweet crêpes with salted-butter caramel, accompanied by local Breton cider.

Marvel at the majestic châteaux of the Loire Valley

France’s longest river winds through the fertile Loire Valley southwest of Paris, where royalty and aristocracy built defensive castles and palaces so grand that the entire area is now a Unesco World Heritage site.

From Orléans (saved by Joan of Arc in 1429), the Loire meanders west, with resplendent châteaux including Chambord , regal Royal de Blois , drawbridge-accessed Chaumont-sur-Loire , Italian Rennaissance–style Gaillard   and, astride an arched   bridge, Chenonceau . Past the university town of Tours, châteaux include stately gardens at Villandry , moated Azay-le-Rideau , equestrian-famed Saumur  and medieval Angers . Valley vineyards produce exquisite wines (especially whites) paired with sophisticated cuisine.

Further west, the river reaches the Atlantic near Nantes , the former capital of Brittany (with legacies including the Château des Ducs de Bretagne and crêperies galore), which is now one of France’s most creative cities.

Savor the flavors and famous abbeys of Burgundy

To Paris’ southeast, Burgundy is a patchwork of stone-walled vineyards, medieval towns and villages, and extraordinary ecclesiastical sights, including Cluny , Christendom’s one-time grandest abbey, former Roman stronghold Autun’s colossal medieval cathedral , early 12th-century Abbaye de Fontenay and Vézelay’s hilltop basilica .

In Burgundy’s atmospheric capital of   Dijon , the Duke of Burgundy’s palace now houses a fine-arts museum, while the Cité Internationale de la Gastronomie et du Vin   (International City of Gastronomy and Wine) schools visitors in the region’s culinary specialties (such as sharp mustard, garlicky snails and red-wine-rich bœuf bourguignon) and its revered wines. In Grand Cru country, Beaune has a subterranean maze of wine cellars and medieval architectural gems with multicolored glazed roof tiles.

Ascend the peaks of the French Alps and Jura Mountains

East of Burgundy, the sub-alpine Jura Mountains along the Swiss border formed during the Jurassic period (hence their name). The terrain is ripe for mountain cheeses and wine (including distinctive, golden-hued vin jaune). U rban cultural centers include citadel-guarded Besançon .

Traveling south of Lake Geneva, the higher, mightier French Alps reach their apex at Mont Blanc. Exhilarating   Chamonix , along with Val d'Isère and the world’s largest ski area, Les 3 Vallées , are magnets for snowy winter sports and high-altitude summer hiking, fortified by melted cheese dishes like bubbling fondue.

Sample epicurean treats and outdoor pursuits in the Rhône Valley

Directly south of Burgundy, France’s third-largest city, Lyon , sits at the confluence of the rivers Saône and Rhône. Grand squares, outstanding museums and long-standing traditions, including convivial bouchons (bistros serving rustic Lyonnaise cuisine), entice visitors to stay longer than planned.

Renowned vineyards ribbon across the valley as the Rhône flows south. En route, Gallo-Roman ruins in Vienne include a Corinthian-columned temple. Canoeing is the best way to see the dramatic scenery and natural stone bridge of the Gorges de l'Ardèche .

Rejuvenate in the volcanic landscapes and spas of the Auvergne

In central France, west of the Rhône is the Auvergne . Nature’s heavy machinery is still apparent in the volcanic cinder cones of the Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne , and lava pinnacles topped by a 10th-century church in pilgrimage town Le Puy-en-Velay .

Black lava stone is used in the construction of buildings, including the mighty cathedral in the largest city, Clermont-Ferrand , the hometown of tire and travel giant Michelin (with an interesting museum ). Natural springs include those in Belle Époque spa town Vichy . Auvergne specialties, including Le Puy lentils and some outstanding cheeses, sustain hiking in one of France’s least-explored regions.

Discover the different facets of southwestern France

France’s southwest spans a vast corner of the country. Along the Atlantic Coast , it stretches south of Nantes past the sunny island Île de Ré and historic port La Rochelle to the red-wine country around Bordeaux  and surfing mecca Biarritz in the French Basque Country , where pintxos (bite-sized Basque tapas) are the order of the day.

Inland are the river-threaded regions of Limousin , with its porcelain-famed city of Limoges . Visit  the Dordogne (aka Périgord), where Vézère Valley caverns shelter rock art, truffles hide beneath the forest canopy, and markets such as those in medieval Sarlat-la-Canéda sell local specialties including geese, pâtés, walnuts, wine and cheeses. The Lot flows past charming villages and the lovely town of Cahors . Southwards, the city of Toulouse , with its rose-tinged buildings and energetic student population, is France’s fourth largest. To Toulouse’s south, the Pyrenees climb to the Spanish border.

Explore Roman ruins and sandy beaches in Languedoc-Roussillon

The southern region of Roussillon is also known as French Catalonia and isn’t far from the border crossing into Spain, especially around Mediterranean resort towns like Collioure . Perpignan is the main city here.

Inland in the Languedoc are the wild, highland areas of Grands Causses and Cévennes ; walled Carcassonne with its witches-hat turrets and restaurants serving its local twist on white-bean and meat stew cassoulet . The engineering marvel Canal du Midi runs 150 miles (240km) from Toulouse to the Étang de Thau lagoon, adjacent to the Languedoc fishing port of Sète .

Around the coast is appealing Montpellier ’s historic core and broad beaches. Roman Nîmes has an incredibly well-preserved amphitheater and handy access to the enormous aqueduct, Pont du Gard .

Traverse the romantic landscapes of Provence

Provence ’s honey-hued stone villages tumble down hillsides to lavender-striped plateaus. Olive groves and rosé-producing vineyards, open-air markets bursting with freshly picked tomatoes, melons, cherries and other seasonal produce, and translucent turquoise coves along the rocky Mediterranean coast are the stuff of postcards.

Along with rural charms, Provence has well-heeled cities and towns like walled Avignon , with its famous bridge, arts festival and papal history; the splashing fountains and tree canopies of elegant Aix-en-Provence ; and Arles , famously painted by Van Gogh. By contrast, Provence’s biggest city (and France’s second largest), Marseille , is a fascinating multicultural metropolis set around its ancient Vieux Port (old port) with fantastic museums and restaurants specializing in its famous fish stew, bouillabaisse .

Find beachside bliss on the French Riviera

Southeast of Provence, the French Riviera is known in France as the Côte d'Azur for the azure-blue color of the Mediterranean glittering in the bright sun.

Glamorous beach resorts are strung along the coastline like pearls, among them the quaint former fishing village and sizzling-hot clubs of St-Tropez , film-festival-famed Cannes , Picasso’s one-time residence Antibes , the colorful seaside city of Nice with its sweeping promenade and sun-lounger-lined pebbled beach, sweet little harbor Villefranche-sur-Mer , and – past the principality of Monaco , with its Formula 1 Grand Prix and high-rolling Monte Carlo casino – old-world Menton by the Italian border. High up in the hinterland, Grasse grows fragrant flowers for French perfumeries.

Set sail for Corsica

Wild, rugged and mountainous, the Mediterranean island of Corsica is an outdoor paradise laced with epic hiking trails. Linked to the French mainland by ferries (and flights), it has been part of France for over two centuries but retains a strong independence in its language, culture and cuisine that includes bread made from ground-down chestnut flour, charcuterie (such as seasonal chestnut-wood-smoked pork liver sausage and wild-boar pâté) and distinctive cheeses (many made from the milk of goats, which roam the island’s steep hillsides).

Around Corsica’s coastline, striking sights stretch from the winding roads of Cap Corse peninsula in the north to Les Calanques de Piana’s fiery red rock formations, Napoléon Bonaparte’s sophisticated home town of   Ajaccio  and, at the island’s southern tip, fortified Bonifacio ’s breathtaking white limestone cliffs plunging into the sea.

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Tourism in France

Tourism: a promising economic sector

Tourism in France is at an all-time high with a total of 89.4 million visitors in 2018 and a target of 100 million tourists for 2021 (which appear impossible with the Covid-19 pandemic). Paris alone had over 40 million visitors in 2018, with 15 million visiting EuroDisney, the most popular attraction; 7 million visited the Eiffel Tower and 8 million tourists visited the Louvre. There is no surprise that France is the most visited country in the world and, in 2016, the travel and tourism industry contributed 198.3 billion euros towards the French economy and created 2.8 million jobs, both directly and indirectly.

France has 37 sites inscribed in the UNESCO’s World Heritage List and features cities or sites of high cultural interest (Paris being the foremost, but also Loire Valley, Toulouse, Strasbourg, Bordeaux, Lyon and others), beaches and seaside resorts, ski resorts, as well as rural regions that many enjoy for their beauty and tranquillity (green tourism). Small and picturesque French villages of quality heritage (such as Collonges-la-Rouge, Locronan or Montsoreau) are promoted through the association Les Plus Beaux Villages de France (literally “The Most Beautiful Villages of France”). The “ Remarkable Gardens ” label is a list of the over two hundred gardens classified by the Ministry of Culture . This label is intended to protect and promote remarkable gardens and parks.

Tourism demand will continue to increase. Indeed, there is significant potential for additional tourists, particularly as a third of French citizens do not take holidays, whilst two-thirds of domestic tourism demand stems from residents.

Tourism that contributes to the economic development of France

The main tourist expenditure is on transport, accommodation and catering. Regarding accommodation, in 2016, this sector, combined with catering, generated a turnover of more than 96 billion euros.

Thus, in France, the tourism sector has an undeniable positive impact on the economy of the country, but as everywhere tourism develops, to these advantages are added real disadvantages, and appear many challenges and challenges, not only economic, but also social and environmental.

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Why is France the world’s leading tourist destination?

Tourism with a capital “t” was invented by the british in the 18th century with the “grand tour”. a traditional trip to europe undertaken mainly by the aristocratic elite, which is also the origin of the english word “tourist”. tourist activities were mainly reserved for a handful of the population until the 19th century. the advent of the railroad precipitated the development of tourism, and france knew how to play its assets., the beginnings of tourism in france..

Tourism in the modern sense of the term developed in the 19th century, notably with the creation of the first travel agency by Thomas Cook. From then on, France was the favorite destination of the first English tourists who travelled in large numbers to the “ French Riviera “.

 The beginnings of tourism in France through the seaside

In 1841, Thomas Cook created the first travel agency. 15 years later, he organized for British tourists the first tourist circuit through Europe. The British use the term “French riviera”, “riviera” which means in Italian “a region characterized by the rough contact of the sea and the mountains”. 

Since 1830, the city of Hyères has become a tourist destination and a renowned winter health resort for thermal cures. It was frequented in particular by the English who left an architectural imprint that is still visible today. Nice is also very popular, with its famous Promenade des Anglais, which owes its name to the fact that the English make Nice their favorite winter resort.

If France is so popular for seaside tourism, it is because of its geography. Indeed, from Bray-Dunes (Franco-Belgian border), through Hendaye (Franco-Spanish border) and up to Menton (Franco-Italian border), 923 communes share the 5,533 kms of metropolitan coastline: 3,830 kms along the Channel and the Atlantic and 1,703 kms on the shores of the Mediterranean.

The development of the railroad in the 1850’s allowed the service of seaside resorts and spas. Tourism became more democratic in France during the 20th century. The paid vacations in 1936 are the first steps of mass tourism.

Major changes in French tourism

The 20th century brought many changes in tourism and the first of these upheavals were the first paid vacations in 1936, a social reform of the Popular Front led by Léon Blum. For the first time, the employees have 15 days of paid vacations: the summer holidays had just been created. These are the first crowds, the first souvenir photos, the first reports on the beaches… 

The under-secretary of state for the organization of leisure activities, Léo Lagrange, sets up with the railway companies the popular annual vacation ticket called “Lagrange ticket”. It will allow a large number of the population to travel. With the end of the Second World War, 2 million Parisians travelled in 1947, 3 million in 1948, 4 in 1949 and 5 in 1951.

The increase in purchasing power, the multiplication of cars and the development of social tourism are at the dawn of mass tourism. The French created a vacation culture, adopting the codes and practices of tourism: having a good time!

In 1950, the first Club Méditerranée village opened in Alcúdia, a small fishing hamlet in the Balearic Islands. It was inaugurated at the heart of the second phase in the evolution of tourism: consumerism and the demand for dream vacations. 

< Sur la plage, 1959. ROBERT DOISNEAU / GAMMA-RAPHO – France Info Culture

Tourism has changed a lot since the 1950s. The demand for travel being strong, the tourist industry proposes an increasingly abundant offer and invests in increasingly large hotel complexes to accommodate more and more tourists at the expense of the environment. Today, professionals are proposing other ways to travel. There is more and more talk of solidarity or fair tourism, of respect for the environment and the populations. The development of e-tourism since 1998 with the development of the Internet has contributed to the evolution of consumer behavior by making them more and more competent in their research, and therefore more and more informed.

France’s tourist assets

France, because of its geographical diversity, its history and its culture, has been the world’s leading tourist destination for years.

France, at the crossroads of Europe

Due to its geographical position, France occupies a crossroads in the heart of Europe, it is a territory of passage to go from north to south of Europe. It is at the heart of the European tourist market and is the entry point to Europe for European stays for international tourists. Today, France is the most visited country in the world with over 89 million international tourist arrivals in 2018. It ranks third in the world in terms of revenue behind Spain and the United States of America with 55.5 million euros in 2018 ( Ministry of Economy, Finance and Recovery ). If France manages to stay so high in the world ranking, it is thanks to the eclecticism of its tourism proposal.

The richness of our cultural and natural heritage

France manages to keep the first place thanks to its diversity of geographical landscapes: sea, mountains, countryside, big cities… It has everything to please and can therefore offer all forms of tourism. This also explains the fact that many French people choose their country for their vacations. 

For some years now, other forms of tourism have been developing, such as industrial tourism: 

• Food, wine and spirits (60%)
• Arts and crafts (18%)
• The environment and energy (10%)
• The fashion and cosmetics sector (7%)
• Technological industries (5%)

This tourism allows a diversification of the offer of a territory and the creation of a new tourist sector in the field of leisure tourism and for business tourism, a great potential still little exploited. Through industrial tourism, we can find what has made France’s reputation: the richness of our oenogastronomic heritage, as well as our know-how in arts and crafts (especially in the luxury sector).

France also has a rich architectural heritage. Because of the richness and diversity of its heritage, 45 sites are classified as UNESCO World Heritage Site s (39 cultural properties, 5 natural properties and 1 mixed property). This makes France the 4th country with the most UNESCO listed sites (2019 source).

Paris attracts a lot of foreign tourists: more than 30 million per year! The city makes you dream, the architecture, the museums, the Eiffel Tower, without forgetting Disneyland Paris, all these places make Paris a major destination for European tourists. 

By its diversity, we can say that each French department is a tourist department with its gastronomic and cultural specialities, its natural beauties, its history. France is a country with many faces. It appeals to all audiences, all ages, which probably explains why France is the world’s leading tourist destination. Which destination to choose? Some regions have a strong “personality” because of their history, their geography, their language like Brittany, the Basque Country, Corsica, etc. Other regions are known for their natural beauty like the Luberon , an excellent idea for a Whitsun destination!

Related articles, wine tourism experiences in france, 5 ideas for back-to-school getaways, 5 teambuilding trends, where to go in france for spring , focus on the arcachon basin, tourism : 4 trends for the beginning of this year, our favourite ski resorts, the 5 most beautiful cities for christmas in france, 10 things to do in bordeaux, paris in august, visit lyon in a weekend, our 3 favorite places for this summer, receive our newsletter.

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Embarking on a cultural odyssey: unveiling the charms of France culture

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Paris Burgundy Côte d'Azur - French Riviera Cultural Heritage Shopping and French Savoir Faire Food and Wine

Reading time: 0 min Published on 3 August 2023, updated on 16 April 2024

As a hub of sorts including fashion, cuisine, art and architecture, Paris is what many people think of when it comes to French culture. Yet that is a rookie mistake… because life outside of the City of Lights is very different and varies by region. Prepare to set sail on a wondrous journey through the enchanting realm of France culture, where each step uncovers a dazzling tapestry of customs and traditions that have shaped this exquisite nation. From the iconic streets of Paris to the quaint countryside, every corner of La Belle France beckons with its own unique allure, inviting you to immerse yourself in its rich heritage.

Language in France: a melodic blend of voices

As you step foot on the cobblestone streets, the symphony of France culture begins, and at its heart lies the melodious French language. The language of love and romance, it flows like a gentle river through the conversations of over 70 million residents, weaving a harmonious medley of words that bind the nation together.

But listen closely, and you'll hear a delightful fusion of dialects and languages from every corner of the world. German, Flemish, Arabic, Italian, Chinese, Vietnamese, Creole, and Breton add vibrant hues to the cultural canvas, celebrating the nation's diversity and openness to the world.

Nevertheless, when you go, it pays to know some basic French phrases as locals often appreciate the efforts put in by visitors who try to speak their language. Just don’t confuse faire la tête (to sulk) with faire la fête (to party)!

French Cuisine: a gastronomic ballet

France is a foodie capital for a reason.

Prepare to be enchanted by the culinary ballet that unfolds in France, for this is the land where food becomes art, and dining is a celebration of life. France culture embraces gastronomy with a passion, elevating every meal to a symphony of flavors and textures that dance upon the taste buds.

French cuisine speaks of expression and passion; and much socialising is done around lengthy meals and is completelly part of the French culture and traditions.

From the sumptuous boeuf bourguignon , where tender beef melds with velvety wine sauce, to the savory coq au vin, where chicken and red wine unite in a harmonious duet, each dish is a masterpiece of culinary creativity. Savor the richness of ratatouille , a sun-kissed melody of vegetables that transports you to the idyllic gardens of Provence.

Over the years, cooking styles have evolved from the heavier, saucier and more complicated dishes to what is now a reflection of a modern yet still highly sophisticated society.

French food and cooking are generally considered the backbone of many cuisines across the Western world. A beloved tradition, the French Gastronomic meal is classified as a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage of humanity. Let’s go back in time and see its diverse journey…

Fashion in France: A Haute Couture Symphony

Behold the elegance that graces the boulevards of Paris, where the world of fashion becomes a symphony of style. France culture boasts a legacy of haute couture, with Paris reigning as the unrivaled fashion capital of the globe. Locals exude sophistication effortlessly, their outfits a work of art that combines classic elegance with contemporary chic.

The streets become a catwalk, where demure flowy dresses, well-cut suits, and stylish long coats waltz in harmony with scarves and berets. Embrace the enchanting magique of French style, and let your own fashion sense dance to the rhythm of Parisian glamour.

As a fashion capital , Paris __ is home to numerous high-end fashion houses including Chanel, Christian Dior, Hermes and Louis Vuitton .

You will notice that many locals have a distinct sophisticated style, which seems effortlessly thrown together. That’s the French magique! Typical outfits include demure flowy dresses, well-cut suits, long coats, scarves and berets.

Art and Architecture and culture in France

As you venture through the heart of France culture, prepare to be awestruck by the timeless beauty of art and architecture that adorn the cities and towns. Paris, a living art gallery, showcases a breathtaking array of cultural and architectural styles, each reflecting a different chapter in the nation's history. Marvel at the soaring Gothic cathedrals that touch the heavens, their majestic spires reaching for the divine. Embrace the graceful facades of Renaissance palaces, where opulence and refinement unite in a harmonious symphony. Each building tells a story, a testimony to the artistic brilliance that has shaped the nation.

The French LOVE their art . And we love that about the French! Art is everywhere and you simply cannot escape from it, particularly in Paris and other major cities. As you explore the cities and towns, you will no doubt appreciate the many different cultural and architectural styles that decorate the cities’ interior and skylines.

Gothic, Renaissance, Romanesque Rococo and Neoclassic influences can be seen in many churches and public buildings, mixed in with somef modern architecture.

As for some of history's most renowned artists such as Claude Monet, Edgar Degas and Camille Pissarro , Paris was a major source of their inspiration, which gave rise to the Impressionism movement in the 19th century. When you visit, you must make it a point to visit the Louvre Museum in Paris. It is among the world's largest museums and is home to many famous works of art, including the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo.

Cinema is also a big part of the French Culture .

Cinema: A Love Letter to Life

France culture holds cinema in its heart, for it is through this magical art form that stories come alive and emotions find their voice. As you step into the world of French cinema, you'll be swept away by a love letter to life, where every frame is a canvas that paints the complexities of human emotions. Dive into the depths of French cinema, where drama and comedy intertwine, leaving audiences captivated by the magic of storytelling.

In the realm of French culture, cinema is an art form that holds a special place in the hearts of the French people. It is more than just entertainment; it is a powerful medium that offers a window to the soul of the nation. The French film industry has a rich and storied history, dating back to the birth of cinema itself. From the pioneering works of the Lumière brothers in the late 19th century to the avant-garde movements of the 20th century, French cinema has been a trailblazer in shaping the language of cinema worldwide.

Every year, the Alliance Française organizes the highly anticipated French Film Festival, a celebration of the finest cinematic treasures that France has to offer. With a carefully curated lineup of films spanning a diverse range of genres, from thought-provoking dramas to heartwarming comedies, the festival provides a captivating showcase of the art of storytelling. These films transport audiences to the heart of French culture, offering a glimpse into the intricacies of human emotions and experiences that resonate across borders and cultures.

At the French Film Festival, viewers are invited to embark on an exquisite journey through the lives of characters who grapple with love, loss, joy, and hope. The films delve into the complexities of human relationships, reflecting the nuances of French society and the human condition. The artful cinematography, evocative soundtracks, and compelling performances by some of France's most talented actors create an immersive experience that leaves a lasting impression on the audience.

French cinema is not confined to the glitz and glamour of mainstream productions; it also embraces the world of independent and art-house films. These often push the boundaries of storytelling, exploring themes that are thought-provoking and unconventional. The French filmmakers' unyielding commitment to artistic expression has earned them accolades and recognition at prestigious international film festivals, solidifying France's place as a powerhouse in the global film industry.

For cinephiles and enthusiasts alike, the French Film Festival is a cineaste's dream come true. It provides an opportunity to discover the works of emerging filmmakers and rediscover the masterpieces of legendary directors. Audiences can witness the evolution of French cinema over the decades, observing how it has mirrored and shaped society's changing values and aspirations.

Tip: Grab a Paris Pass to get access to over 50 of Paris’ cultural and art attractions.

For more travel inspiration and information on France Rail Passes and tickets, head to www.raileurope.com.au , where you can use the destination guide and interactive map to help with the trip planning.

By Redazione France.fr

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France holiday destinations: the most beautiful places to explore this year

Whether you want to taste world-class wines in lovely vineyards, explore prehistoric caves or laze on a Mediterranean beach, France has all of this and more

France has the perfect region for everyone – which is why we've rounded up our favourite France holidays to feature something everyone will love, from gorgeous coastal resorts and blissful islands to bustling cities, from national parks and reserves filled with thrilling outdoor pursuits to world-class art and architecture.

You might head for an alpine lake or be lured by a river beach, you might discover modern metropolises that are busy greening themselves for the 21st century and beyond, or you may be tempted by splendid châteaux, cathedrals and other great reminders of bygone eras. But perhaps the best thing about France is that you don’t have to choose – it’s all there for the taking in fantastic destinations in every corner of the land.

And anywhere you decide to go, you’re guaranteed the fabulous cuisine that is so much part of the reason people come back to France time and again.

Whether you're looking to travel by Eurostar or drive, there's a city , coastal spot or beautiful countryside to be explored. From Bordeaux to Lille and Provence to Marseille , these are the best France holiday destinations to discover this year.

At the heart of one of the world’s most revered wine-growing regions, this rapidly evolving river port draws oenophiles but also those who love French gastronomy and culture in general. Perhaps its main sight is the immense and wonderfully interactive Cité du Vin, but part of the charm of Bordeaux is just discovering its districts - including hip Chartrons - and its riverside on foot or by bike.

You’ll be rewarded for your amblings by architectural glories in styles ranging from Gothic and neo-classical to contemporary, by art and history museums galore, and of course by wine estates including the bijou Chateau les Carmes Haut-Brion within the city limits, with a spectacular modern wine cellar by Philippe Starck. Bordeaux is also a fantastic French destination to reach by train, less than six hours from London by Eurostar and TGV.

Where to Stay : The best Bordeaux hotels range from boutique urban boltholes to wine estates offering dining in the midst of the vines. Some have Michelin-starred restaurants and some even have grape-based spa treatments. Try the chic Mondrian Bordeaux , which opened recently.

Provence and the Côte d’Azur/French Riviera

A vast and varied area, the South of France (the historic province of Provence, which is now largely equivalent to the modern-day Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region/Région Sud) embraces everything from the North-African-inflected city of Marseille and glam, yacht-filled resorts such as Nice, Cannes and St Tropez to tiny timeless villages lost amid rugged countryside scented by local herbs.

Provence and the Côte d’Azur are perfect for anything from a long weekend in France to a full-on holiday, and the weather is mild enough even in February to make this a great pick for a winter break. It’s also easy reached by Eurostar and TGV.

Where to stay : The best Provence hotels are inspired by surrounding nature, whether it’s lavender fields or Mediterranean beaches, and many have great restaurants showing fresh produce including fish fresh from the fishing boats – some holding Michelin stars. See also our round-up of recommendations in the laidback Riviera resort of Antibes with its cobbled streets, 16th-century ramparts and Picasso museum. Try La Place Boutique Hotel , located in the old town of Antibes.

Loire Valley

Dating from its 150 years as home to the French court, the castles of the Loire Valley are so impressive that this entire area is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Among the most breathtaking are Chenonceau straddling the Cher river, and the almost ridiculously opulent Chambord, the biggest, including a famous open double-helix staircase said to have been designed by Leonardo da Vinci.

But the landscapes of the Loire Valley are spectacular too, from the wide swathe of the River Loire itself to the vast old hunting forests full of stags and wild boar, and there are plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy, including boat cruises, canoeing, cycling along the river banks, and exploring local cave homes.

How to visit: Country Living's tour of the Loire Valley takes in several extravagant châteaux, magnificent cathedrals and abbeys, and lush gardens.

Now an an artists’ village with workshops, galleries and a re-creation of a historic artists’ studio, this Normandy beauty spot 75km north-west of Paris was home to Claude Monet for half his life, from 1883 to 1926, and provided inspiration for his iconic water-lily and Japanese bridge paintings.

Long a pilgrimage site among both art and plant lovers, it’s back in the limelight thanks to the film Painting the Modern Garden: Monet to Matisse . You can also see other sites in the surrounding Seine Valley that inspired Monet and his fellow Impressionists.

How to visit : Giverny is the focal point of our tour of Monet’s France through paintings and gardens, accompanied by Paula McWaters and also including the chance to immerse yourself in Monet’s vast Les Nymph é as (The Water Lilies) in Paris’s Musée de l’Orangerie.

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From its Haussmannian boulevards to its great green spaces, the City of Lights is always a delight, no matter how many times you visit or with whom. There are too many sights to do justice to here, but among the highlights are the Jardin du Luxembourg with its sculptures, boating pond and puppet theatre, the Jardin des Plantes – botanical gardens housing three natural-history museums – and of course the Seine (a river cruise is a great way to take in several major landmarks including Notre-Dame cathedral).

Paris is also a glamorous destination for foodies and fashionistas, with some of the world’s best dining plus superb shopping everywhere from neighbourhoo boutiques and historic department stores to incredible fleamarkets.

Where to stay : Hôtel Madame Rêve has a beautifully nostalgic setting in Paris’ old central post office near the Louvre, a breathtaking decor of boiserie panels, golden velvet and 8m-high ceilings, and fabulous views from its top-floor restaurant and roof terrace.

Oozing creativity, innovation and cultural dynamism, this port city on the Loire River in western France has the unique attraction of the amazing Machines de l’Ile, a collection of giant mechanical ‘living machines’ based on the imaginings of Jules Verne, Leonardo da Vinci and others, some of which you can ‘test’ or even ride, including the 12m-tall Great Elephant and the Marine Carousel.

Jules Verne was born in the city, and there’s also a Musée Jules Verne with a multi-media trail. Another must-see is the Castle of the Dukes of Brittany, including displays on Nantes’ role in the slave trade.

Nantes is also a very green city, with an evolving network of eco-friendly transport including new tram lines and green zones for pedestrians and cyclists. It’s also handy for the seaside in destinations including La Baule, Le Croisic and Noirmoutier island with its oyster huts.

Where to stay : The first five-star hotel in the area, a few minutes from the city centre, the Château de Maubreuil sits in a wooded estate with lovely gardens and offers a Cinq Mondes spa and superb dining.

Pastel-painted houses lining the river and canal banks, winding cobbled alleys and array of green spaces make the ‘Venice of France’ a fairytale destination - especially in its Vieille Ville (Old Town). It also holds the rare Fleur d’Or (‘Gold Flower’) award from the national association Villes et Villages Fleuris (‘Cities and Villages in Bloom’).

Other highlights of this capital of the Haute Savoie region of south-eastern France are the Pont de l’Amour or Lovers’ Bridge, a wrought-iron affair with to-die-or mountain and lake views, and the Jardins de l’Europe – laid out by Henry I, Duke of Savoy-Nemours, with ginkgo bilboas, laricio pines, giant sequoias and a tulip tree. There’s also walking, cycling and lake-based water sports to enjoy.

Where to Stay : Hôtel Le Pélican occupies a former alms house transformed by star architect Christian de Portzamparc and offers lake and mountain views from many of its rooms and other spaces, which include a bistro and an artisan bakery. There’s also a seasonal outdoor pool with a pool bar.

The birthplace of art is so named for having some of the world’s oldest cave paintings, and while you can’t access the most famous caves, Lascaux, for risk of damaging their 16,000-year-old artworks, you can see reproductions of two of the cave halls at nearby Lascaux II and further reproductions in Le Thot – Centre d'Interpretation de la Prehistoire.

Once ruled by the British, Périgord – as the French know it – is still popular for its slower-paced of life, its rolling countryside dotted with lovely châteaux, and its amazing, if often very rich, food (this is truffle country). But you can work it all off by swim or canoeing in or the Dordogne, especially at Limeuil, with its river-beaches. You can also take a trip along the river in a traditional gabarre , seeing fabulous castles en route.

Where to stay : Le Clos 1855 is a luxury B&B near Limeuil with the option of fabulous dining on local products, plus an outdoor pool for the summer months.

Lively festivals, beautiful beaches and incredible geological formations, record-breaking lighthouses, spiralling head-dresses ( coiffes ), record-breaking lighthouses, and even fairies (the shapeshifting korrigans of local myth)… The northwest corner of France is another world, although it shares a Celtic heritage with parts of Britain and many of its ancient sites were built by the same folk as Stonehenge.

Among must-sees are St-Malo, an ancient walled pirates’ city, the Côte de Granit Rose with its pinkish rocks carved by the elements, the wild, windswept island of Ouessant with Europe’s most powerful lighthouse and unique dwarf black sheep, and Carnac, the most important prehistoric site in Europe, with around 3000 menhirs older than Egypt’s pyramids, thought to have been a lunar observatory.

Where to stay : An icon and an institution dating back nearly 150 years, the Hôtel Barrière Le Grand Hôtel is a classic seaside hotel with views of the St-Malo ramparts and a spa with a pool, sauna and hammam.

It’s not hard to fall in love with this French island perched out in the Mediterranean, clad in fragrant evergreen maquis and studded with ancient cork oaks and olive trees. Time seems to stand still here as you hike past rock roses, prickly pears and immortelles while red-tailed kites circle overhead.

Among the island’s most charming spots are the Balagne region with its hilltop villages including Montemaggiore and Pigna with their charming rustic architecture and authentic little bars serving fresh lemon and clementine juice from Corsica’s orchards. The bustling ports of Bastia, Ajaccio and Porto-Vecchio are all worth spending time in too, and the local markets are sensational.

Where to stay : A family-owned five-star in the Relais & Châteaux portfolio, the Grand Hôtel de Cala Rossa overlooks a vast sandy beach in the bay of Porto-Vecchio and includes a swanky Nucca spa.

More European ideas:

- The best hotels in Geneva

- Where to stay in Rotterdam

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Sustainable Travel and Ecotourism in France

From pioneering eco-friendly autopartage (car-sharing) programs to an unabashed enthusiasm for biodynamique wines, the French have embraced sustainability. In an age when environmental, ethical, and social concerns are becoming ever more important, France’s focus on green principles—whether through traditional markets, carbon-neutral public transport, or all-natural outdoor adventure—offers visitors and residents alike plenty in the way of sustainable tourism.

In 2007, Paris mayor Bertrand Delanoë introduced the Vélib’ scheme (www.velib.paris.fr), a public bicycle “sharing” program. With tens of thousands of bicycles and bike-rental stations spread throughout the city, it is a fast and inexpensive way to get around. Similar schemes are in place in many other major French cities, including Nice, Avignon, Aix-en-Provence, Rouen, Lyon, Bordeaux, and Marseille.

Also under Delanoë’s guidance, a similar car-sharing program called the Autolib’ (www.autolib.fr) was launched in Paris in 2011. More than 5,000 eco-friendly and exhaust-free public cars now slip silently around the Parisian streets; passes for their use can be purchased by the hour, day, month, or year. Nice followed suit in 2012 with Auto Bleue (www.auto-bleue.org). Nearly 200 electric cars with a range of 100km (62 miles) now ply the streets. More importantly, the scheme’s 50 recharging points serve as charging depots for an increasing number of resident-owned electric cars. Similar systems now exist across France, like AutoCool (www.bordeaux.citiz.coop) in Bordeaux.

In order to crisscross France’s vast countryside, many French ditch their cars and opt instead for travel on a TGV (www.tgv-europe.com). This network of high-speed trains is powered by SNCF, France’s government-owned rail company, which is dedicated to becoming completely carbon-neutral. TGVs run from Paris’s hub to cities throughout the country, including Nantes, Rouen, Lyon, Dijon, Rennes, Avignon, Aix-en-Provence, Nice, and Marseille.

Many hotels in France have undertaken measures to preserve the environment, and those that have are awarded with a green label. Look for hotels with the title of La Clef Verte (Green Key; www.laclefverte.org). The label rewards hotels that take a more environmental approach to water, energy, and waste, and help raise the awareness of their guests. Even if you don’t stay at a green hotel, you can still do your bit: Turn off the air-conditioning when you leave the room, request that your sheets aren’t changed every day, and use your towels more than once. Laundry makes up around 40 percent of an average hotel’s energy use.

When planning your travels, it’s equally important to consider the impact your visit will have on the environment. France’s rippling vineyards, Grande Randonnée (GR) hiking trails, and pristine coastline all make for enchanting (and eco-friendly) escapes.

Responsible tourism also means leaving a place in the same condition you found it. You can do this by not dropping litter and respecting the color-coded garbage bin system. Support the local economy and culture by shopping in small neighborhood stores and at open-air markets that showcase the seasonal harvest of local, often organic (bio) producers. Look out for organic and biodynamique (biodynamic) wines, frequently sold at wine shops and farmers’ markets, too. And given the myriad of tiny, family-run restaurants scattered throughout France’s cities, towns, and countryside, it’s all too easy to dig into a home-cooked meal.

Two overlapping components of sustainable travel are eco-tourism and ethical tourism. The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) defines eco-tourism as responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people. You can find some eco-friendly travel tips and statistics, as well as touring companies and associations -- listed by destination under "Travel Choice" -- at the TIES website, www.ecotourism.org. Also check out Ecotravel.com, which lets you search for sustainable touring companies in several categories (water-based, land-based, spiritually oriented, and so on).

While much of the focus of eco-tourism is about reducing impacts on the natural environment, ethical tourism concentrates on ways to preserve and enhance local economies and communities, regardless of location. You can embrace ethical tourism by staying at a locally owned hotel or shopping at a store that employs local workers and sells locally produced goods.

Responsible Travel (www.responsibletravel.com) is a great source of sustainable travel ideas; the site is run by a spokesperson for ethical tourism in the travel industry. Sustainable Travel International (www.sustainabletravelinternational.org) promotes ethical tourism practices, and manages an extensive directory of sustainable properties and tour operators around the world.

In the U.K., Tourism Concern (www.tourismconcern.org.uk) works to reduce social and environmental problems connected to tourism. The Association of Independent Tour Operators ( AITO; www.aito.co.uk) is a group of specialist operators leading the field in making holidays sustainable.

Volunteer travel has become popular among those who want to venture beyond the standard group-tour experience to learn languages, interact with locals, and make a positive difference while on vacation. Some programs provide free housing and food, but many require volunteers to pay for travel expenses, which can add up quickly. Organizations with volunteer programs in France include International Volunteer Program (tel. 415/477-3667; www.ivpsf.org), CARE France (tel. 01-53-19-89-89 in Paris; www.carefrance.org), and Volunteers for Peace (tel. 802/259-2759; www.vfp.org).

Before you commit to a volunteer program, it's important to make sure any money you're giving is truly going back to the local community, and that the work you'll be doing will be a good fit for you. Volunteer International (www.volunteerinternational.org) has a helpful list of questions to ask to determine the intentions of a volunteer program.

General Resources for Green Travel

In addition to the resources for France listed above, the following websites provide valuable wide-ranging information on sustainable travel.

• Responsible Travel (www.responsibletravel.com) is a great source of sustainable travel ideas; the site is run by a spokesperson for ethical tourism in the travel industry. Sustainable Travel International (www.sustainabletravelinternational.org) promotes ethical tourism practices, and manages an extensive directory of sustainable properties and tour operators around the world. 
• In the U.K., Tourism Concern (www.tourismconcern.org.uk) works to reduce social and environmental problems connected to tourism. The Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO) (www.aito.co.uk) is a group of specialist operators leading the field in making vacations sustainable.
• In Canada, www.greenlivingonline.com offers extensive content on how to travel sustainably, including a travel and transport section and profiles of the best green shops and services in Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary.
• In Australia, the national body which sets guidelines and standards for eco-tourism is Ecotourism Australia (www.ecotourism.org.au). The Green Directory (www.thegreendirectory.com.au), Green Pages (www.thegreenpages.com.au), and Eco Directory (www.ecodirectory.com.au) offer sustainable travel tips and directories of green businesses.
• Carbonfund (www.carbonfund.org), TerraPass (www.terrapass.org), and Carbon Neutral (www.carbonneutral.org) provide info on "carbon offsetting," or offsetting the greenhouse gas emitted during flights.
• Greenhotels (www.greenhotels.com) recommends green-rated member hotels around the world that fulfill the company's stringent environmental requirements. Environmentally Friendly Hotels (www.environmentallyfriendlyhotels.com) offers more green accommodations ratings. The Hotel Association of Canada (www.hacgreenhotels.com) has a Green Key Eco-Rating Program, which audits the environmental performance of Canadian hotels, motels, and resorts.
• Sustain Lane (www.sustainlane.com) lists sustainable eating and drinking choices around the U.S.; also visit www.eatwellguide.org for tips on eating sustainably in the U.S. and Canada.
• For information on animal-friendly issues throughout the world, visit Tread Lightly (www.treadlightly.org). For information about the ethics of swimming with dolphins, visit the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society (www.wdcs.org).
• Volunteer International (www.volunteerinternational.org) has a list of questions to help you determine the intentions and the nature of a volunteer program. For general info on volunteer travel, visit www.volunteerabroad.org and www.idealist.org .

Note : This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

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19 of the most surprising statistics about tourism

I t’s World Tourism Day, a time – these days – for much pontificating about sustainability and the impact of travel upon the planet. Instead, we’re going to take a look at some of the more surprisingly facts about the tourism industry. It’s all perfect fodder for your next pub quiz. 

Aviation accounts for just 2 per cent of global carbon emissions

But first, a word on sustainability. Alongside giving up meat, taking fewer flights is usually billed as the best way for individuals to cut their carbon footprint, and with the recent “flight shaming” trend, it can feel like we’re being collectively bullied to stay on the ground. All of which might lead one to assume that aviation accounts for a considerable chunk of global emissions. The actual figure, therefore, may be smaller than you’d imagine. In 2022 aviation, when the industry reached 80 per cent of pre-pandemic levels, it accounted for just 2 per cent of global carbon emissions. 

By 2030, one in four tourists will be Chinese

A few years ago, the China Outbound Tourism Research Institute (COTRI) predicted that overseas trips by the country’s residents would increase from 145m a year to more than 400m by 2030. In other words, it would account for around a quarter of international tourism. The pandemic put the brakes on such staggering growth, but expect things to start picking up again – fast. 

Saudi Arabia wants to surpass France as a holiday destination

Speaking of 2030, that is the year when Saudi Arabia wants to start welcoming 100m annual visitors – more than the record 91.1m France, the world’s most visited country, welcomed in 2019. It’s all part of Vision 2030, the state’s grand plan to jettison its overreliance on oil. Central to that plan will be the launch of Riyadh Air, to take on the likes of Emirates, the construction of a vast new airport designed to accommodate up to 120m annual passengers, and the creation of two new coastal “cities” – Amaala and Neom – to lure sunseekers . 

France’s number two tourist town?

Paris is number one – naturellement. But number two isn’t Bordeaux, Nice or Marseille. It’s Lourdes, a town of 13,000 residents that manages to attract 6m visitors every year thanks to the apparitions of a peasant girl called Bernadette. It has 279 hotels to choose from, according to Booking.com – only the French capital has more.

Only 0.07 per cent of the world’s population have been to Antarctica

You get that rough figure if you divide the number of people who visit Antarctica each year (100,000) by the number of people born each year (140m). But even fewer have been to the least visited country on Earth, Tuvalu – just 0.0026% of us (or 3,700 people a year). 

More Britons visit the Canary Islands each year than Italy

Lying on a hot volcanic rock? It’s better than Rome, Florence, Venice, Tuscany, the Dolomites, the Cinque Terre and the Amalfi Coast rolled into one. That’s according to official figures which show that around 5m of us go to the Canaries each year, compared with the 4.1m who visit Italy.

The biggest hotel on Earth is not in Las Vegas

Twelve of the world’s 20 largest hotels, in terms of total rooms, are found in Sin City. But number one, the First World Hotel (which has a staggering 7,351 rooms), is somewhere rather more obscure. The Genting Highlands of Malaysia. It will soon lose the record, however. The US$3.5 billion Abraj Kudai in Mecca, under construction since 2015, will have 10,000 rooms.  

And Macau makes more money from gambling tourists than Las Vegas

Another win for Asia. Macau has earned a reputation as the “Monte Carlo of the Orient”. Chinese games – like Fan Tan , a version of roulette – traditionally dominated its casinos, but the last 20 years have seen a move to embrace the many western-style ways of parting the punter from their money – to the extent that, in 2007, Macao overtook the Las Vegas Strip on gambling revenues. 

Which is the most luxurious place on Earth?

What – or where – is the most luxurious place on earth? New York? Dubai? Abu Dhabi? Obviously, the answer depends on how you are defining “luxurious”. But if the key metric is “city with the greatest number of five-star hotels”, then the identity of the most gleaming metropolis may surprise you. It used to be London, but as of earlier this month, and the release of the 2023 edition of jet-set bible the Forbes Travel Guide , the place in focus is – again – Macau. Said chic dot on the map of the Far East now boasts 22 hotels in the uppermost bracket.

Inverness is more popular than Stratford-upon-Avon

With its Shakespeare connections, surely Stratford-upon-Avon welcomes more tourists than plucky little Inverness? Not so, according to VisitBritain. London is number one, by a mile (21.7m overnight visitors in 2019, the last “normal” year), followed by Edinburgh (2.2m), Manchester (1.6m) and Birmingham (1.1m). Stratford lags way down in 17th, with 271,000 arrivals, just below Inverness (which, we assume, is used by many as a launch pad for jaunts around the Highlands).

And Reading trumps Windsor

Both are in Berkshire, but only one can boast the largest inhabited castle on the planet, Britain’s branch of Legoland, and a picturesque riverside racecourse. Yet it is Reading that makes VisitBritain’s top 20 (237,000 visitors in 2019) at the expense of Windsor. 

The Maldives really needs your money

The value of tourism to the Maldivian economy is more than US$2bn – or 32.5 per cent of its GDP. Only one destination (hello again Macau) is more reliant on your money . Needless to say, the last few years have been a struggle. 

Tourists outnumber locals by 7,853 to 1 in the Vatican City

The Vatican City has just 764 permanent inhabitants, measures a titchy 0.2 square miles, and receives – according to some sources – 6m visitors a year. That’s 7,853 tourists per resident or 31.58m per square mile.  

Bangladesh is the world’s least touristy country

At the other end of the scale is Bangladesh. With a population of 169.8m but only 323,000 annual visitors, it welcomes just 0.002 tourists per resident per year, making it perhaps the least touristy country on Earth.

Iran has 25 World Heritage Sites

This won’t surprise anyone who has been there – it’s a fascinating place packed with history (though currently off-limits, according to the Foreign Office). But those who don’t know it well might raise an eyebrow to learn that it trumps the likes of Japan, the US and Greece when it comes to World Heritage Sites . 

Bicester Village is almost as popular as Buckingham Palace

Among Chinese visitors that is. Travellers from the world’s most populous country have some other curious destinations on their wishlist . Around 150,000 visit Trier every year, for example, making it the most sought-after German destination among Chinese globetrotters. Why? It is the birthplace of Karl Marx, of course. And Montargis, a small town south of Paris, is also inexplicably popular. That’s because hundreds of young Chinese scholars studied there in the early part of the 20th century, including many future stars of China’s Communist Party. 

English really is the global language

Thanks to a combination of empire, mass tourism and invasive Western culture, English really is the global language. According to David Crystal’s book English as a Global Language, at least half the population of 45 countries speak it. There are also just 13 countries where fewer than 10 per cent of the population speak English, including China, Colombia, Brazil and Russia. 

16 of the world’s 30 busiest airports are American

A combination of international travel slowdown and America’s ravenous appetite for flying meant that in 2022, 16 of the world’s 30 busiest airports (in terms of total passenger numbers) were on US soil. Number one, as it has been each year since 1998 (except for 2020, when it was temporarily unseated by Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport), was Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (93.7m passengers for 2022). 

Albania is already welcoming more tourists than in 2019

The pandemic saw tourism slump across the planet, but some countries have recovered far quicker than others. They include Turkey, the fourth most visited country in 2022 (50.5m overseas arrivals, a shade under its 2019 figure of 51.2m), the UAE (22.7m arrivals in 2022 vs 21.6m in 2019) and, perfect for budget sunshine, Albania (6.7m arrivals in 2022 vs 6.1m in 2019). 

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Canadian delegation will travel to France to commemorate the 80 th anniversary of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy

From: Veterans Affairs Canada

News release

To mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy, the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, will lead an official Government of Canada delegation to Normandy, France.

Remembering those who fought for peace and freedom.

30 May 2024 – Ottawa, ON – Veterans Affairs Canada

For the Canadians who landed on Juno Beach on 6 June 1944, it was a day they would never forget.

To mark the 80 th anniversary of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy, the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, will lead an official Government of Canada delegation to Normandy, France. The delegation will leave Canada in early June and return on 9 June 2024, following events and ceremonies commemorating this significant milestone.

The delegation will include Second World War Veterans and their families, including those who fought on D-Day and during the Battle of Normandy, representatives of Veterans’ organizations and Indigenous groups, as well as parliamentarians. Members of the Canadian Armed Forces will also participate in events and ceremonies in France. As part of the delegation selection process, Veterans Affairs Canada worked with Veterans organizations to identify Canadian Veterans to serve as delegates.

The signature commemorative ceremony, taking place at Juno Beach on 6 June 2024, can be watched by Canadians at home through Canadian broadcasters, as well as through Veterans Affairs Canada’s “ Canada Remembers ” Facebook page.

All Canadians share a responsibility to keep Veterans’ stories alive, recognize the cost of war and honour their sacrifice which allow us the privileges and peace we know today. 

Join the conversation on social media by using the hashtags #CanadaRemembers and #DDay80, or visit veterans.gc.ca/CanadaRemembers . 

“The men and women who made D-Day possible came from all walks of life. From small towns to big cities, from farming communities to fishing villages. Giants of industry and factory workers. As we approach the 80th anniversary of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy, it is my honour to stand alongside some of Canada’s Second World War Veterans as we revisit the beach, towns, and fields where so many Canadians fought side by side. The thousands of Veterans who served during the Normandy Campaign have thousands of stories. It is our duty to keep these stories alive.” The Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence 

Quick facts

On 6 June 1944, the Allies launched Operation Overlord, a massive amphibious assault on the coast of occupied France intended to secure a beachhead in Western Europe. 

More than 14,000 Canadians landed at Juno Beach, among the roughly 150,000 Allied forces who came ashore in Normandy, and charged fortified German positions. By the end of D-Day, 359 Canadian soldiers had been killed but an Allied foothold in France had been established.

More than 90,000 Canadian soldiers who had volunteered to serve Canada during the Second World War saw action in the Normandy Campaign. 

The Battle of Normandy lasted for 11 weeks. Fighting through the dust and heat of the French summer, more than 5,000 Canadian soldiers were killed and another 13,000 wounded before the campaign officially came to a close in late August 1944. 

The Canadians who fought on D-Day and throughout the Battle of Normandy were among the more than one million Canadians and Newfoundlanders who served in uniform during the Second World War. 

Associated links

• 80th anniversary of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy
• D-Day and the Battle of Normandy
• Stories from D-Day and the Battle of Normandy
• Events in Canada

Media Relations Veterans Affairs Canada 613-992-7468 [email protected]

Isabelle Arseneau Press Secretary Office of the Minister of Veterans Affairs [email protected]

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On June 6, 1944, over 14,000 Canadians stormed Juno Beach, as part of the largest combined military operation in history. Canadian soldiers fought heroically, and side by side with Allies – defending freedom, liberty, and democracy. The Battle of Normandy came at a heavy price, with more than 5,000 Canadian troops killed and thousands more injured – but the Allies won. The battle became a defining moment for our nation. 

We must remember the bravery and sacrifice demonstrated by Canadians in Normandy. We must honour them, and the more than one million Canadians who served during the Second World War. We must pass on their stories for generations to come. 

The aftermath of the Second World War and the Allied victory in Europe led to the foundation of the modern rules-based international order, an order which has since underpinned peace and prosperity around the world, and an order that Canada defends. On the beaches of Normandy, our troops fought valiantly for peace and democracy. Many gave their lives so we could live free – and we will do what it takes to preserve and protect our hard-won freedoms. 

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced that he will travel to Normandy, France, from June 5 to 6, 2024, to participate in commemorative events to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy and to pay tribute to those who gave their lives in service of peace and freedom during the Second World War. 

The Canadian delegation will include the Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Veterans, representatives from Indigenous and Veterans organizations, and parliamentarians.

“On D-Day, we remember the 14,000 Canadian troops who stormed the beaches of Normandy in defence of freedom and liberty. They fought heroically; they helped liberate Europe; and they changed the course of history. This milestone 80th anniversary is an important opportunity to share their stories, commemorate their bravery, and pay tribute to their immeasurable service, sacrifice, and legacy.” The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada

Quick Facts

• The Allied high command launched the invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944, a date that has become known to history as D-Day. On that day, a massive Allied force would cross the English Channel, heading for an 80-kilometre stretch of the Normandy coast. There were five landing zones assigned to the forces of Allied nations: Juno Beach (Canada); Gold Beach (United Kingdom); Sword Beach (United Kingdom and France); and Utah Beach and Omaha Beach (United States).
• On August 25, 1944, the Allies liberated Paris, officially ending the Battle of Normandy.
• More than 45,000 Canadians lost their lives during the Second World War, of whom over 5,000 were killed during the Battle of Normandy, including 359 of our soldiers on D-Day.

Associated Links

• 80th Anniversary of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy
• Juno Beach Centre
• Canada-France bilateral relations