France Overview
According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization, France has around 85 million visitors each year. That is by far the most in the world with the USA coming second with (around) 75 million and Britain with just 35 million visitors.
So how is it that a nation – not always renowned for the warmth of its welcome, and where English, the world language, is far from guaranteed to be spoken – manage to attract so many visitors.
Of course, as Henry Ford suggested, statistics should not necessarily be relied upon. In this case the figures include all visitors; business, leisure and those just passing through. Given France’s geographical location, it is a nation which Europeans often have to cross to get from one country to another. For example, Calais is the main port of entry to the European continent for Brits and, of course, Calais is in France.
And much the same sort of situation exists for many people who live in Belgium, Germany, Switzerland and Italy.
Paris
Still there must be something that France is doing right. Their biggest attraction, their jewel in the crown, is Paris. No doubt Walt Disney knew what they were doing when they chose this city for the site of their European Disneyland.
And as Audrey Hepburn said in the 1954 movie, Sabrina, “Paris is always a good idea”. Her character intimated that Paris was the most romantic destination in the world as has been depicted in popular imagination for centuries, a perception reinforced by films such as Amelie in more recent years.
The weather
Little more needs to be said on this subject; French weather is clearly preferable to British weather especially for the holidaymaker. A mild climate in the months of spring and autumn and then, the lovely, warm summers, attract waves of sun-seekers every year.
Fine dining
France was the first nation to have its food recognised by UNESCO as “intangible cultural heritage”, reinforcing the imperious reputation of French cuisine.
But does France deserve this reputation when, for example, Luxembourg has more Michelin stars per capita than France? And the opening of a Burger King in Paris caused much more of a fuss than you would credit for a nation so proud of its culinary heritage.
Fine wines
The New World may be giving France a run for its money on the wine-making front, but will sparkling wines from other parts of the world ever have the same prestige, as Champagne?
The mountains (and excellent skiing)
The mountain ranges are varied and make France one of the world’s biggest destinations for skiing especially in the Alps.
France, the United States and Spain are the countries with the most foreign tourists, but it is only in France that they derive a noticeable tourist benefit from ski resorts.
Good transport links
The French TGVs have been the envy of the world, whisking passengers from one end of the country to the other in a fraction of the time it takes in the UK (when there are no strikes, of course).
And if you’re not on the train, the roads outside Paris are more frequently emptier and freer flowing than they are in the UK. Having two-and-a-half times the space of Britain counts for something. Some even believe that French road manners are much improved these days.
Further Information About France:
- Accommodation & Places to Stay
- Places of Interest
- How to Get There
- Weather & Climate
- Local Cuisine
- Things to Do in France
- A Brief History of France