GITNUXREPORT 2025

France Tourism Statistics

France remains world's top tourist destination with diverse cultural, natural attractions.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

In 2019, nearly 50% of inbound tourists to France arrived from Europe

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France has over 44 UNESCO World Heritage sites, including Mont Saint-Michel and Château de Chambord

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Art, history, and cultural tourism constitute about 70% of tourism activities in France

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French cuisine tourism influences over 1.8 million visitors each year

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The Loire Valley attracts over 4 million visitors annually, focusing on châteaux tourism

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France’s wine regions, including Bordeaux and Burgundy, see over 20 million visitors per year

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The French city of Strasbourg receives approximately 4 million visitors per year, with a focus on its historic center and Christmas markets

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France’s cultural festivals like Cannes Film Festival draw over 80,000 international visitors annually

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The French culinary festival ‘Fête de la Gastronomie’ attracts approximately 2 million attendees annually

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France's heritage tourism is responsible for about 65% of total tourism income, driven by castles, vineyards, and historic sites

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France was the world's most visited country in 2019 with 89 million international arrivals

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In 2022, France's tourism sector contributed approximately €57.9 billion to the economy

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Paris, the capital of France, attracted over 19 million visitors in 2019

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France's wine-related tourism accounts for around €15 billion annually

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France's tourism employs approximately 2.9 million people, representing about 7% of employment

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Ski tourism in the French Alps generates approximately €2 billion annually

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In 2021, domestic tourism in France increased by 40% compared to 2020

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France's hotel occupancy rates hit 75% during summer months of 2019

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French bicycle tourism generates over €1.6 billion per year

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The total number of cruise ship visitors to French ports exceeds 2 million annually

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The Normandy region reported approximately 15 million overnight stays in 2019

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Scenic countryside and rural tourism account for roughly 55% of tourism revenue

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The total tourism-related exports from France amounted to €22 billion in 2019

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The total volume of international tourists visiting France in 2018 was 86 million

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Paris alone accounts for approximately 8% of France’s GDP from tourism activity

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The French ski resorts' revenue grows by an average of 3% annually

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The French Caribbean islands attracted approximately 1.2 million tourists in 2019

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The French Riviera's Nice Côte d'Azur airport handled over 14 million passengers in 2019

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The number of international travel arrivals to France recovered to 80% of pre-pandemic levels by 2022

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The tourism industry in France generated about €70 billion in revenue in 2019

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The number of French B&Bs and guesthouses increased by 12% from 2018 to 2020

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French culinary tourism is valued at approximately €3 billion annually

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The total number of international visitors to the French Riviera is estimated at 12 million annually

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French outdoor and adventure tourism accounts for approximately €4 billion annually

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The total number of domestic overnight trips within France reached 300 million in 2019

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France's rural tourism sector has grown by 20% since 2018, driven by a revived interest in slow travel and local experiences

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France is among the top five countries globally for medical tourism, with over 1 million international health tourists annually

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The city of Lyon's tourism revenue increased by 8% in 2022, with a record number of 3.5 million overnight stays in its hotels

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The French festivals and events industry generated €2.5 billion in economic impact in 2019

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The city of Nice is ranked among the top 10 cities globally for luxury shopping tourism

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The number of eco-friendly hotels in France increased by 25% between 2018 and 2021, reflecting a rising trend in sustainable tourism

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The French Riviera attracted over 10 million tourists in 2019

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The French countryside attracts approximately 45% of all inbound tourists

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The Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region received over 40 million overnight stays in 2019

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The region of Brittany attracted over 10 million overnight stays in 2019

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The Provence region is known for attracting over 13 million tourists annually, main for its lavender fields and landscapes

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Paris remained the most visited city in Europe with over 19 million international visitors in 2019

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France's coastal tourism involves over 50 million day trips annually along its beaches

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The French Mediterranean islands attract approximately 3 million visitors per year, predominantly during summer

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The violent winter weather events of 2022 impacted tourism in the French Alps, causing a 15% decline in winter sports visitors

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The French Alps ski season generally runs from December through April, with an average of 135 days open per ski resort

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The Eiffel Tower is listed as the world's most-visited paid monument, with over 7 million visitors annually

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The Musée du Louvre is the world's most-visited art museum, with over 9 million visitors in 2019

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The Palace of Versailles attracts over 10 million visitors since its opening

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The pilgrimage site of Lourdes hosted over 5 million visitors annually

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The UNESCO World Heritage site of Mont Saint-Michel receives around 3 million visitors each year

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The historic city of Carcassonne has over 4 million visitors per year, contributing significantly to southern France's tourism

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Over 60% of tourists visiting the French Loire Valley cite château tourism as their main attraction

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The historic site of Avignon’s bridge and palace attract over 2 million visitors annually

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Key Highlights

France was the world's most visited country in 2019 with 89 million international arrivals
In 2022, France's tourism sector contributed approximately €57.9 billion to the economy
Paris, the capital of France, attracted over 19 million visitors in 2019
The Eiffel Tower is listed as the world's most-visited paid monument, with over 7 million visitors annually
France's wine-related tourism accounts for around €15 billion annually
The Musée du Louvre is the world's most-visited art museum, with over 9 million visitors in 2019
The French Riviera attracted over 10 million tourists in 2019
France's tourism employs approximately 2.9 million people, representing about 7% of employment
In 2019, nearly 50% of inbound tourists to France arrived from Europe
Ski tourism in the French Alps generates approximately €2 billion annually
The Palace of Versailles attracts over 10 million visitors since its opening
France has over 44 UNESCO World Heritage sites, including Mont Saint-Michel and Château de Chambord
In 2021, domestic tourism in France increased by 40% compared to 2020

France continues to captivate over 89 million international visitors annually, solidifying its position as the world’s most visited country and a premier destination for history, culture, cuisine, and scenic beauty.

Cultural and Heritage Tourism

In 2019, nearly 50% of inbound tourists to France arrived from Europe
France has over 44 UNESCO World Heritage sites, including Mont Saint-Michel and Château de Chambord
Art, history, and cultural tourism constitute about 70% of tourism activities in France
French cuisine tourism influences over 1.8 million visitors each year
The Loire Valley attracts over 4 million visitors annually, focusing on châteaux tourism
France’s wine regions, including Bordeaux and Burgundy, see over 20 million visitors per year
The French city of Strasbourg receives approximately 4 million visitors per year, with a focus on its historic center and Christmas markets
France’s cultural festivals like Cannes Film Festival draw over 80,000 international visitors annually
The French culinary festival ‘Fête de la Gastronomie’ attracts approximately 2 million attendees annually
France's heritage tourism is responsible for about 65% of total tourism income, driven by castles, vineyards, and historic sites

Cultural and Heritage Tourism Interpretation

Despite its reputation as a cultural and culinary treasure trove, France's tourism statistics reveal that nearly half of its visitors still prefer exploring Europe’s doorstep, while over 80,000 international cinephiles and millions of wine enthusiasts keep the country's festivals and vineyards bustling, underscoring that when it comes to attracting global wanderers, France’s riches lie both in its timeless heritage and its irresistible charm.

Economic Impact and Revenue

France was the world's most visited country in 2019 with 89 million international arrivals
In 2022, France's tourism sector contributed approximately €57.9 billion to the economy
Paris, the capital of France, attracted over 19 million visitors in 2019
France's wine-related tourism accounts for around €15 billion annually
France's tourism employs approximately 2.9 million people, representing about 7% of employment
Ski tourism in the French Alps generates approximately €2 billion annually
In 2021, domestic tourism in France increased by 40% compared to 2020
France's hotel occupancy rates hit 75% during summer months of 2019
French bicycle tourism generates over €1.6 billion per year
The total number of cruise ship visitors to French ports exceeds 2 million annually
The Normandy region reported approximately 15 million overnight stays in 2019
Scenic countryside and rural tourism account for roughly 55% of tourism revenue
The total tourism-related exports from France amounted to €22 billion in 2019
The total volume of international tourists visiting France in 2018 was 86 million
Paris alone accounts for approximately 8% of France’s GDP from tourism activity
The French ski resorts' revenue grows by an average of 3% annually
The French Caribbean islands attracted approximately 1.2 million tourists in 2019
The French Riviera's Nice Côte d'Azur airport handled over 14 million passengers in 2019
The number of international travel arrivals to France recovered to 80% of pre-pandemic levels by 2022
The tourism industry in France generated about €70 billion in revenue in 2019
The number of French B&Bs and guesthouses increased by 12% from 2018 to 2020
French culinary tourism is valued at approximately €3 billion annually
The total number of international visitors to the French Riviera is estimated at 12 million annually
French outdoor and adventure tourism accounts for approximately €4 billion annually
The total number of domestic overnight trips within France reached 300 million in 2019
France's rural tourism sector has grown by 20% since 2018, driven by a revived interest in slow travel and local experiences
France is among the top five countries globally for medical tourism, with over 1 million international health tourists annually
The city of Lyon's tourism revenue increased by 8% in 2022, with a record number of 3.5 million overnight stays in its hotels
The French festivals and events industry generated €2.5 billion in economic impact in 2019
The city of Nice is ranked among the top 10 cities globally for luxury shopping tourism
The number of eco-friendly hotels in France increased by 25% between 2018 and 2021, reflecting a rising trend in sustainable tourism

Economic Impact and Revenue Interpretation

With France reigning as the world's top tourist destination in 2019 and generating over €70 billion from its allure, it’s clear that whether it's wine, ski slopes, or scenic countryside, the country's rich tapestry of attractions keeps its economy well-fed—making the phrase "les rois du tourisme" both a crown and a commitment.

Geographical and Regional Tourism

The French Riviera attracted over 10 million tourists in 2019
The French countryside attracts approximately 45% of all inbound tourists
The Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region received over 40 million overnight stays in 2019
The region of Brittany attracted over 10 million overnight stays in 2019
The Provence region is known for attracting over 13 million tourists annually, main for its lavender fields and landscapes
Paris remained the most visited city in Europe with over 19 million international visitors in 2019
France's coastal tourism involves over 50 million day trips annually along its beaches

Geographical and Regional Tourism Interpretation

France’s diverse allure—from the glittering French Riviera and Paris’s cultural magnetism to Provence’s fragrant fields and Brittany’s scenic stays—continues to seduce over a hundred million visitors annually, proving that whether for glamour, nature, or history, the nation remains Europe’s unbeatable tourist magnet.

Seasonal and Activity-Based Tourism

The French Mediterranean islands attract approximately 3 million visitors per year, predominantly during summer
The violent winter weather events of 2022 impacted tourism in the French Alps, causing a 15% decline in winter sports visitors
The French Alps ski season generally runs from December through April, with an average of 135 days open per ski resort

Seasonal and Activity-Based Tourism Interpretation

Despite the allure of sunny Mediterranean escapees bringing in around 3 million visitors annually, the French Alps’ winter prospects took a hit with a 15% drop caused by brutal weather, reminding us that even the most majestic slopes can be at the mercy of Mother Nature's seasonal temper.

Tourism Attractions and Landmarks

The Eiffel Tower is listed as the world's most-visited paid monument, with over 7 million visitors annually
The Musée du Louvre is the world's most-visited art museum, with over 9 million visitors in 2019
The Palace of Versailles attracts over 10 million visitors since its opening
The pilgrimage site of Lourdes hosted over 5 million visitors annually
The UNESCO World Heritage site of Mont Saint-Michel receives around 3 million visitors each year
The historic city of Carcassonne has over 4 million visitors per year, contributing significantly to southern France's tourism
Over 60% of tourists visiting the French Loire Valley cite château tourism as their main attraction
The historic site of Avignon’s bridge and palace attract over 2 million visitors annually

Tourism Attractions and Landmarks Interpretation

France’s allure, from the Eiffel Tower’s shimmering height to the Loire Valley’s enchanting châteaux, is undeniable—yet one can’t help wonder if their crush on grandeur and history is fueling the nation’s tourism boom more than the French joie de vivre itself.