International tourists can lead the Eiffel Tower and Louvre tours with a tour of France.
But French citizens have a different opinion.
Border restrictions during the epidemic have given citizens the opportunity to explore their country without foreign tourists, who by 2019 were about 90 million.
The French did not waste that opportunity. More than two-thirds of the French population have left by 2021, and 84% of French city residents choose to stay inland, according to the French tourism research firm Raffour Interactif.
Top destinations
As natural desire and outdoor activities grew during the epidemic, several areas emerged as top destinations among domestic visitors, said Maud Bailly, CEO of southern Europe for k ‘ international hospitality company Accor, with more than 1,600 hotels in France. Read also : Pono | Miss Manners: How do I respond to strange questions about my health?.
He said his visitors were impressed by the beaches of Brittany – or Bretagne in French – because of the “sea [and] width of the country,” he said. In the northwest province there are picturesque coastal towns, such as Cancale and the port city of Saint-Malo, famous for its life and history.
Where the French travel in France
In the southern part of the country, the famous French Riviera – especially in the coastal areas near Cannes and Nice – has attracted local tourists for similar reasons, he said. On the same subject : Are you planning to fly this summer? Consider these tips to avoid a travel disaster.
As Covid put pressure on tourism in French Polynesia, other nearby islands attracted more local tourists, Bailly said. Ile de Re, located on the west coast of France, was relatively safe due to its proximity to Paris – less than five hours by car, he said – as tourists also went to the island. ” famous, amazing “of Belle Ile in the north, as well as Corsica in the south.
“When people go to Corsica … they keep sending me a message [saying] ‘it’s no use going to the Maldives because the water is the same,” he said. He spoke to CNBC from the Molitor Paris-MGallery Hotel where, he said, many Parisian people were enjoying the stay.
Sofitel Golfe d’Ajaccio Thalassa Sea and Spa hotel, located south of Corsica.
From skiing in the Pyrenees mountains to diving into the Mediterranean Sea, it is France’s diverse landscapes and experiences – twice the size of Colorado – that make it so popular, Bailly said.
“I believe that the wealth of this small country, with so many different opportunities for recreation and vacations in one place – is unique,” he said.
Secrets and ‘little gems’
Many of France’s favorite destinations end up being popular with tourists from abroad, Bailly said. See the article : 6 reasons to use a travel agent when planning your next family vacation.
But one exception, at least for now, is the Alsace wine line.
“You can go to Strasbourg and start by car, jump from village to village and just taste and find wine, castles … places,” he said. “It’s a good secret.”
The small town of Dambach-la-ville, near the Alsace winery.
Alexander Sorokopoud | Minute | Getty Images
The secret unfolds in places like Beaune and Macon in the famous Burgundy wine region. Both were popular with home guests last year, he said.
Prior to the epidemic, about 60% of French wine tourists were domestic guests, said Martin Lhuillier, head of wine tourism at Atout France, the country’s tourism development department.
One of his “top tips” is a visit to Jura, one of the smaller wine resorts in France, to visit the town of Chateau-Chalon, he said. Once there, guests can try out the local “heart and soul” – its wine june, or yellow wine.
Bailly and Lhuillier both recommend the French department of Dordogne. Situated between the Loire Valley and the Pyrenees, it contains “indestructible natural jewelry” such as Bergerac and Duras, Lhuillier said.
Read more about travel in France and Italy
Although lower than other parts of France, Dordogne is a place where “you can really enjoy French de vivre art, gastronomy and nature,” said Bailly.
The French “art de vivre” – literally “the art of living” – is part of the reason why France has become one of the most popular destinations for international tourists. The pressure to enjoy life is everywhere – near the plains of Paris, in the rooms of the Palace of Versailles and in the country’s restaurants, which generally have more Michelin stars than any other country or which in the world.
But Bailly said it was “in secret, intelligent places” where guests could “relax and reconnect with the French way of life.”
The ‘most beautiful’ villages
Another area of Dordogne, Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne, is one of the newest cities on the list of “most beautiful villages in France.”
The list, which began 40 years ago, lists 168 cities of heritage and unique beauty. Each is evaluated according to 30 methods, including heritage sites and buildings as well as small details such as hidden power lines. There is less than 1-in-5 chance of making a list, according to the list website.
Southern France has the largest population of these cities, and more than 75% are in the provinces of Nouvelle Aquitaine, Occitanie and Provence-Alpes-Cote-d’Azur.
The television program “Le Village Prefere des Francais” – or “The Favorite Village of the French” – also attracts visitors to lesser-known places in the country. Fourteen cities are elected each year – one in each region of France – and the winner is organized by national election.
Last year’s winner attracted many tourists: the small hill town of Sancerre, one of the most famous names for French Sauvignon Blanc.
The same thing will happen to Bergheim, a village near the Alsace Wine Route, who was crowned this year on Wednesday.
Local tourism to Sancerre increased in 2021, after it was selected as the most beautiful village in France.
Julian Elliott Photography | Stone | Getty Images
Bailly said visitors can build a whole trip around these cities.
He said: “It’s an independent, domestic, traditional way of looking at France.” It’s not Saint-Tropez, it’s not Mont Saint-Michel or the Eiffel Tower, but it’s also France with its own history. . “
