Atout France SMARTguide

SMARTGUIDE 

FRANCE: 

DESTINATIONS 

TO (RE)DISCOVER 

AN INFORMATIVE TOOL 

FOR TRAVEL 

AND TOURISM 

PROFESSIONALS 

PLAN SMARTER 

NEW IDEAS FOR 

THEME HOLIDAYS 

DESTINATION 

SPOTLIGHTS 

REVEALING FRANCE’S 

TOURISM SECRETS

EDITORIAL 

CONTENTS 

France and its tourism industry have 

showed incredible resilience in the face 

of adversity after the tragic events of 

2015 and 2016, and are now resolutely 

moving forward with resumed growth 

in the first months of 2017. 

This rebound is not due to chance or 

luck. While the destination itself offers 

a multitude of strengths, the strategic 

choices of the nation’s Destination 

Marketing Organisation – Atout France 

– and the firm political commitment of 

the French government at the highest 

level are very much at the heart of this 

success. 

Multiple actions undertaken by Atout 

France either in France itself or via 

its offices around the world towards 

industry professionals have, over the 

Richard Barnes 

Editor-in-Chief 

Cleverdis 

Creating and Bolstering 

a Solid Base for France’s 

Tourism Industry 

past years, helped build a base that’s 

solid enough to allow the destination to 

cross this zone of turbulence without 

too many difficulties. 

We are particularly proud to have 

worked with Atout France on this 

SMARTguide for the attention of 

tourism professionals - in order to 

highlight two great tools, the Poles of 

excellence, and destination contracts, 

put in place by the French government, 

and which will enable all professionals 

to encourage their customers to visit 

France and explain (even more easily): 

Why France? How to experience 

France? And which destinations in 

France? 

We hope this SMARTguide will be a 

useful tool for you! 

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5. INTRODUCTION 

Diversifying France’s 

Tourism Offer 

Christian Mantei, 

CEO, Atout France 

6. TRADE TALK 

How travel professionals from 

around the world see the “new 

dynamic” in France 

8. STRATEGY 

Theme Holidays and 

Destinations Reloaded! 

10. THEME HOLIDAYS 

10. CRUISING 

11. WINE TOURISM 

12. ECOTOURISM 

13. GASTRONOMY 

14. CULTURAL TOURISM 

15. “SAVOIR-FAIRE TOURISM” 

16. NIGHTLIFE 

17. SUMMER IN THE 

MOUNTAINS 

18. DESTINATIONS RELOADED 

19. BRETAGNE 

19. MONT ST MICHEL 

20. LOUVRE-LENS 

20. THE LOIRE VALLEY 

21. NORMANDIE 

21. PARIS 

22. CHAMPAGNE 

22. BURGUNDY 

23. BORDEAUX 

23. LYON 

24. DORDOGNE 

24. BIARRITZ 

25. THE JURA 

25. THE VOSGES 

26. THE ALPS 

26. MONT BLANC 

27. AUVERGNE 

27. PYRÉNÉES 

28. PROVENCE 

28. CÔTE D’AZUR 

29. CORSICA 

29. FRENCH GUIANA 

30. OVERSEAS TERRITORIES 

31. CONCLUSION 

Jean-François Pieri, 

Managing Director, 

Cleverdis 

France: Destinations to (re)discover 3

INTRODUCTION 

Diversifying France’s 

Tourism Offer 

Atout France CEO, Christian Mantei – on the organisation’s roadmap 

How is Atout France enhancing 

the diversity of the French offer 

to international visitors? We put 

the question to the organisation’s 

CEO, Christian Mantei. 

In recent years, we have promoted France 

internationally through the prism of 

its various destination brands. Indeed, 

some of them already enjoy a very strong 

reputation, which, thanks notably to their 

strong digital footprint, can even top that 

of France itself in some countries: Paris, 

Bordeaux, Champagne, Provence, Alps - 

Mont Blanc... It’s a choice that enables us 

to develop all of the national territory and 

its various assets and thus to allow more 

destinations to benefit from the important 

tourism potential of our country. 

But we also wanted to bring new 

destinations to the attention of our 

visitors. This is why we came up with the 

idea of “destination contracts” currently 

applying to 22 places. This device brings 

together the key stakeholders in the same 

destination around a strategy for tourism 

development and a common goal. We 

support them in this process in terms of 

engineering, observation and promotion, 

so that they are able to accommodate 

visitors in the best possible conditions. 

Atout France’s 30 international offices 

are developing their promotional actions 

around the development of global brands 

and territories thanks to the destination 

contracts and they have particularly high 

visibility on France’s tourism website: 

France.fr. 

How do you work with international travel 

professionals? 

As the primary advisors supporting a 

destination, tourism professionals are 

a priority target of our actions. Atout 

France’s teams have a very strong 

relationship with them in all of the 

markets in which we operate. We also 

allow French professionals to benefit from 

these excellent relations by organising 

prospection in different countries, so that 

they can directly present their products to 

these choice travel advisors. 

Finally, we invite them several times per 

year to discover the French offer, notably 

organising increasingly popular BtoB 

shows in France; either generic or related 

to a theme (mountain/ski, wine tourism, 

etc.), enabling them, in just 2 days, to meet 

a maximum number of French suppliers. 

These meetings also allow for “fam tours” 

to a number of French destinations. 

What are the prospects for French 

tourism in 2017? 

In 2016, France welcomed nearly 

83 million international visitors (compared 

to 85 million in 2015 which was a record 

year), with a final quarter showing 

encouraging signs of recovery (+ 3.9%). 

The beginning of 2017 confirms this trend: 

International reservations, including from 

the most distant markets, are increasing, 

and prospects look good for the coming 

3-6 months. 

We are thus confident, and even more so 

with recent opening (cave of Lascaux IV in 

the Dordogne) and future openings (City 

of Music on the île Seguin, Arts Museum 

in Nantes, Palace Square in Avignon...) 

further energising the French offering. 

france.fr 


TRADE TALK 

How travel professionals 

see the “new dyna 

Kay 

Ellison 

International Product 

& Contracting 

Executive, Thompsons, 

Johannesburg, 

South Africa 

Evelyne Gaudin 

Luxury Travel Advisor – En Route Travel – 

Santa Monica, CA, USA 

While travel advisors in the US continue to promote 

France, which has always been in the top five 

destinations in terms of popularity, it is important 

to have this new dynamic created by Atout France 

in order to interest clients who may have already 

been – but are looking for something different. 

While Paris has been a main focus – often as “the 

world’s most popular tourist destination city”, we 

have to think of France as being something aside 

from Paris. What has been needed is training on 

other ideas and destinations in France. Of course, 

people know the Côte d’Azur, but there are so 

many other regions, like Brittany, Normandy, the 

Alps, and so on, that should be placed more “front 

of house” by agents. Then there is thematic travel. 

Wine culture is the number one theme, so we need 

to be designing more itineraries around the wine 

regions. 

Art is another key attraction, as well as existing 

beautiful regions like the Loire Valley, which 

travellers are not asking for so much anymore. 

An emerging market we are finding is that of river 

cruises, that give people a chance to discover the 

destination at another pace. Each region should be 

very honest when telling what they have to offer, 

and this is where I believe travel advisors will need 

more information. There is always room for more 

advisor training. 

With the growing worldwide trend for experiential travel, this 

initiative by Atout France will give us the tools to promote 

cultural events and exhibitions around France. While we 

already actively promote France as a tourist destination, we 

will now have additional material to accurately target special 

interest travellers and also broaden the experience of the 

average traveller. 

Andrea 

Heawon 

Park 

Sourcing Specialist, 

Interpark Corporation, 

Seoul, Korea 

As a travel trade professional, it 

is vital to understand the region 

and culture in order to approach 

potential clients. The main 

reason to travel could be to feel 

cultural heritage and difference 

in-depth, which could nourish 

one’s ability to understand 

others. 

With the initiatives of Atout 

France and this “SMARTguide”, 

I could easily access what I 

would like to find out in French 

destinations and culture, and 

this leads me to persuade 

clients to decide to go to France. 

I believe that there’s nothing 

more important than sharing 

correct and detailed information 

in travel industry. Thank you to 

Atout France, it will definitely 

assist me to bring more business 

to France, as one of the most 

favoured destination.” 

6 France: Destinations to (re)discover france.fr

from around the world 

mic” in France 

Tim Hentschel 

CEO, 

HotelPlanner.com & Meetings.com, 

London,UK 

Rajesh 

Nambiar 

Executive Vice President, 

Ottila International, 

Mumbai, India 

This is an encouraging initiative from France to expose 

more of the deeper French culture and the elements 

that will give an authentic regional experience of 

France. 

The Government’s strategy can give clear guidelines to 

all the stakeholders – tourism boards, local community, 

attractions, accommodation providers, DMCs, etc. 

about their commitment, involvement and forward 

implementation. 

For Tour Operators like us promoting France, it is 

important that we get educated and understand which 

are the products and experiences which will appeal 

to our markets and develop communication and 

programmes accordingly. This is a long-term approach 

requiring consistency of efforts and co-operation 

between Atout France and its trade partners. This will 

definitely increase more niche-business to France in 

the coming years. 

France has always been a top group 

destination for us in Europe thanks 

to its rich history and culture. We’ve 

always found that the French Alps 

have been popular, as well as the 

Bordeaux wine country. Nice and 

Biarritz have always been popular, 

and of course Paris is one of the 

greatest cities in the world. 

Overall, France can compete with 

any country in the world thanks to its 

huge diversity of tourism offerings. 

It’s great now that Atout France is 

highlighting different places and 

themes, as this consequently gives 

us an opportunity to create a more 

dynamic and interesting offering for 

our clients. 

Each year, people are looking for 

something different – even if they’ve 

already been to a place – and I 

strongly believe that these efforts by 

Atout France will do an important job 

in keeping this great nation top-ofmind 

when considering destinations 

for MICE activities. 

france.fr 


STRATEGY 

Theme Holidays and Destin 

Tools at the service of Travel Agents and Tour 

Since the 1980’s, France has boasted of 

being the #1 global destination in terms 

of tourist arrivals. For many around the 

world, it’s a place that must be experienced 

at least once in a lifetime. In 2015, France 

welcomed 84.5 million international visitors 

(a record) and 83 million in 2016, while 

the goal is to eventually host 100 million 

visitors by 2020. 

This success is of course due to the 

extremely positive image enjoyed by France 

on the international scene. A strong image, 

which distinguishes this nation from other 

European destinations, but also thanks 

to the implementation of promotional 

material and professional training that 

aims to create a real “desire for France” 

among even the most demanding 

travellers. For this, the government has 

created what it terms “Pôles d’excellence” 

(promotion by themes) and “Destination 

Contracts”, aiming to promote key internal 

destinations that will add true value to the 

overall offering. 

HOW DOES IT WORK? 

The “Pôles d’Excellence” have a role of 

highlighting the best ways to experience 

and enjoy the destination in different ways. 

The following “theme holiday” ideas are 

thus officially being included as an official 

part of the promotional activity by Atout 

France, the Government’s destination 

marketing organisation: 

cruising 

wine tourism 

eco-tourism, national parks, bike routes 

gastronomy 

iconic cultural heritage, 

a living heritage: capital of fashion, 

design, festivals, major expos... 

night tourism 

mountain tourism 

They specifically highlight the major 

vectors of tourism in France and help 

answer the first question: Why France? 

In parallel to this, “destinations reloaded” 

(Destination Contracts) efficiently 

complement the arsenal of tools that add 

to the diversity of the French offer. These 

are in line with the “destination brands”, a 

great promotional success story driven by 

Atout France for several years, launching 

veritable global brands with a reputation 

abroad that even exceeds that of the France 

itself in some countries. Champagne, 

Bordeaux, Alps Mont Blanc, Provence, 

Biarritz... their names often lead one to 

dream… and the experiences they offer 

add to France’s brand thanks to their 

uniqueness. 

These 16 “destination brands” have been a 

key general promotional vector for France 

for several years and can offer visitors a 

multitude of experiences: 

Skiing or hiking in the Alps, 

Staying at a winery in Bordeaux or 

Burgundy and becoming initiated in 

oenology, 

Golfing in Biarritz and the Basque 

country, 

Relaxing with a “wellness” holiday in 

Brittany, 

Discovering the monuments and 

museums of France’s cities, 

Attending a festival or major sporting 

event, 

Discovering regional specialities or dining 

at the table of a “starred” chef... 

On the basis of this experience and 

this success, Atout France has created 

“Destination Contracts”, which allow 

to develop new territories, to continue 

this momentum and thus bring new 

destinations to attract international 

visitors. 

There are currently 22 such “destinations 

reloaded” that are especially designed 

to help professionals respond to the 


ations Reloaded! 

Operators 

TRAVEL 

PROFESSIONALS 

ARE AT THE 

HEART OF THE 

CONCERNS OF 

ATOUT FRANCE 

growing expectations of their clients for 

authenticity, new experiences within the 

destination itself and revealing the different 

faces of France. 

A Destination Contract brings public and 

private stakeholders together from the 

same destination in order to pool human 

and financial means, search for economies 

of scale… and this over several years. It 

simultaneously covers the structuring 

and development of tourism, the quality 

of hospitality, promotion on one or several 

markets as well as a process of collective 

intelligence. 

A GREAT ONLINE PORTAL 

These two exceptional tools benefit from 

the incredible “booster” effect of france.fr, 

the internet portal of destination France, 

created in 2015. 

A true showcase of French tourism, the 

site allows users from around the world to 

find all information on the experiences to 

live in France and its various destinations, 

and this, in 17 languages in the 31 markets 

covered by the international network of the 

operator. 

Specifically highlighted on the site: 

global brands and destinations reloaded, 

discovery themes (culture, gastronomy, 

shopping, well-being, etc.) 

major events that bring a destination to 

life, 

and of course the practical information 

on travelling to and around France in the 

best conditions. 

Content from the france.fr site is regularly 

relayed on social networks managed by 

the agency (more than 5 million followers) 

- another key element in the strategy of 

Atout France. 

At the same time, Atout France collaborates 

very closely with embassies in all its 

markets, allowing it to conduct promotions 

in 70 countries. To this end, Atout France 

conducts around 3,000 actions annually 

to promote “destinations reloaded” and 

theme holidays. 

The multichannel marketing strategy of 

France’s tourism development agency aims 

both to raise awareness among the general 

public (campaigns, press inserts, actions 

on social networks, e-newsletters...) 

and the press / influencers through 

conferences and the hosting of journalists 

and bloggers... 

Travel professionals are at the heart 

of the concerns of Atout France who 

organise workshops for the presentation of 

destinations, during which the organisation 

promotes meetings between French 

suppliers and travel agents from around 

the world. Atout France is also present 

at shows, conducts its own events and 

organises regular fam tours in France. 

france.fr 


THEME HOLIDAYS / CRUISING 

Cruising 

FRANCE, MARITIME CRUISE 

DESTINATION 

France is known for both its 

design and construction of ships, 

a healthy outbound market and 

as a host destination for cruises. 

France counts 32 maritime cruise 

destinations offering 84 ports of call. 

Marseille is the #1 port with more 

than 945,000 annual passengers, 

followed by Noumea, Cannes and 

Ajaccio, which each received between 

300,000 and 350,000 passengers in 

2015. 

RIVER CRUISES: THE MOST 

EXTENSIVE WATERWAY NETWORK 

IN EUROPE 

France boasts the longest navigable 

river network in Europe with 8,500 

km of waterways. To this can be 

added barge-hotels and houseboat 

rentals without a licence. Holidays 

combining biking and boating, are 

also increasingly popular. 

MARSEILLE’S 

MUCEM 

WELCOMES 

CRUISE 

PASSENGERS 

FROM AROUND 

THE WORLD 

At the entrance to the old Port, 

Marseille’s MuCEM (Museum of 

civilisations of Europe and the 

Mediterranean) is a “must”. Over the 

centuries, this has been a place of 

passage for countless travellers, but 

while it is strongly anchored in the past, 

MuCEM is also above all a witness to 

the present. A true heritage complex, it 

spans 40,000 square meters and houses 

no less than a million works, objects 

and documents. Beginning with the 

history of Mediterranean civilisations 

from the Neolithic period, it takes us up 

to the present day through the Gallery of 

the Mediterranean, a semi-permanent 

exhibition space. Varied programming 

also involves discussions, performances 

and film screenings. 

By the Mediterranean sea, 

the MuCEM, inaugurated 

in 2013, is linked to the 

Fort Saint Jean 

© Catout-France Robert Palomba 

USPs 

• Caters to all types of clients 

(couples, families, seniors). 

• Ease of access and connections. 

• Dynamic excursions “off the beaten 

path”. 

KEY FIGURES 

France has the second maritime 

territory in the world. 

The Mediterranean is 

the #1 French cruise 

region with 2.16 million 

passenger arrivals in stopovers and 

557,000 departing passengers. 

8,500 km of fluvial waterways 

“IMPRESSIONIST” CRUISES 

To discover Normandy in a different way 

and enjoy some romantic moments, what 

better than a cruise on the Seine? During 

the Honfleur musical and impressionistic 

cruise in Rouen, a guide relives the history 

of Impressionism on the Seine, with, as a 

background, music from their time of the 

Impressionists. 

A discovery cruise of Rouen on the other 

hand allows one to navigate the most 

beautiful loop of the river Seine, in the 

midst of scenery that inspired the great 

Impressionists. It is also possible to take 

a cruise by outboard boat, Mastercraft 

or Cape Camarat, in order to appreciate 

the beauty of the Seine in a different 

way: pass the locks, discover the chalk 

cliffs and the cave habitats, admire the 

surrounding valley while the off barge 

that characterises the region’s economic 

wealth glides by. 

Seine valley 

© Rouen Vallée de la Seine 


THEME HOLIDAYS / WINE TOURISM 

France’s 

top 

growing 

regions 

reveal their 

secrets 

At the cross-roads of cultural and 

gastronomic tourism, wine tourism 

allows the visitor to discover 

outstanding French wines, visit 

the vineyards and to meet the 

winegrowers. 

Bordeaux, Champagne, Burgundy... 

just some examples of names that 

have made France so famous on the 

international stage when it comes to 

wine. French wines are renowned 

globally for their quality and 

diversity, and are indeed one of the 

key attractions of this nation, also 

thanks to the breathtaking beauty of 

its winegrowing regions. 

ALSACE: A LAND OF VINEYARDS AND 

TRADITIONS FOR MAKING FAMOUS WINES 

The vineyards of Alsace offer a range 

of exceptional wines. Rich in history 

and architecture and boasting a unique 

landscape, they hold a range of varied 

events all year round. 

Protected by the natural barrier of the 

Vosges Mountains, the vineyards of 

Alsace benefit from a unique climate 

and a variety of different grape-growing 

districts. The Alsace Wine Route, 

one of the oldest in France, crosses 

different wine districts. Whether on 

foot, along the vineyard tracks and 

discovery walking routes, or by bike on 

the Vineyards Cycle-way, trips through 

the wine districts reveal the work of the 

winegrowers and the art of the Alsace 

wines. Meetings with winegrowers and 

wine tasting along the way pleasantly 

punctuate a walk or ride through this 

land of traditions and wines. 

© Zvardon conseil - Vins d’Alsace 

© Julia Hasse 

USPs 

The quality of the wines, 

Diversity of terroirs, 

Unique expertise underlined by the 

recent ranking of the vineyards of 

Burgundy and Champagne on the 

UNESCO world heritage list. 

• Dedicated website 

visitfrenchwine.fr 

“LES VISITES HENNESSY”: 

THE 360° COGNAC EXPERIENCE 

KEY FIGURES 

10,000 cellars 

More than 10,000 cellars open to the 

public in France. 

7.5 million 

visitors each year - 

including 3 million international 

visitors. 

A world leader in Cognac, Hennessy has 

reinvented its visitor tours, offering a 

dynamic and multi-sensorial experience. 

Les Visites Hennessy offer five different 

types of visits, responding to all tastes 

and requirements, ranging from discovery 

tours lasting one and a half hours, for 

novices, to a full day behind the scenes of 

the company, for connoisseurs. 

A cruise on the Charente River provides 

an unusual start to the new Hennessy 

tours at Cognac. Experts welcome the 

visitor on board for a private visit in a 

small group to the heart of the Hennessy 

universe. Refined, aesthetic and inspiring, 

this new tour, which follows the rhythms 

of the making of cognac, stimulates 

the sensations, between surprise and 

enchantment. The only producer to have 

a Tasting Committee, Hennessy opens the 

doors to its workshop where you discover 

the secrets and different stages of the 

production of Cognac. 

france.fr 


THEME HOLIDAYS / ECOTOURISM 

Ecotourism 

Far from the madding crowd, an 

increasing number of international 

tourists are seeking an authentic, 

responsible holiday, bringing them 

closer to nature. They are looking 

for alternate means of transport, 

and are happy to take their time to 

discover the diversity of France’s 

regions and to meet and mingle with 

the locals. 

USPs 

• Diversity of France’s countryside, 

adding to the quality and 

importance of ecotourism circuits; 

• 80% of France remains rural: a 

veritable natural asset; 

• Numerous forms of tourism 

are centred on “soft” itineraries 

(cycling, hiking or on horseback), 

privileging accommodation in close 

proximity with the nature and local 

populations. 

KEY FIGURES 

More than 

10,000 km 

of cycle-ways and green-ways 

(up to 21,000 km of itineraries 

by 2020). 

65,000 km of 

long-distance 

hiking trails 

and 115,000 km of walking 

and hiking tracks. 

2,500 

establishments and 

associations catering for equestrian 

tourism and 350 centres officially 

recognised by the French Equestrian 

Federation. 

© P.Forget - CRT Centre-Val de Loire 

10 NATIONAL PARKS 

Recognised on an international level 

as of territories of exception, France’s 

national parks embody excellence in the 

preservation of biodiversity. They offer a 

combination of outstanding land and sea 

areas and constitute spaces that bring 

together exceptional natural, cultural 

and landscape heritage. 

The Mercantour national park owes 

the diversity of its landscapes and the 

richness of its natural and cultural 

heritage to its unique geographic 

location, at the crossroads of the Ligurian 

influences: alpine, Mediterranean and 

Provencal. The territory of the national 

park, which runs from its landlocked 

valleys to the metropolis of Nice, boasts 

nearly 8,200 living species. 

Blois 

“Loire à Vélo” is a unique, already muchtravelled 

itinerary. Highly accessible and 

easy to ride, it alternates between quiet 

roads, green ways, no-thoroughfare 

lanes, cycle tracks and paths that overall 

include 300 stopping places for cycle 

tourists. Loire à Vélo takes the rider 

through the Loire Valley (included on 

the World Heritage Listing as a living 

cultural landscape), a harmonious 

alliance between mankind and nature. The 

châteaux, towns and villages, the river and 

its culture, winegrowing and gastronomy 

all fit perfectly into this magnificent 

landscape. 

National parks (la Vanoise, Port-Cros, 

the Pyrénées, the Cévennes, the Ecrins, 

the Mercantour, Guadeloupe, Reunion 

Island, Guyana and the Calanques) cover 

varied land and sea areas and represent 

almost 9.5% of French territory (60,728 

km²). Every year, they attract more than 

8.5 million visitors. 

Parc national du Mercantour 

“LOIRE À VÉLO”: 

A 800KM 

FREEWHEELING 

CRUISE 

BIVOUACKING 

IN CYCLING SHELTERS 

On the “Loire à Vélo” cycling trail, 12 

campsites offer cyclists the chance to stay 

over for a night in an amazing hut on stilts 

with breakfast included! 

This simple and cheap form of 

accommodation, made of sustainable 

materials (wood and canvas), provides the 

basic needs of travelling cyclists with a 

comfortable sleeping space. 

© Nico4nicolas 


THEME HOLIDAYS / GASTRONOMY 

Gastronomy 

French gastronomy remains a 

«flagship» of global cuisine; a 

benchmark of excellence and rigor. 

It’s a savvy blend of heritage and 

know-how, an expression of human 

creativity resulting from the alliance, 

assembly or sublimation of flavours, 

with wonderful harmony between 

wines and dishes. Each region of 

France invites the visitor to enjoy 

its specialities through moments of 

sharing and conviviality, in the image 

of French gastronomy, inscribed on 

UNESCO’s intangible heritage list of 

humanity since 2010. 

USPs 

GOÛT DE / GOOD FRANCE 

BRINGS TOGETHER 2,000 CHEFS, 

2,000 MENUS, ON 5 CONTINENTS 

Orchestrated by the Ministry of 

Foreign Affairs and Development 

and the chef Alain Ducasse, Gout de 

/ Good France brings together up to 

2000 restaurants in 150 countries 

to celebrate French gastronomy on 

March 21, every year since 2015. In 

each participating restaurant, the 

event, in the form of a dinner, pays 

tribute to the excellence of French 

cuisine, its capacity for innovation 

and the values it conveys: sharing, 

pleasure, and the respect of “eating 

well”, one’s contemporaries and 

the planet. 

• French gastronomy, a centuriesold 

legacy: in France, the history 

of gastronomy dates back to the 

Gauls, who developed a cult of 

good food and drink that has been 

perpetuated over the centuries. 

• A cuisine that’s constantly evolving: 

new trends, creativity of the chefs, 

new cooking methods catering for 

globalised tastes, and support for 

sustainable development. 

• French “art de vivre”: holidays 

enriched by meetings with 

producers at the local markets or 

with French chefs who, on a daily 

basis, transmit their passion and 

love of their profession. 

KEY FIGURES 

158,500 restaurants 

and cafés 

57% of “gastronomes” 

prefer merchant hosting or staying 

with friends or family (as opposed to 

37% of the total population) 

52% of “gastronomes” 

prefer long holidays 

DIJON: 

INTERNATIONAL 

CITY OF 

GASTRONOMY 

& WINE OPENS 

IN 2019 

Future International 

City of Gastronomy & Wine 

2019 will mark a turning point in the history 

of Dijon, capital of Burgundy. The year will see 

the opening of a remarkable new 600-hectare 

urban complex including cultural and 

tourism-related facilities (shops, restaurants, 

bars & hotel), an eco-district and a cinema 

complex, the CIGV, being built at a cost of 

around 200 million Euros. 

It is on the historic site of the old general 

hospital in Dijon edified in the 16th, 17th and 

18th centuries that these cultural activities 

will take place. Excellent accommodation 

will be just as much a part of the scenery, as 

a 4-star hotel of 125 rooms will be located 

in historic buildings located just south of the 

site. 

france.fr 


THEME HOLIDAYS / CULTURAL TOURISM 

Cultural 

Tourism 

CARCASSONNE 

2 WORLD HERITAGE SITES 

Discover the most beautiful 

treasures offered by an exceptional 

cultural destination, France: from 

tourist sites and monuments to 

museums and exhibitions, a myriad 

of theatre, concert and dance 

seasons, new generation museum 

spaces and exceptional parks and 

gardens. France’s cultural sites are 

places where art and culture come 

to life: visit a museum, attend a 

festival, visit an exhibition, follow in 

the footsteps of famous people... By 

night or by day, heritage and culture 

are there for the taking during one’s 

trip to France. 

The Medieval City of Carcassonne 

(3rd – 14th centuries) is the largest 

medieval site in Europe on the UNESCO 

World Heritage list. Built over the 

ruins of a roman fortress, the “Cité” of 

Carcassonne became famous during the 

crusades against the heretics, when the 

city was one of the headquarters of 

Occitan Cathars. Nowadays, behind 

the walls composed by a double 

ring of ramparts and 52 towers and 

barbicans, the castle sits overlooking 

the surrounding area. The Old City offers 

visitors an intricate network of narrow 

streets with small terraces, quaint cafés, 

charming restaurants and hotels as well 

as numerous cultural events throughout 

the year. 

Near the Bastide Saint-Louis, the Canal 

du Midi, built in the 17th century to link 

the Atlantic and Mediterranean, flows 

through a region steeped in history. A 

boating holiday on the Canal du Midi is a 

unique experience to find “serenity”. 

© Atout France - Nathalie Baetens 

USPs 

• A myriad of cultural sites that tell 

the story of France. 

• The “French National Monuments” 

organisation is in charge of nearly 

100 monuments all over France – 

castles, abbeys, pre-historic caves 

and archaeological sites – and 

manages world-famous sites that 

are registered on the UNESCO 

World Heritage list. 

• A huge choice of places where art 

and culture come to life 

MANKIND IS 

EVOLVING – 

AT THE MUSÉE 

DE L’HOMME 

IN PARIS 

A journey through the 

discovery of Mankind, 

from its origins to its 

future 

The Galerie de l’Homme 

© MNHN - Jean-Christophe Domenech 

KEY FIGURESS 

Over 40,000 monuments 

and protected sites 

41 cultural sites classified 

by UNESCO 

8,000 museums 

Nearly 500 festivals 

The Musée de l’Homme presents 

prehistoric, biological and cultural 

anthropology collections all in the same 

place, as well as being a centre for 

teaching and research on the evolution 

of Mankind and society. The exhibition 

draws on priceless collections: fossils 

of Neanderthal and Cro-Magnon men, 

Paleolithic statuettes, anatomical waxmodels... 

The prehistoric and anthropologic 

collections at the Musée de l’Homme in 

Paris are among the largest in the world. 

You will find both elements of knowledge 

and understanding, and also discover 

that other cultures have different 

approaches to these questions, different 

reflections on our cultures, and other 

responses to them. 

A PLACE TO DEBATE, 

AN OPEN SPACE FOR ALL 

This privileged place addresses the 

major questions of Human Science 

today. Enjoy vast areas of exchange and 

activities: atrium, auditorium, resource 

centre, and educational workshops. 


THEME HOLIDAYS / “SAVOIR-FAIRE TOURISM” 

“Savoirfaire” 

Tourism 

Marseille’s soaps, Limoge’s 

porcelain, perfumes of Provence, 

Guérande sea salt or the collections 

of the fashion houses in Paris… 

just some random examples of the 

immense diversity of French knowhow, 

or “savoir-faire”. With France’s 

reputation for excellence already 

renowned around the globe and 

the image of France as a nation of 

luxury and “art de vivre”, greatly 

contributing to the nation’s appeal, 

many a visitor comes today to 

investigate the techniques, skills, 

traditions and functions of a craft or 

industrial sector; through workshop 

and enterprise visits. 

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• Caters to all types of travellers: 

individual and groups, young and old, 

groups of friends and family guests. 

• Very broad diversity of the sectors of 

activity concerned and geographical 

locations. 

• An authentic experience, including 

discovery of the territory and 

encounters with the locals; an 

original and lively way to discover 

France. 

HARVESTING SALT FROM THE SEA 

Welcome to the heart of the salt marshes, 

where professionals take you discover 

how the famous Guérande salt forms and 

is harvested. The guides – salt workers 

themselves – speak with a passion for 

their work and offer 15 different tours 

according to the desires of the visitor: 

family walks for all ages, guided theme 

EDF – 

MARCKOLSHEIM 

HYDRAULIC POWER 

STATION 

walks, hiking in the heart of the Marais... 

Meeting with a “paludier” (salt worker) 

proud of his “flower of salt”, sharing 

recipes, or walking with a naturalist 

guide - great connoisseur of edible plants 

and an expert on birds - who come by the 

thousands to the Guerande peninsula… 

All moments of sharing. 

© CRTB - BOURCIER Simon 

KEY FIGURESS 

French art workshops and 

businesses attract more than 

12-million visitors each 

year, including one million 

foreigners. 

In 2012, more than 5,000 

companies opened their 

doors to the public in 

France. Among them, half are open 

to the public throughout the year. 

Craft work represents about 

20% of visits. 

Situated on the Rhine, Markolsheim was, 

in 1961, the first “garland” hydroelectric 

development (the dam, locks and 

hydroelectric plant placed along a short 

deviation of the River, and not on its main 

course). 

The façade of the plant displays a fresco 

by the Alsatian artist Daniel Diminsky and 

in its engine room we find a monumental 

fresco by Paul Clair. Outside, a gazebo 

allows operators to overlook the locks, 

through which around 16,000 boats pass 

per year. Lifting one’s eyes skywards, 

Falcons Kestrels, Jackdaw and Swallows 

can be seen nesting in the station’s 

buildings... 

The visit allows the visitor to understand 

the history of the development of the 

Rhine -- how hydroelectric operation 

and navigation can live side-by-side, and 

to learn more about the environmental 

measures being deployed by EDF (#1 

producer of electricity in France – and the 

world), to protect the biodiversity of the 

river and the island of Marckolsheim. 

france.fr 


THEME HOLIDAYS / NIGHTLIFE 

Nightlife 

Good Night? … 

Sure Was! 

From the masquerade parties 

of yesteryear to the Cancan of 

the cabarets, Guinguettes on the 

banks of the Marne, the ferias 

of the southwest, from the bus 

palladium to the white nights, France 

has distinguished itself over the 

centuries by the wealth and diversity 

of its nocturnal activities. 

The offering in terms of nightlife is 

today extremely varied, with halls 

of international renown or the 

hybrid venue – a blend of coffee 

house, restaurant, show stage and 

exhibition hall, offering a festive and 

cultural spectacle - from the concert 

halls to the countless clubs across 

the nation. 

“NUITS SONORES” FESTIVAL IN LYON 

A celebration of electronic music, the 

“nuits sonores” (sound nights) bring 

together in Lyon, for 5 days and 4 nights, 

DJs from France and around the world. 

This is the #1 French festival of 

independent electronic music, and it 

is also an important European event. 

In unusual places, through the streets, 

night or day, Lyon vibrates to the sound 

of electronic music. Meeting, sharing, 

discovery and musical festivity are on 

the programme of this celebration which 

makes a point of maintaining a spirit of 

urban conviviality, with “audio aperitifs”, 

“sound naps”, electronic circuits and 

the discovery of emerging regional and 

international artists, with the Village des 

Nuits Sonores offering countless free 

events. 

Family friendly events include the Sunday 

Park - open to all, closing the festival 

in an affable atmosphere. There’s also 

a “Mini Sonores” Festival for the young 

ones. 

USPs 

• An abundant offer of excellent 

quality, both in Paris and provincial 

zones 

• A French night offering that is both 

festive and cultural 

• Quality of venues (set design, 

design, architecture) which makes 

France an international reference 

in the field 

KEY FIGURESS 


and 45,000 bars, 

cafés and clubs 

1,425 festivals 

organised each year 

LA BELLEVILLOISE: 

FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION, CULTURAL 

MIX AND AVANT-GARDE 

The Bellevilloise was originally the first 

Parisian cooperative founded in 1877 

aiming to give modest people access to 

political and cultural education. 

Since its reopening, La Bellevilloise, an 

independent and multidisciplinary Parisian 

centre of culture, installed in the former 

“maison du peuple” (house of the people), 

dedicates more than 2,000 m² to all forms 

of expressions and practices: innovative 

artistic approaches, new cultural and 

social practices, presentations, but also 

festive media ideas and creations... 

With concerts, shows, exhibitions, 

projections, parades, but also a club and 

a café, places to meet and exchange, the 

Bellevilloise plunges the visitor into the 

culture of Paris. 

It is also a place of architectural heritage, as 

an open stage to the local neighbourhood, 

not forgetting the restaurant’s “olive tree 

hall” and its panoramic terrace overlooking 

the capital... 


THEME HOLIDAYS / SUMMER IN THE MOUNTAINS 

Summer 

in the 

Mountains 

Far-reaching landscapes, clean air, 

natural heritage, local gastronomy... 

France’s Mountain regions offer a 

huge number of opportunities for 

summer activities when it comes to 

resting and relaxing. 

The diversity of the countryside and 

leisure activities on offer add to the 

appeal, encouraging international 

tourists to stay longer. 

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• Clear differentiation between 

different mountain regions, 

attracting a great diversity of 

clients; 

• Highly developed infrastructure 

and excellent accommodation 

capacity; 

• A rich cultural and festive offering, 

in perpetual development. 

WATER, SKY OR LAND - SUMMER 

FOR EVERYONE IN THE PYRENEES 

Rafting, trout fishing, paragliding, via 

ferrata, mountain biking and little tourist 

trains - the Pyrenees has something for 

everyone in the summer. 

One can go rafting, canyoning, or try 

“hydrospeed” in one of the numerous wild 

rivers: Neste d’Aure, the Gave de Pau, the 

Défilé de la Pierre-Lys in the Aude area, 

or the Nive in the Basque country. For 

lovers of land-based activities, there are 

sporty adventures with a mountain bike 

on mountain trails, petrifying descents 

on reconverted ski slopes or climbing 

trails to some of France’s most beautiful 

locations. Via ferrata proposes thrilling 

sensations, with vertiginous overhangs. 

And one mustn’t forget the little trains, 

“Au Bonheur des Mômes” 

such as La Rhune which celebrated its 

90 th anniversary in 2014, the Artouste in 

the Ossau valley, or the incomparable 

Train Jaune - the famous “Canary”: 63 

kilometres and a 1,200-metre ascent, 

passing through the Bolquère station at 

an altitude of 1,592 metres. 

KEY FIGURESS 

Each year, France’s 

mountain regions attract 

€5bn in tourist 

investments. 

These regions welcome 

more than 

30 million hotel 

nights annually, 

including more than 8 million nights 

for foreign visitors. 

To this, one can add 

9.7 million nights 

in open-air 

accommodation 

and 3.7 million international clients 

in mountain B&Bs. 

FUN FOR KIDS AT GRAND-BORNAND 

In the heart of the Massif of Aravis, Haute- 

Savoie, located in le Grand-Bornand, we 

find an authentic mountain village of 400 

century-old chalets located on the great 

Alpine road. In summer, this station hosts 

the traditional “Au Bonheur des Mômes” 

(happiness of the kids) festival, the first 

such cultural event in Europe dedicated to 

young audiences. 

From one edition to another, the festival 

continues its exploration of the fabulous 

creative possibilities on offer for young 

audiences and opens its horizons to other 

artistic disciplines. If this festival is like no 

other, it’s because it ignores prejudices, 

celebrating cultural diversity in all its 

forms while keeping a festive spirit. 

In addition, workshops, exhibitions, 

entertainment, games and children’s 

books are all part of the fun... 6 days of 

amusement for all the family! 

france.fr 


Top French destinations 

DESTINATIONS RELOADED 

The Channel 

Louvre- 

Lens 

(p20) 

Brittany 

(p19) 

Mont 

Saint-Michel 

(p19) 

Normandy 

(p21) 

Loire 

Valley (p20) 

Paris 

(p21) 

Champagne 

(p22) 

The Vosges 

Mountains (p25) 

Burgundy 

(p22) 

The Jura 

(p25) 

The 

Destination 

contracts 

Atlantic Ocean 

The Dordogne 

Bordeaux Valley 

(p23) 

(p24) 

Biarritz 

(p24) 

Pyrénées 

(p27) 

Auvergne 

(P 27) 

Lyon 

(p23) 

Provence 

(p28) 

Mont Blanc 

(p26) 

Alps 

(p26) 

Côte 

d’Azur 

(p28) 

Mediterranean 

Sea 

Corsica 

(p29) 

French 

Guiana 

(p29) 

The islands 

of Guadeloupe 

Martinique 

The island 

of La Réunion 

Tahiti and its 

islands New Caledonia St Martin 

Destinations Reloaded 

With the signing of “destination contracts” 

with the French Government, no less than 

22 internal destinations, covering the 

entire territory, are working towards a 

harmonisation and coordination of efforts in 

order to greatly improve their promotion on 

the world stage. 

Authenticity, discovery and sharing are at 

the heart of this new tourism paradigm that 

will result in a “reloaded” understanding or 

viewpoint of these destinations, covering 

the amazing diversity of their offering with 

a honing of information in such a way that 

travel professionals can “cut through the 

clutter” and get a clear picture of what 

they can sell and how they can sell it. 

Consequently, travellers will be better 

served as their desires will be matched with 

a great deal more precision. 

The following pages are a foretaste. 


Brittany: an Open 

Gate to the Atlantic 

® Kanuman shutterstock 

Spectacular seascapes, 

intimate bays, welcoming 

valleys, spellbinding moors 

and groves, and the sensual 

lines of vast dunes... the 

scenery changes at every 

turn. Here, earth and the 

sea are interwoven, as are 

open spaces and human 

activity, infinity and softness. 

The Breton soul is reflected 

in its contrasts. This wealth, 

which feeds the imagination 

and the local dynamism, is 

carefully protected. 

AN INCREDIBLY 

VARIED COASTLINE 

With a total of 1,772 km 

coastline, Brittany presents 

a remarkable variety of 

seaside landscapes: rocky 

cliffs, sandy or pebble 

beaches, islands, salt 

USPs 

marshes and estuaries. A 

land of myth and folklore, 

this is also a region whose 

forests rustle to legends 

such as King Arthur and the 

Knights of the Round Table 

and Merlin the enchanter. 

From the Emerald Coast 

to the Gulf of Morbihan, 

passing by the fortress city 

of Saint-Malo, the superb 

resort town of Dinard, the 

Aber Ildut, which is the 

dividing line between the 

channel and the Atlantic 

Ocean, the Iroise sea 

and its many islands, the 

Harbour of Brest, the bay 

of Douarnenez, or Carnac 

and its lines of dolmens 

and menhirs… there are 

countless opportunities for 

adventure and discovery. 

• Extremely varied coastal scenery punctuated with 

numerous characteristic ports. 

• A unique climate, tonic effect, the quality of the sea 

water: Brittany is the quintessential rejuvenating 

destination to regain energy and serenity. 

• Countless iconic festivals (Trans Musicales meetings 

in Rennes, Interceltique Festival in Lorient, Festival of 

old ploughs, etc.). 

Rennes (RNS), Nantes (NTE) 

© CRTB -BERTHIER Emmanuel 

Mont-Saint-Michel 

and its Bay: A Unique 

Historic Site and 

Natural Setting 

UNESCO world heritage 

site, Mont-Saint-Michel 

and its Bay enable visitors 

to admire a breath-taking 

maritime landscape. Its 

spring tides hold the 

record in France in terms 

of amplitude, with water 

entering the bay at an 

impressive pace over a 

patchwork of polders and 

mussel farms, allowing the 

mythical architectural work 

to be reflected across the 

immensity of the sea. 

Discovering Mont-Saint- 

Michel and its Bay is an 

exceptional experience, 

as is meeting the locals! 

Visitors can observe 

USPs 

bottlenose dolphins, taste 

the saltmarsh lamb, learn 

to cook on an old sailing 

ship, cross the bay on foot, 

discover old Corsair towns 

such as Saint-Malo and 

Granville, enjoy oysters, 

visit an archipelago such 

as the Chausey Islands, 

make their own shortbread, 

or discover craftworks in 

copper and tin. The visitor 

is invited to live his or her 

own experience. 

With safe, quiet roads 

wending along the 

coastline, crossing wild 

moors skirting pretty 

beaches, Mont-Saint- 

Michel and its Bay are ideal 

for cycling. 

• Site of the biggest spring tides in continental Europe. 

• The Mont-Saint-Michel abbey offers an exceptional 

ensemble of buildings representing different styles 

from the Middle Ages. 

• A paradise for hikers with emblematic routes such as 

the Way of St. James or the customs trail, enabling 

them to discover breath-taking landscapes! 

A 

 

Rennes, Brest or Quimper stations 

Paris (CDG, ORY), Nantes (NTE) 

 

Rennes Station 

france.fr 



Le Louvre-Lens: 

a Crossroads of Time, 

Civilization, Art and 

Culture 

Sound and light show 

at the Royal Château of Blois 

© C. Mouton - CRT Centre-Val de Loire 

A beautiful building in 

the heart of the mining 

basin, the Louvre-Lens (a 

decentralised wing of the 

Paris Museum) has already 

hosted more than two 

million visitors since 2012. 

Built on the site of a former 

mine, the Louvre-Lens 

exposes and explains the 

masterpieces of the past, 

through these treasures 

of humanity that allow one 

to better understand the 

present and to look towards 

the future. 

Cradled in light, the Gallery 

of Time is exhibiting, for 5 

Gallery of Time 

years, the masterpieces of 

the Louvre in the Museum 

of the Louvre-Lens. All 

civilizations and techniques 

are represented, thus 

embracing the chronological 

and geographical extent 

of the collections from 

the Louvre Museum. The 

Gallery of time is organised 

into 3 main periods: 70 

works from antiquity, 45 

from the middle ages and 

90 modern-day works. And 

the Gallery of time changes: 

each anniversary of the 

inauguration of the Museum 

sees a renewal of the works. 

The Loire Valley: 

Cradle of French History 

With its promise of “a trip to France”, 

the Val de Loire is an area that boasts 

many of France’s top assets 

Extending from the Loiret 

to the Loire estuary, 

encompassing the river itself, 

the UNESCO-listed Loire, the 

Royal Loire and its Châteaux, 

are the cradle of France’s 

history, with spectacular 

gardens and vineyards. 

NIGHT-TIME EVENTS AT 

THE LOIRE’S CHÂTEAUX 

At nightfall, the lights of 

the châteaux reflect in 

the Loire, inspiring the 

visitor’s imagination. 

The illuminations vary 

with a dreamlike quality 

from château to château, 

sometimes dancing to the 

narrations of storytellers and 

Renaissance music rhythms. 

Such is the magic of the 

sound and light shows staged 

at the Royal Château of Blois 

and Château of Amboise. 

These shows provide a fresh 

aspect to the scheduled 

night visits under the stars, 

such as the Chaumont-sur- 

Loire International Garden 

Festival, the Chenonceau 

night-time walk or the “Night 

of a Thousand Lights” in 

Villandry. 

USPs 

• Exhibition of masterpieces from the Louvre, works 

of antiquity, the middle ages and the modern era in 

a single space. 

• The historical mining center of Lewarde enables 

one to better understand the mine, its miners, its 

camps, its slag heaps, and its generations who worked 

underground. 

• Local trends: Michelin star chefs, award-winning 

beers, ripened cheeses... the surroundings of the 

Louvre-Lens museum offer a swathe of gastronomic 

experiences. 

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• 21 châteaux qualified as “Grands Sites du Val de 

Loire”. 

• “La Loire à vélo”: an immense 800-kilometre cycle 

tourism route. 

• The Loire Valley vineyards: 50 appellations, 

thousands of producers, the greatest diversity of wines 

in the world 

(CDG, ORY), Nantes (NTE), Tours (TUF) 

Lille (LIL), Paris (CDG, ORY) 

Paris 

 

Lens Station 

 

Orléans or Tours Station 


The Normandy-Paris 

Region: the Geographic 

Heart Of Impressionism 

Paris: 

The Extended City 

Gazing at the same 

sights that inspired the 

impressionists can be a 

wonderful basis for touring 

the Normandy-Paris region. 

The Impressionists 

revolutionised art in the 

19th century and today 

their works rank among 

the world’s most popular 

cultural references. These 

“realist” artists abandoned 

their studios to work 

outside. They moved to 

Barbizon in the forest of 

Fontainebleau, and gathered 

in Honfleur and the resorts 

of the Alabaster coast and 

the ‘Cote Fleurie’. Using 

the railway or sailing 

along the river Seine, the 

impressionists found new 

subjects in Paris, Ile-de- 

France and in Normandy. 

This vast area still bears the 

imprint of the key players: 

Claude Monet, Auguste 

Renoir, Edgar Degas, 

Alfred Sisley, Vincent van 

Gogh, Eugène Boudin, 

Gustave Caillebotte, Berthe 

Morisot... 

The story of the 

impressionists opens the 

way for new discoveries 

and experiences: the places 

where they lived, today open 

to the public, paintings 

famous throughout the 

world exhibited in museums 

with outstanding collections, 

festivals and prestigious 

temporary exhibitions. 

Impressionists’ island, Chatou 

© D.Blondin - CRT Paris Ile-de-France 

Paris lives, Paris moves, 

Paris abounds: new trends 

appear and push back the 

limits of the city. In this new 

dynamic, many professionals 

offer original, innovative and 

unique tours and activities. 

DISCOVER THE LESSER- 

KNOWN PARIS! 

Cosmopolitan Paris - a 

melting pot of communities: 

stroll through the colourful 

avenues of the Asian, African 

or Indian neighbourhoods, 

for shopping, tastings and 

activities. 

Artistic Paris - the discovery 

of street art, architecture, 

and contemporary art: 

Vitry-sur-Seine in Saint- 

Denis, from 10th to the 18th 

districts, on foot or by bike! 

Just as original: marvelling 

over the 30’s architecture 

of Boulogne-Billancourt, 

or the ultra-modern 

skyscrapers of La Défense. 

Essential: guided visits of the 

contemporary art galleries 

and artists’ studios, from 

Pantin to Fontenay-sous- 

Bois. 

Festive Paris - by day and by 

night: from jovial guinguettes 

to throbbing electro festivals, 

from the vaulted cellars to 

the trendiest rooftops, Paris 

never stops dancing! 

© Paris Ville Augmentées 

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• At the same time follow in the impressionists’ 

footsteps, and contemplate their works in exceptional 

museums. 

• Organised routes are visual reproductions of the 

paintings in the very places where the artists once 

placed their easels… 

• A particularly powerful cultural experience. 

• Tree-lined, flowering escapades in places that are part 

of the city’s heritage: the gardens and parks of Paris 

provide greenery, coolness and outdoor entertainment. 

• Underground Paris, haunted Paris, its secret 

alleyways, its unexpected vines: the city reveals its 

mysteries to the delight of the curious visitor. 

• City of music on Seguin Island (opening spring 

2017): the “musical Seine” will be available for the 

organisation of concerts and events: a musical set 

with a total surface close to 38,000m² 

Paris (CDG, ORY), Rouen (URO) 

 

Rouen, Le Havre and Caen stations 

 

Paris (CDG, ORY) 

6 main stations (Lyon, Nord, Saint-Lazare, Est, 

Montparnasse, Austerlitz) 

france.fr 



Moulin de Verzenay 

Champagne: a Land 

of Effervescence 

and Authenticity 

© F. Canon 

Burgundy: where 

Water and Wine 

Flow From the 

Source 

© © Alain Doire - Bourgogne Franche-Comté Tourisme 

The vineyards, houses 

and cellars of Champagne 

are registered on the 

UNESCO world heritage 

list in the category “cultural 

landscapes”. Three 

constituent parts which 

embody the “terroir” of 

Champagne and combine 

the functions of living 

environment, working 

environment and a showcase 

of traditional know-how. They 

are at the heart of creation 

of the ultimate reference in 

effervescent wine making 

methods. A product of 

excellence, Champagne is 

recognised as the universal 

symbol of celebration, 

reconciliation or partying. 

MEANDERING BETWEEN VINEYARDS 

AND HILLSIDES, THE CHAMPAGNE TOURIST ROUTE 

To discover the wines of 

Champagne, there’s nothing 

better than to follow the 

tourist route of Champagne 

that stretches for about 700 

kilometres in the Marne, the 

Aubre and the Aisne with 

about 80 reception points. 

Champagne offers 8 wellsignposted 

circuits that 

lead to some magnificent 

viewpoints of authentic 

villages, old monasteries 

and imposing castles and 

churches. And to understand 

what makes this unique 

brew, there’s nothing like 

opening the cellar doors to 

meet the winemakers and 

share their passion. 

The 1,247 “Climats” of the 

Burgundy wine growing 

region (including Montrachet, 

Romaneée-Conti, Clos de 

Vougeot, Corton, Musigny, 

Chambertin) are classified on 

the UNESCO World Heritage 

list. Only in Burgundy, and 

nowhere else on earth, has 

the desire to connect wine 

with the land that produces 

it been taken so far, and in 

such a refined fashion. Not 

to mention the exceptional 

architectural heritage that 

lies within the wine growing 

region, in towns such as 

Dijon and Beaune. 

THE CANALS OF BURGUNDY 

With over 1,000 km of 

navigable waterways, 

Burgundy is also the ideal 

region for boating. 

The “Canal de Bourgogne” 

is the best known of the 

Burgundy canals. It is also 

the longest (242 km) and 

bears the greatest number 

of locks (189). The Yonne 

River runs through several 

Burgundy towns of great 

interest. The Canal du 

Nivernais links the Seine 

river basin to that of the Loire 

over a 174-km stretch dotted 

with 110 locks. The “Canal 

du Centre” links the Saône 

valley to that of the Loire. 

Its 112-km stretch is dotted 

with 61 locks and runs along 

several not-to-be-missed 

sites. 

USPs 

• Nearly 500 champagne makers, labelled “Vineyards 

and discoveries”, offer carefully selected services 

and benefits. 

• 700 kilometres of signposted tourist routes 

• 2,000 kilometres of signposted hiking routes 

and more than 100 hiking circuit. 

Paris (CDG, ORY), Reims (RHE) 

USPs 

• Five “Routes des Vins” dotted with wine cellars, 

restaurants and sites dedicated to vineyards. 

• Canals offer a different way to discover Burgundy, at a 

slower pace and enjoying its many attractions. 

• Different ways of discovering Burgundy by water: 

houseboats, barge hotels, cruise ships, boat tours. 

 

Châlons-en-Champagne, Reims and Champagne-Ardenne 

TGV Stations 

Paris (CDG/ORY), Lyon (LYS) 

Creusot TGV Station 


City of Wine 

© Casson Mann 

Lyon: the Capital 

of Gastronomy 

Bordeaux: 

between Vineyards 

and Ocean 

Bordeaux, capital of 

southwestern France, 

is distinguished by its 

exceptional eighteenth 

century architecture, 

earning it, 200 years ago 

already, the nickname of 

“little Paris” and, more 

recently, its inclusion on 

UNESCO’s world heritage 

listing. Its recent urban 

developments make it a 

city where life is pleasant, 

where gastronomy, culture 

and shopping are celebrated 

in style. The gateway to the 

most prestigious vineyards 

of fine wines of the world, 

the long beaches of the 

Atlantic and the Valley of 

the Dordogne, Bordeaux 

is much more than a city. 

It is a cradle of humanity. 

Many discovery tours and 

gourmet walks are offered 

to taste the local products, 

particularly the wines. 

Since June, 2016, Bordeaux 

has boasted a contemporary 

monument perfectly 

illustrating the image of 

a city dedicated to the 

precious nectar: the “City 

of Wine”. A living centre 

of sensory experiences 

revolving around wine, this 

site dedicated to the nectar 

as living heritage offers a 

global approach to wine 

cultures in their universal, 

cultural and symbolic 

dimensions. 

In the 17 th century, Lyon’s 

cuisine was a family affair: 

modest “home style” cooks 

offering a simple and 

generous cuisine. Their “bas 

morceaux” remain today 

one of the traditional dishes 

of food lovers who frequent 

the famous “Bouchons” of 

Lyon. Thus, Curnonsky, “the 

Prince of gastronomes”, 

stated already in the 19th 

century, “Lyon is the capital 

of gastronomy”. 

Today, the tradition of the 

“Bouchons” is perpetuated 

by a new crop of Lyon 

chefs who cultivate the 

same values: conviviality, 

simplicity, generosity, 

and the flavours of fresh 

produce. Lyon also owes 

much to Paul Bocuse, 

Chef among the Chefs, 

whose cuisine is highly 

reputed – having been 

crowned for 50 years with 

3 Michelin stars. 

VISIT “THE SECRETS 

OF LYONNAISE CUISINE” 

From the “mâchon des 

Canuts” to the “gamelles 

des mères”, this guided tour 

through the streets of the old 

Lyon and its river peninsula 

reveals the secrets of 

heritage and gastronomy 

in Lyon. On the programme 

are chefs’ anecdotes, going 

backstage at a traditional 

Bouchon, and – of course 

some tasting! 

USPs 

• Bordeaux Fête le Vin: the #1 wine tourism event in 

Europe... an exceptional programme that includes a 

bunch of simultaneous festivals! 

• The wine route - comprising Bordeaux, Bergerac and 

Armagnac. 

• Médoc Ocean (Lacanau, Carcans & Hourtin): 

50 km of ocean beaches and two lakes, as well as 

more than 120 km of cycle tracks.. 

USPs 

• An exceptional offer with more than 


• The label “Les Bouchons Lyonnais”, guarantees 

respect for the products, recipes, the specificity 

of the Lyon cuisine, atmosphere and hospitality 

• The international city of gastronomy 

(opening early 2019). 

Bordeaux (BOD) Bordeaux-Saint-Jean Station Lyon (LYS) Lyon-Perrache Station 

france.fr 



The Dordogne: 

a Shared Heritage - 

Accumulated over the 

Millenia 

Moliets 

®cdtLandes_BDugros 

Lascaux cave 

© Denis Nidos 

Biarritz: 

the Golfer’s 

Paradise 

The Dordogne Valley covers 

a vast area in the southwest 

of France, beginning in the 

mountains of the Massif 

Central and ending in the 

plains to the east, near 

Bordeaux. 

It’s an area to which time 

has been kind; rich in scenic, 

architectural, historic, 

cultural and gastronomic 

traditions and heritage. 

CAVES AND CHASMS, 

ENTERING THE 

UNDERWORLD 

The great beauty of the 

Dordogne Valley is not only 

to be found above ground 

in its rolling hills, dramatic 

gorges, fertile dells and 

unspoilt landscapes, but 

also underground, where the 

limestone geology has led to 

the formation of magnificent 

caves over millions of years. 

The Lascaux cave at 

Montignac, named as a 

UNESCO World Heritage site 

in 1979 is home to some of 

the great masterpieces of 

prehistoric art. The newly 

opened Montignac-Lascaux 

International Parietal Art 

Centre (CIAP) contains a 

reproduction of almost the 

entire original cave created 

using the most up-todate 

virtual and imagery 

technology. 

In the golfing world, Biarritz 

holds a special place. 

Recognised as an 

outstanding international 

golf destination, the regions 

surrounding Biarritz – the 

Basque Country and the 

Landes – nestled between 

ocean and mountains, 

attract golfers from around 

the world. From Biarritz to 

Moliets, Saint-Jean-de-Luz 

to Pau, in the south of the 

South-West, 16 golf courses 

are less than an hour’s drive 

from Biarritz. 

Biarritz has a long history 

with golfing – the Golf du 

Phare was created in 1888 

and has always been a golf 

destination highly prized by 

enthusiasts of this sport. 

Moreover, the Pau Golf Club 

was the first course to have 

been designed in continental 

Europe in 1856. 

Depending on one’s wishes, 

shape or level, a course 

can be chosen with sea or 

mountain view, in the heart 

of the city or among the 

pines, gently hilly o 

USPs 

• A Rich Past: With a history going back several 

millennia, the Dordogne Valley offers a veritable 

journey through the ages, from its prehistoric caves to 

its medieval castles. 

• The Most Beautiful Villages of France: the Dordogne 

Valley is home to an enchanting variety of picturesque 

villages that have kept their authentic French country 

charm. 

• The beautiful “GR” (Grand Randonnée) walking trails 

and the St. James Way converge towards Rocamadour. 

USPs 

• The golf courses of Chiberta, Seignosse, Hossegor, 

Moliets, Biarritz le Phare, Arcangues and Chantaco 

are ranked in the top 10 South-West golf courses by 

the 2016 edition of Fairways magazine. 

• The new “Golf Pass Biarritz Destination” lets one play 

two to eight courses at amazing prices. 

• The various workstations of the International Training 

Centre and Golf of Ilbarritz allow complete training 

according to one’s strengths or weaknesses.. 

Bordeaux (BOD) 

 

Brive, Figeac, Souillac, Gourdon and Cahors Stations 

Biarritz (BIQ), Bordeaux (BOD) 

 

Biarritz, Dax and Bayonne Stations 


The Jura: 

the Different Face 

of the Mountains 

© INFRA ADT BAS-RHIN MASSIF DES VOSGES - DFA7425 

The Vosges Mountains: 

Nature in All its Glory 

Along the French-Swiss 

border, the Jura mountains 

offer visitors a relaxing 

break with the discovery 

of nature’s secrets via 

a number of activities. 

With majestic and varied 

landscapes, the quiet of 

the mountain here takes on 

its true sense. Preserved, 

almost always wild, rich 

with an exceptional flora and 

wildlife, the Jura offers an 

ideal destination to admire 

and contemplate nature 

in all its forms; offering 

sensations of freedom of 

movement for the clientele 

accustomed to an urbanised 

environment. 

USPs 

THE MOUNTAINS OF THE 

JURA, NORDIC BY NATURE 

In winter, snow covered 

slopes and plateaus here 

create one of the largest 

Nordic areas of Europe, 

composed of wide open 

spaces, of ski stations 

(Métabief, Les Rousses, 

Mont-Jura) and village 

resorts. 

Travelling solo, duo or 

as a tribe, one can skate, 

snowshoe, try ski jumping 

or a biathlon for the more 

energetic, or meet with the 

sled dogs, to live a unique 

experience. 

• A nature preserved from major tourist flows 

• Numerous lakes streams and rivers that make the 

region a paradise for fishing, but also for gastronomy. 

• The “Great crossing of the Jura”, for lovers of the 

great outdoors: hiking (400 km), cross-country skiing 

(175 km), on rackets (135 km), mountain bike (380 

km), road bike (360 km) or on horseback (over 500 

km). 

The Massif des Vosges is 

a territory that’s unique in 

its genre, with its unspoilt 

nature, peatlands, and 

original wildlife such as 

the lynx, chamois or the 

grouse, in deep forests of 

conifers, without forgetting 

its inhabitants, generous 

and hospitable by nature. 

The Vosges region has 

demonstrated resistance 

to all adversities: climate, 

history and the passage 

of time. It offers a host of 

activities and discoveries 

on the themes of simplicity, 

authenticity and sharing. 

20,000 KM OF WELL-MAINTAINED AND SIGNPOSTED 

TRAILS CRISSCROSS THE MASSIF 

A map of the “Massif des 

Vosges” resembles an 

adventure book where 

anything is possible. 

Walking or riding, alone or 

with family, in expert version 

or in discovery mode, over 

short or long distances, on a 

day trip or for several days, 

USPs 

for wine-tasting, relaxation 

or exploration… or even 

just botanical discovery... In 

addition to the pleasures of 

hiking are more hedonistic 

pleasures such as gourmet 

stops in cottages, huts, 

guesthouses, hotels or 

farm-hostels... 

• An accessible and authentic mountain region which 

generously offers itself to all lovers of walking or 

cycling, regardless of their levels. 

• Castles, parks and gardens: the numerous mediaeval 

castles provide splendid viewpoints over the valleys. 

And parks, arboretums and gardens are scattered 

throughout the mountains like so many colourful 

Gardens of Eden. 

• The myriad establishments of every shape and size will 

welcome you for succulent, simple fare or fine dining. 

Lyon (LYS), 

Dole (DLE) 

Train stations of Besançon TGV 

or Lons-le-Saunier 

 

Strasbourg (SXB) 

 

Epinal or Saint-Dié-des 

-Vosges Station 

france.fr 



Crossing 

The Alps 

© GTA MYA 

Major routes through 

the Alps allow visitors to 

discover this fabulous area 

regardless of the preferred 

travel mode: walking on 

the GR5, the great alpine 

hiking trail, or on the Via 

Alpina; on a bike, for an 

epic adventure through 

the passes of the Tour de 

France following La Route 

des Grandes Alpes or a 

more hedonistic route over 

the Lavender route; on a 

mountain bike on Chemin 

du Soleil and its 1,000 km 

of mountain bike trails or 

on special route suitable 

for electric bikes. 

USPs 

LA ROUTE DES GRANDES 

ALPES, A PRESTIGIOUS 

TOURIST ITINERARY 

Fully open from June to 

October, La Route des 

Grandes Alpes is the most 

beautiful mountain road 

charges available to drivers, 

motorcyclists and cyclists. 

From the banks of Lake 

Léman to the shores of 

the Mediterranean Sea, 

this incredible tourist road 

invites one to travel through 

territories of exceptional 

natural and cultural 

heritage. Following these 

winding roads, the visitor 

will find breath-taking 

landscapes at altitude, and 

cultural and local specialties 

in the valleys. 

• Meeting and sharing experiences with other travellers 

and local inhabitants. 

• The possibility to modulate one’s circuit à la carte, in 

linear or looped format. 

• Services adapted to travellers: types of 

accommodation, price levels, meals, assistance... 

depending on activities and budgets. 

Lyon (LYS), Grenoble (GNB) 

Thonon-les-Bains St. 

Mont Blanc: 

the “Roof” of 

Europe… and Summit 

of French Tourism 

With majestic nature and a 

territory of discoveries and 

adventures, Mont Blanc is 

more than the summit of 

France and the highest point 

in Europe: it is quite simply 

legendary. 

A tourist destination par 

excellence, Mont Blanc and 

its 14 municipalities and 

resorts draw their potential 

from their multiple, common 

and shared richness in 

terms of tourism: natural 

and architectural heritage, 

traditional know-how, 

gastronomy and local 

products, cultural life, 

winter and summer sports, 

hiking, shopping, events, 

with a strong appeal right 

throughout the year. 

USPs 

• Key attractions: outstanding sites 

offering unique experiences. 

• Open-air sports and leisure 

activities throughout the year. 

• Heritage and culture: local men 

and women to explain, guide, 

and reveal all the riches of their 

heritage. 

Discover, after 20 minutes 

of ascent, the Summit of the 

Aiguille du Midi, more than 

3,800 m above sea level. 

The more adventurous can 

try the unique experience 

of the “Pas dans le Vide”, 

inaugurated in December 

2013. 

The Destination Mont Blanc, 

it’s also the little red rack 

railway that leads to the 

Sea of Ice or the Brevent 

cable car, at 2,500 m 

altitude, which allows one to 

observe Chamonix and the 

mountains. 

By joining the Megeve 

altiport, one can also soar 

over this land of peaks, 

needles and domes with a 

small plane. 

 

Lyon (LYS), 

Grenoble 

(GNB) 

 

Chamonix 

Station 


Auvergne: 

Nature At Its Most 

Impressive 

Auvergne’s volcanoes: sleeping 

giants in the heart of France 

The Chaîne des Puys is a 

volcanic area stretching 

out for more than 30 

km and located in the 

centre of Europe’s largest 

regional nature park: the 

Parc Naturel des Volcans 

d’Auvergne (the Auvergne 

Volcanoes Nature Park). 

There’s nothing more 

relaxing than hiking or 

simply strolling freely 

through this marvellous 

open, natural area. 

One of Auvergne’s most 

famous volcanoes, the 

Puy de Dôme, offers an 

unbeatable view across the 

Chaîne des Puys and the 

surrounding landscapes. 

In the heart of the Auvergne 

Volcanoes Park, Vulcania 

is a theme park where 

children and adults can 

learn about earth sciences 

in a fun and interactive 

environment. Attractions 

include “5D” films, motion 

platforms, interactive 

exhibitions and Le Ballon 

des Puys, a tethered helium 

balloon offering a 150m high 

view of the Chaîne des Puys. 

Vulcania is the front door to 

discover the volcanoes of 

Auvergne, according to the 

Lonely Planet guide. 

® Gérard Fayet 

4 Seasons 

In The 

Pyrénées 

The wintry charms of the 

Pyrénées and its 38 ski 

resorts are well-known. 

A huge variety of activities 

is available, from skiing 

or snowboarding in the 

different resorts, to climbing 

icy waterfalls for the more 

adventurous, paragliding, 

snowshoeing, and even 

family sleigh outings. 

Summer is also renowned 

for the many walking trails 

which are among France’s 

most popular. But the 

Pyrenean year is more than 

just these two star seasons. 

In the spring, when the 

melted ice reinvigorates 

the waterways, the 

Pyrénées turns into a trout 

fisherman’s paradise. 

And don’t miss the 

beginning of autumn 

adorned with red garlands 

for the Indian summer, 

like nothing you’ve ever 

seen before – the blessed 

season for mushrooms. 

Autumn is also a rare time 

for communion with nature, 

when you can hear the 

stag bell in the Louron or 

Barousse valley, and catch 

sight of herds of doe. 

© Pyrénées / A. Molteni 

USPs 

• The “Panoramique des Dômes”, a train with 

panoramic windows providing amazing views of the 80 

volcanoes of Auvergne. 

• The natural lakes in the craters are “must-see” 

natural features. 

•The natural site of the Volvic Impluvium (where the 

region’s famous mineral water takes its source) offers 

hikes and summer activities for the whole family. 

USPs 

• Variety: the soul, nature, culture, sharing of ways of 

life, breath-taking landscapes, stories to tell. 

• Unity: link between Mediterranean, Atlantic, France 

and Spain: a unity of places and a meeting of peoples. 

• Nature: the mountain is a source of vitality and wellbeing 

(preserved nature, clean air, spring water, natural 

lifestyle, healthy foods). 

 

Lyon (LYS), 

 

Clermont Ferrand (CFE) 

Montluçon, 

Clermont-Ferrand 

 

Tarbes-Lourdes (LDE), 

Toulouse (TLS) 

Pau or Perpignan Stations 

france.fr 



“Art de Vivre” 

Provence Style 

Menton Lemon Festival 

Les Baux de 

Provence 

© C. Chillio - CRT PACA 

Pride... In Provence, it’s 

definitely not a sin… and with 

good reason: surrounded 

by the Mediterranean Sea, 

the Alps and the Rhône, 

Provence is a region 

full of sunshine, mild 

temperatures and generous 

lands. 

Many renowned 

personalities have been 

seduced by this region, not 

to mention artists like Van 

Gogh, Cézanne and Picasso. 

The visitor can walk in 

their footsteps in Aix-en- 

Provence, in Arles, or in the 

back country, taking a path 

of heritage from antiquity to 

modern times. 

Olive oil, truffles, and 

prestigious wines such 

as Chateauneuf-du-Pape, 

Côtes du Rhone or Côtes de 

Provence are also treasures 

of the Region. 

The sun shines on average 

300 days a year here, 

reflected in the colorful 

and fragrant dishes of 

Provence: an authentic 

and multicultural cuisine. 

Crossroads of Europe 

and the Mediterranean, a 

mixture of genres is found 

in the Provençale cuisine 

with flavors of East and 

West marrying happily. 

White, rosé and red wines 

add to the conviviality, giving 

a taste of the sweetness of 

life that reigns here. 

The Côte d’Azur: 

Event Central! 

The Nice Carnival, the 

Menton Lemon Festival, 

the Cannes Film Festival, 

MIPTV and MIPCOM, the 

Roc d’Azur cycling event in 

Fréjus, the Nice-Cannes 

Marathon the World 

Cardiology Congress or 

Jazz in Juan are just a 

few examples of the 6,000 

events each year on the 

Côte d’Azur centred on 

culture, sport and business 

tourism, making this 

destination the largest open 

air theatre in Europe. 

In order to accompany the 

best tourists, destination 

Côte d’Azur has created 

a website specifically for 

travel professionals -- 

www.cotedazur-stays.com 

-- to directly connecting 

the major events of the 

region to a responsive 

accommodation offer. 

This site aggregates “stays 

& internships” around 

major sporting and cultural 

events of the Côte d’Azur. 

When it comes to sport, the 

site has a double vocation 

- events and «affinity» (i.e. 

cycling / mountain bike / 

trail / running / triathlon / 

training, etc). 

USPs 

• A wealth of architectural heritage, cities of exception, 

a rich cultural offering 

• Provençale cuisine, with unique flavors: simple and 

healthy 

• A rich and diverse offering of nature, leisure and 

sporting activities 

USPs 

• Almost 100 sporting event offers around 30 events. 

• 30 cultural event offerings + 20 “garden” offers: stays 

exclusively garden oriented, culture and gardens, 

regional & cross-border tours. 

• A catalogue presenting all new sports stays 

associated with Riviera events in a B-to-B-to-C logic 

will be unveiled early March 2017. 

Marseille (MRS) 

 

Marseille Saint-Charles Station, 

Aix-en-Provence or Avignon TGV 

Stations 

Nice (NCE) 

 

Cannes, Antibes & Nice Stations 


Corsica: Rendez-vous 

in Terra Nostra 

No-one can deny that 

Corsica is the greenest, 

most spectacular, most 

varied and most beautiful 

of all the Mediterranean 

islands. From north 

to south, east to west 

and from the sea to the 

mountains, the visitor is 

taken aback by the island’s 

varied landscapes, with 

smart coastal towns 

contrasting with secluded 

inland villages on this 

hugely diverse island. 

The many sites and 

monuments dotted all 

over Corsica bear witness 

to the island’s history and 

vibrant, open culture, which 

is supported by centuries 

of tradition and kept alive 

by the island’s sense of 

identity expressed through 

song, music and local arts 

and crafts. 

A PARADISE FOR 

OUTDOOR ACTIVITY 

LOVERS 

Whether hiking along 

some of the most beautiful 

footpaths in the world, 

mountain biking through 

unspoilt forests, horse 

riding on some of the 

island’s 2,000 kilometres 

of bridle paths, or scubadiving 

in coral reefs, the 

visitor will soon realise 

that Corsica is the perfect 

playground for adventurers 

and sports enthusiasts of 

all levels. Above all, Corsica 

has unique landscapes 

waiting to be discovered – 

a single region boasting a 

multitude of treasures. 

© Atout France - Emmanuel Valentin 

French Guiana: 

Ecotourism Paradise 

By unrolling the green 

carpet of its Amazon 

rainforest (8 million 

hectares) on 90% of the 

territory, French Guiana 

reserves its charms and 

mysteries for those who 

take the time to discover it 

in the only traditional way: 

the waterways. 

Crisscrossed in every 

direction by rivers large 

and small, this destination 

offers soft adventure 

accessible to all lovers 

of nature and authentic 

encounters. Visitors can 

glide along the Maroni 

River in a dugout canoe, 

discovering the pleasures 

of sharing the culture and 

way of life of the peoples 

of the river - Amerindian or 

bushinenge ethnic groups. 

Days punctuated by the 

river flow thus offer a whole 

different set of emotions, 

strong images and silent 

immensity. 

In addition to its rivers, 

Guiana has surprises with 

its many nature reserves 

such as the swamps of Kaw 

which spread on nearly 

100,000 hectares. 

This paradise of grass and 

water that crosses the 

Kaw River, with a mountain 

backdrop, is the realm of 

3 species of caimans and 

countless birds, including 

the Great Egret, Cocoi 

Heron, Black Jacana or the 

Hoatzin. 

© Artur Warchavchik 

USPs 

• High-quality tourism based on excellent 

accommodation and infrastructure. 

• The “Corsica Made” label promotes Corsican identity 

through food, culture, heritage and the island’s way of 

life. 

• An accessible destination throughout the year thanks 

to direct flights from 33 cities in France and 36 cities 

around Europe. 

Ajaccio (AJA), Bastia (BIA), Calvi (CLY) 

Ajaccio, Bastia, Bonifacio, L’Île Rousse, Porto Vecchio, 

Propriano 

USPs 

• An exciting place for the observation of nature, easily 

accessible with commentary by fauna and flora experts. 

• History: memories of a penal colony, whose classified 

vestiges can be visited on St. Lawrence or the Salvation 

islands off the coast of Kourou. 

• Thrills guaranteed with an invitation to experience the 

launch of an Ariane rocket! 

Cayenne (CAY) 

france.fr 


OVERSEAS TERRITORIES 

© Atout France - Eric Larrayadieu 

France’s Overseas Territories: 

a Foretaste of Paradise! 

Do you know that France has twelve 

overseas islands and territories in the 

world’s most beautiful places? They are 

home to 80% of France’s biodiversity, 

with breath-taking landscapes, a crossbred 

historical and cultural legacy with 

American, African, Indian and Kanak 

origins... and world-renowned savoirfaire 

as in the case of the Pearls of Tahiti, 

Martinique rum, vanilla from Reunion 

Island. With their tropical or subtropical 

climates, these exotic destinations are 

ideal when winter arrives in Europe. 

THE CARIBBEAN 

7,000 km to the west of the European 

continent, we find the French West 

Indies - Saint-Martin, the islands of 

Guadeloupe, Martinique - great “get 

away” destinations in which to relax. On 

the islands of Guadeloupe or Martinique, 

the richness of the marine natural parks 

and rainforests makes these islands a 

destination of choice for a diving holiday 

or hiking. Saint-Martin offers beautiful 

pristine beaches and shopping lovers 

won’t be disappointed. Creole culture 

prevails, with a true festive spirit! 

INDIAN OCEAN 

9,345 km from Paris, Reunion Island – 

an overseas “department” – combines 

the exoticism of a distant destination 

with the safety of a French region. For 

holiday makers looking for the outof-the-ordinary, 

exchanges, emotions 

and sensations, the Reunion is truly 

enchanting. 

PACIFIC OCEAN: NEW CALEDONIA, 

TAHITI AND ITS ISLANDS 

France in the heart of the Pacific: these 

beautiful archipelagos will satisfy anyone 

looking for a deserted beach on which to 

spend a romantic holiday, a playground 

for water sports or a place that touches 

and surprises, not forgetting their Pacific 

Island culture and reputed friendliness. 

Fort-de-France (FDF), Point-à-Pitre (PTP), 

Saint-Martin 

(SFG), Saint-Barthélemy (SBH), 

La Réunion (RUN), Papeete (PPT), 

Nouméa (NOU) 

TRANSPORTS 

AIR TRANSPORT 

With nearly 160 airports, 

France is one of the 

champions of Europe, 

counting 1/3 of the total 

number of regional airports 

(460 airports within the EU). 

RAIL TRANSPORT 

The French rail network 

is the largest in Europe 

with 30,000 km of lines 

in metropolitan France. 

Train stations have direct 

relays with regional 

bus companies and 

offer travellers a bike 

rental service through 

its network of certified 

“accueil vélo” partners. In 

addition, the SNCF has, 

over the past few years, 

implemented conventions 

with 30 Airlines, allowing 

people to travel on both 

modes of transport with 

a single ticket, easily 

reaching major regional 

cities. 

BUS TRANSPORT 

Since 2015, regular new interregional 

bus routes have 

been created thanks to the 

liberalisation of transport 

markets. These new offers, 

proposed by transporters such 

as Ouibus, Transdev or Flixbus, 

allow passengers to travel to a 

number of destinations that were 

previously difficult to reach. 


CONCLUSION 

Jean-François 

Pieri 

Managing Director 

Cleverdis 

Increasing Awareness 

of France’s Assets 

By their very essence, our activities as 

a consulting company and suppliers of 

high added-value information (what we 

term “Information Intelligence”), brings 

us to study, analyse, comprehend and 

then put into perspective information 

that can facilitate the work of 

professionals from around the world 

for whom we work. 

Our publications aim to be veritable 

communication platforms on a global 

level between the different actors of 

the ecosystem of travel, tourism and 

hospitality, and to achieve this, we 

are constantly listening with great 

attention to the needs and initiatives 

of those operating on all fronts. This 

unique position on a global level allows 

us to assess the relevance of each tool 

or initiative with regard to the identified 

needs. 

We had followed with interest the 

creation and then implementing the 

Poles of Excellence and the Destination 

Contracts by Atout France. These two 

concurrent initiatives respond to a 

real need on the part of the market to 

increase awareness of the assets of 

France as a whole and to discover new 

destinations within France itself. 

We are therefore particularly pleased 

to have been able to participate in 

fostering a better knowledge of these 

factors and to present them according 

to a methodology that is ours, in the 

form of a real decision making tool, 

brief but comprehensive, highlighting 

clear USPs and Key Figures. 

Thanks very much to all those who 

have helped us achieve this work 

- in particular Atout France and 

the different players from these 

destinations who can look forward to 

strong tourism development. We also 

thank the Travel Advisors who shared 

with us their feelings towards these 

new tools. 

france.fr

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