For many years, France has held a title that other nations surely covet – the world's most-visited country. Why is France such a popular travel destination? Clearly, many factors are at play, but travel experts say that France seems to have the ideal combination of geographic accessibility, variety, natural beauty, a relatively compact size, and a hard-to-beat reputation for romance, history, fashion, food, art, and culture in general. With 90 million international visitors traveling there in 2019 alone, there are clearly plenty of reasons why travelers choose France.
Compared to larger, less-connected destinations, France is easily navigated and convenient for transport links. Eight countries share a border with mainland France. Thanks to high-speed regional train lines and inexpensive flights within Europe, visitors can explore a vast amount of the country in a short period of time.
France is known for its exquisite cuisine, art, and architecture. Paris is a starting point for many visits, with landmarks such as the Louvre, Notre-Dame, and the Eiffel Tower. Beyond the capital, nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts have plenty to do, given France's diverse landscapes. Rugged cliffs, white sandy beaches, and turquoise waters line the northwest coastline; the western and southern shores contain gorgeous islands, while the Alps lie to the east. With mainland France home to 40 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, such as the Palace of Versailles outside of Paris, you’re sure to find beauty wherever you look.
Nous allons en France!
- France is the birthplace of artists such as Claude Monet, Henri Matisse, and Paul Cézanne.
- The majority of businesses in France are small or medium-sized. In fact, 99.9% have fewer than 250 employees.
- According to the World Tourism Organization, Spain ranks second on the list of most-visited countries. In 2019, Spain had 83.5 million visitors. The United States ranks third, at 79.3 million visitors per year.