International tourism in France in 2007

France remained the world’s number one tourist destination in 2007, as 82 million international visitors travelled to the country last year, according to the latest statistics provided by the French government and the World Tourism Organization. 68 million holidayed in France, still more (by 8 million) than in Spain – the second tourist destination in the world. This is up 4% on the previous year.

72% of international visitors come to France for pleasure – holiday, leisure, cultural tourism, shopping, visting friends, etc. – mainly in spring and summer, whereas only 11% of international visitors visit the country for business, mainly in winter. The further they come from, the longer they stay, especially in the summer.

87% of visitors are European, mainly from neighbouring countries such as Britain, Belgium and Germany. Britons top the list: 15 millions of them visited France in 2007, a 7% rise compared with 2006 (see chart below). However, tourism from countries outside Europe is also on the up, with many visitors from the United States, Japan and the Middle East.


Skiing in the Alps or the Pyrenees © MAE - F. de La Mure
Sailing - port de La Rochelle (Poitou-Charentes) © MAE - Y-J. Chen

80% of tourists gave specific reasons for their French holiday. Sport, cultural tourism, shopping and theme parks were the favourites. Britons and Americans particularly enjoy winter sports in France.


Monet Claude : Maisons du parlement, Londres (1904) - © Adagp, Paris 2007
Edgar Degas : L’étoile - ou Danseuse sur scène, vers 1876-1877 (RF 12258), Pastel sur papier, Paris, musée d’Orsay, legs de Gustave Caillebotte

These good figures have been welcomed by Hervé Novelli, the French Minister of State for tourism, who is “very proud and pleased with France’s excellent results”, especially with “the admirable work of tourism professionals who make the most of the diversity and richness of what France has to offer her visitors, ranging from beaches to mountains and culture to food and wine”.

Visitors to France in 2007 according to their country of origin

Source: “enquête sur les visiteurs de l’étranger 2007” – Direction du Tourisme, TNS-Sofres