International travelers may prioritize visits to the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre when visiting France.
But the French population has other ideas.
Border restrictions during the pandemic have largely given locals a chance to explore their country without foreign tourists, which in 2019 numbered nearly 90 million.
The French did not miss the opportunity. More than two-thirds of the French population traveled in 2021, with 84% of the French capital’s residents choosing to stay within the country, according to French tourism marketing research firm Raffour Interactif.
Top Destinations
With the growing desire for nature and outdoor activities during the pandemic, several regions have emerged as major destinations among domestic travelers, said Maud Bailly, CEO of Southern Europe for multinational hospitality company Accor, which owns more than 1,600 hotels in France.
Local travelers were drawn to the coasts of Brittany – or Brittany in French – because of the “sea” [and] View the landscape.” The northwest province is home to charming coastal towns, such as Cancale and the walled port city of Saint-Malo, which are famous for their gastronomy and history.
Where do the French travel in France?
region | Region | for |
---|---|---|
Brittany | Saint Malo, Cancale, Quiberon | Gastronomy, wide open spaces |
Nouvelle Aquitaine | Biarritz | Seaside resorts, Basque culture |
Cote d’Azur (French Riviera) | Cannes, Nice | Nature, outdoor experiences, active vacations |
burgundy | Dijon, Bonn, Macon | Gastronomy and wine |
Source: Accor |
source: Accor
On the south side of the country, the famous French Riviera – particularly the elegant coastal areas near Cannes and Nice – have attracted local visitors for the same reasons.
While the Covid virus has hit tourism in French Polynesia, some islands close to the mainland have attracted many local tourists, Bailey said. Ile de Re, off the west coast of France, did well due to its proximity to Paris — less than a five-hour drive, she said — while visitors also went to the “famous and very beautiful” island of Belle Ile in the north, as well as Corsica in the south.
“When people go to Corsica…they text me [saying] “There is no point in going to the Maldives because the water looks the same,” she said. She spoke to CNBC from Molitor Paris-MGallery where, she said, many Parisians were enjoying their vacations.
Sofitel Golfe d’Ajaccio Thalassa Sea and Spa is located in southern Corsica.
Source: Accor
From skiing in the Pyrenees to diving in the Mediterranean, it’s the diversity of landscapes and experiences in France — twice the size of Colorado — that makes it so popular, says Bailey.
“I think the richness of this small country, with so many different possibilities for leisure and vacation in just one place – is a bit unique,” she said.
Secrets and “Little Gems”
Bailey said most places loved by the French eventually became popular with foreign tourists as well.
But the only exception, at least for the time being, is the Alsace wine route.
“You can just go to Strasbourg and then start the car and jump from one village to another, taste and discover the wine, the castles … the landscape,” she said. “It’s a very confidential matter.”
The small village of Dambach-la-ville, along the Alsace Wine Route.
Alexander Sorokopod | moment | Getty Images
The secret has been revealed in places like Beaune and Macon in the world-famous wine region of Burgundy. She said both were popular with domestic travelers last year.
Before the pandemic, nearly 60% of French wine tourists were domestic travelers, said Martin Lhuillier, head of wine tourism at the tourism development agency Atout France.
One of his top “insider tips”, he said, is to visit the Jura, one of France’s smallest wine regions, to visit the village of Château Chalons. There, visitors can experience the region’s “heart and soul” – Vin Jun, or yellow wine.
Bailey and Lhuillier both recommend the French Dordogne section. It is located between the Loire Valley and the Pyrenees, and contains “unspoiled natural gems” such as Bergerac and Doras, said Lhuillier.
Although it’s less elegant than other parts of France, the Dordogne is a place “where you can really enjoy French art of life, gastronomy and nature,” says Bailly.
The ‘art of living’ in France – literally ‘the art of living’ – is part of the reason why for decades France has been among the most popular destinations for international travellers. The focus on enjoying life is everywhere – along the streets of Paris, inside the rooms of the Palace of Versailles and inside the country’s restaurants, which collectively have more Michelin stars than any other country in the world.
But Bailey said that in “the most discreet and secret places” travelers can really “rest and reconnect with the French way of living”.
The most beautiful villages
Another place in the Dordogne, Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne, is one of the newest villages on the “Most Beautiful Villages in France” list.
The list, which began 40 years ago, includes 168 villages of exceptional heritage and beauty. Each is evaluated against 30 criteria, including heritage sites and architecture as well as smaller details such as hidden electrical wiring. There’s less than a 1 in 5 chance that the list will make, according to the list’s website.
The south of France has the highest concentration of these villages, with more than 75% in provinces such as Nouvelle Aquitaine, Occitanie and Provence-Alpes-Cote-d’Azur.
The TV show “Le Village Prefere des Francais” – or “The French’s Favorite Village” – also draws visitors to the country’s lesser-known spots. Fourteen villages are shortlisted each year – one in each region of France – and the winner is crowned by a public vote.
Last year’s winner attracted even more tourists: the small hilltop town of Sancerre, which is one of the most popular appellations for French Sauvignon Blanc.
The same is likely to happen for the village of Bergheim along the Alsace Wine Road, which crowned this year’s winner on Wednesday.
Domestic tourism to Sanseri increased in 2021, after it was voted the most beautiful village in France.
Julian Elliott Photography | stone | Getty Images
Bailey said travelers can build an entire journey around these villages.
“It’s a more special, local, cultural way of looking at France,” she said. “It is not Saint-Tropez, not Mont Saint-Michel or the Eiffel Tower, but it is also France with the richness of its history.”