France retained its position as the world's favourite tourism destination in 2016, the UN's World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) said Wednesday, defying concerns over terror attacks.
Image: FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images
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The United States came second followed closely by Spain, according to annual figures that the Madrid-based UNWTO normally announces in January, but which were delayed this year.
But although France stayed on top by welcoming 82.6 million visitors in 2016, that was a more than two percent drop from the previous year, the figures showed. Repeated terror attacks had sparked concerns that tourism would drop substantially in France, known especially for its gastronomy and wine but the data indicated most visitors have not been put off.
Vive la France!
On the occasion of the April 24 election runoff between French President Emmanuel Macron and his rival Marine Le Pen, we travel to the "Grande Nation."
Image: Lionel Bonaventure/AFP/Getty Images
Paris
Stroll along the banks of the Seine, admire the "Mona Lisa" in the Louvre, look at the Arc de Triomphe, or, as here, enjoy the view of the French capital from the Eiffel Tower: Paris offers infinite opportunities for visitors. After you finish sightseeing, you can go to a cafe in the fashionable Saint-Germain-des-Pres quarter or a bar in trendy Belleville.
Image: picture-alliance/abaca/R. Julien
Provence
Fragrant lavender fields, medieval mountain villages, shimmering heat and that very special light. Provence in the summer is a celebration of the senses. Famous artists like Picasso, Chagall or Van Gogh were so taken by this special place that they chose to stay here. With some 30 million visitors every year, the south of France is the country's most popular holiday destination.
Image: picture-alliance/prisma/K. Kreder
Cote d'Azur
The longing for sun traditionally leads to the Mediterranean in France. The Cote d'Azur stands for luxury and glamour; in the 19th century, holidays here were a privilege of the European aristocracy. Later came prominent artists and the international jet set. Today, everyone finds their favorite place between Marseille and Menton.
The French part of the Alps is located in the southeast. The mountain range Mont Blanc massif attracts mountaineers from around the world. The Mont Blanc itself, at 4,810 meters (15,777 feet), is the highest peak of the Alps. The first recorded ascent to its summit in 1786 marked the birth of modern mountaineering. Today there are over 100 routes leading to the roof of France.
Image: picture alliance/blickwinkel/P. Royer
Pyrenees
In the southwest of France, the Pyrenees form the border to Spain. The oversize racing bikes on the Col d'Aubisque (1,709 meters/5,607 feet) pay homage to the fact that since 1951 this steep mountain pass has been part of the Tour de France cycle race. Those who manage to bike up here are really fit. Hikers can enjoy this mountain range from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic on the GR10 trail.
Image: picture alliance/T. Muncke
Loire Valley
The Loire is the longest river in France. It winds its way over 1,020 kilometers (634 miles), from the Massif Central to the Atlantic. Nowhere else in Europe will you find so many castles in such a small area: 400 chateaux line the shores of Europe's last large wild river. One of the most famous is Chateau de Chambord (picture). The Loire Valley has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000.
Image: picture alliance/blickwinkel/K. Thomas
Bretagne
Holidays on the Atlantic are all about the elements. The Breton coast in the far west of France has a rugged beauty, wild and windswept. The ever-changing weather is part of what makes this landscape so fascinating. After the Cote d'Azur, the Bretagne area is the second-most visited region in France.
Image: picture alliance/L. Avers
Normandy
Normandy experiences the strongest tides in Europe — measuring a difference of up to 14 meters (46 feet) between high and low water marks! Only a few times every year is this island completely surrounded by water. Mont-Saint-Michel with its Benedictine monastery is one of the most visited attractions in France. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/J. Yves
Cote d'Argent
The name means "silver coast" and it refers to the Atlantic coast west of Bordeaux. Some 100 kilometers (60 miles) of fine, white sand — which shimmers silver in the sunlight — promise dream holidays. Located in the center of the coastline is Europe's tallest walkable dune, the Dune du Pilat. Its height varies from 100 to 117 meters (380 feet). It is 500 meters wide and 3 kilometers long.
Image: picture alliance/prisma/H. Michael
Vineyards between Bordeaux, Alsace
France makes hedonists happy. The quality of French wines sets the global benchmark. There are 14 winemaking regions, each with its own characteristics, promising a pleasurable wine tasting trip from chateau to chateau. Many premium wines come from the area around Bordeaux.
There are 600 restaurants in France with at least one Michelin star. Alsace is a region which attracts many food lovers with its rich regional cuisine. To go out for a good meal here doesn't have to cost a fortune. The food traditionally is rich and the portions large. Everyone from the picky gourmet to the hungry traveler will find something to their taste here.
Image: picture alliance/Arco Images
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The number of tourists visiting the US was also down, falling three percent to 75.61 million, which saw the country narrowly maintain its second position as Spain experienced a 10 percent jump in visitors to 75.56 million.
The latter's tourism industry has boomed partly because people who normally go to Turkey, Egypt or north Africa for their holidays are instead deciding to chase the sun in Spain, citing fears of unrest.
China came fourth in the ranking with just under 60 million visitors and Italy came fifth - the same as in 2015.
The classification is calculated according to the number of visitors who spend at least one night in a country. But if the money earned from tourists is taken into account, the United States came a resounding first with $206 billion (173 billion euros) made in 2016, the UNWTO said. Spain came second with around $60 billion -another rise compared to 2015 - followed by Thailand and China.
Britain, meanwhile, fell from third to seventh place at $34 billion due in part to the depreciation of the pound compared to the dollar after the Brexit vote to leave the European Union, added the UNWTO.
