Top Reasons To Visit France Media Event 2022
In Copenhagen, Stockholm and Oslo, journalists, bloggers and influencers were invited to hear about this year's tourist news and meet our French partners from VAR and OCCITANIE.
After more than two years of pandemic, tourists are finally back in France, not just in Paris, where tourism has rediscovered its pre-Covid-19 level. In June last year, it was decided to boost tourism with a comprehensive recovery plan to revitalise French tourism and to make the country a reference in sustainable tourism, among other things.
With the campaign #ExploreFrance, launched by Atout France in collaboration with the 13 regional partners, this year tourists are invited to discover and rediscover France's many beautiful regions and offers.
This season's focus is on, among other things:
- Sustainable tourism
- Active holidays (here especially cycling tourism)
- Wine and gastronomy
- Art de vivre
- French expertise
- Slow travel
- Family holiday
Tour de France 109th edition
This year, the focus is on cycling tourism, when Tour de France's 109 edition returns to France after the tour starts in Denmark. With as many as seven stages in Occitanie, there is a good opportunity to explore the region: varied landscapes, beautiful villages, tasty cuisine and great tourist attractions. The Tour de France departs on 1 July 2022 from Copenhagen and has three stages. Approx. 5000 volunteers will be part of the yellow folk festival across the country, and at Kongens Nytorv, Atout France and their partners will have a tent where you can come by and experience various festive initiatives.
Active holiday
One of the major initiatives this year is sustainable tourism. There is a focus on it everywhere in France, i.a. in Occitanie in the South of France, which entices with its mild climate, beautiful nature and fantastic gastronomic experiences. Here you can easily avoid the car, for example by sailing along the Canal du Midi. The 250 km long trip is on the UNESCO list and the most beautiful way to see the area.
Located in the southeast of France, on the shores of the Mediterranean in the PACA region, the Var region is the place for the sun-thirsty. Here, authentic Provence meets the legendary French Riviera. Thanks to the local culture, traditions and varied landscape, Var is a large open-air museum all year round! One can i.a. walk along “La Balade Sainte Roseline”, an interactive walk that highlights Chateau Sainte Roseline's environmental commitments. A pleasant way to discover the history of the domain and taste its wines.
If you love cycling, the Loire invites you to the initiative "En Roue Libre" to explore the area's many beautiful castle gardens by bike with no less than 5000 km long bike routes. Another new route is "La Seine à vélo" - 400 km along the Seine, where you can learn about the area along the route.
Museums with a focus on nature
In Marseille, France's first underwater museum opens with a series of beautiful sculptures. Le Musée Subaquatique de Marseille wants to increase public awareness of environmental issues and marine biology, and its sculptures are created with recycled materials.
In addition, the rendering of La Grotte Cosquer at La Villa Méditerranée - Marseille's state-of-the-art building on the old port, also welcomes a reproduction of the remarkable prehistoric underwater cave known as the Grotte Cosquer. Visited by our ancestors as early as 33 thousand years ago, the real cave is located between Cassis and Marseille known as the Calanques near Cape Morgiou. The Grotte Cosquer replica will give visitors an interactive experience to discover the 500 cave paintings of the original cave.
In northern France you can also visit the Nausicáa in Boulogne-sur-mer, which is not only Europe's largest aquarium, but which also plays a central role in disseminating the role of the sea.
Gastronomy and wine
It is also the sustainable agenda that is on the agenda in Bordeaux, which this year has become the "Capital of Smart Tourism". The European Capital of Smart Tourism Award rewards the city for its exemplary results in terms of tourism in various categories : accessibility, sustainability and creativity. Keep an eye out for its eco-focused vineyards, new tram lines and the Darwin area: former military barracks, now home to an apartment building and France's largest organic restaurant.
In Paris, there are also several sustainable initiatives, such as the opening of the world's largest roof terrace in the Porte de Versailles. Le Perchoir Porte de Versailles aims to produce up to 1,000 kg of fresh ingredients daily from its fruit and vegetable beds. It also boasts hives, a greenhouse event room and a restaurant and bar.
Michelin Green Star The sustainable agenda also continues at the gastronomic level, i.a. With the new Michelin Green Star, you can choose exclusively eateries with unique eateries with excellent environmental practices, and local, seasonal dishes. Over 50 restaurants have to date been awarded the Green Dining Reward. As a sustainable gastronomic travel destination, France is also involved, with the Label Rouge and the "Organic Agriculture" label for AOP and AOC designations, these designations ensure and guarantee the quality of France's many specialties.
Paysan Welcome / Welcome to the Farm With initiatives such as Accueil Paysan / Bienvenue à la Ferme, you can also be allowed to spend the night and visit France's many beautiful farms and country houses. Rural tourism is booming in France. It represents about 30% of the turnover in the tourism sector Agritourism is an important financial aid for farmers as well as local actors. The types of housing offered have varied, as have the activities, to meet the expectations of different customer profiles (families with children, walks in the countryside, etc.).
For more information about Occitanie and Var, contact:
Birgitte Reimers Press Officer • Co-branding birgitte.reimers@crtoccitanie.fr https://www.visit-occitanie.com/en/
Anthony MATTEUZZI, Promotion Manager a.matteuzzi@vartourisme.org https://www.visitvar.fr/en