What makes France the most visited country both in Europe and in the entire world?

Melusine Caux

As a French who traveled abroad, I think there are several answer.

First, I let you read Douglas Hoyt’s answer, who’s really interesting (and flattering for my beloved country, I must say). In a few words, it’s the variety of food, wine, cultural spot, architecture and landscape, coupled with a long time history, the birth place of many world-known compagny (espescially in luxury) make France a really attractive country.

France is also rich of its many types of “holidays spots”. For exemple, you can enjoy the “côte d’azur” where the sea is hot and the beaches beautiful, or chose to visit the alps, in winter to ski or in summer to hike, or simply the countryside to enjoy long quiet walks in the big forest.

Here are the most “cultural” and “touristic’s spots” answer. Therefore, I believe there is more than that.

First of all, the first touristic destination is…

Disneyland Paris !

No, it’s not Versailles, le Louvres, le Mont-Saint-Michel or any other famous place. It’s Disneyland. A lot of our dear neighbours do not really visit France, they spend a weekend in Disneyland Paris, which clearly helps to inflate the figures.

An other point that we must not forget : even if France is not the only country with this, it’s part of the Shengen area, which mean every European can come to France without anything to do. No visa, not even a checkpoint. When you pass from Belgium, Germany, Spain or Holland to France, you just have a sign saying “welcome to France” et voilà ! It’s true that this point is also genuine for every country in this, but combine with the cultural answer and the French reputation, there you go.

And to finish, I would say France is really help by the pop culture. In most movie or serie, French people may be a bit proud, but most of the time, they are handsome, cultivated and refined. France is always seen across its most beautiful and famous place, with the best wines and the best dishes we make.

I would like to spend more time on our food habits, wine at every meals, our beautiful castles, our historical places important for the whole world (like the battlefield of WWI which happens to be a lot in the north of France). I have noticed that our way of doing things is quite unique in the world, espescially when it comes to food time, and I am very proud of many things my country owns. Even if it’s far from being perfect and we are a nation of grumblers, I love it !