Since June 9, France is once again welcoming international travelers. In this context, Atout France and its partners present a video overview of the new offers and openings in Paris with the spectacular Bourse de Commerce | Pinault Collection, the Cheval Blanc hotel, the rebirth of the department store La Samaritaine or the reopening of the superb Hôtel de la Marine.

The French regions are not to be outdone! The chic Normandy seaside resort of Deauville has welcomed Les Franciscaines, an innovative cultural center including a museum of modern and contemporary art. Bordeaux, a trendy city, now has a large digital and immersive exhibition space, the Bassins de Lumières, installed in the former World War II submarine base. Dijon, the mustard capital of Burgundy Franche-Comté, will inaugurate the Cité internationale de la gastronomie et du vin on April 22, 2022.

From June, a stop-over in Marseille will be necessary. La Villa Méditerranée—an ultra-contemporary edifice on the old harbor, will welcome a replica of the remarkable underwater prehistoric cave known as the Grotte Cosquer, with an immersive and interactive experiences to discover the original cave’s 500 cave paintings depicting marine animals. The actual cave is located in the mini-fjords between Cassis and Marseille known as Calanques.

Looking to explore France by bike? Check out the new routes : La vélo maritime (through Normandy), La Seine à vélo (From Paris to Deauville) and La Loire à vélo circuit (Centre-Val-de-Loire).

Not to be forgotten is the restoration of one of the most emblematic Renaissance castles in the Hauts-de-France region (Northern France), the Château Villers-Cotterêts, which will house a major project initiated by French President Emmanuel Macron, the Cité de la Francophonie.

The LUMA Foundation in Arles, Martinique listed by UNESCO as a Biosphere Heritage Site, the Guadeloupe Islands served directly by Air France as of November... the video ends with a summary of air connectivity between Canada and France as well as the major events that will punctuate the next few years until the Paris 2024 Olympic Games!

The same video is also available in French with the same spectacular news.

The health situation is changing

In order to facilitate the stay in France of tourists from outside the EU, the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs has set up a specific system to obtain a QR code for vaccine equivalence valid on French territory.

- At the borders, foreign health proofs are accepted in electronic or paper version.

- For travel and activities on French territory, the QR code (compatible with TousAntiCovid) can be obtained in a pharmacy, by presenting your passport and proof of vaccination.

Major fall events: Press Forum, France360, IMEX and Destination France Summit

To support the recovery of the tourism industry, several major events were held this fall. First of all, the 2nd edition of the Press Forum from September 21 to 24 and France 360, the pan-American meeting place for tourism professionals, from October 18 to 22, both virtual meetings and conferences to discuss France news and future trip programming. Then, from November 9 to 11, Atout France, the Paris Convention and Visitors Bureau and Paris Region reconnected with business tourism professionals at IMEX Las Vegas. Finally, a first-ever "Destination France Summit" was held in Paris, during which some 50 leading French and international tourism executives attended the presentation by French President Emmanuel Macron of a 5 to 10-year plan to increase investment in tourism and promote synergies between sectors.

A professional transition for Marie-Andrée Boucher

The Atout France team in Canada is moved to announce the retirement of Marie-Andrée Boucher, who has been in charge of press and publishing for the past eight years in the Montreal office. Marie-Andrée has worked for a large part of her professional life in the tourism industry in France and Canada. She has built and maintained quality professional relationships with the media across Canada and with various industry partners. Atout France thanks her for the remarkable work she has accomplished and wishes her many new adventures in France and elsewhere.

For all the latest tourism news from France, visit France.fr #Explorefrance