France is the world's number one destination for tourists, and it isn't even close. Each year, about eighty million people visit France; Spain is a distant second with around sixty million annual arrivals. How important is tourism to France's economy?
Foreigners spend about 45 billion pounds in France each year, making it one of the country's richest and most consistent revenue sources. More than anything else, tourism is responsible for the astonishing growth of the hotel industry. At present, there are over 19,000 hotels in France.
As you might expect, the most visited city in the country is Paris. Each year, between 30 and 35 million visitors come to the city of light and love. While in Paris, there are a number of must see sites. A full third of the people who come to Paris, 12 million, stop and see the Louvre museum. Millions more visit Musee d’ Orsay, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Place of Versailles. Some are so in love with the city that they even look into the best French mortgages .
Of course, no trip to Paris would be complete without a look at the Eiffel tower. Millions of visitors see the tower, but only about six million people actually take the official tour. Yes, only six million! The country is also home to an incredible 3900 museums that attract millions of visitors each year, both tourists and locals.
Since France, Paris in particular, is the fashion centre or the world, shopping is a favourite pastime of tourists. And after a busy day of buying, most guests eat out. French cuisine is generally regarded as the best in the world and it can be enjoyed in thousands of restaurants in Paris alone.