New York, November 17, 2014—Atout France, the France Tourism Development Agency recently announced the final tally for the number of travelers to France in 2013. France welcomed 84.7 million foreign visitors, including 3.2 million American travelers and statistics for 2014 are very promising.
According to first-semester figures released by the U.S. Department of Commerce, there has been an increase of nearly 5% of American travel to Europe. Anne-Laure Tuncer, Director USA of Atout France noted: “We are very encouraged by these numbers and we are confident in our projections for a 3% bump to France over 2013. With key celebrations and other developments we expect a similar increase of U.S. travel in 2015.”
One of France’s most anticipated developments was the inauguration on October 27, 2014 in Paris of the ultra-modern Foundation Louis Vuitton, an extraordinary space for contemporary art and culture conceived by architect Frank Gehry and the inaugural exhibition dedicated to the project itself. Another greatly anticipated event was the reopening in Paris of the Picasso Museum on October 25, 2014 after an extensive restoration and expansion that has more than doubled its exhibition space.
There are also several exciting hotel developments including the opening last August of Europe’s first Peninsula Hotel in the city’s exclusive 16th arrondissement. The renowned Hotel de Crillon on the Place de la Concorde reopens its doors in the second half of 2015 and the legendary Ritz Paris, will again welcome guests late 2015 after a 2-year plus renovation.
As Ms. Tuncer likes to point out—when told that there is no particular rush to go to France—there is always something new, unexpected and edgy happening in France.
“If these developments aren’t enough to get excited about going to France soon, maybe it would help to know that the exchange rate is now at 1.24 dollars to 1 euro, down from a high of $1.39 for one euro in February of this year.” Ms. Tuncer also noted that 2015 is the perfect year for Americans to visit France: “As with the 70th anniversary of the D-Day Landings this past June, important milestones in the Franco-American friendship will be observed and celebrated in 2015: The 70th anniversary of the end of World War II and the continued commemorations linked to the 100th anniversary of the beginning of WWI. And in April 2015, an exact replica of the Hermione Frigate, on which the Marquis de Lafayette sailed in 1780 to rejoin George Washington to fight in the American Revolutionary War, will depart from its point of origin, Rochefort, in the Poitou-Charentes region. It is a perfect opportunity for Americans to discover a lesser-known and unsung region of France.”
The Loire Valley, also known as the playground of the kings, will celebrate the 500th anniversary of the reign of François I which began in 1515. He was the patron of Leonardo da Vinci and of Giovanni da Verrazano, who explored the North American coast including New York Bay in the service of the king. Events and concerts will be held at castles such as Chambord, Blois, Amboise, Sully-sur-Loire and at the Château du Clos Lucé, which was donated by the king to Leonardo da Vinci, where he spent the last three years of his life.
Ms. Tuncer went on to say: “And finally, if one needed another reason, now is the time to visit or revisit the glorious Mont-St-Michel.” After 10 years of works to restore the Couesnon River and the sea’s natural flow, the Mont-St-Michel—whose magnificent bay boasts one of Europe’s greatest tidal ranges, is regaining its island status during high tide.
She concluded: “All these creative happenings and developments, from the historic to the new, make France an exciting and contemporary destination. And with the dollar stronger against the euro, going to France for the great January winter sale, makes a trip definitely more timely and attractive.”