France is still the top tourist destination in the world. It welcomed a record 102 million international visitors in 2025. This number represents a rise of 2 million visitors compared to 2024. That is 3% growth year-over-year and a 13% rise relative to 2019 levels.
Tourism Minister Serge Papin praised these figures during the 2025 annual report presentation. He noted the sector's strong recovery and appeal. Atout France Director General Adam Oubuih and agency president Christian Mantei provided more details on this performance.
A Narrow but Steady Lead Over Spain
France kept the top spot with a small lead over Spain. Spain recorded approximately 97 million foreign tourists in 2025, though some sources say 96.8 million. The gap is about 5 million visitors, or roughly 5%. This difference has narrowed in recent years. France led by a much wider margin in 2022, with 77 million visitors against 52 million for Spain. Visitor numbers are close, but France's international tourism revenues have a bigger lead. The revenue gap stabilized at around 36% in 2025 compared to 38% in 2024. The two nations were nearly equal in the early 2000s. This shows how their appeal has shifted over time.
Strong Growth from Key Markets and Higher Spending
European visitors led the growth, and their overnight stays increased by 5%. North American tourists showed strong growth of 17% in the hotel sector. More than 5 million Americans visited French tourist destinations even with economic and diplomatic issues.
Spending also rose. The average expenditure per international tourist climbed 7% to 760 euros per stay. Total international tourism revenues reached a record €77.5 billion in 2025. That is up 9% from 2024. The Ministry of the Economy and Finance reported a positive tourism balance of €20.1 billion in the balance of payments.
Ambitious Goals and Focus on Accessibility
Minister Papin confirmed the government's long-term target. Former Prime Minister François Bayrou originally set this goal of €100 billion in tourism revenues by 2030. The strategy lists sustainable tourism as a main priority alongside "tourism for all."
Papin spoke about domestic accessibility. He noted that four out of ten French people do not take holidays. This issue is too big to ignore. A new portal now gathers the 22 holiday assistance programs supported by the ANCV (National Agency for Holiday Vouchers). But challenges remain. Accommodations have improved, so options are less affordable for some households. The share of 4- and 5-star hotels rose by 22% between 2019 and 2025. Overall, hotel numbers stayed flat. 5-star pitches in campsites also increased by 30%.
Debating Summer Holidays and Shifting French Travel Patterns
Officials are discussing if they should shorten summer school holidays. Former President Emmanuel Macron suggested this change. Minister Papin called the issue complex. He asked for a compromise between educational needs and tourism demands. No decision has been made yet. France marks 90 years of paid vacations this year, so the topic is relevant. The current zoning system dates to the 1960s. Pre-war holidays once ran from mid-July to late September.
French tourist behavior shifted in 2025. Domestic overnight stays declined by 5%. Outbound travel to foreign destinations rose by 4%. Travelers went mostly to Spain and Southern Europe. French spending abroad reached €57.4 billion, which is a 4% increase. The tourism balance stayed positive at €20.1 billion. Early signs for 2026 point to continued growth. French outbound plans are up +4% compared to 2025. France's tourism sector remains strong. It combines record international arrivals with work to make travel inclusive and sustainable.
