I turned 45 in June. I have this tradition – when possible – of not being in Belgium for my birthday. From Sweden in 2013 to the Châteaux of the Loire Valley in 2014, Lake Orta in 2015, Rome in 2016, London in 2018, North Carolina and Virginia in 2019, England in 2022, and Rotterdam in 2023, and Copenhagen in 2025. In June 2026, as a Formula 1 fan, I wanted to combine a track walk of the Circuit de Monte-Carlo, and the Autodromo Nazionale Monza in Monza in Lombardy. But there were no circuit tours on the days I could, so I decided to go to Turin in Piedmont instead, to visit five countries in eleven days: France with Nice, Monaco, Italy, San Marino, and the canton of Schwyz in Switzerland to visit my sister.
France has further consolidated its position as the world’s most visited country, welcoming 102 million international tourists in 2025, up from 100 million in 2024. The figures, presented by the French government in February 2026, underline not only the country’s enduring popularity but also the growing economic importance of tourism to the national economy. International tourism receipts reached a historic record of €77.5 billion in 2025, an increase of 9% compared with the previous year, while the tourism balance of payments remained strongly positive at €20.1 billion.
The World Bank WDI tourism-arrivals indicator, sourced to UN Tourism, gives another number: 117.1 million arrivals.
Today is 14 July. Known in France just as le 14 juillet or la fête nationale, it is known in English as Bastille Day. On 14 July 1789, a mob stormed the Bastille in Paris, freeing a few inmates. Unlucky for him, Donatien Alphonse François, Marquis de Sade had been transferred only twelve days earlier.
Olympic momentum
The latest results confirm that France has successfully maintained the momentum generated by major international events in recent years, particularly the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2024 and the reopening of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. Yet officials emphasise that the country’s performance goes beyond the impact of headline events. France continues to benefit from a broad tourism strategy aimed at strengthening its position as both the leading global tourism destination and a future leader in sustainable tourism.
European visitors remain dominant
The 102 million international visitors generated 743 million overnight stays in both commercial accommodation and non-commercial lodging such as second homes or stays with relatives and friends. This represented an increase of 2% compared with 2024. European visitors remained by far the largest market segment, accounting for 76% of all overnight stays by international travellers.
Within Europe, neighbouring countries continue to play a dominant role in sustaining French tourism. Visitors from Italy, Spain, Belgium, and the Netherlands all recorded solid growth, with overnight stays from European markets increasing by 5% overall.
Germany emerged as one of the most dynamic source markets, with German overnight stays rising by 9% during the year. France’s geographical position at the heart of Western Europe, combined with its extensive rail and motorway networks, means that millions of European visitors continue to arrive by car or train for both short breaks and extended holidays.
North American tourism also expanded strongly in 2025. Visitor numbers from the United States grew by more than 10%, reflecting the continuing appeal of Paris, the French Riviera (Côte d’Azur), Normandy, wine tourism regions and luxury shopping destinations for affluent American travellers. Canada likewise performed well, while Mexico showed particularly strong momentum heading into 2026, with air bookings to France up 19% early in the year.
Asian tourism continued its gradual recovery after the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic. Although Asian visitor levels still remained below pre-pandemic figures, the rebound became increasingly visible during 2025. Japan recovered more quickly than China, with Japanese travellers returning in growing numbers to traditional destinations such as Paris, the Loire Valley and Provence. Chinese tourism also improved, though at a slower pace than many industry operators had hoped.
How visitors enter France
France’s success is supported by one of the most developed transport systems in Europe. Air travel remains the primary mode of entry for long-haul visitors from North America, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport is one of Europe’s largest international aviation hubs, while Paris Orly, Nice Côte d’Azur, Lyon, Marseille, and Toulouse airports also receive large numbers of international arrivals.
For European travellers, land transport is equally important. France is directly connected by high-speed rail to Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom through Eurostar services. Millions of visitors also enter the country by car via the extensive motorway network, especially travellers from neighbouring countries heading to ski resorts, Mediterranean beaches, Atlantic coastal areas or rural holiday homes.
France is also a major transit country. Many Northern Europeans travelling towards Spain or Italy pass through France during the summer season, helping explain why the country records extremely high arrival figures but comparatively shorter hotel stays than some competing destinations.
How long visitors stay
Lengths of stay vary greatly according to origin and travel style. European visitors often make shorter trips, including weekend breaks to Paris, Lyon, Strasbourg or Bordeaux, as well as short beach or ski holidays. Long-haul travellers from the United States, Canada and Asia generally stay longer and combine several regions in a single trip.
France recorded 743 million overnight stays by international tourists in 2025 across both commercial and non-commercial accommodation. In commercial accommodation alone, overnight stays increased by 7.5% to 261.2 million nights. The country’s vast supply of hotels, campsites, holiday rentals, second homes and rural accommodation allows it to accommodate a very broad range of travel styles and budgets.
The average spending per international tourist rose by 7% to €760 per stay, suggesting that visitors are increasingly spending more on accommodation, gastronomy, culture, shopping and experiences.
Tourism as a pillar of the French economy
Tourism has become one of the central pillars of the French economy. According to industry estimates, travel and tourism contribute close to 10% of France’s GDP and support millions of jobs across hospitality, transport, retail, gastronomy, entertainment and cultural industries.
Domestic tourism remains especially important. French residents generated 835 million overnight stays in 2025, significantly more than international visitors. Around two-thirds of tourism consumption in France comes from domestic travellers, making the sector more resilient during economic downturns or international crises.
Tourism activity is spread across the entire country and supports regional economies far beyond Paris. Southern regions such as Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, Occitania, Nouvelle-Aquitaine and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes account for more than half of domestic overnight stays. Mountain tourism in the Alps and Pyrenees, beach tourism along the Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts, wine tourism in Burgundy and Bordeaux, and rural tourism in regions such as Dordogne and Brittany all contribute significantly to local employment and investment.
The tourism industry has also undergone a major upscale transformation in recent years. Between 2019 and 2025, the proportion of four- and five-star hotels increased by 22%, while high-end outdoor accommodation expanded rapidly. France’s famous camping sector, already one of the largest in Europe, continued to grow strongly in 2025, with campsites recording 148 million overnight stays.
What tourists come to see and do
France’s tourism appeal lies in its extraordinary diversity. Paris remains the country’s leading attraction and one of the world’s most visited cities. Visitors are drawn to landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Arc de Triomphe and the Palace of Versailles. The capital is also one of the world’s great centres for gastronomy, luxury shopping, fashion and culture.
Beyond Paris, France offers a remarkable concentration of historic cities, landscapes and cultural sites. The Loire Valley attracts visitors with its Renaissance châteaux, while Normandy combines D-Day history with dramatic coastal scenery. Provence remains famous for lavender fields, Roman monuments and Mediterranean villages, while the French Riviera continues to attract luxury tourism centred on Nice, Cannes, Saint-Tropez, and Monaco (which is a sovereign, independent principality).
Wine tourism is another major draw. Regions such as Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne and Alsace attract millions of visitors annually for vineyard tours, gastronomy and scenic countryside. Culinary tourism has become increasingly important, with France’s restaurants, regional cuisine and local markets forming a core part of the visitor experience.
France is also one of Europe’s leading ski destinations. The Alps, including resorts such as Chamonix, Val d’Isère and Courchevel, attract winter sports enthusiasts from across Europe, the United Kingdom and North America. Summer mountain tourism has also expanded significantly, driven by hiking, cycling and nature tourism.
Coastal tourism remains essential to the industry. Mediterranean destinations such as Marseille, Nice and Montpellier are major summer hotspots, while the Atlantic Coast draws surfers, beachgoers and families to areas including Biarritz, La Rochelle and the Vendée. Brittany and Corsica offer more rugged coastal experiences, combining beaches with strong regional identities and cultural heritage.
Rural and heritage tourism also play an increasingly important role. France has more than 50 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, ranging from Mont-Saint-Michel and Carcassonne to prehistoric caves and Roman monuments. Thousands of small villages are promoted through initiatives such as ‘The Most Beautiful Villages of France‘, encouraging tourism beyond the major urban centres.
Sustainability and the challenges of overtourism
France is increasingly positioning itself as a leader in sustainable tourism. The government aims to make the country the world’s leading sustainable tourism destination by 2030 through measures focused on environmental protection, water management, biodiversity and reducing carbon emissions.
For the first time, France also published detailed environmental indicators for tourism. According to government figures, tourism accounts for 11% of national greenhouse gas emissions, with transport responsible for roughly three quarters of the total. Water consumption averages 240 litres per overnight stay in hotels and 183 litres in outdoor accommodation.
At the same time, concerns about overtourism continue to grow in certain destinations, particularly Paris, the French Riviera and some iconic heritage sites. Rising numbers of short-term rentals have increased pressure on housing markets in popular urban districts, while overcrowding during peak periods has become a growing political issue.
Despite these challenges, tourism remains widely viewed as essential to France’s economic vitality. The sector supports millions of jobs, drives regional development and contributes heavily to the country’s international image and soft power.
France aims for €100 billion in tourism revenue by 2030
French authorities now aim to increase international tourism receipts to €100 billion annually by 2030. The strategy focuses not only on attracting more visitors, but also on increasing visitor spending, extending stays, diversifying destinations and promoting more sustainable forms of travel.
With 102 million international visitors, record tourism revenues and one of the most diversified tourism offers in the world, France continues to combine mass appeal with global prestige. From the boulevards of Paris and the beaches of the Riviera to Alpine ski resorts, Atlantic surf towns and vineyard-covered countryside, tourism remains deeply embedded in both the French economy and the French identity.
Growing concerns about overtourism
Despite France’s enormous tourism success, the country is increasingly confronting the challenges associated with overtourism. While tourism remains one of the pillars of the French economy and a major source of employment and international influence, the rapid growth in visitor numbers is creating mounting pressure on infrastructure, housing, public services and the environment in some of the country’s most popular destinations.
Paris sits at the centre of the debate. As one of the world’s most visited cities, the French capital experiences extreme seasonal crowding around landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, Montmartre and Notre-Dame Cathedral. Long queues, overcrowded public transport and rising accommodation prices have become part of daily life in some districts during peak periods. The expansion of short-term holiday rentals has also fuelled concerns about housing affordability and the gradual displacement of local residents from central neighbourhoods.
The French Riviera faces similar pressures during the summer months. Cities such as Nice, Cannes and Saint-Tropez can see their populations multiply several times over in July and August, placing strain on roads, beaches, water supplies and waste management systems. In smaller coastal towns and villages, local authorities increasingly struggle to balance the economic benefits of tourism with residents’ quality of life.
Some of France’s most iconic heritage sites are also dealing with visitor management problems. Mont-Saint-Michel, the Palace of Versailles and the calanques near Marseille regularly experience overcrowding during peak seasons. In Provence, the famous lavender fields have become so popular on social media that local authorities have had to introduce measures to protect fragile landscapes from trampling and traffic congestion.
Mountain tourism presents another challenge. Major Alpine ski resorts such as Chamonix and Courchevel continue to attract large visitor numbers, but climate change is forcing the industry to rethink its long-term sustainability. Lower-altitude resorts face shorter ski seasons and increasing dependence on artificial snow production, raising concerns about water consumption and environmental impact.
Corsica has become one of the clearest examples of tourism pressure in a relatively fragile environment. The Mediterranean island experiences huge seasonal population surges, leading to traffic congestion, pressure on beaches and concerns over environmental degradation. Local debates increasingly focus on how to preserve Corsican identity and natural landscapes while still benefiting economically from tourism.
French authorities are now trying to address these issues through a combination of regulation, diversification and sustainability policies. One major objective is to encourage visitors to travel beyond the traditional hotspots and discover lesser-known regions. Rural tourism, wine tourism, nature tourism and heritage tourism in smaller cities are all being actively promoted in an effort to spread visitor flows more evenly across the country.
The government also increasingly frames sustainability as a competitive advantage rather than simply an environmental necessity. France wants to become the world’s leading sustainable tourism destination by 2030, and this ambition partly reflects recognition that uncontrolled tourism growth could eventually damage the very attractions that make the country so popular.
Measures being explored or implemented include better management of visitor flows at major sites, investment in rail transport rather than domestic flights, stricter regulation of short-term rentals, environmental labelling for accommodation providers and improved protection for natural areas. Several cities have already introduced tighter rules for Airbnb-style rentals in response to housing shortages and rising rents.
At the same time, France benefits from one major advantage compared with some smaller tourism-dependent countries: its sheer size and diversity. Tourism is spread across an exceptionally large territory that includes major cities, mountains, beaches, countryside, islands and overseas regions. While certain destinations face intense crowding, many parts of France still actively seek more visitors as a driver of economic development.
This means France’s challenge is less about limiting tourism overall and more about managing where, when and how tourism develops. The country continues to welcome record numbers of visitors, but policymakers increasingly recognise that future success will depend not only on attracting tourists, but also on preserving liveability, cultural authenticity and environmental quality for residents and visitors alike.
Belgium remains one of France’s most important tourism markets
Belgium has long been one of the most important international tourism markets for France. Thanks to the two countries’ shared border, strong transport connections, linguistic ties and longstanding holiday traditions, millions of Belgians visit France every year for holidays, shopping, second-home stays and short breaks.
According to tourism statistics, Belgium and Luxembourg together accounted for around 11.6 million tourist arrivals to France in 2018, making the combined market the third largest source of international visitors after the United Kingdom and Germany. Belgian visitors alone represented the overwhelming majority of this figure. In terms of overnight stays, Belgium ranked fourth among foreign markets, generating around 10.4 million stays in France.
The importance of Belgian tourism goes far beyond simple arrival numbers. Belgian travellers are among the most frequent repeat visitors to France and often maintain deep personal and cultural links with the country. Many Belgian families have been holidaying in the same French destinations for generations, particularly along the Mediterranean coast, in the Alps and in rural regions of southern France.
Why France is so popular with Belgians
France’s appeal for Belgian tourists is shaped largely by geography and accessibility. For many Belgians, France is easy to reach by car within a few hours. Northern French regions such as Hauts-de-France, Normandy and Champagne are especially popular for weekend breaks, while longer holidays traditionally focus on Provence, the French Riviera, the Atlantic coast and Alpine ski resorts.
The extensive French motorway network makes driving particularly convenient for Belgian families travelling with children or heading to campsites and holiday homes. High-speed rail connections between Brussels and Paris also support large numbers of city-break travellers, while flights from Brussels Airport, Antwerp, and Charleroi connect Belgium with destinations across mainland France and Corsica.
Cultural familiarity also plays a major role. French is one of Belgium’s official languages, and even many Dutch-speaking Flemish Belgians are comfortable travelling in France. French cuisine, wine, markets and café culture are deeply appreciated by Belgian visitors, while skiing holidays in the French Alps have become a longstanding tradition for many middle-class Belgian families.
Camping and outdoor tourism are particularly popular among Belgians. France’s large camping sector, one of the biggest in Europe, attracts huge numbers of Belgian caravanners and campers every summer. Regions such as Dordogne, Ardèche, Brittany and the Vendée have especially strong Belgian visitor bases.
Belgian second homes and long stays
Another important aspect of Belgian tourism in France is the high number of second-home owners. Thousands of Belgians own holiday properties in France, especially in rural regions and along the coast. Areas such as Provence, Languedoc, Dordogne and the French Alps have become particularly attractive to Belgian buyers seeking warmer weather, space and a slower lifestyle.
As a result, Belgian tourism to France is not limited to short hotel stays. Many visitors spend extended periods in the country during the summer or school holidays, contributing significantly to local economies through shopping, restaurants, maintenance services and property investment.
This also partly explains why Belgian tourism generates a large number of overnight stays relative to the country’s population size. Belgium has a population of roughly 12 million people, yet it consistently ranks among France’s top foreign tourism markets.
Belgians living in France
France is also home to a sizeable Belgian expatriate community. According to various demographic estimates and consular registrations, tens of thousands of Belgian citizens live permanently or semi-permanently in France. Exact numbers vary depending on definitions and registration status, but the Belgian population in France is one of the larger Belgian communities abroad.
Many Belgian residents in France are retirees attracted by the climate and lifestyle of southern France. Others are professionals working in Paris or near the Belgian border, while some move for lifestyle reasons linked to remote work, gastronomy or rural living.
Cross-border mobility is particularly common in northern France, where economic and family links between Belgium and France are deeply integrated. In cities such as Lille, commuting across the border is a normal part of daily life for some residents.
French-speaking Walloon Belgians often integrate relatively easily into French society due to the shared language, while Dutch-speaking Flemish Belgians are also increasingly present in regions popular for tourism and retirement. In some rural areas of southern France, Belgian communities have become highly visible through property ownership and seasonal residency.
A relationship that goes beyond tourism
The relationship between Belgium and France ultimately extends beyond conventional tourism statistics. For many Belgians, France functions almost as a second domestic tourism market due to its proximity, familiarity and cultural connections.
This helps explain why Belgium consistently remains one of France’s most resilient and stable visitor markets, even during periods of economic uncertainty or international disruption. Belgian visitors are not only tourists in the traditional sense, but also second-home owners, repeat seasonal travellers, long-stay guests and cross-border residents who contribute to the deep economic and cultural interdependence between the two neighbouring countries.
French tourism to Belgium
The close relationship between France and Belgium is equally visible in the opposite direction. French visitors form one of Belgium’s largest and most consistent foreign tourism markets, supported by geographical proximity, strong rail and motorway links, shared language areas and intense economic integration between the two neighbouring countries.
Millions of French travellers visit Belgium every year for city breaks, shopping, gastronomy, cultural tourism and business travel. Belgian destinations such as Brussels, Bruges, Ghent, Antwerp, and the Belgian Coast are especially popular with French tourists, while Ardennes tourism also attracts visitors seeking nature, hiking and rural holidays close to home.
Brussels plays a particularly important role because of its status as both the Belgian capital and the administrative centre of the European Union. French visitors travel there not only for leisure but also for politics, diplomacy, conferences and corporate activities. The high-speed rail connection between Paris and Brussels has transformed the route into one of Europe’s busiest international rail corridors, allowing travellers to move between the two capitals in little more than an hour.
For many French tourists, Belgium offers a compact and easily accessible international destination with a distinct cultural identity while still remaining familiar. French-speaking Wallonia is especially easy to navigate for visitors from northern and eastern France, while Flemish cities attract French tourists interested in medieval architecture, art, fashion, gastronomy and shopping.
Belgium’s culinary reputation also acts as a major draw. French visitors are attracted by Belgian beer culture, chocolate, waffles, fries and Michelin-starred restaurants. Antwerp has become increasingly popular for fashion, design and weekend tourism, while Bruges remains one of the most visited historic cities in Northern Europe.
Shopping tourism is another important factor. French visitors regularly cross the border for retail trips, particularly in border regions where differences in prices, product availability or opening hours can influence consumer behaviour. Belgian Christmas markets, festivals and cultural events also attract substantial numbers of French visitors throughout the year.
Cross-border tourism and everyday mobility
In many ways, tourism between France and Belgium blends into ordinary cross-border mobility. The frontier between the two countries is highly integrated economically and socially, especially in the Lille (Rijsel) – Kortrijk (Courtrai) – Tournai (Doornik) metropolitan region. Daily commuting for work, shopping and leisure is common, and many trips are not always perceived by travellers themselves as “international tourism” in the traditional sense.
Northern French residents frequently visit Belgian cities for restaurants, nightlife or shopping, while Belgians regularly travel south for holidays or day trips. This fluid movement reflects the deep historical and cultural connections between the two countries, which have been strengthened further by the Schengen Area and extensive transport infrastructure.
French people living in Belgium
Belgium is also home to a large French expatriate population. French citizens form one of the largest foreign national groups in the country, with estimates generally placing the French population in Belgium at well over 100,000 residents. Many are concentrated in Brussels and the surrounding areas, although sizeable French communities also exist in Wallonia and parts of Flanders.
The presence of European institutions and international organisations in Brussels is one of the main reasons for this strong French community.
Diplomats, civil servants, lobbyists, journalists, consultants and professionals connected to the European Union often relocate to Belgium for work. Brussels has therefore developed into one of the principal hubs of the French-speaking international professional class.
French citizens are also attracted by Belgium’s international schools, universities and business environment. Some entrepreneurs and self-employed professionals relocate for tax or regulatory reasons, while others simply appreciate the high quality of life and central location within Europe.
In Wallonia, the linguistic and cultural similarities make integration relatively seamless for French residents. In Brussels, French is one of the city’s dominant languages, further reinforcing the attractiveness of the Belgian capital for French expatriates.
Rising migration from France to Belgium
Over the past two decades, Belgium has also seen growing numbers of French citizens settling permanently or semi-permanently across the border, especially in municipalities near Lille and along the Brussels corridor. Housing affordability, professional opportunities and lifestyle considerations all play a role in this migration trend.
Some French residents choose Belgium because of its international atmosphere and multilingual environment, while others move for family reasons or employment linked to European institutions and multinational companies. Belgian universities also attract French students, particularly in fields where access to higher education is more competitive in France.
The movement is sufficiently large that French communities have become highly visible in parts of Brussels and Wallonia. French schools, cultural associations and professional networks contribute to a dense cross-border social ecosystem connecting the two countries.
A uniquely interconnected relationship
The relationship between France and Belgium is therefore far deeper than simple tourism flows. The two countries function as part of a highly interconnected economic, cultural and social space in which travel, migration and everyday mobility overlap continuously.
French visitors contribute significantly to Belgium’s tourism economy through leisure travel, gastronomy, retail and business tourism, while French residents play an important role in Brussels’ international workforce and broader Belgian society. At the same time, Belgium remains deeply embedded in the travel habits and lifestyles of millions of French citizens living close to the border.
Together, these exchanges illustrate how tourism between France and Belgium often transcends the classic distinction between visitor and resident. For many people on both sides of the border, crossing between the two countries has become part of ordinary European daily life.
2018 Rail Tour of France, Italy and Switzerland
- From Antwerp to Toulouse.
- Crowne Plaza Toulouse.
- Airbus and Aeroscopia in Toulouse.
- Montpellier.
- Crowne Plaza Montpellier.
- Carcassonne.
- Trains at the Côte d’Azur.
- Holiday Inn Cannes.
- Monaco.
- From Cannes to Turin.
- Holiday Inn Turin City Center.
- Turin.
- Frecciarossa ‘Red Arrow’ train.
- Holiday Inn Milan Garibaldi Station.
- Lake Como; Milan – Bernina – Sankt Moritz.
- Hotel Soldanella Sankt Moritz.
- Albula, Furka and Loetschberg passes.
- Waldhotel Doldenhorn Kandersteg.
- The Golden Pass line.
- Golf Hôtel René Capt Montreux.
- Swiss Riviera.
- Lake Geneva and Geneva.
- InterContinental Geneva.
- TGV Lyria.
- 2018 Rail Tour of France, Italy and Switzerland.
Paris 2019
- A highlights tour of the Louvre Museum in Paris.
- ‘The Lady and the Unicorn’ at Musée de Cluny – Musée national du Moyen Âge in Paris.
- Accompanying Marie-Antoinette to the guillotine at Paris’ Conciergerie (and the Sainte-Chapelle).
- A weekend in Paris.
South of France 2019
En route to Switzerland 2019
- PHOTOS | Salon Grand Voyageur lounge at Paris Gare de Lyon.
- Paris – Geneva – Lausanne with TGV Lyria first class on an Alstom TGV Duplex.
Bordeaux & Marseille 2019
- ‘Disney Express’ by Thalys to Disneyland Paris / Marne-la-Vallée – Chessy.
- On board a TGV Atlantique from Marne-la-Vallée – Chessy to Bordeaux-Saint-Jean.
- REVIEW | InterContinental Bordeaux le Grand Hotel.
- Cité du Vin – City of Wine museum in Bordeaux.
- Weekend in Bordeaux.
- Bordeaux to Marseille with SNCF’s Corail coaches.
- REVIEW | InterContinental Marseille – Hotel Dieu, an A-maze-ing hotel.
- One day in Marseille.
- SNCF inOui (ex-TGV) Marseille to Lille.
France in COVID-19 times
- TGV Inoui Brussels to Lyon in Corona times.
- REVIEW | InterContinental Lyon – Hotel Dieu.
- Two days in Lyon.
2022 Train Tour of Switzerland ft. Circuit Zandvoort and the Mont-Blanc Express
- Zandvoort, home of the Formula 1 Dutch Grand Prix.
- REVIEW | ÖBB Nightjet Amsterdam – Zurich night train.
- SWITZERLAND 2022 | Thun and Thun Castle.
- SWITZERLAND 2022 | The Lausanne Métro.
- REVIEW | Hotel du Raisin in Lausanne.
- SWITZERLAND 2022 | The Vineyard Terraces of Lavaux in Vaud.
- SWITZERLAND 2022 | Two days in Lausanne.
- Romandy.
- SWITZERLAND 2022 | Sankt Moritz.
- REVIEW | Hotel Arte in Sankt Moritz.
- SWITZERLAND | The Glacier Express from Sankt Moritz to Brig (and to Zermatt).
- SWITZERLAND | The Grisons or Graubünden.
- SWITZERLAND 2022 | Thurbo Seelinie, discovering Switzerland’s northern lake route.
- SWITZERLAND 2022 | Sankt Gallen.
- SWITZERLAND 2022 | Voralpen-Express: Sankt Gallen – Rapperswil – Lucerne.
- MONT-BLANC EXPRESS | Linking Martigny, Chamonix and Saint-Gervais-les-Bains in the Alps.
- REVIEW | Urban Hôtel & Spa in Aix-les-Bains.
- Switzerland 2022.
Paris 2022
- Thalys Brussels – Paris – Brussels – Antwerp in 2022.
- PARIS 2022 | Museum Bourse de Commerce – Pinault Collection.
- PARIS 2022 | ‘Oh! Charley, Charley, Charley…’ by Charles Ray pushes male sexuality from the bottom to the top.
- GAY PARIS | LGBTQIA+ bookshop Les Mots à la Bouche.
- REVIEW | Restaurant La Grange aux Canards in Paris.
- REVIEW | Hôtel 1K Paris.
- REVIEW | Restaurant Ventrus avec vue, La Villette, Paris.
- Paris 2022.
21 July 2022 excursion
2023 Occitania – Andorra – Catalonia Road Trip
- TOULOUSE-BLAGNAC AIRPORT | Arrival, ID check, car rental and unusually strict security at departure.
- REVIEW | Novotel Toulouse Purpan Aéroport.
- Circuit Andorra.
- HOTEL REVIEW | Eurostars Andorra.
- REVIEW | Caldea hot spring spa and treatments in Andorra la Vella.
- Andorra la Vella & Escaldes–Engordany.
- QUEER ANDORRA | Entre Nous, the only gay bar in the village.
- ANDORRA PARLIAMENT HOUSE | Casa de la Vall.
- Andorra.
- Llívia, Spain’s exclave in France.
- LE TRAIN JAUNE TERRITORY | Mont-Louis and Villefranche-de-Conflent.
- REVIEW | Dali Hôtel Perpignan.
- Perpignan during the Visa pour l’image international photo journalism festival.
- PERPIGNAN | The Palace of the Kings of Majorca or Palais des Rois de Majorque.
- North Catalonia, Northern Catalonia or French Catalonia: Catalan presence in France.
- FRANCE | Carcassonne and its Counts Castle.
- REVIEW | Neméa Appart’Hôtel Toulouse Concorde.
- TOULOUSE | Aeroscopia aerospace ‘Airbus museum’.
- Touring Toulouse.
- 2023 Occitania – Andorra – Catalonia Road Trip.
- Spain – Andorra – Catalonia – Occitania – Andalusia 2023.
France near Belgium: the North
- Monkeypox vaccine, an excuse to visit Valenciennes.
- Monkeypox vaccine, an excuse for a day trip to Lille.
- FRANCE | Train excursion to Maubeuge and Lille.
A creamy escapade to Chantilly
- FRANCE | Glade of the Armistice in Compiègne.
- REVIEW | Hôtel Mercure Chantilly Resort & Conventions.
- FRANCE | Château de Chantilly.
Paris & Cleopatra 2025
- PARIS | ‘Le mystère Cléopâtre’ / ‘The Cleopatra Mystery’ exhibition at Institut du monde arabe.
- PARIS | Boulevard de Sébastopol – Tour Saint-Jacques – Institut du monde arabe – Le Remontalou – Coulée verte René-Dumont & Viaduc des Arts – Place de la Bastille – Rue Pierre Seel – Hôtel de Ville – Rue des Mauvais-Garçons – Place des Vosges.
Some tourism statistics
- BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS | Tortola at the centre of a record tourism boom.
- DOMINICAN REPUBLIC | 11.6 million international visitors in 2025.
- Aruba consolidates its position as a tourism powerhouse.
- United Kingdom tourism races past 45 million visitors as cross-Channel travel with Belgium grows.
- ITALY | More than 185 million visitors as tourism surges 7.1% in record year 2025.
- 8.7 billion rail trips in Europe in 2024 as Switzerland leads and Belgium’s data remain unavailable.
- NORWAY | Tourism breaks record with 40.6 million guest nights in 2025.
- NETHERLANDS | Rising international visitor numbers, domestic travel showed signs of stagnation in 2025.
- Taiwan tourism rebounds, Belgian market recovers, but cost pressures and geopolitical risks shape outlook.
- CURAÇAO | Tourism records for 2025, with 11,500 travellers from Belgium.
- International tourism to the United States continues to slide in 2026.
- Morocco records historic tourism year with 19.8 million visitors in 2025.
- Flanders continues to grow as a tourist destination with over 15 million visitors in 2025.
- Greece sets new tourism records in 2025 with nearly 38 million visitors.
- Thailand happy with Belgian visitor numbers and welcomes Tomorrowland festival.
- Belgian travel stats to the United States continued to decline throughout 2025.
- Is Greece too popular? 2024 tourism statistics raise overtourism concerns.
- TRAIN TRAVEL | European Union records 429 billion passenger-kilometres in 2023 but domestic travel still dominates.
- 5 million passengers flew from and to Brussels Airport in summer 2025.
- BELGIUM | Flemish museums attracted more than 4.8 million visitors in 2023.
- Belgium sees modest tourism growth in 2024, led by Flanders and Brussels.
- Travel in 2024: Spain, France, USA, China, Mexico lose ground and Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, UAE to grow market share.
- France, Spain, USA, China and Italy most visited countries in the world, Belgium 41st.
- France welcomed 100 million international visitors in 2024.
- Turkey welcomed 62 million international tourists who together spent $61 billion in 2024.
- SPAIN | 94 million international visitors and €108.7 billion tourism income in 2024.
- UN WORLD TOURISM BAROMETER | International tourism recovers pre-pandemic levels in 2024.
- Outside the EU, Europeans mostly travel to Switzerland, Turkey and the United Kingdom.
- Intra-European travel mostly for fun and / or family.
- Europeans visit other European countries over 7 nights on average.
