News From France Oct/Nov 2024
The latest news in culture, tourism and sustainable travel from France and its regions.
Keep on rolling!
The French government and France Vélo, which represents the bicycle industry, have signed a contract as part of the 2023-2027 plan to further the development of walking and cycling and meet the associated economic needs and challenges.
The best-selling means of transport in France, the bicycle is becoming ever more popular, with a 31% increase in use in three years. The aim of the partnership is to encourage cooperation between the various players to strengthen and enhance the French ecosystem as a whole. It also aims to help develop a bicycle industry capable of supporting this initiative, which has six objectives for 2030, including the goal for France to become number one for cyclotourism in Europe.
Over the past 10 years, bicycle tourism has become increasingly popular, with 22m French people saying they cycle during their vacations, and France is currently the world’s second-largest destination for bicycle tourism after Germany, with more than 9m cycling holidays a year and a 20% share of foreign cyclotourists. Just last year saw the opening of 1,290km of new cycle routes, bringing the total number completed to 21,530km, which is about 82.5% of the programme’s goal. Ça roule!
Best of all
This year marks the centenary of the Meilleur Ouvrier de France label. The crème de la crème of France’s craftspeople compete for the coveted title, which has honoured chefs, bakers, charcutiers, glassmakers and more, all of whom get to wear the prestigious red, white and blue collar.
Presidential welcome

La Maison Elysée © Palais de l’Elysée
La Maison Élysée, a new venue directly across from the Élysée Palace, showcases the evolution of the presidency and its impact on the nation. Through a variety of interactive exhibits and historical objects, guests can gain a deeper understanding of the political landscape and the pivotal moments that have shaped the French nation. Finish off your visit with a stop at the chic café and boutique.
France’s Favourite Village

Collioure © H.ARGENCE – OT Collioure
Collioure has been crowned Village Préféré des Français in the popular annual TV contest of the same name. Nicknamed the ‘City of Painters’, it was chosen from among 14 nalists – one for each region and one for the French overseas departments and territories.
The competition, which has been running since 2012, showcases the charm and heritage of villages across France, culminating in a public vote to determine the winner. It’s no wonder that picturesque Collioure, on the Côte Vermeille in the Pyrénées-Orientales, captured the hearts of the French: the charming fishing village has evolved from its humble beginnings into an attractive tourist spot without losing any of its character.
Collioure’s selection is a testament to its stunning landscapes, rich history and jealously guarded traditions. Greeted by breathtaking coastal scenery and the colourful houses that line the rocky shores, visitors can follow the welcoming cobbled streets past charming boutiques, art galleries and cafés. Notre-Dame des Anges, with its iconic bell tower, and Fort Saint-Elme are testament to the region’s rich history.
Collioure has also long been a haven for artists, including the likes of Matisse and Derain, drawn to its vibrant colours and unique light. The Museum of Modern Art Fonds Peské showcases nearly 1,400 works celebrating this artistic legacy.
Treasured islands

Nuku Hiva, Marquesas Islands. Tiki on the bay of Nuku Hiva.
France welcomed “with delight” the inclusion of Te Henua ‘Enata (the Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia) on UNESCO’s World Heritage list. The award recognises “the exceptional universal value of this archipelago, where we find evidence of a civilisation intimately linked to its unique geological and marine environment”.
The inclusion on the list also underpins UNESCO’S support in preserving the Pacific’s land and marine biodiversity as well as the diverse cultures of France’s overseas territories. There are 1,223 places with World Heritage status, 952 because of their cultural importance and 231 because of their natural assets. Only 40 of them, as is the case of the Marquesas Islands, are inscribed for both natural and cultural features. The islands’ isolated position offers some protection from mass tourism. Anatauarii Tamarii, cultural heritage lead at the Culture and Heritage Directorate, dedicated seven years to the UNESCO application. He said that “through management and conservation measures related to World Heritage listing, the archipelago will continue to inspire and fascinate the world with its beauty, exceptional biodiversity and rich cultural heritage”.
Did you know? The 9,346 inhabitants of the Marquesas Islands were joined by 10,995 tourists in 2023!
True Blue
In 2024, 11 beaches, six marinas and a boat joined the coveted Blue Flag list. Here are some of the winners of the designation that has become a gold standard for sustainable tourism…
Eco-tourism ‘Oscar’ awards

Acteurs du Tourisme Durable (ADT), the organisation created in 2011 to help the entire French tourism sector move towards more sustainable practices and which now boasts 300 members, has announced the winners of its 2024 Horizons Awards for best practice.
The awards, says ADT, “reward innovative, replicable and positive-impact initiatives, and publicise them so that they can be deployed”, while the event also included a round-table discussion on ‘Sustainable tourism and raising travellers’ awareness: how to encourage changes in behaviour’.
Winners included: Parc Départemental d’Olhain in Pas-de-Calais for Adaptation to Climate Change; Office de Tourisme de Valmeinier (Savoie) for Circular Economy and Waste Management; and Alsace Destination Tourisme, for Boucles pour tous – bike tours designed for people with reduced mobility.
New ways with waste
An new ‘sorting and recovery of biowaste in tourism’ education programme has launched across the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. The course, split into four stages, aims to support businesses and tourist establishments in better handling the bio-waste generated within their structures, by the professionals themselves or their customers.
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