WHEN TO TRAVEL in France

Location

Climate

When should you travel to France?

France offers a diversity of climates, landscapes and leisure activities all year round. So choosing the right time to go to France will depend on your preferences and desires. Here are a few things to consider:

Seasons and weather

THE spring (March to June) is often considered the best time to visit France. Temperatures are mild and pleasant, and the days are longer. Nature in bloom adds an extra charm to the already sumptuous landscapes. L'summer (June to September) is a period of warmth and vacation. The southern regions enjoy a Mediterranean climate, much appreciated by tourists for its beaches and numerous water sports. This is the high season, with a large number of tourists. L'fall (September to November) offers cooler temperatures and brilliant colors in the forests. Food lovers will appreciate this period for discovering local produce and culinary specialties. L'winter (December to February) is synonymous with cold and snow in some regions, particularly in the mountains. This period is ideal for winter sports and end-of-year festivities. However, the climate can be less conducive to outdoor cultural and tourist visits.

Low and high season

There low seasonThe summer season, which generally corresponds to spring and autumn, is characterized by fewer tourists and lower rates on accommodation and transport. If you want to avoid the crowds and benefit from attractive prices, these are the best times to visit France. On the other hand high season is marked by an influx of tourists, particularly during the summer and school vacations. Southern beaches, major cities and iconic tourist sites are particularly popular. Rates can also be significantly higher.

Major cultural events in France

Throughout the year, France is the stage for a wide variety of exciting cultural events. Here's a selection of the must-see events:

• The Cannes Film Festival (May): every year, this famous film festival brings the biggest international stars to the Croisette.
• Fête de la musique (June 21): this day dedicated to the celebration of music sees free concerts held all over France, featuring amateur and professional artists.
• Tour de France (July): this prestigious cycling race crosses the whole country over a three-week period, offering a sporting and friendly spectacle.
• The Avignon Festival (July): this major theater event brings together companies from all over the world to present their shows in the city of the popes.
• Museum Night (May): during this European event, French museums open their doors to the public free of charge throughout the night, offering exceptional exhibitions and events.

Public holidays in France

France has 11 public holidays throughout the year. It's a good idea to be aware of these days, so you can plan your stay around the celebrations and any closures of shops or tourist sites:

• January 1st New Year's Day.
• Easter Monday (date variable).
• May 1st Labour Day.
• May 8th Commemorating Victory in 1945.
• Ascension (date varies): 40 days after Easter.
• Pentecost (date varies): 50 days after Easter.
• July 14th Fête nationale, celebrating the storming of the Bastille in 1789.
• August 15 Assumption.
• November 1st : Toussaint.
• November 11 Armistice of 1918.
• December 25 Christmas.

Statistics on immigration to France

According to the latest available data, the immigration situation in France is characterized by the following features:

• Approximately 6.5 million immigrants live in France, representing almost 10% of the total population.
• Nearly half of all immigrants (47%) come from a European country, mainly the United States. Portugal, ofItaly and United Kingdom.
• Immigrants from Africa account for 30% of the immigrant population, with a high proportion from the Maghreb.
• Other continents are less represented: around 14% of immigrants come from Asia, 7% from America and 1% from Oceania.

Concerning descendants of immigrantsThey are estimated at around 11 million people, or nearly 17% of the French population.

Recent immigration trends in France

Since the beginning of the 2000s, France has been experiencing increase in the number of foreigners entering the country. This rise is mainly due to the increase in immigration for family and economic reasons. In contrast, immigration for study purposes has fallen slightly in recent years.

Most popular visas in France

Visas issued by France fall into several categories:

• Short-stay visas (less than 3 months): mainly for tourist, business and language travel. The countries whose nationals most frequently apply for this type of visa are Russia, China, Algeria and Morocco.
• Long-stay visas (over 3 months): these are required in particular for foreign students, temporary workers and family reunions. The nationalities most concerned by this category of visa are Algerians, Moroccans, Tunisians and Turks.

The refusal rate for visa applications varies by country and by reason for application. However, a few trends can be identified:

• Short-stay visas are generally easier to obtain than long-stay visas.
• Nationals from countries considered "at risk" (particularly in terms of irregular migration) find it more difficult to obtain a visa for France.

International tourism figures for France

France is a popular destination for international travelers, with around 90 million foreign tourists visiting every year. Here are some interesting facts about the international tourism in France :

• Europeans account for almost 80% of foreign visitors, with a strong presence of British, German and Belgian tourists.
• Americans are also very numerous in choosing France for their vacations (around 5% of foreign tourists).
• The number of Chinese tourists has risen sharply in recent years, from around 400,000 in 2000 to almost 2 million in 2019.

Breakdown of foreign tourists in France by region

The geographical distribution of international tourists in France is fairly uneven:

• Paris Regionwith Paris at the top of the list, is the most visited region, attracting around 45% of foreign tourists.
• Other popular regions include Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (including the city of Lyon and ski resorts), Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (for its beaches, culture and heritage) and Occitanie (thanks in particular to the medieval city of Carcassonne and the beaches along the coast).
• Some regions, such as Centre-Val de Loire, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté and Normandie, are less popular with foreign visitors.