Tourism in France has flourished recently, expanding exponentially with time. A reflection of this fact is that year after year, the number of tourists visiting France increases by a range of 10 to 15 million. In the end of the year 2008, the number of tourists visiting France crossed the hundred million mark. Tourism in France contributes to over 6% of the country’s revenue due to which it is gaining importance and support from the French government.

There are twenty-seven natural and cultural locations in France that have been certified as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. Apart from these, World Heritage sites include several museums, castles, churches, and other monuments that are a part of France’s rich and diverse heritage, as well as curiosities for the tourists who visit France. The major sort after locations in France include but are not limited to Versailles castles, Loire Valley castles, Chambord, Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower, the Pope’s Palace in Avignon, Chateau Royal de Blois, Chateau de Valencay, Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild and Ecole Militaire.

Tourism in France has seen considerable growth, not only due to the cultural sites but also due to its wide seashore, which has various facilities for water sports. The most sought after beaches of France include those in French Riviera, Languedoc-Roussillon, Martini, Guadeloupe and Corsica. Secondly, France also has ice skating and skiing locations like the ones in towns like Chamonix, Val d’Isere and Megeve are the attraction points of the domestic and international tourists.

The transportation system in France is highly developed and is very convenient for tourists to travel in and around France. This is one of the key reasons for the growth in tourism in France. The public transportation system includes a network of trains and trams, extensive subways, city and intercity buses. Along with these, one can hire bicycles in cities including Paris. In the recent years, all major roads have been marked with reserved cycle tracks and rollerbladers so as to encourage the use of cycling in return avoiding pollution. The metro trains are considered one of the convenient, safe and cheaper options for traveling in Paris and many tourists prefer it a better source of transport.

All tourists are required to pay a tourism tax in Paris. This tax is either charged at some flat rate or in some locations it is variable depending on the regulations of a specific region.