Tourism in France is a importantactivity as well for French who chooses to spend there their holidays as for the foreigners who come to make a stay there. Thus, since the years 1990, France became the first tourist destination in the world.

EVOLUTION of TOURISM IN FRANCE Foreign tourists in France (in millions) from 1991 to 2009

Comment on the graph  Since 1991, we can note a big rise of tourism in France:  1991: 55 millions.  2009: Approximately 72 million.  2007: And we can also observe a peak of increase in tourism which rises to approximately 80 million.

 The culture, first factor of attractivity for France 56% of the tourists perceive France like rich cultural destination.  In France, there are multitudes of festivals. ex: festival of Avignon CULTURAL TOURISM IN FRANCE

 France proposes an offer rich and varied architectural, artistic and historical sites :  More than protected monuments and sites.  33 cultural sites classified with the World Inheritance of Humanity (UNESCO).  Nearly 500 festivals, seasons of (theatres, concerts, of dance…)  Museum.  Parks and gardens.

A French sea resort is a littoral city fitted out with the aim of a main activity: the tourism of the "sea swimming". The fashion of the sea swimming begins to develop in the middle of the XVIIIth century but the fashion of the big sea resorts begins only in the middle of the XIXth century.

 France account 308 ski resorts with 3989 ski lifts for the Alpine skiing  Alpine ski runs cover a surface estimated at hectares.

 The French educational system is very centralized, piloted by the Ministry of Education. Since 1959, the instruction is there compulsory from 6 to 16 years.  There are more than schools, which depend on the Ministry of Education, of whom 15% are private institutions The French educational system in figures

 The World Health Organization in 2000 indicates the French health system as being the most successful in terms of dispensation and organization of health care.  The French health insurance allows the access to healthcare for all. La sécurité sociale

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