France

The most visited country in Europe, France, is not all about the Eifel Tower, museums, and wine. For more than a decade now, the country has lured the highest number of visitors, more than any other European or world country. The reasons for that are not a few. The country has such a variety of tourist attractions that a year would not be enough to see and experience everything that it has to offer. France is well known for its numerous splendid and enormous palaces, castles, and cathedrals all across the country. The Palace of Versailles, the Castle of Chambord, and the Notre Dame Cathedral are some of the most famous.

Medieval villages like the Pérouges, St-Émilion, St-Jean Pied de Port, coastal villages, snowy mountains, beautiful beaches, and enormous outdoor markets have made every traveler place France on their must-see list. France seems to be the top world destination since 1995 when the country received over 60 million visitors. There’s much more to France than Paris though; the Avignon Festival, Loire Valley Castle, and Les Machines de l'île in Nantes are also worth a visit. There’s a reason to visit the country at any time of year, whether it’s skiing in the Alps or enjoying the sun on the French Riviera.

• International tourist arrivals: 89.4 million visitors/year in 2020