Latest news with #AtoutFrance
Travel Weekly
12-07-2025
- Travel Weekly
Savoring a visit to Lyon, France's capital of gastronomy
The city of Lyon hosts the Lyon Street Food Festival every June, the largest culinary festival in France. The good news for foodies like myself, though, is that you don't need to attend that annual event to indulge in great cuisine -- it's on the menu in the city year-round. I learned that on my visit in March, which coincided with the Rendezvous en France trade show. Atout France, the marketing arm of the French Government Tourist Office, hosts it every year in a different part of the country to give travel industry partners a chance to get to know the various regions of the country. In the case of Lyon, the city's reputation precedes it. Known as France's gastronomic capital, Lyon boasts a whopping 17 Michelin-starred restaurants out of some 5,300 eateries, including the traditional bouchon Lyonnais brasseries, where authentic fare is served in cozy, unpretentious settings. In short, bring your appetite. Bocuse, a legendary French chef who was based in Lyon, is venerated in this food-centric city. Photo Credit: Felicity Long I started my culinary exploration of the city at the Halles Paul Bocuse, named for the iconic chef for whom the Bocuse d'Or championship -- think of it as a Super Bowl for chefs -- is named. Technically an indoor food market, the Halles is a destination in its own right, with 60 or so merchants selling everything from cheeses, oysters, baked goods and charcuterie to specialty foods and wine. There are restaurants in the Halles, most with just a few tables -- reservations are strongly encouraged -- and tiny shops filled with high-end, food-related souvenirs. Back in city center, I took advantage of it being shoulder season by dining at various spots in the city without a reservation, including snagging a sunny outdoor table at L'Institution for a long lunch. For visitors looking to try a local bouchon -- probably not the best choice for vegans, since meats and cheese feature heavily in the cuisine -- there are so many that the local tourist office suggests making sure the one you choose has Les Bouchons Lyonnaise certification. The Lumiere Museum, a little outside of the city center, is an homage to the brothers who created what is arguably the first motion picture 130 years ago. Photo Credit: Felicity Long Step away from the table As the capital of France's Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes region, Lyon has so much more than great food to recommend it. Located at the junction of the Rhone and Saone rivers, the city's history stretches back more than two millennia, which is reflected in its art, culture and, most notably, its architecture. Probably the best way to explore it all is with the Lyon City Card, available for 24, 48, 72 or 96 hours and valid on virtually all modes of transportation and for entry to local museums and attractions. I used it on the funicular, which brought me to the ancient, hilltop Roman Amphitheater des Trois Gaules; on the easy-to-navigate metro, which took me from the medieval and Renaissance architecture of Old Town to the Confluence District, where the rivers meet; and on the bus for an exploration on the newly renovated Lumiere Museum. Film buffs will recognize the Lumiere brothers as the creators of what was arguably the first film 130 years ago this year. Called "Workers Leaving the Lumiere Factory," the 1895 film simply shows a steady stream of people walking toward the camera; but for viewers of the day, the technology was revolutionary. For a completely different side of culture, the Museum of Confluences on the Presqu'ile, the peninsula formed by the confluence of the two rivers -- eye-popping as much for its crystal-like exterior as for its exhibitions -- is marking its 10th anniversary with four new exhibitions. Don't miss the giant mammoth of Choulans, discovered in 1859 and said to date from the ice age. The Roman amphitheater is a reminder that the city's history goes back more than 2,000 years. Photo Credit: Felicity Long Hit the pavement A key attraction for visitors who like to do their sightseeing on foot is the network of traboules, covered passageways between buildings in Vieux Lyon, La Croix-Rousse hill and Presqu'ile. There are some 500 such passageways in the city, about 80 of which are open to the public from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. despite being privately owned. You can tour some of the most picturesque with a guide or go on your own with an app, but either way, the traboules offer a unique look into the behind-the-scenes life of the city. The city's menu of walking tours also includes visits to the historical canut district in the La Croix-Rousse section of the city, where in the 19th century, silk workers plied their trade in workshops that supplied some of the great fashion houses of the day. The Maison des Canuts is open to visitors and offers guided tours and weaving demonstrations. The Basilica Notre-Dame of Fourviere is accessible via funicular and dominates the city's skyline. Photo Credit: Felicity Long Sleeping in history You can tour the Grand Hotel-Dieu, a former hospital that dates from the Middle Ages and managed to survive and serve the wounded in two world wars. And overnight guests will find that the InterContinental Lyon -- Hotel Dieu offers more than just luxurious accommodations. The five-star property has various room and suite categories to choose from, most of which offer views of either the Rhone, the historical courtyard or the gardens. The property features a tony Cinq Mondes spa and fitness center, the Epona restaurant and Le Dome bar, both helmed by chef Mathieu Charrois and set in ornate interiors, courtesy of one of the largest private restorations of a historically classified site in France that took from 2013 to 2019 to complete. The property also features a location convenient to both Bellecour Square, where the tourist office is located, and Tete d'Or Park, billed as France's largest urban park. Getting to Lyon Most travelers visiting Lyon will likely transit through Paris, and while connecting flights are available and fairly frequent, the TGV InOui rail service only adds about an hour to the trip and is a lot more convenient and less expensive. The train departs Lyon from the downtown station and deposits travelers at the Gare de Lyon railway station, right in the heart of Paris.
The Star
29-04-2025
- Business
- The Star
Malaysia Airlines and Atout France sign strategic MoU to boost travel to France
Angrand (second from left) shaking hands with Tan during the MoU signing ceremony. KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Airlines Bhd (MAB) and Atout France have entered into a strategic three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at enhancing tourism promotion and increasing visitor arrivals to Paris via Malaysia Airlines' global network. The MoU was officially presented during a recent ceremonial signing in the presence of senior representatives from both organisations, including Atout France (mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan markets) deputy director Agnes Angrand, its Asean marketing manager Michiko Watanabe and Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) airlines global marketing head Emily Tan. This agreement marks the beginning of a collaborative effort to drive tourism demand and enhance connectivity between Malaysia and France. Under this collaboration, Malaysia Airlines and Atout France will work together on several initiatives designed to promote travel and enrich tourism experiences. These efforts will focus on leveraging the strengths of both parties, aligning with Malaysia Airlines' extensive global network and Atout France's expertise in promoting French tourism, ensuring a meaningful impact in attracting more travellers to France. MAG chief commercial officer (airlines) Dersenish Aresandiran said, 'We are excited to collaborate with Atout France to promote travel to one of the world's most cherished destinations. France is a key market for Malaysia Airlines and this MoU represents a significant milestone in expanding our reach. 'By leveraging our extensive global network and signature Malaysian Hospitality, alongside Atout France's expertise in showcasing the richness of French culture, we aim to provide travellers with seamless journeys and unforgettable experiences. 'This collaboration underscores our commitment to enhancing travel connectivity and supporting the growth of global tourism.' Angrand said, "We are confident that this collaboration will significantly contribute to strengthening France's position as a premier leisure and cultural destination for Malaysian and regional travellers. Through this partnership, we aim to enhance the visibility of France in key markets, while Malaysia Airlines will solidify its status as one of the key airline partners for travel to France, expanding its reach and presence through our joint efforts. The collaboration reflects a unified commitment to accelerating the recovery of global tourism by strengthening air connectivity and elevating France's profile as a must-visit destination. Through this strategic initiative, Malaysia Airlines and Atout France aim to drive travel demand, expand market reach, and offer travellers seamless access to France's rich cultural, culinary, and leisure experiences.
Local France
27-01-2025
- Local France
Is France moving towards a ban on cruise ships?
On Friday, the mayor of Nice issued a ban on large cruise ships - those carrying more than 900 passengers or more than 190m long - joining a growing list of French cities imposing limits on cruise ships. Announcing the ban which comes into effect in July 2025, mayor Christian Estrosi noted concerns about environmental factors and over-tourism, saying that the city in 2024 had 160,000 cruise tourists come ashore, and by 2026, that would rise to 300,000. He added that smaller ships would still be welcome, saying: "Pleasure boating, yes, floating buildings, no." With over 5,500km of coastline, France is a popular destination for cruise ships (paquebots or bateaux de croisière in French), but there are increasing concerns about this method of tourism. The French government tourism agency, Atout France, estimated that mainland France saw more than 3.8 million cruise passengers pass through in 2023, an increase of 13 percent compared to 2019 (pre-Covid). They found that most passengers were German, American or British. The vast majority of passengers (three million) went to Mediterranean ports. The other 704,500 went to the Atlantic coast, which has been growing in popularity in recent years - more than doubling since 2014. France's overseas territories - especially the Caribbean islands of Gaudeloupe and Martinique - also see a lot of cruise tourists, but the above data refers only to mainland France, aka l'hexagone. Which cities get the most cruise traffic? Marseille stands out amongst French cities. In its 2023 report, the city noted 626 stopovers, with over 2.5 million cruise tourists in total. It is followed by Ajaccio in Corsica, Cannes, Nice and Villefranche-sur-Mer (which is just outside of Nice), according to a French government report. Smaller ports along the French riviera are also hot-spots, such as St Tropez, Menton, and La Ciotat. Map of cruise destinations in France in 2023 (Credit: Atout France) As mentioned above, the Atlantic coast is less of a cruise destination than the French Riviera, but cruise companies have increased efforts to target south-western France, with a growing number of cruises headed for Bordeaux and La Rochelle. In 2023 Bordeaux reportedly welcomed 60 cruise ships, compared with 43 in 2019. Meanwhile, Brittany and Normandy in north-western France also are home to several cruise ports, from La Havre to smaller locations like Douarnenez in Finistère. Cross-Channel traffic is not included in cruise figures. The global cruise ship industry expects numbers to keep rising, with estimates that they will see 10.7 percent more passengers in 2028 than in 2023. How much money do they bring into France? Overall, research is mixed as to the true impact cruise ships have on local economies, in contrast to typical land tourism. Critics point to the money that local governments spend to accommodate ships, as well as the fact that many available statistics about local economic impact are produced by cruise companies themselves. Cruise ships often follow an 'all-inclusive' model, offering passengers everything they need on board, from bars and restaurants to activities - and therefore reducing the incentive to spend in local bars, cafés and restaurants. A 2024 study found that factors like length of the visit to the city (from just a few hours to overnight stays), as well as its tourism offerings and the age of passengers, play a role in whether or not passengers will disembark and spend money in the local economy. In France, the spending depends on the city. A study by geographer Victor Piganiol, showed that a cruise passenger "spends an average of €150 a day and up to €200 during a stopover" in Bordeaux, compared with an average of €89 in Le Havre and €80 in La Rochelle. This higher spending in Bordeaux is mostly explained by people purchasing wine. "When they pass through Bordeaux, the cruise promotional brochures highlight the vineyards and their prestigious appellations", the researcher told AFP. Visits to nearby châteaux are often organised and included in the cruise package. In Marseille, a separate study found that people who spent at least five hours in the city spent on average €57 for the day - compared to €132 per day for non-cruise passengers. It also found that people who either started or ended their cruise journey in Marseille would spend €78 per day per person, with almost a third opting to spend a night in town before or after the cruise. In this case, they spent €171 a person, L'Echo Touristique reported. In 2022, the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) estimated that cruise ships had a €3.5 billion "total GDP impact" on France, which included things like ship and capacity building, cruise line purchases, passenger spending and crew spending. CLIA estimated that "cruise line employment (crew and head office employees) equated to 1,245 direct jobs, as well as 36,730 jobs created through direct and indirect effects. Local response to cruises Despite some evidence that cruise ships can stimulate local economies, many residents across French port towns have complained of over-tourism and negative environmental impacts from cruise ships. Most recently, members of the environmental groups 'Stop croisières' and Extinction Rebellion in inflatable kayaks sought to block cruise ships from entering Marseille's port. In 2022, over 44,000 people in Marseille signed a petition against pollution caused by cruise liners, and in March 2023, residents' associations in Marseille lodged a legal complaint over ocean traffic pollution in the port area, which regularly exceeded European Union limits. Meanwhile, in 2023 the small port-town of Douarnenez in western France made international news when local residents banged on saucepans and chanted 'go home' to passengers of the 'World Traveller' cruise ship. La Rochelle is planning to only allow 27 ships to stop over in 2025 - in contrast to 31 in 2024 and 37 in 2022 - and set a goal to halve emissions from cruise ships. Meanwhile, in Bordeaux, the city council in August proposed that cruise ships no longer moor in the city centre, and instead move further along the right bank of the Garonne, in hopes of addressing aesthetic and environmental concerns. The mayor Pierre Hurmic, from the Green Party told AFP: "More and more people in Bordeaux are being disturbed by the arrival of cruise ships in the city centre, and it's becoming increasingly unpleasant, adding that they resemble "actual floating buildings in some of the most aesthetically pleasing parts of the city". Environmental impact Cruise liners are known to be huge polluters - a 2019 study by the NGO Transport & Environment found that cruise ships were responsible for more pollution than all of Europe's automobiles combined. As for the port of Marseille, France's top cruise stopover, it is one of the most polluted in Europe, according to a recent study. This picture will hopefully improve after May 2025, when Mediterranean-wide rules will from the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) will require that cruise ships cut sulphur oxide emissions by 80 percent. It is estimated this will lead to an annual reduction of 8.5 million tons of emissions into the atmosphere, and protect marine life.
