International tourism receipts reached €40 billion ($47 billion) through June, up 7% year over year, according to France Tourisme Observation office and the Banque de France. The tourism “Travel” balance surplus also climbed 23% to €14.4 billion ($16.9 billion).
Long-haul markets have been particularly resilient. Air arrivals from Mexico increased 14%, Canada rose 10% and the US gained 2% during the first half, although European markets were more mixed, particularly the UK and Italy.
Commercial accommodation also remained broadly stable, with overnight stays up 2% from 2025. Vacation rentals performed particularly well, rising 4%, while hotels gained 2%. Campsites were virtually flat.
International visitors keep summer on track
The summer figures underline the importance of foreign visitors to France’s tourism economy.
International tourism receipts reached €9.4 billion ($11.0 billion) in July alone, up 3.7% from July 2025. British visitors generated 13% more spending, followed by Germans at +9% and Dutch visitors at +6%.
The pace puts France on course to approach €80 billion ($94 billion) in international tourism receipts for 2026, compared with around €77 billion ($90.6 billion) last year.
International air arrivals rose 1% during the summer. China was up 5%, Japan 4% and the US 3%. Brazilian, Indian and South Korean demand was broadly stable.
European markets were less consistent, with arrivals from Spain down 4%, Italy down 6% and Denmark down 7%.
French favoring domestic tourism over outbound
The picture was different among French travelers, who continued to favor domestic vacations but became more selective about how they spent.
By mid-August, 84% of French vacationers surveyed had taken at least one trip within France, unchanged from 2025. However, 34% had traveled or planned to travel abroad, four percentage points higher than last year. Portugal and the UK were among the beneficiaries, while the Maghreb and Asia also gained interest.
Economic pressure appears to have changed spending patterns rather than eliminated travel altogether. Half of French vacationers said they had modified at least one holiday habit. Restaurant spending was reduced by 17%, activities by 15% and shopping by 14%.
Overall, 28% said they had not traveled during the summer, with 57% of non-travelers citing financial difficulties.
Weather was another major factor, particularly four consecutive heat waves from mid-May to early September. Fifty-five percent of French vacationers said exceptional weather conditions affected their trip, including 21% who reported a significant impact.
Hotels outperform campsites
Hotels delivered a stronger summer, with revenue up 4% in July, according to In Extenso. Occupancy increased 2%, while average room rates remained stable.
Logis Hotels reported an even stronger performance, with revenue up 13% during July and August. International customers increased 19%, while French guests rose 9%.
Camping was more difficult. Overnight stays fell 3.6% across July and August, with August down 6%. International demand declined 6%, compared with a 3% drop among French travelers. Higher-end four- and five-star campsites generally held up better.
Vacation rentals remained broadly stable, although southern destinations including Nouvelle-Aquitaine and Occitanie saw weaker performance due to fires and heat waves. Rural destinations continued to attract demand, accounting for 64% of Airbnb reservations.
September could extend the season
The outlook for September remains positive, particularly for long-haul markets. Air arrivals are expected to rise 1%, led by the US at +9%, Mexico +17%, Japan +8% and China +14%.
French travel could also extend further into September. Around 23% of summer vacationers said they had planned or considered a September trip, with 79% considering a destination in France.
The figures suggest that France’s 2026 tourism season may be becoming less concentrated in July and August, with international demand and shoulder-season travel providing an increasingly important cushion against economic and weather pressures.
Tags: France tourism Hospitality
