Americans choose Europe, but France is set aside

There is something deeply ironic in the fact that, despite its reputation as a leading tourist destination, France cannot seduce Americans as much as Spain or Greece in 2025. While these two Mediterranean countries now dominate the choices of American travelers, France, which boasts of its culture, its landscapes and its monuments, seems to have lost its brilliance. The results of a study by Hometogo reveal that destinations like Naxos in Greece and Alicante in Spain are now the favorites of American tourists, while France, often cited first in the top of international destinations, seems to have been relegated to the background.

The lack of renewal of tourism in France

The first question that comes to mind is as follows: why is France, which is however one of the first world tourist destinations, does it lose attraction with Americans? Is it because of the saturation of classic destinations like Paris, Nice or the Côte d’Azur, which, although Immortelles, seem to have lost the originality which once attracted visitors?

Spain and Greece succeed in attracting American tourists by offering them less known but charming destinations. By choosing islands like Naxos or cities like Alicante, the Americans seek above all authenticity, far from tourist overcrowding which often spoils experience in too run. These destinations offer a perfect mix of local culture, sublime beaches, and historic sites, without the impression of visiting a theme park for tourists.

France, on the other hand, seems to be bogged down in a certain predictability, being content with its classics and its monuments without really renewing its proposals. Mass tourism in Paris, where the queues in front of the Eiffel Tower or the Louvre have almost become a tradition, ends up putting off a certain audience, particularly that of the Americans who now prefer more intimate and less invaded escapades by hordes of tourists.

Americans turn to authenticity, and France is struggling to follow

One of the aspects that emerges from this trend is the desire of Americans to move away from saturated tourist places and to discover more authentic destinations. Spanish cities like Alicante or Greek islands such as Naxos or Leucade are experiencing a real boom because of this quest for authenticity, a concept that seems to have escaped France. While regions like Brittany are experiencing a slight renewed interest, they are far from equaling the popularity of other Mediterranean destinations which have reinvented themselves by cultivating their local character, far from the clichés.

Lake Garda in Italy, for example, made a remarkable breakthrough, while the less known Greek islands explode in popularity. And where is France in all of this? Although it retains a special place for European tourists, reality is that more and more Americans are missing its potential. They prefer a more local holiday, to discover less congested landscapes, instead of the traditional Parisian escapades or stays on the Côte d’Azur, often perceived as too familiar “classics”.

Le Parisien model and its drifts: another brake for tourism

Nor should we neglect the way in which France is perceived by foreign tourists. The image of the Parisian, a little condescending and often closed to strangers, has been a brake far too long. The Americans are looking for a warm hospitality and an immersion in the local way of life, but Paris, for example, has long been seen as a city where there is more frustration than real human warmth. Of course, this image does not represent all of France, but it remains a stereotype that plays a role in the decision of many travelers.

If French tourism wishes to return to its appearance with Americans, it is imperative to rethink its model. We must encourage the discovery of less visited regions, while renewing classic attractions, and put more emphasis on a more intimate experience, far from tourist shots. Unless, in a few years, France is found to lose an important tourist market share, in favor of more creative and more authentic neighbors. It is high time to reinvent tourism France.