In 2025, France, known for its breathtaking landscapes and its rich culture, is curiously absent from the ranking of the most visited cities, according to the famous magazine “Travel + Leisure”. Usually at the top of the list of world destinations, France is this time overshadowed by cities that redefine modern tourism by their authenticity and their hospitality. An upheaval that leads to wondering: how did we get there?
The domination of Mexican cities: a questioning of the preferences of travelers
The readers of “Travel + Leisture” elected San Miguel de Allende and Oaxaca as the jewels of international tourism in 2025. These Mexican cities, with their historic architecture and a warm atmosphere, represent an attractive alternative to the destinations over-frequented. For travelers in search of authentic experiences, these cities offer a mixture of tradition and modernity difficult to ignore. Their tourist growth is fueled by particular attention paid to authenticity and the quality of reception, which seems to be lacking in French cities. A reconquest of the hearts of travelers is necessary for Paris or Lyon to come back to the front of the stage.
San Miguel de Allende and Oaxaca: the secrets of their success
San Miguel de Allende, often praised for its colonial charm, offers a range of cultural activities and a flourishing culinary scene. Tourists are attracted by the human warmth of its inhabitants and the preserved beauty of architecture. Oaxaca, on the other hand, seduced by its captivating cultural traditions and its delicious local dishes. These cities thus capture an international audience, eager for original discoveries.
A flawless welcome: key factor in the success of emerging destinations
The warm welcome from these Mexican destinations cannot be underestimated. Travelers value attentive service and engaging inhabitants, which becomes more and more central in the selection of travel destinations. Unlike certain negative perceptions of major French cities, these practices strengthen positive feedback and retain visitors.
Booming Asian destinations, a signal for European cities
In addition to Mexican cities, Tokyo and Udaipur are also one of the most popular destinations this year. Tok, Japanese capital, combines advanced technology and well -preserved traditions, captivating tourists by its dynamism and its unique harmony. For his part, Udaipur, with his majestic palaces and picturesque lakes, attracted by a brilliant romanticism which enchants each visitor. These successes offer a lesson to European cities, which must rethink their tourism strategy to meet new expectations.
Tokyo: the perfect balance between modernity and tradition
Tokyo symbolizes harmonious marriage between technological innovation and cultural heritage. Tourists flock to its old temples, its animated districts like Shibuya, and its futuristic technologies that shape an unforgettable experience. The city of megalopolises is a striking example of how to revitalize the tourist interest around its old traditions while kissing modernity.
Udaipur: charm and romanticism in the heart of India
Udaipur, often called the “Venice of the East”, bewitched its visitors with its sparkling lakes and its architecture of royal palaces. This Indian city capitalizes on its unique offer of rich and diversified cultural experiences. The feeling of romanticism that she evokes attracts couples and lovers of history from all backgrounds, demonstrating that authenticity combined with enchanting landscapes remains a major asset.
Reinvent the image of French cities to seduce new travelers
The absence of French cities in this ranking challenges their ability to renew themselves. The perception of an inhospitable reception and a saturation of the tourism market are challenges that France must overcome to remain competitive. Paris, Lyon and Marseille must adapt to new tourism dynamics by focusing on cultural diversity, hospitality and unique experiences, in order to seduce an increasingly demanding clientele and eager for authenticity.
Market saturation and negative perception: brakes to French attractiveness
France continues to attract millions of tourists each year, but the perception of a reception often deemed cold or impersonal can dissuade certain travelers. Large urban centers also suffer from their over-photographic aspect, sometimes lacking in novelty for visitors looking for discovery. These aspects slow down the attractiveness of French cities, making a strategic repositioning urgent.
Promote hidden treasures and diversify the tourist offer
It is crucial for France to promote its less known regions without renouncing the fame of its major cities. Hidden treasures, such as picturesque villages and spectacular natural landscapes, offer new and exciting travel experiences. Accentuated by redesigned hospitality, this diversification can restore new breath to French tourism and help regain its status in international rankings.
What strategy for France in order to regain its rank of choice on the tourist scene?
To find its place among the world’s world destinations, France must imperatively rethink its tourist approach. The emphasis must be placed on the personalization of the customer experience, the improvement of the reception and the promotion of a renewed image focused on authenticity and cultural diversity. While strengthening the historical assets that have renowned, France must also open up to innovations capable of seducing new generations of tourists. Adaptation to these new requirements is essential to regain the hearts of travelers around the world and appear again in the prestigious lists of the most popular destinations.