Destinations

Unique Experiences in France

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Atout France wants travellers to know there’s more to France’s offerings than the Eiffel Tower, cruising along the Seine River and listening to singing cicadas in Provence.

“Travellers’ expectations change constantly and today experience is the number one objective for Canadians,” says Armelle Tardy-Joubert, general manager of Atout France in Canada. “Our country is a vast and exceptional playground.”

Whether it’s taking in 360-degree views of Pyrenees mountains, going for a walk in a 12-metre high mechanical elephant at Machines of the Isle of Nantes or hitting an alpine ski resort with Club Med, seven tourism partners were in Toronto last night (Nov. 3) to highlight some of the unique experiences that await in France.

“Canadians stay a long time when they go to France,” Tardy-Joubert told PressToday. “The Quebecois stay about 16 nights and the rest of Canada between eight and 10 nights. It’s one of the countries who stays the longest when they go, so it’s a very good market for us, very important.”

Beginning summer 2016, Air Canada will provide new non-stop services to Lyon, France from Montreal.

Pictured above at the France workshop, which is in Montreal today, are (l-r) Yann Foulquié, deputy consul, head of chancery, Consulate General of France in Toronto, Sabina Steffensen, Air Canada, Jessica Marie, Martinique Promotion Bureau, Virginie Priou, Pays de la Loire, Jo Lynch, Viking River Cruises, Inc., Marie-Andrée Boucher, Atout France, Robert Ruttan and Julien Laurent, Club Med, Armelle Tardy-Joubert, Atout France, Jacques Daoulas, Destination Midi-Pyrenees, Xavier Theret, Nantes Tourism and Marie-Hélène Aubrée, Tourism Rennes.

Pictured below are Robert Ruttan and Julien Laurent of Club Med. DSC_0263