Atout France: what exactly is it?
Do you know about the Atout France agency?
We told you about it recently: the way stars are awarded has changed. But do you know who manages these awards? Atout France will soon hold no more secrets for you.
Who is Atout France?
Atout France is THE authority when it comes to the rating of tourist accommodation. Set up in 2009, it is an economic interest grouping and the French State's operator for tourism.
What are its main missions?
- PromotingFranceand its destinationsinternationally
- Raising theprofileof global brands as a gateway into the regions
- Supportingregional development
- Contributing to thequalityand therenewal of the offerthroughratings,labelsandregistrations
More about the rating system
Atout France therefore sets a rating system for collective tourist accommodation: hotels, campsites, residential leisure parks, tourist residences and holiday villages.
This system rests on 4 main pillars:
- A rating range running from1 to 5 stars
- A rating awarded for5 years
- Qualitative criteria
- Evolving criteria
Did you know that this rating is carried out at the establishment's own request? It is an entirely voluntary step! Atout France is therefore a body linked to the State whose purpose is to showcase French heritage. Do you think that matters?
If you are fond of figures, you are bound to be interested in this article!
Here, at a glance, is what you need to remember about Atout France and the classification it manages:
| Item | Key point |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2009 |
| Status | Economic interest grouping, French State operator for tourism |
| Accommodation covered | Hotels, campsites, leisure residential parks, tourist residences, holiday villages |
| Rating range | 1 to 5 stars |
| Validity | 5 years |
| Type of criteria | Qualitative and evolving |
| Process | Voluntary, at the establishment’s request |
Frequently asked questions
Is Atout France a public or a private body ? It is an economic interest grouping, set up in 2009, acting as the French State’s operator for tourism. So it is neither a standard government department nor a purely private company. That position lets it handle both the promotion of France as a destination and the classification of accommodation.
Which types of accommodation does the Atout France rating cover ? The rating covers collective tourist accommodation : hotels, campsites, residential leisure parks, tourist residences and holiday villages. Each category has its own set of criteria. This is the rating behind the stars displayed at the entrance of a property.
Is the star rating compulsory ? No. It is a voluntary step : the property itself applies to be rated. No star is granted automatically just because you open a hotel or a campsite.
How long does a rating stay valid ? Five years. After that, the rating is no longer acquired and the property has to go through the process again. Since the criteria change over time, what earned three stars five years ago will not necessarily do so today.
Is rating all that Atout France does ? No, it is one mission among several. The body promotes France and its destinations abroad, showcases global brands as gateways into the regions and supports their development. Ratings, labels and registrations all fall under its quality remit.
What is the rating system actually based on ? On four pillars : a range from one to five stars, a five year validity, qualitative criteria and criteria that evolve. In other words, stars do not simply measure the size of a property, they reflect the level of service expected, and that level shifts over time.
On the same topic
