Overtourism in France: when the Eiffel Tower needs a holiday

Welcome to France! Land of fine wine, cheeses that smell strong (and good), the baguette... and overtourism. If you have ever queued for three hours to climb up to Mont-Saint-Michel, or elbowed your way through the back streets of Saint-Tropez in summer, you know exactly what we mean.

Overtourism in France has become a very visible reality. But why is it happening? What are the consequences? And above all, how can we tackle it without scaring off our beloved tourists? Here is everything you need to know, with a smile.

What is overtourism?

Overtourism, or sur-tourisme as the French call it, refers to visitor numbers so high that they exceed a destination's carrying capacity, to the point of harming the environment, local residents... and even the visitor experience itself.

Figures that make your head spin

Before the pandemic, France welcomed around 90 million tourists a year, a world record. Paris, the French Riviera, Mont-Saint-Michel, the Loire châteaux... all draw enormous crowds, sometimes to the point of suffocation. And since tourism came roaring back after Covid, some sites are once again crying out for help.

The causes of overtourism in France

France's own success (yes, it is partly our fault)

France is beautiful, varied, culturally rich... in short, irresistible. Between Parisian glamour, the Provençal dolce vita and the snow-covered Alps, it is easy to see why everyone wants to come.

Social media

Instagram and TikTok have turned charming little spots into global stars. The result: everyone wants the perfect shot in front of the Étretat cliffs or Rue Crémieux in Paris, which has been turned into a photo studio against its will.

Cheap travel

Low-cost flights, Airbnb, peer-to-peer rentals... Travelling has never been so easy or so affordable. The result: even the most remote corners of France are becoming trendy and overcrowded.

A geographical concentration

80% of tourists are concentrated on 20% of the country. It is simple maths: the more people head for the same place, the more it seizes up. Paris, Nice, Strasbourg... are besieged, while other gems stay quiet (which is a shame).

The consequences of overtourism

Pressure on the environment

Overcrowded beaches, mountains of rubbish, soil erosion... too many visitors means a heavy ecological impact. Even the calanques of Cassis end up calling time.

Local life disrupted

Rising rents, shops that cater to tourists at the expense of residents, transport at breaking point: in certain districts of Paris or Annecy, locals flee the tourist season like the plague.

Heritage at risk

Fragile monuments, trampled nature trails, historic villages worn down... between the selfies and the footfall, our heritage is running out of breath.

A poorer visitor experience

The irony: the more tourists there are, the less enjoyable the experience becomes. Too many people, too much queuing, too much noise... and the magic vanishes.

How to reduce overtourism in France (without giving tourists the cold shoulder)

Happily, there are solutions. And no, we are not talking about building a second Mont-Saint-Michel out of plastic.

Spread tourism across the year

Why do we all have to come in July and August? In May or September the weather is lovely, prices are gentler and the locals are more relaxed. Promoting the low season is good for everyone.

Spread the crowds out

France is full of magnificent places off the beaten track. Instead of Saint-Tropez, why not visit Collioure? Instead of Mont-Saint-Michel, consider Sénanque Abbey. Fewer people, just as much wonder.

Encourage responsible tourism

Choosing eco-labelled accommodation, favouring low-impact transport, respecting the places you visit... every gesture counts. A good tourist is a mindful tourist.

Regulate access to certain sites

Some towns and regions are already trialling compulsory booking, quotas or tourist charges. Venice has done it, Corsica is considering it, and France is slowly following suit.

Involve local residents

Tourism should not happen against residents, but with them. By involving them in decisions and supporting the local economy, we create a win-win relationship.

In conclusion: towards gentler, more sustainable tourism

Overtourism is not inevitable. It is a call to distribute better, plan better and show more respect. France has so much to offer beyond the picture-postcard clichés. So yes, Paris will always be Paris. But what if we looked a little further afield? What if we stepped out of the queues to savour the real France?

To everyone who loves France: let us take care of our heritage, our villages, our beaches... and give future generations the luxury of calm, authentic and respectful tourism.