We are thrilled to see that travel to France is back on track. With a number of new and exciting openings, exhibitions, sustainable tourism initiatives, gastronomy ventures and of course the Rugby World Cup, there’s no doubt that 2023 is the year to visit.
As always, we are here if you’d like further info on any of the topics mentioned. An updated version of the News 2023 will be published in January.
Since France scrapped all Covid entry restrictions in August 2022, we are thrilled to see that travel to France is back on track. With a number of new and exciting openings, exhibitions, sustainable tourism initiatives, gastronomy ventures, and of course the Rugby World Cup, it is without a doubt that 2023 is the year to travel to France! Read on to find out more about the exciting new things coming to France next year. The United Kingdom should remain in the top three outbound markets for France with, according to our estimates, a return to pre-2019 levels in 2023- 2024. France’s summer 2022 tourism figures were very positive and even exceeded the 2019 level by 3%. We are pleased to say that France remains one of the top three preferred destinations for the British, Spain, and Italy. All information contained here is correct at the time of publication, but we do recommend that you check with the individual destinations or venues for the latest updates going forward, as dates may remain subject to change and events may still need to be canceled or postponed.
2023
17 January 2023 – LA CITÉ DE L’HISTOIRE, AN IMMERSIVE TOUR OF FRANCE’S HISTORY, Paris Ile-de-France
19 January 2023 – NBA PARIS GAME 2023, Paris, Île-de-France
28 January – 28 May 2023 – DAVID HOCKENY AT THE MUSEE GRANET, Aix-en-Provence, Provence-Alps-Cote-d’Azur
6-19 February 2023 – ALPINE SKI WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS 2023, Courchevel and Méribel
February – April – .LA CITÉ DU VIN RENOVATED PERMANENT EXHIBITION AND IMMERSIVE TASTING JOURNEY, Bordeaux, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
March 2023 – NEW EXHIBITION SPACE AND RENOVATION OF D-DAY MUSEUM, Arromanches, Normandy
26 March – 1 October – REOPENING OF RODIN MUSEUM IN MEUDON, Meudon, Paris Ile-de-France
April 2023 – OPENING OF NANCY THERMAL SPA COMPLEX, Nancy, Grand-Est
9 May 2023 – THE CARRÉ D’ART CELEBRATES ITS 30TH ANNIVERSARY, Nimes, Occitanie
Spring 2023 – A NEW MARITIME HERITAGE REDESIGNED IN HONFLEUR, Honfleur, Normandy
Spring 2023 – THE CITÉ INTERNATIONALE DE LA LANGUE FRANCAISE, Villers-Cotterets, Hauts-de-France
Spring 2023 – RENOVATION OF THE HOTEL CARLTON CANNES 5*, Cannes, Provence-Alps-Côte d’Azur
Spring 2023 – HOTEL DES CARMES 5*, Bordeaux, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Spring 2023 – FRANCE’S HIGHEST AND FASTEST ROLLERCOASTER OPENING AT PARC ASTERIX, Hauts-de-France
Spring 2023 – OPENING OF FRANCE’S LARGEST PLANETARIUM, Auvergne-Rhone-Alps
8-18 June 2023 – THE ROUEN ARMADA, Rouen, Normandy
15 – 18 June 2023 – NATURE IS BIKE FESTIVAL, Angers, Pays de la Loire
22-25 June 2023 – BORDEAUX FÊTE LE VIN BECOMES AN ANNUAL FESTIVAL, Bordeaux, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
30 June–2 July 2023 – THE RETURN OF ANJOU VÉLO VINTAGE, Saumur, Pays de la Loire
17-29 July 2023 – THE 50TH ROLEX FASTNET RACE, Cherbourg, Normandy
22-23 July 2023 – 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FÊTE DES RAMPARTS, Dinan, Brittany
8 September–28 October 2023 – RUGBY WORLD CUP 2023, nine host cities across France
10 September 2023–Spring 2024 – THE RACE AROUND 2023, La Rochelle, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
October/November 2023 – 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE TRANSAT JACQUES VABRE, Le Havre, Normandy
2023 – GARDEN FESTIVALS, Cote d’Azur & Loire Valley
2023 – THE LIMOUSIN SEPTENNIAL OSTENSIONS, Limousin, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
2023 – SEASON 3 OF ‘EMILY IN PARIS’, Vaucluse, Provence-Alps-Côte d’Azur
2023 – 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE 24 HOURS OF LE MANS, Le Mans, Pays de la Loire
2023 – 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF PICASSO’S DEATH, Paris, Île-de-France
2023 – 170TH ANNIVERSARY OF VAN GOGH’S BIRTH, Paris, Île-de-France
2023 – 70TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ALSACE WINE ROUTE, Grand Est
2023 – HAUTS-DE-FRANCE IS THE EUROPEAN CAPITAL OF GASTRONOMY, Hauts-de-France
2023 – VALLÉE DE LA GASTRONOMIE IS BACK, Burgundy, Beaujolais, Rhône Valley and Provence-Camargue
2023 – SUSTAINABLE COGNAC PRODUCTION BY REMY MARTIN, Cognac, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
2023 – SUSTAINABLE SKIING, Serre Chevalier, Provence-Alps-Côte d’Azur
2023 – HOTEL LE GRAND MAZARIN 5*, Paris, Île-de-France
2023 – ESPACE 105 4* HOTEL AND URBAN SPACE, Rouen, Normandy
2023 – HOTEL CHÂTEAU LOUISE DE LA VALLIERE 5*, Loire Valley
2023 – TOUR DE FRANCE DOCUMENTARY, NETFLIX SERIES, France
Winter 2023 – 2024 – LES SYBELLES CELBRATES ITS 20TH BIRTHDAY – Auvergne-Rhone-Alps
2024-2025
April-September 2024 – THE NORMANDY IMPRESSIONIST FESTIVAL, Normandy
June 2024 – 80TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE D-DAY LANDINGS AND BATTLE OF NORMANDY, Normandy
26 July–11 August 2024 – THE OLYMPIC & PARALYMPIC GAMES, Paris, Île-de-France and Marseille
2024 – LAUNCH OF MIDNIGHT TRAINS’ SLEEPER TRAINS, Paris, Île-de-France
2024 – LAUNCH OF TGV M, across France
2025 – REOPENING OF ACCOR ORIENT EXPRESS, Paris, Île-de-France
SAILING & YACHTING
THE RACE AROUND 2023 La Rochelle, Nouvelle-Aquitaine 10 September 2023 – Spring 2024
This solo and double-handed round-the-world race in Class40 is hosted by La Rochelle in 2023, with around 30 competitors setting off on 10 September and returning in spring 2024. Based on legendary races such as the Around Alone and the BOC, The Race Around is designed around a traditional course and supported by a growing Class40 fleet, featuring some of the most successful and accessible yachts in international ocean racing. Stops will be made in South Africa, New Zealand, and South America. The race is committed to positively transforming the maritime industry and influencing decarbonisation.
30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE TRANSAT,JACQUES VABRE, Le Havre, Normandy, Late October / early November 2023
In its 30 years, the biannual Transat Jacques Vabre has managed to establish itself as the toughest and longest-running two-handed transat. The source of this great race is the coffee route since Le Havre and coffee share the same history, of sailors crossing the Atlantic to bring the precious beans back to Europe. Visitors can enjoy a week of buzz in the Race Village set up in the Bassin Paul Vatine, where the boats are moored. Expect exhibitions, boat tours and meetings with the skippers, shows and concerts, free coffee tastings, and a spectacular firework display over the port the night before departure.
REOPENING OF THE MAISON PIERRE LOTI, TO MARK HIS 100TH ANNIVERSARY, Rochefort, Nouvelle-Aquitaine Late 2023 / early 2024
Next year marks a century since the death of French naval officer and novelist Pierre Loti, known for his short stories. Loti’s exoticism made him popular in his time and his themes anticipated some of the central preoccupations of French literature between the World Wars. His house in Rochefort – near La Rochelle – will reopen its doors after renovation in a year’s time. In the meantime, discover the world of Loti at the Hèbre Museum, which houses part of the house’s collections in a permanent exhibition that retraces the life of this traveller-writer, from his childhood ‘little museum’ to his costumes, via his career as a sailor and his taste for social events..
A NEW MARITIME HERITAGE SITE REDESIGNED IN HONFLEUR , Honfleur, Normandy, Spring 2023
New at the medieval fortress in Honfleur: the oldest building in town and the former Porte de Caen gate that used to lead into town is being restored and, from spring next year, will be home to a new interpretation centre dedicated to Honfleur’s maritime history.
HOTELS & ACCOMMODATION
JOIE DE VIVRE 4 ,Bordeaux, Nouvelle Aquitaine, Late 2022
France’s first Joie de Vivre hotel is opening in the Mériadeck district of Bordeaux, a new hotel concept supported by the Hyatt Group and Alboran Hotels and Hospitality. The JdV by Hyatt hotels are true reflections of the neighbourhoods we call home. Embracing our namesake (joie de vivre), each property invites guests to celebrate the joy of life and make each stay theirs truly.
HOTEL DES OPENING OF FRANCE’S LARGEST PLAN, Bordeaux, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, 1st quarter 2023
Owner of Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion and property developer Patrice Pichet is entering the luxury hotel business with this hotel in Les Chartrons, Bordeaux, housed in the former Calvet cellars. The project is headed up by Philippe Stark, who previously worked on the cellar of the Pessac-Léognan appellation property. Website to be announced.
HOTEL CARLTON CANNES 5* – RENOVATION Cannes, Provence-Alps-Côte d’Azur, Spring 2023
It’s time for a renaissance for the Carlton in Cannes. This ambitious renovation and extension project, scheduled for completion in spring 2023, will preserve the hotel’s Belle-Epoque soul while adding elements of contemporary design. It has been entrusted to interior designer Tristan Auer, who will harmoniously combine the hotel’s heritage with his creativity to create a modern-day masterpiece in true Carlton style.
HOTEL LE GRAND MAZARIN 5*,Paris, Île-de-France, 2023
The first Paris address from Maisons Pariente, Le Grand Mazarin will open its doors a stone’s throw from Hôtel de Ville, close to the Seine, at the corner of rue de la Verrerie and rue des Archives. The elegant décor has been conceived by internationally renowned Swedish designer Martin Brudnizki, revisiting French classicism with a breath of refined modernity. There are 61 rooms, including 11 suites.
ESPACE 105 4* HOTEL AND URBAN SPACE, Rouen, Normandy, 2023
Opening soon along the Seine in Rouen is this newly redesigned cultural and urban living space complete with four-star hotel, rooftop restaurant, bar, coffee shop, reading café, coworking space and 800-square-metre artists’ studio. Website to be announced.
