Tourism

Rich in recognised destinations such as Alsace, Vosges, Lorraine, Champagne, Ardennes, Eastern France is ideally located in Europe to develop tourism infrastructure projects.

The attractiveness of the territory is as much on the regional clientele as on millions of French and foreign visitors, thanks to an important heritage offering a wide range of activities. In the city or in the countryside, from the Rhine plain to the borders of Paris, you can discover its culture and heritage, its gastronomy and wines, its natural areas suitable for sports and leisure activities, its international events, etc. In the coming years, the Eastern France will be particularly committed to strengthening and developing initiatives for tourism in search of meaning, nature, authenticity and the original.

Attractive for business tourism (MICE), Eastern France offers state-of-the-art conference and seminar facilities in both urban centres and rural areas. The Region is also a pioneer in the field of sustainable events and ISO 2021 certified cities and sites.  Atypical, authentic and eco-responsible event venues can be found in Nancy, Metz with the Parc des Expositions and in Strasbourg with the Palais de la Musique et des Congrès.

Regularly listed among the “must see” places, referenced by the biggest travel operators, these destinations are ideal to deploy your concept and develop your business.

Figures for the tourism sector in Eastern France in 2019

• 78 million visitors each year, including 28.6 million tourists
• 4 billion euros (excluding tax) in turnover for the region’s companies
• 8 million overnight stays of which 29.4 million were commercial
• 65% of hotel nights were spent by French visitors, 29% by European visitors and 6% by visitors from distant markets
• The sector represents 97,000 jobs in Eastern France
• More than 360,000 commercial tourist beds
• Millions of potential visitors within a 3-hour drive

Strategy and positioning of Eastern France

Over the next few years, Eastern France will be particularly committed to strengthening and developing initiatives for tourism in search of meaning, nature, authenticity, and novelty with fluid, personalised and irreproachable services, notably thanks to new immersive and interactive digital solutions.

Trading area and infrastructure

Three international airports, two major rail routes, and a dense network of motorways on the north-south and east-west axes provide direct access to Eastern France region from major European cities.

The proximity of the urban centres of Paris, Lille and Lyon, and direct access to Germany, Switzerland, Luxembourg and Belgium facilitate international trade and exchanges and make it possible to capitalise on a catchment area of millions of people at the heart of Europe’s highest population density.

Tourism sectors

Tourism in Eastern France is divided into 6 “signature” sectors.

Wine and food tourism

1^st a wine tourism destination in France, Eastern France is renowned for the worldwide reputation of its vineyards in Champagne, Alsace and Moselle, as well as for its gastronomy, its terroirs and its many starred chefs.

Roaming, Nature, Outdoor

Nature and itinerant tourism, including hiking, horse riding, cycle tourism, mountain biking and river tourism, is a key theme for tourism growth in line with today’s tourism trends.

Remembrance, Culture, Heritage

A region made up of important networks of exception (UNESCO, Petites Cités de Caractère) and an exceptional museum, castral and religious heritage that is internationally renowned.

Wellness and Spa

A strategic and structuring sector for Eastern France and its influence including: thermal resorts and establishments, spas, thermo-ludic centres and other “well-being” areas and sites linked to relaxation.

Art and craftsmanship

Eastern France is home to an impressive network of art craftsmen developing skills that are unique in the world (textiles, tanneries, crystal making, glass, stained glass, furniture, clay, earth and wood).

Business tourism

A sector that brings together public and private players in the sector with the aim of uniting to develop and promote innovative products and services that are perfectly adapted to the requirements of professional customers and the new health context.

Opportunities in the tourism sector in Eastern France

In 2019, the Region recorded nearly 30 million overnight stays generated by a national and international clientele. Its exceptional location and high level of tourist activity create an ever-renewed demand for additional or alternative accommodation, as well as educational, leisure and sports activities, dedicated applications, etc.

The mobilisation of the network of territorial partners around the “Invest Eastern France Partners” approach will enable you to benefit from support at every stage of your project.

Tourist trading area: the Grand Est is accessible in less than 3 hours by road for :

• France
  • Rouen / Amiens / Lille / Paris / Orléans / Tours / Bourges / Never / Dijon / Auxerre / Mâcon / Besançon
• Germany
  • Aachen / Köln / Bonn/ Koblenz / Frankfurt am Main / Würzburg / Gießen / Mannheim / Ulm / Stuttgart
• Switzerland
  • Lausanne / Zürich / Bern / Fribourg / Neuchâtel
• Belgium
  • Gand / Brussels / Bruges / Antwerpen / Liège
• Netherlands
  • Maastricht / Heerlen
• Liechtenstein