How many wine tourists were there in France in 2016?

According to Atout France, in 2016, 10 million French and foreign tourists visited French vineyards. Among these visitors, 58% were French and 42% were foreign. This represents a 33% increase compared to 2009! This growth can be partly attributed to the expansion and diversification of the wine industry, supported by more intensive marketing efforts.

What are the economic benefits linked to wine tourism?

Visitors spend an average of €1,250 on a wine tourism trip . This figure tends to increase with the growing number of high-spending foreign tourists exploring French vineyards (according to Atout France). These tourists reportedly spend an average of €250 on wine consumption and purchases directly from the wineries.

In total, the overall spending of wine tourists amounted to 5.2 billion euros in France in 2016 (figures from Atout France).

What are the favorite places to visit for wine tourists?

Unsurprisingly, Bordeaux and Champagne top the list of the most visited regions by tourists. With 18% and 17.2% respectively (Atout France figures) of the total wine tourism market, these two regions attract more than one in three visitors. Thanks to their renown and prestige, the two winners retain their first place in the ranking.

Next comes Alsace , with 16.9% of all visits, which attracts visitors thanks to its rich terroir and unique traditions. Burgundy follows very closely with 16.2% of wine tourists.

The other wine regions, such as the Loire Valley , Provence , and the Rhône Valley, account for the remaining visits. They represent 13%, 11.5%, and 11.5% respectively of all wine tourists in 2016.

Lucas Chartier