No matter what’s happening in the travel industry, travelers can’t seem to get enough of France.
The country saw a whopping 102 million international arrivals in 2025, marking its highest-ever tourism numbers on record. The surge in visitors ensured France maintained its title as the most visited country in the world.
In 2026 and over the next several years, travel demand for France shows no signs of slowing down, especially amid major events and tourism initiatives happening across the nation.
The nation’s tourism development agency Atout France, held its annual travel trade show in April and presented a look ahead at major events happening throughout France over the next few years. From cultural milestones and festivals celebrating historic anniversaries to the world’s largest sports event, there will be highlights for every type of traveler and style of trip.
Here’s a preview of major events scheduled to happen in France that travel advisors should know, starting in summer 2026.
2026: Centenary of Claude Monet’s Death
This year marks the 100th anniversary of Claude Monet’s death, and France is paying homage to the famous Impressionist painter with more than 100 events, plus specialized itineraries to celebrate his life and inspirations throughout Paris and Normandy.
Visit Paris Region and Normandie Tourism have designed ready-made itineraries that advisors can build upon that follow Monet’s footsteps through Paris, its surrounding areas, and Normandy. Stops along the tours allow travelers to retrace the landscapes that inspired some of Monet’s and fellow Impressionist artists’ most beloved paintings, visit the artist’s former homes and significant sites, and experience special museum exhibitions showcasing his work.
Itineraries combine highlights like a stay in Paris and a visit to the Musée d’Orsay, lunch at the Café Capucines where the first Impressionist exhibit was held in 1874, and the Maison Impressioniste Argenteuil, where Monet lived and painted hundreds of canvases, or guided walks through the port of Le Havre and the cliffs of Etretat in Normandy, landscapes that became some of Monet’s most famous subjects.
The itineraries can be adapted into weekend trips or longer visits of six to eight days for individual clients or guided groups. Additional activities like outdoor painting workshops, river cruises, and bike rides along the Seine.
For more information, travel advisors can go to Visit Paris Region’s Monet 2026 landing page or contact [email protected] or [email protected].
The view of the Viking Radgrid and the small town of Les Andelys from Chateau Gaillard. (Photo Credit: Lacey Pfalz)
2027: Millennium European Year of the Normans
Next year will be the millennial anniversary of the birth of William the Conqueror, the French Duke of Normandy born in 1027 who eventually became King of England.
A year of celebrations is being planned recognizing the history of the Normans and William the Conqueror’s influence throughout Europe, and the French region of Normandy—named after the Norman people—will be a locus of the festivities.
Although the list of events is still being firmed up, travelers can expect a year of festivals, exhibitions, and other special celebrations in recognition of this shared cultural heritage.
The complete program is expected to be unveiled sometime in June 2026. But a preview of some of the hundreds of events include a special flotilla of Viking ships that will go on display in Normandy, as well as a European-wide “Norman Trail.”
The trail is expected to be a cultural attraction that will guide travelers to Unesco-listed areas, centuries-old castles, and iconic medieval sites throughout France and across several European countries, including Italy, the U.K., Ireland, The Channel Islands, and Belgium’s Flanders region.
Travel advisors should monitor the Millennium Year of the Normans site for updates to the program this summer.
2030: Winter Olympics in French Alps
France will cap off the decade by hosting one of the most important global events in travel: the Winter Olympics.
From February 1 to 17, 2030, the French Alps region will host nearly 3,000 athletes across five Olympic villages. The 2030 Winter Olympic Games will be held across four areas of the French Alps region:
- Haute-Savoie will host Nordic skiing
- Savoie will host alpine, bobsled, luge, and Nordic combined skiing
- Southern French Alpes, Hautes-Alpes, will host snowboarding and freestyle skiing
- Southern French Alpes, Nice, will host ice sports
To kick off the games, the opening ceremony will be held in Auvergne-Rhone Alpes, while the closing ceremony is set for the Southern French Alpes.
The French Alps region is already a huge draw for tourists, as it is the largest ski area in Europe, with more than 200 resorts, which range from small village resorts to luxury resorts. International clientele make up about 30% of the region’s visitors each year, which is a significant number, given that France saw 54.8 million ski trips during the 2024/2025 season.
Although more details will become available as the event draws closer, tour operators and travel advisors will find options to tailor services for their international clients, including concierge services, private chefs, customized transfers, exclusive vacation homes, wellness, and business support.
According to the organizers, the area caters to a range of travelers, including families, luxury travelers, groups, incentives, and more, making it a special trip that most advisors’ could market to their clients.
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