Indian travellers exploring France are uncovering a destination far beyond the Eiffel Tower and Seine cruises. The country now showcases volcanic terrain in Reunion Island, the historic towns of Occitanie, and even alpine skiing above the Mediterranean. At Explore France 2026 in New Delhi, French tourism representatives unveiled a wide array of experiences tailored to visitors seeking more immersive and customised holidays.
For many Indian tourists, France remains linked to Paris and its most famous landmarks. However, as travellers return to Europe, stay longer, and prioritise personalised visits, the French tourism industry has expanded well beyond traditional itineraries. The new offerings range from private airport services to culinary cruises, mountain retreats, and pilgrimage sites—all while maintaining France’s reputation for luxury and cultural depth.
Extime Travel exemplifies this evolution. The company, originally focused on enhancing airport experiences, now provides full travel services in partnership with Paris City Vision. At Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, it offers meet-and-greet services, VIP terminals (enhanced for the Olympic Games), and expedited procedures for privacy-focused travellers. Beyond the airport, its sightseeing operations—established in 1929—now include Normandy, Mont Saint-Michel, and the Loire Valley. The company also operates ten private Seine cruises for events, weddings, and group celebrations. For Indian visitors, Extime has introduced Indian cuisine, live cooking demonstrations, and cultural performances to create a more familiar yet distinctly French experience.
Sodexo Live! further illustrates this transformation. The company operates over 20 venues across Paris, including private mansions and business centres, alongside three distinct Seine cruise services: sightseeing tours, hop-on-hop-off Batobus rides, and private yachts for special occasions. At the Eiffel Tower, it manages two restaurants—Madame Brasserie and the two-Michelin-starred Le Jules Verne—positioning itself as a promoter of French gastronomy.
Indian FIT travellers increasingly appear in these spaces, though they often request modifications to suit their tastes. Groups may ask for Indian meals alongside French dining, a balance that travel advisors are adjusting to. The company also caters to event-driven tourism, offering hospitality packages tied to the French Open, tapping into the rising demand for sports-related travel.
Mountains and coasts redefine Riviera travel
The French Riviera remains a staple on international itineraries, but Côte d’Azur France Tourisme is promoting its mountainous interior to Indian visitors. The region’s 80% mountainous terrain provides a stark contrast to its Mediterranean coastline. From Nice, travellers can reach Mercantour National Park in 90 minutes, where summer features trekking and cycling, and winter offers ski resorts like Isola 2000 and Valberg.
This combination, coastal mornings and mountain afternoons, creates a unique proposition for Indian tourists already familiar with the Riviera’s coastal appeal. Manuel Harbreteau, head of product marketing for the region, states that the hinterland attracts those seeking something “unexpected.” For advisors, this means extending a Riviera trip into outdoor adventures, winter sports, or nature-focused stays.
Reunion Island offers an entirely different French escape. Located in the Indian Ocean, the island’s volcanic environments, outdoor activities, and multicultural Creole culture distinguish it from typical beach destinations. Stéphane Bonneau, head of international markets for the island’s tourism board, describes it as a “complete destination”, where terrain shifts dramatically within 25 kilometres, from volcanic plains to tropical forests.
The island features over 70 outdoor activities, including hiking and underwater exploration, while its Creole heritage, rooted in African, European, Indian, and Chinese influences, adds a cultural layer that resonates with Indian travellers. For the travel industry, Reunion can be marketed as a standalone holiday or combined with other Indian Ocean destinations, offering an ecotourism-focused alternative to mass-market escapes.
Marseille’s hidden culture draws young explorers
Marseille, France’s second-largest city, provides another alternative to the Mediterranean coastline. The city blends history, culture, and coastal living, appealing to Indian tourists seeking an authentic, less touristy experience. Its 2,600-year history is evident in the Old Port, a lively waterfront lined with fishing boats and seafood restaurants. Beyond the harbor, Marseille’s neighbourhoods, such as the trendy Cours Julien arts district and the historic Le Panier, offer a mix of contemporary energy and preserved heritage. Cyrille Saboya, Leisure Sales Manager at the Marseille Tourist Office, notes that the city’s dynamic atmosphere attracts younger Indian travellers, particularly those interested in urban exploration, street art, and local festivals.
Nature lovers can explore the Calanques National Park, known for dramatic coastal hikes, secluded beaches, and crystal-clear waters. Marseille also serves as a gateway to the Camargue, a vast wetland region famous for flamingos, white horses, and rice fields, a contrast to the Riviera’s glamorous resorts. Saboya highlights Marseille’s role as a cultural hub, with museums like the MuCEM (dedicated to Mediterranean civilizations) and the Vasarely Foundation, a contemporary art center designed by Oscar Niemeyer. These attractions position Marseille as more than a stopover; it’s a destination where Indian travellers can engage with France’s multicultural past and present.
For Indian visitors seeking a faith-based journey, Lourdes remains a key destination in French pilgrimage tourism. Located in southwestern France, the town attracts millions annually to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, where the Virgin Mary reportedly appeared to a young girl in 1858. Corine Laussu, International Promotion Manager for the Lourdes Tourist Office, explains that the site’s significance extends beyond Catholicism, drawing interfaith groups and secular visitors to its serene atmosphere. Key locations include the Grotto of the Apparitions and the Basilica of the Rosary, alongside the Spring of Lourdes, believed to have healing properties. Indian pilgrims, particularly from Goa, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, make up a significant portion of visitors.
Lourdes supports large-scale pilgrimages with over 100 hotels, ranging from budget to five-star luxury, as well as medical facilities overseeing reported healings. The process for recognising miracles involves medical examinations and Church approval, though Laussu emphasises the spiritual focus of the pilgrimage. For Indian travel advisors, Lourdes can be paired with other religious sites in France, such as the Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris or Mont Saint-Michel, creating thematic itineraries that combine faith, history, and scenic beauty.
Occitanie’s medieval villages and aerospace wonders
Adjacent to Lourdes, the Occitanie region offers diverse experiences for travellers seeking depth over familiarity. Jeanne Bru, Director of Tourism Promotion for AD’OCC, describes the region as a microcosm of France, encompassing the Pyrenees, Mediterranean beaches, medieval villages, and aviation heritage. Toulouse, known as the Pink City for its terracotta buildings, serves as a gateway to aerospace history, with visits to the Airbus factory and the Cité de l’Espace science museum. Meanwhile, Carcassonne, a UNESCO-listed fortress, provides a glimpse into the Middle Ages, featuring three kilometres of ramparts and a castle. The Canal du Midi, another UNESCO-listed waterway, offers a leisurely route through vineyards and market towns, appealing to travellers interested in slow travel and local cuisine.
Occitanie’s culinary scene includes regional specialties like cassoulet, a hearty bean stew, and foie gras from Gers. Bru notes that Indian tourists are increasingly drawn to the region’s authenticity, seeking interactions with locals and off-the-beaten-path stays. For advisors, Occitanie can be framed as a contrast to Paris and the Riviera, offering a rustic, immersive, and tradition-rich France.
Paris retail evolves into experiential luxury
Even Paris’s most famous shopping destination is adapting to meet Indian traveller preferences. Galeries Lafayette Haussmann, a historic department store, has long attracted international visitors, but its appeal now extends beyond retail. Estelle Liu, Director of International Individual Client Development, highlights initiatives like UPI payment integration, the first for a Parisian department store, to accommodate Indian shoppers. The store’s broader strategy focuses on experiences: macaron-making classes, heritage tours of the building (originally constructed in 1912), and wine-tasting sessions designed to immerse visitors in French lifestyle culture. Liu stresses that while shopping remains central, the goal is to create memorable moments, such as fashion shows or wellness workshops, that align with the traveller’s broader Paris itinerary.
Reunion Island’s Diverse Terrain and Cultural Heritage
The island’s geography shifts dramatically across short distances, offering environments that range from high-altitude volcanic terrain to dense tropical forests. Elevations exceeding 3,000 meters create environments resembling extraterrestrial environments, while lower regions feature lush greenery and coastal ecosystems. This contrast allows visitors to explore distinct environments within a single journey, reinforcing the destination’s appeal for those seeking varied natural experiences.