Tourism came back with a vengeance to France this summer, sending revenues over pre-pandemic levels, according to government estimates released this week. Crowds packed Paris landmarks and Riviera beaches, notably thanks to an influx of Americans benefiting from the weak euro, but also British and other European visitors reveling in the end of pandemic restrictions.
“It's beautiful to go again to travel,” said Serena Veronese, a tourist from Lago Maggiore in Italy soaking in the view of the Eiffel Tower. She and her husband work for an airline and “suffered a lot” as the Covid crisis grounded planes worldwide. “Now people have to go traveling again, they have to.” The summer surge came despite exceptionally hot weather in France and around Europe.