2020

London, UK – 12 March 2020

French Travel media Awards 2020 – And the winners are…
The Vallée de la Gastronomie – France ^®, a new tourism project conceived as a food-and-wine-themed road trip route stretching from Dijon to Marseille, was launched to the British press last night (9 March) during a glamorous evening at the Morton Society in Finsbury, in the presence of French chef Raymond Blanc OBE.

The launch of the Vallée de la Gastronomie – France ^® was followed by the presentation of this year’s French Travel Media Awards, following a voting selection by a five-strong jury panel. Making up the panel were Ian Murray, Executive Director of the Society of Editors; Ciara MacHugh, Communications Manager at Air France/KLM; Charlotte Wilmots, founder of Charlotte’s Web Public Relations; Rachel Johnston, PR Officer at Atout France and former journalist; and Anne Pedersen, Atout France’s Head of PR. A total of six awards were given out in categories including Wine & Gastronomy, Art & Culture and  City Breaks, with the addition of ‘Best Road Trip & Journey Feature’ as a new category to reflect the concept of the Vallée de la Gastronomie – France ^®.

Click here for the full press release.

2019

London, UK – 17 June 2019

Atout France appoints new Director General Caroline Leboucher
Caroline Leboucher has joined Atout France, the France Tourism Development Agency, as Director General. Put forward by the company’s Board of Trustees, chaired by its President Christian Mantei, Caroline was appointed by Jean-Yves Le Drian, Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs, at the Interministerial Council for Tourism on 16 May 2019.
Click here for the full press release

London, UK – 8 March 2019

The trail of the Loire Valley Ladies
More female figures held power in France during the Renaissance than at any other time in its history. To mark the 500th anniversary of the birth of Catherine de Medici (owner of two iconic chateaux, Chaumont and Chenonceau), we shine the spotlight on these Ladies of the Loire Valley and a few of their modern-day counterparts – and offer yet more reasons to visit this iconic part of France in 2019.
Click here for the full press release.

London, UK – 23 January 2019

Paris 2019 – Feel the energy!
2019 is set to be another great year for the capital starting off with Showtime in Paris. A packed cultural agenda, major monument anniversaries, new gastronomic restaurants…Here is the lowdown on what to expect.
Click here for the full press release.

2018

London, UK – 13 November 2018

What’s new in France for 2019?
What’s new for 2019? New transport routes, accommodation, museums, shopping outlets, sporting events and facilities, tourism initiatives and anniversaries will set the tone for France in the coming year.
Click here for the full press release.

London, UK – 23 October 2018

France at WTM 2018
Atout France is pleased to announce that we will be present at this year’s WTM on stand EU300, from Monday 5th until Wednesday 7th November at the ExCel Centre in London. We are delighted to welcome 87 partners including 8 worldwide brand representatives, with the Paris Region Tourist Board heading its own stand. Also, 2 Excellence zones dedicated to Remembrance Tourism and Top French Cities will be part of this year’s edition.
Click here for the full press release.

London, UK – 11 October 2018

Luxury and Gastronomy in France
A new hotel status, luxury mountain residences, a new floating foodie experience and the launch of a new gastronomic writing prize – The French Luxury and Gastronomy scene is in development. The Hôtel de Crillon in Paris was awarded the prestigious rank of a ‘Palace Hotel’ in September. Alain Ducasse has launched a new floating restaurant, Ducasse sur Seine. Atout France is launching a French food-writing competition in order to enhance understanding and knowledge of French cuisine, and working with MGM Hotels and Residences to promote luxury accommodation in the mountains.
Click here for the full press release.

London, UK – 13 June 2018

Spiritual Birthplace of the Royal Air Force, Saint-Omer (France) Celebrates the 100th Anniversary of This British Institution
The world owes its freedom to the RAF, thanks to the exploits of its pilots during the Battle of Britain during the Second World War against Hitler’s planes. What is much less known is that the Saint-Omer airfield is considered the spiritual birthplace of the Royal Air Force.
Click here for the full press release.

London, UK – 13 April 2018

French Travel Media Awards 2018 – Dublin.
Last week, on Wednesday 11th April, Ireland’s top travel writers and bloggers gathered in Dublin for the 2018 French Travel Media Awards, awarded by Atout France.Hosted in the opulent surroundings of the French Ambassador’s Residence, the annual awards event recognised the work of journalists, broadcasters and bloggers that have stood out in covering France during 2017 as a world-class destination.
Over 40 journalists and bloggers submitted almost 70 pieces of work for consideration including blogs, videos, radio features, TV programmes, magazine features and newspaper features.
Attendees also included representatives from a number of French attractions and destinations including Normandy, Pays de la Loire, Nausicaa, Occitanie, Montpellier, Aveyron, Carcassonne, Toulouse, Pyrénées Orientales and Perpignan.
Click here for the full press release.

London, UK – 3 April 2018

2019, Long live Leonardo da Vinci! 500 years of Renaissance(s) in the Loire Valley.
2019 will mark the 500th anniversary of the death of Leonardo da Vinci at Amboise, the start of the construction of the Château of Chambord and the birth of Catherine de’ Medici in Florence. The Loire Valley region will celebrate the artistic, scientific and intellectual effervescence of the Renaissance in France. #500Renaissance #2019vivaleonardo
Click here for the full press release.

London, UK – 27 March 2018

NAUSICAA, the French National Sea Centre, becomes one of the largest auariums in the world.
On the 19th of May 2018 the 10,000 m² extension of NAUSICAA, in Boulogne-sur-Mer near Calais (France), will open to the public. It will be home to a new visitor experience called “Journey on the High Seas” which will include a 10,000 m3 tank, 22,000 new sea creatures and an 18-metre-long transparent tunnel. The extension will make NAUSICAA one of the largest aquariums in the world.
Click here for the full press release

London, UK – 16 March 2018

Good France / Gout de France – The World’s Greatest French Dinner!
On 21 March in 150 countries Goût de France / Good France will bring together over 3,000 restaurants and 150 embassies over five continents in a celebration of French gastronomy. Chefs from around the world will come together for a meal to celebrate the vitality of French cuisine and unite around the joint values of sharing and pleasure in a planet-friendly and healthy way. From haute cuisine to quality bistro food, offer a French-inspired meal in your restaurant and participate in this great celebration. #GoodFrance #GoutdeFrance
Click here for the full press kit and here to visit the website.

London, UK – 28 February 2018

French Travel media Awards 2018 – And the winners are…
This year’s French Travel Media Awards were unveiled last night (27 February) during a glamorous evening at Carousel in Marylebone, following a voting selection by a six-strong jury panel. Making up the panel were Ian Murray, Executive Director of the Society of Editors; Nigel Wonnacott, Head of Communications at Brittany Ferries; Charlotte Wilmots, founder of Charlotte’s Web Public Relations; and Anne Pedersen and Rachel Johnston, Head of PR and PR Officer respectively at Atout France. A total of seven awards were given out in categories including City Breaks, Wine & Gastronomy, Art & Culture, and Family.
Click here for the full press release.

London, UK – 9 February 2018

#Feel campaign second-year launch
Following a successful first year, Atout France (the France Tourism Development Agency) and its partners are launching the second phase of its pan-European marketing campaign using the creative strategy ‘#Feel’ invoking the five senses. A variety of brands and destinations – and the varied experiences they offer – are at the heart of the campaign, supported by the services of a number of transport partners, which allow visitors to plan their trip to France smoothly.
Click HERE for the full press release.

London, UK – 25 January 2018

Night of Ideas – Power to the imagination
The NIGHT OF IDEAS is a project staged simultaneously around the world on Thursday 25 January 2018. For this occasion the Institut français du Royaume-Uni has put together a thought-provoking programme of free debates and performances exploring the latest ideas behind issues central to our times.
Click here for the full press release and programme of the night.

2017

London, UK – 04 December 2017

La LISTE of 1000 world restaurants
LA LISTE will celebrate its 3rd Award Ceremony on 4th December 2017 at the Quai d’Orsay with 40 of the leading international chefs and restaurateurs from the 5 continents. It will reflect the excellence, cultural diversity and universal appeal in the world gastronomy.
Click here for the full press release.

London, UK – 29 November 2017

What’s new for 2018?
New transport routes, accommodation, museums, shopping outlets, sporting events and facilities, tourism initiatives and anniversaries will set the tone for France in the coming year.
Click here for the full press release.

London, UK – 27 October 2017

One Year To Go – The Ryder Cup 2018
Ryder Cup Rendezvous: Iconic trophy’s arrival at London St Pancras International turns fans’ focus to France and The 2018 Ryder Cup.
Click here for the full press release.

London, UK – 9 March 2017

#Feel Campaign
France Tourism Development Agency Atout France to launch its €4.6m ‘#Feel’ campaign, aimed at reigniting UK passion for France experienced through the five senses.
Click here for the full press release.

2016

Nice, FR – 15 July 2016

Nice Attacks
Press release from our partners in Nice following the attacks on 14 July 2016.

London, UK – 1 April 2016

Once upon a time in France – Atout France launches a new video.
Atout France is announcing the launch of its new ‘France as a modern tale’ video. The video is a new twist on the classic fairy tale Cinderella. The video embodies key French destinations and pays homage to classic French hallmarks such as style, elegance, fashion and romance. The 1m40s long video is hosted on the Atout France homepage on uk.france.fr. The video will be distributed virally.  Read Atout France Destination video Press release.

London, UK – 10 March 2016

NAUSICAA is turning 25!
Atout France is pleased to announce that we will be working with NAUSICAA throughout the year. The most popular tourist attraction in the Northern France is celebrating its 25th birthday and marking this milestone with a whole raft of special events.
Click here for the full press release.

London, UK – 04 March 2016

Latest news from France – 2016
Positive tourism figures, increased investment and a whole host of special events, commemorations, new attractions and transport links sets the tone for an exciting 2016 in France.
Click here for full press release.

2015

• DECEMBER – Paris new campaign – Press release
• JULY – Cultural projects in the news – Press release 
• JULY – Tournus wins coveted EDEN Laureate 2014 – Press release
• APRIL – Michelin star Chef Gordon Ramsay at Grand Hotel de Bordeaux & Spa – Press release
• MARCH – Atout France continues Biggest Ever UK advertising campaign – Press release
• FEBRUARY – The Gout de France – Press release
• FEBRUARY – Generator brings new breed of “Haute” Hostel to Paris in 2015 – Press release