Economic challenges and changing travel patterns forced French tourism to adapt.
Cultural Tourism's Rise
As beach tourism faced competition from cheaper destinations, France emphasized its cultural assets:
- The Grand Palais and Musée d'Orsay opening reinforced Paris's museum dominance
- Festivals proliferated—Avignon, Cannes, and hundreds of others
- Heritage tourism expanded with medieval villages and château visits
Rural Tourism Development
Economic challenges in agriculture led to tourism diversification:
- Gîtes de France (founded 1955) expanded rapidly
- Agritourism helped farmers supplement income
- Green tourism appealed to urbanites seeking authentic experiences
Theme Park Revolution
Disneyland Paris (1992), despite initial cultural resistance, became Europe's most visited theme park, demonstrating France's ability to adapt American concepts to European tastes.