When booking a holiday, French people are as likely to take into account the local gastronomy as sightseeing opportunities, according to a new study, which also reveals the preferred destinations of the French for foodie holidays.
According to the study, conducted by polling organisation IFOP for Airbnb, three out of four people take gastronomy and local specialties into account when making their choices of travel and nearly 70 percent of French people research good restaurants or local producers before booking a trip.
Here are the French regions that came out top among French holiday-makers;
Brittany (northwestern France)
First place is attributed to Brittany. Between the seafood, the galettes and crêpes, the famous kouign-amman, a cake rich in butter and sugar, and the different fish dishes, this region is a favourite.
Other reasons to visit: But beyond the good food, the region offers spectacular views and dramatic cliffs with all kinds of different beaches along the coast. Its micro-climate is also appealing, as one minute it could be raining, and the next be completely sunny. In recent years, many people have preferred Brittany as a holiday destination rather than the South of France due to the milder temperatures and the less crowded areas.
The region is also easily accessible by train, especially if you’re coming to Paris. The city of Saint-Malo, for example, is less than three hours away by train from the capital.
READ MORE: REVEALED: 7 of France’s best destinations within 3 hours of Paris
Occitanie (southern France)
In this region, favourite culinary specialities include the signature dish cassoulet, a stew made of different types of meat with beans. There is even a festival dedicated to it in August in the town of Castelnaudary. Other specialities include foie gras, lots of different ways to serve duck, or brandade de morue (salt cod and mashed potatoes).
It is, perhaps, not the best destination for vegetarians, but it does have a wide selection of local cheeses.
Other reasons to visit: The region has a very varied landscape from the Mediterranean Sea to the Pyrenees. It’s also the sunniest part of the country, with around 300 days of sun a year. Cities like Toulouse have a student-friendly vibe, while the coast near Montpellier offers beaches and nightlife.
READ ALSO: Why so many Americans are moving to Montpellier
Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (southeastern France)
In Auvergne, you have the famous truffade, a thick pancake made with thinly sliced potatoes that are slowly cooked in goose fat and mixed with thin strips of local cheese. Meanwhile the Alps boast lots of hearty cheese-based dishes perfect after a long day of skiing. Mountain cuisine includes the famous raclette (melted cheese on potatoes served with dried meats).
Then there’s Lyon, its bouchons (restaurants that serve typical food from the region), quenelles (a mixture of creamed fish or meat, sometimes combined with breadcrumbs), finely prepared offal and brioche sausage have earned it the title of the food capital of the world.
Other reasons to visit: This is one of the most geographically diverse regions in France. You’ve got the Alps, home to Mont Blanc, which draws skiers, hikers, and climbers from everywhere.
You also have ancient volcanoes, the Chaîne des Puys, located in the Massif Central of France, which is about 40 kilometres long and boasts a wide variety of outdoor activities.
Normandy (northern France)
Normandy is a region that is famous for its Camembert cheese, butter and cream, and many apple products like cider and calvados (brandy made from apples).
Other reasons to visit: The white cliffs of Étretat are one of the most famous landscapes in France, and the region is known for being an inspiration to different impressionist artists like Claude Monet, Camille Pissarro, and Auguste Renoir.
And then there’s also the Mont-Saint-Michel – arguably one of the most recognisable landmarks in the entire country.
Wine tourism
Along with the high interest in food, the French have also turned towards wine tourism. According to the study, 44 percent of French people say they are interested in discovering these destinations.
The most chosen regions include: Burgundy (east-central France), Bordeaux (southwestern France), Alsace (eastern France), Champagne (northeast France) and the Rhône Valley (southern France).
Tourists coming to discover French wines and vineyards are estimated at 12 million per year.
