Agent Know-how

Atout France lets us in on some insider knowledge on how to sell this popular, diverse country.

How can agents improve their knowledge of France? We have a website, france.fr, which covers all the different regions in France, practical information, events, and festivals. It’s a great source of information. Additionally, every two years the French Tourist Office organises the French Travel Workshop which offers you a great opportunity to discover new French products and services, especially from our guest destination Paris and to make or renew contact with Principals and major suppliers. Also, every year, the South of France Languedoc-roussillon organises a webinar on this beautiful destination where so many Australians travel every year and enables the travel agents to gain some more specialised knowledge on the products, events and new trends! We will look at extending this to other regions in the future. For any further information on France and to subscribe to receive our regular travel trade newsletter, agents can send their requests to: trade.au@atout-france.fr What kind of training is available to Australian agents wanting to sell France and how can they sign up for it? On our website, and there is also a tutorial website to get all the features of the French regions and cities.

Any recommendations for first time travellers?

It’s really important to soak in the French culture. That’s why we would recommend visiting all monuments/cities/places that make France famous. By this, I mean visiting the world war memorials in Normandy or in the North of France, visiting the wine and Champagne regions, and walking around the beautiful towns in the South of France. It’s really important to have time to experience everything you can. And of course, take a break for coffee on a cafe terrace.

What makes France a unique destination?

There are so many different landscapes only two hours drive by car. You can have lunch on a terrace in the south of France and go skiing in the same afternoon! Be in the most beautiful city in the world in the afternoon and have a drink for sunset in Normandy, in front of the world war memorial. And then there’s the culture: food, history, wines and all those small town bistros.