The Best Mouth-Watering Burgers in the U.S. Bucket List: Must-See Destinations These Foods Can Save Your Life You'll Love These Steak WinesFrance, the world’s leading tourist destination 83 million tourists, 7% of French GDP France is the world’s top tourist destination, with 83 million foreign tourists. So it remains the global leader, with the dynamic tourism sector boasting a surplus and rapidly transforming under the combined effect of a new, emerging clientele and a broader range of things on offer to international tourists. Indeed, the sector is radically changing, with a new clientele arriving. Today, Europeans and Asians account for the growing number of foreign tourists in France. Germans make up the greatest number of foreign tourists in France, ahead of the British. Tourists from the first countries to be hit by the economic crisis, such as Ireland, Portugal and Greece, are also returning to France for their holidays. The Chinese account for the highest proportion of Asians choosing France for their holidays (1.5 million).

Meanwhile, the influx of Brazilians and Russians is greatly increasing. Tourism makes an essential contribution to France’s foreign trade. Since 1999, it has accounted for the main balance of payments surplus. The tourist trade has shown a marked progression, achieving a balance of nearly €13 billion in 2012, as compared to €7.5 billion in 2011. Longer stays and more nights spent in commercial accommodation have led to increased spending by foreign tourists in France, amounting to a total of €35.8 billion.best virginia wine clubs France’s tourist trump cardstop 10 wine bars in new york city France has a great deal to offer tourists, ranging from its geography (coastline, town, countryside, mountains) to its attractions and facilities (accommodation, activities, catering). good wine for a diet

This enables it to develop many dynamic sectors: With 55 million skier days sold, France is the world’s top skiing destinationBusiness tourism is also a crucial sector for France, with 6,081 events organized in 2011.France is positioning itself as a cultural destination, with many international events being hosted there (Marseille Provence 2013, Lille3000), many museums opening (Pompidou Metz, Louvre Lens, Fondation Maeght, the MuCEM in Marseille in June)rental western springs, as well as the new cultural tour A journey to Nantes. wine sale nz onlineMajor events generate spin-offs in terms of the economy, society, public relations and regional development. best wine when you are on a dietBy combining French know-how and individual expertise, it is vital for an effective policy to be created which makes it possible to attract the regular events which countries take turns to host throughout the world, develop the existing events and create new ones.

The Comité France Evénements, supported by Atout France, is working on developing, as a matter of priority, a marketing campaign to attract new partners, international benchmarking and criteria for branding major events.Wine tourism is one of the most dynamic industries. 24 million people visit the wine regions.Destinations such as Paris, the Côte d’Azur and Mont-Saint-Michel are veritable showcases for the richness, quality and diversity of what France has to offer. But more and more destinations have really structured what they have to offer to meet the expectations of international visitors. People now visit the whole of French territory.Inspired by the world-famous Marathon du Medoc, in which runners can sip France’s beloved vins at nearly every mile along the course, wine-centric races have stormed onto racing calendars as of late. It’s no surprise why, with courses that run through stunning landscapes—and, often, the vines themselves—a convivial atmosphere with costumes galore, and, of course, free-flowing wine at the after-parties, many of which are held at vineyards.

Here, 10 races that any wine lover should raise a glass to. Half Corked Marathon 18K Where: Oliver, British Columbia When: May 26-28, 2017 Approximate Number of Finishers: 1,000 Why Run It: Inspired by France’s Marathon du Medoc, the race—which calls itself a marathon but is actually an 18K—winds its way through some of the top vineyards in the Oliver Osoyoos Wine Country, located in British Columbia’s renowned wine region. Up to a dozen wine and refreshment stations sprinkled throughout the course offer clever, wine-centric creations to taste, like wine slushies and sangria. After you cross the finish line, grab a glass and settle in for the real tasting, where you’ll sample the robust reds and full-flavored whites the region is famous for, along with live music and cuisine from local food trucks. Sign up early, as the event has become so popular it uses a lottery system. Don’t plan on a PR, either, as it’s an untimed race.UNWIND WITH RW: The perfect way to recharge your running life?

Register for one of our 2017 Runner’s World Women’s Getaways! Fueled by Fine Wine Half Marathon When: July 9, 2017 Approximate Number of Finishers: 1,200 Why Run It: You’ll work for your tastings at this one, with a mostly off-road course that winds through the scenic but hilly terrain of the Dundee Hill American Viticultural Area. The course changes every year, but count on testing your quads and lung capacity, as the elevation gain can be as much as 1,000 feet. But the views along the way and the wines at the end are well worth the effort, with 25 Dundee Hill wineries that keep your etched Pinot Noir glass from the swag bag full. Race medals are worth toasting, too: Designed to look like wine labels, their vintage date changes every year. Sign up early, as the event has sold out in recent years. Water to Wine Half Marathon When: August 6, 2017 Approximate Number of Finishers: 1,500 Why Run It: This blazing fast course cruises through the property of three wineries in the heart of Sonoma Wine Country—Kendall Jackson, La Crema, and Saralee—before finishing at the grounds of Kendall Jackson Wine Estate and Gardens, where you’ll celebrate your accomplishment (and maybe a new PR) with local wines and cuisine.

A new course introduced in 2015 is almost all road, with two hard-packed dirt sections through actual vineyards. Toast-worthy swag includes a custom race-logo glass, as well as a wine stopper finisher’s medal. Complete all three half marathons in the Run Wine Country series, all in Northern California, and you’ll earn a custom labeled bottle of wine. When: August 19, 2017 Approximate Number of Finishers: 2,500 Why Run It: Idaho may be better known for its potatoes than its grapes, but its fledgling wine industry still makes a great excuse for a visit. In addition to the half marathon, runners can also pick from a 5K or 10K, all with routes that wind through Idaho wine country in the Snake River Valley. The races kick off at Ste. Chapelle Winery, Idaho’s largest, atop its “Winery Hill,” which boasts views of orchards, vineyards, and the Snake River, as well as moderate hills along the paved course. The races also finish at Ste. Chapelle, with more than 15 local wineries pouring and live music.

When: September 9, 2017 Approximate Number of Finishers: 9,620 Why Run It: World-class wine and food served at every step along the course, themed costumes—the 2016 theme is “Tales and Legends,” while the 2015 theme was “Dressed to the Nines”—and a boisterous atmosphere overflowing with French joie du vivre: the Medoc is no doubt the gustatory granddaddy of wine-centric races. Now in its 32nd year, it’s grown from a well-kept secret among French running circles into an international shindig, with free-flowing fun along a hilly course that winds along paved roads and gravel driveways through the renowned Bordeaux region and boasts wine and refreshment stops at nearly every mile, including esteemed names like Chateau Lafite Rothschild. But don’t get too tempted by all the wine and culinary treats (steak, cheese, or oysters, anyone?): There’s a 6.5-hour time limit, and plenty of postrace partying at the finish line. Where: Suttons Bay, Michigan When: September 9-10, 2017

Approximate Number of Finishers: 650 Why Run It: Get your grape-stomping and guzzling on at this festive seven-mile or 5K race through the rolling hills and vineyards of Michigan’s Leelanau Peninsula. The course starts and ends at Ciccone Vineyard (heads-up, Madonna fans: the winery is owned by her father) and takes runners through rows of plump grapes right before they’re harvested. The finish involves jumping into a large hole full of grapes. Participants can then join the Harvest Stompede Wine Tour, a self-guided outing along the Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail with stops at 22 wineries for fresh local fare and vino, served in your souvenir glass. Where: Corning, New York When: October 1, 2017 Approximate Number of Finishers: 1,960 Why Run It: Immerse yourself in the pastoral beauty of New York’s Finger Lakes region, learn about its rich glass-making history, and, of course, savor local wines. The scenic course begins in Bath, continuing through the upstate New York countryside at the peak of fall foliage.

But many runners also have their sights on a Boston qualifying time, as the flat, fast course has attracted speedsters since it first started in 1982 (in January 2010, Runner’s World readers even voted it the “speediest” marathon). The race wraps up in the historic town center of Corning, world-famous for its dinnerware, where postrace festivities include a special wine tasting for runners at the Rockwell Museum and a “Wine Down” party at the Radisson Hotel Corning. The swag bag also has plenty of local flavor, complete with a wine glass and small bottle of wine from Pleasant Valley, the oldest vineyard estate in the Finger Lakes region. Llano Estacado Winery Half Marathon and Vintage 5K When: October 14, 2017 Approximate Number of Finishers: 210 Why Run It: To get a taste of the growing wine industry in Texas (the fifth-largest wine-producing state, to the surprise of many a wine-lover) while helping contribute to charity. As part of the Texas Wine Series, which donates proceeds to local charitable organizations, this is one of the five (and counting) wine runs showcasing Texas wines.

Each event offers a 5K and half marathon (some 10Ks are in the works, too), plus a postrace party at the hosting winery. Llano Estacado is Texas’s largest premium winery, with nearly 40 years’ history of production in the High Plains growing region, which produces 80 percent of the state’s grapes. After crossing the finish line, runners can enjoy a flight of wines and catered food at the Food & Wine Festival, which organizers plan to add to other races in the series. Healdsburg Wine Country Half Marathon When: October 28, 2017 Why Run It: One of a series of eight half marathons in wine regions across the country, the Healdsburg race showcases the spectacular Sonoma County during fall harvest. Runners dress up for the Halloween theme before taking the starting line at Francis Ford Coppola’s new winery, with the route winding through two of Sonoma’s most revered appellations, Alexander Valley and Dry Creek Valley. Grab a splash of white or red at one of two wineries pouring at mile 8.5 and 10, or wait to toast your finish at the postrace Wine and Music Festival at Trentadue Winery, known for its zinfandels and ports.

Not up for a half marathon? The race also features a Hallowine 5K and costume contest. Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Where: Lake Buena Vista, Florida When: November 2-5, 2017 Approximate Number of Finishers: 12,000 Why Run It: For the rare opportunity to dash through three night-lit Disney theme parks, capped off by an all-night party at the finish line. Now in its seventh year, the race, which often sells out, takes runners from the start at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex though Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park and Disney’s Hollywood Studios before finishing at Epcot. Then, it’s time to wine and dine at a private party for runners at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, a culinary extravaganza that features 25 kiosks with food and wines from all over the world. Half marathoners receive a gift card upon registration that they can use at the party. Next: 10 Big City Marathons warmupQuote of the Day, motivation, and inspiration — every morningrundownAdvice on training, nutrition, shoes, and more — every evening