France's central location, wide variety of attractions and diversified economy make it an almost unavoidable destination for travellers whether on business or on holiday. France offers leisure pursuits adapted to all tastes, including cultural and historical monuments, boating, beaching, skiing, wine tasting, and gastronomic tours. Since World War II, France has developed world-class industrial and service concerns, which, combined with Paris' leading role as a venue for international conventions and trade fairs, generate a substantial volume of high value-adding business travel both domestically and from abroad.

France's central location, wide variety of attractions and diversified economy make it an almost unavoidable destination for travellers whether on business or on holiday. France offers leisure pursuits adapted to all tastes, including cultural and historical monuments, boating, beaching, skiing, wine tasting, and gastronomic tours. Since World War II, France has developed world-class industrial and service concerns, which, combined with Paris' leading role as a venue for international conventions and trade fairs, generate a substantial volume of high value-adding business travel both domestically and from abroad.

The hotel market is characterised by the dominance of a clear market leader - Accor, the owner of six of the country' top ten brands. Accor, and the French hotel market generally, has a well-developed budget hotel sector, including the country's leading brand, Ibis. As a result, recent market shocks, which impact disproportionately on the business-friendly upscale brands, have been felt less in the French market.

Hotels in France is part of a series of six Mintel reports. The other reports included are:

- Hotels in Germany, Travel & Tourism Intelligence - European Report, August 2002

- Hotels in Ireland, Travel & Tourism Intelligence - European Report, August 2002

- Hotels in Italy, Travel & Tourism Intelligence - European Report, August 2002

- Hotels in Spain, Travel & Tourism Intelligence - European Report, August 2002

- Hotels in the UK, Leisure Intelligence - UK Report, August 2002

Other reports of relevance include:

- Special Report, Holidays - Coping with a Crisis - UK Report, 2002

- Family Holidays, Travel & Tourism Intelligence - European Report, June 2002

- International Tourism Forecasts to 2015 - Travel & Tourism Intelligence - European Report, June 2002

- Short Breaks Abroad, Leisure Intelligence - UK Report, June 2002

- City Breaks Market, Travel & Tourism Intelligence - European Report, April 2002

- Visitor Attractions, Travel & Tourism Intelligence - European Report, February 2002

- Country Reports - Europe, Travel & Tourism Intelligence - European Reports, January 2002

and the forthcoming:

- Third Age Travel, Travel & Tourism Intelligence - European Report, October 2002

- Pre-family Holidays, Travel & Tourism Intelligence - European Report, December 2002