The Korean market holds significant importance in Paris's tourism industry. According to the French tourism office, approximately 267,000 Korean tourists visited the Île-de-France region last year, accounting for 9% of Asian visitors. Notably, Korean tourists' spending surged by 35% to around €286 million, with an average stay of 5.7 nights, significantly higher than the overall average of 4.1 nights for international visitors. Additionally, 51% of these tourists opted for luxury accommodations rated four stars or higher, indicating a preference for quality and convenience.
Jeong Hye-won, acting head of the French tourism office in Korea, noted, "Korean travelers tend to stay longer and spend more. They exhibit a mature travel attitude that respects local culture and rules. For this reason, our local tourism partners deeply trust and welcome Korean visitors."
This year, Paris is transforming into a vibrant hub for cultural and artistic festivals. In particular, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Monet's death, over 100 major events will take place across the Île-de-France and Normandy regions until January 2027. The scale of exhibitions is also impressive. Starting this fall, the Orangerie Museum will host a special exhibition featuring around 40 of Monet's works gathered from around the world. The Marmottan Monet Museum will present a special exhibition titled "From Monet to Hockney."
Experiential spaces following in the footsteps of Impressionist masters are also expanding. The beautiful "Vetheuil" mansion, where Monet lived, will open its first permanent exhibition program to the public. A new tourism route linked to Giverny will highlight Impressionism, focusing on key sites such as Auvers-sur-Oise, Barbizon, and the former residences of Monet and Camille Pissarro. In addition to Monet, significant exhibitions featuring other Impressionist painters await visitors. The Grand Palais will host a large-scale "Cézanne Special Exhibition," while the Musée d'Orsay currently features an exhibition themed around "Renoir and Love."
This year marks the 140th anniversary of Korea-France relations, and Paris will host a variety of cultural events focusing on Korea throughout the year. Notably, the National Museum of Asian Arts, Guimet, will hold a series of major exhibitions related to Korea. The Cernuschi Museum, the municipal Asian art museum in Paris, will also prepare special exhibitions related to Korean culture for local audiences. Additionally, the Korean Cultural Center in France plans to present various events throughout the year to celebrate the 140th anniversary.
Major heritage sites under the French National Monuments Center have also undergone renovations. The Hôtel de la Marine, which overlooks Place de la Concorde, has been revamped to offer an immersive audio guide available in nine languages, along with a newly renovated caretaker's apartment and reception room tour. The Panthéon, a mausoleum for notable figures, will host an exhibition titled "The Little Life" in collaboration with the Pompidou Center from September 2027 to February 2028. Furthermore, the "Palais du Tau," a museum dedicated to the history of royal coronations held at Reims Cathedral, is set to reopen by the end of this year.
The immersive digital art center "Atelier des Lumières," converted from an old foundry in Paris, will feature a stunning exhibition utilizing 140 video projectors. Visitors can experience masterpieces by Da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael, as well as a dinosaur-themed exhibition in a 360-degree format.
Additionally, new attractions will be introduced, including the opening of a "Frozen" themed zone at Disneyland Paris and the reopening of the Notre-Dame Cathedral tower, creating fresh tourism experiences.
Major events are also set to attract fans of popular culture and sports. This summer, the Stade de France will host a large concert by the K-pop group BTS, along with performances by global artists such as Bruno Mars and Celine Dion across various venues in Paris.
The excitement of sports festivals is also heating up. This summer, Paris will host its first "eSports World Cup," alongside the ongoing French Open tennis tournament, the prestigious Tour de France cycling race, and the European Swimming Championships. In September, the French Open golf tournament, which began in 1906, will take place at Le Golf National, the venue for the Paris Olympic golf event.
Key landmark tour programs favored by Korean travelers have also evolved. The Eiffel Tower, which attracts approximately 6.5 million visitors annually, now offers a private tour called "Le Grand Tour" with interpretation services for small groups.
The Seine River cruise boat, Bateaux-Mouches, has introduced a new "Sparkling Cruise" that includes half a bottle of champagne. Additionally, an individual QR code system has been implemented for easy navigation of the route. Plans are also in place to hybridize the vessels for sustainable tourism and obtain low-carbon certification.
The hop-on, hop-off bus tour provider, Tootbus, is operating the world's first 100% open-top electric buses. During the tours, travelers can receive personalized recommendations for attractions through an AI Paris city guide that supports Korean language during both the tour and walking explorations.
Unique experiences in the suburbs of Paris are also noteworthy. The "Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte," once the residence of 17th-century finance minister Nicolas Fouquet, will host a candlelit night opening with 2,000 candles and workshops to learn about French hospitality culture.
Additionally, a new landmark, the "Triangle Tower," a mixed-use building standing 180 meters tall with 42 floors, is set to be constructed at the Porte de Versailles exhibition site.
The quality of travel is also being enhanced through modernized accommodation infrastructure. Marriott has completed renovations of key hotels in Paris. The Marriott Rive Gauche Hotel has undergone a complete renovation of its lobby, restaurant, and conference facilities, while the Marriott Champs-Élysées Hotel and Le Méridien Arc de Triomphe have also been revamped.
The traditionally styled "Plaza Athénée" hotel has introduced Parisian-style wooden floors, Japanese-style electronic bidets, and state-of-the-art air conditioning in all rooms following its remodeling this year. Located on Montmartre Hill, the "Boeuf Montmartre Restaurant" offers authentic French cuisine and live performances, along with 15 luxury apartment-style rooms called "Maison La Bohème" on the upper floors, providing a unique lodging experience.
Paris's infrastructure and transportation accessibility are continually improving with a focus on sustainable tourism. The legacy of the 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympics aims to provide tourists with a more responsible and comfortable travel environment.
Notably, the "CDG Express," scheduled to open in 2027, will connect Charles de Gaulle Airport to downtown Paris in just 20 minutes. Additionally, the "Grand Paris Express" project will gradually open four new subway lines, including Line 18, which connects to Versailles, significantly enhancing regional accessibility by 2031.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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