France is at the forefront of Europe's slow travel revolution, with a growing network of cross-border rail connections that are transforming the way people explore the continent. This shift towards sustainable multi-country tourism is reshaping the travel industry, and France is playing a pivotal role in this transformation. With a focus on connectivity, exploration, and responsible tourism, the country is building stronger links with neighboring countries through high-speed trains, international partnerships, and greener mobility solutions.
The emergence of France as a slow travel powerhouse is evident through its expanding rail partnerships with Germany, Spain, and Italy. The France-Germany connection, for instance, has become a model of cross-border cooperation, with 28 daily trains connecting Paris and Berlin, as well as frequent routes linking Paris with Frankfurt and Stuttgart. This not only strengthens the bond between two major European capitals but also provides a new option for city-to-city travel without the need for flights.
The France-Spain corridor is also becoming a key tourism route, with direct high-speed services connecting Barcelona, Figueres, and Girona with Paris and other French cities. This allows travelers to explore northern Spain and France together, creating opportunities for multi-stop holidays that combine culture, food, history, and regional experiences. Similarly, the Paris-Milan route, which reopened in 2025, provides a renewed Alpine connection between two of Europe's strongest tourism markets, allowing visitors to combine French destinations with northern Italian cities through a more sustainable travel option.
However, the biggest challenge remains completing the missing links that prevent a fully seamless continental network. The Lyon-Turin railway project, for instance, is a critical development that will transform movement across the Western Alps, reducing travel times and encouraging more passengers to choose rail over road or air travel. The Montpellier-Perpignan new line in southern France is another important project, as it connects the high-speed network running from Seville to Amsterdam. The Atlantic corridor between Bordeaux, Dax, and Spain is also a crucial piece of the puzzle, although it is still in the study and partial development phase.
The rail revolution is closely tied to a broader change in European tourism policy, with governments and tourism organizations prioritizing sustainable travel, destination balance, and longer visitor stays. The European Commission's Tourism Transition Pathway and the European Agenda for Tourism 2030 provide the foundation for this transformation, encouraging greener tourism, digital development, stronger destination management, and better mobility solutions. France has adopted this direction through its sustainable tourism strategy, with Atout France aiming to strengthen France's position as a leading sustainable tourism destination by 2030.
The demand for multi-city European holidays is growing, with travelers seeking deeper experiences and more diverse destinations. Official tourism data shows that European residents made 1.2 billion tourism trips in 2024, with around 250 million of these being overnight trips to another European Union country. However, rail remains underutilized compared to cars and flights, highlighting a significant opportunity for growth.
France's own tourism data supports this trend, with only one in five visitors to France visiting only Paris, and more than half exploring other French regions without visiting the capital. This indicates that travelers are already looking beyond famous cities and seeking wider experiences. Germany has also recorded similar behavior, with 22% of French visitors taking multi-destination trips.
Long-haul markets are also showing interest in longer journeys covering around three countries, with France, Italy, Austria, and Germany among the leading destinations. The challenge, however, is ensuring that transport systems can support this demand.
Major financial support from the European Union is accelerating Europe's rail transformation, with increased investment in transport infrastructure to create safer, smarter, and more sustainable connections. In 2024, the European Commission selected 134 transport projects receiving more than €7 billion in funding through the Connecting Europe Facility, with France becoming one of the largest beneficiaries. These investments are not only about trains but also about reshaping how people travel across Europe.
A successful slow-travel network requires more than infrastructure; it needs simple booking systems, reliable connections, and protection when journeys involve several operators. The European Commission has identified cross-border ticketing and passenger rights as important areas for improvement. The future European holiday could involve a visitor starting in Paris, continuing to Germany, traveling through Switzerland or Italy, and returning through Spain, all while using connected rail services.
In conclusion, France's growing connections with neighboring countries, its focus on sustainable tourism policies, and strategic investments are helping create a connected European travel network that could redefine the next generation of global tourism. While challenges remain, the foundation has been laid, and the future of European tourism may well depend on helping travelers stay longer, explore deeper, and discover more destinations in one journey.
