France is still the most visited tourist destination in the world today.
In 2025, the country welcomed almost 100 million of international visitors, confirming its status as a leader.
Whether it's a tourist trip or an extended business trip, the expectations of these visitors are constantly evolving... and often differ from those of French travelers.
For an owner, welcoming an international traveller can be a great opportunity, as long as they understand their needs, habits and the standards they are used to.
And that's where the organization gets more complex than it seems.
In this article, OIQIA shows you what attracts them so much and everything you need to anticipate to make their stay smooth and memorable.
France is distinguished by an exceptional historical, artistic and urban heritage, which is among the richest in the world.
With 53 sites registrants at UNESCO, it naturally attracts travelers looking for that “something French” that they don't find at home. In addition, there is the worldwide reputation of its gastronomy: wines, cheeses, cheeses, pastries, regional specialties... Visitors come to France as much to admire as to enjoy.
The most emblematic places, such as the Eiffel Tower or the Arc de Triomphe, remain essential passages for many tourists.
But contrary to popular belief, they don't just come to “see Paris.”
International travelers like to explore big cities like Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse, Toulouse, Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse, Toulouse, Lille, Lille, Bordeaux, Nice or Strasbourg, but also cultural destinations such as Provence, the Châteaux de la Loire, France, France, France, France, France, France, France, France, France, France, France, France and France. Many are seduced by quieter regions: villages, vineyards, coastlines, spas or natural areas.
What they are looking for above all is authenticity: local markets, typical small restaurants: for which you can also share your favorite addresses, specifying the schedules that are sometimes very different from those of their country, as well as lively neighborhoods and landscapes that tell a story.
In addition to tourists, another category is growing strongly: foreign business travelers.
More and more, they are extending their stay for a few days to enjoy the region where they are.
Above all, these professionals are looking for comfortable and well-equipped accommodation, ideally located both near a business center and tourist attractions. They also appreciate having clear practical information to organize their free time and take full advantage of their time in France.
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Even if they like to explore, they often prefer: proximity to places of interest, easy access to transport (subway, tram, bus, train station) and simple routes so as not to waste time.
Owners who provide clear plans, useful addresses, and recommended routes largely meet this need.
French gastronomy is very attractive.
Travelers appreciate:
A lot of hosts underestimate how much it values the stay.
They are not looking for a “postcard” decor, but a warm, coherent atmosphere, with:
It is this feeling of living “like a local” that they remember.
They are also particularly sensitive to cleanliness and safety. Because they often travel far and sometimes for the first time in France, they need an immaculately maintained home and a secure environment.
They therefore prefer reliable services, with rigorous cleaning, checklists, reactive maintenance and a systematic check of the accommodation after each stay.
These practices reassure them enormously... and significantly improve the accommodation score.
This is where owners often realize that a foreign welcome requires much more Organizational than expected.
French sockets (type E) are not universal.
It is therefore necessary to:
A simple equipment manual in English avoids 80% of messages during the stay.
Some French habits are not intuitive for everyone:
In several countries, the rules are very different (in Italy, even accessing containers requires a card!).
It is therefore necessary to detail everything clearly, without assuming that the traveller will “guess”.
A comprehensive welcome guide should include:
These elements avoid stress and misunderstanding, especially for non-French speakers.
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For many travelers, the language barrier can quickly complicate a trip.
So it's better to be able to communicate in English, and it's even better if you know other languages.
They expect clear arrival instructions, communication in English as a minimum, quick answers in case of unexpected events as well as translated documents: whether it's a housing guide, house rules, instructions for use or practical advice.
For a single owner, this can become difficult to manage, especially if the traveller arrives at 11pm, if their flight is delayed, or if they contact the host from abroad.
Precisely for this reason, many prefer to book through a professional manager, who is perceived as simpler, more reliable and much more responsive.
• Multilingual application (English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Russian...) with all the essential information for the traveller.
On our application a welcome booklet is available in French and English, with good addresses, nearby amenities and all the practical information to facilitate the stay.
We also provide House Rules in French and English: a simple list of the rules to be respected during the stay.
• Travel articles and advice : we help organize their stay in a clear and accessible way with articles posted regularly on our travel blog, in French and English versions.
• Responsive Traveller Assistance, able to respond quickly and effectively to each request.
• Presence of our accommodations on Booking.com (No. 1 internationally) and Airbnb, platforms that are particularly appreciated by young travelers, couples and families.
• Full professional management : cleaning, maintenance, checklists, photos, optimized ads, everything is taken care of to ensure an optimal experience.
Thus, your home becomes naturally suitable for foreign travelers, without you having to manage everything yourself.
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Welcoming a foreign traveller is entirely possible, but it is a demanding mission. You need to understand their cultural expectations, provide clear and translated information, anticipate practical differences, ensure impeccable cleanliness and remain available in case of the unexpected.
Beyond these aspects, they are especially looking for a real “French” experience, authentic and reassuring.
Even if this is still feasible for an owner, it requires time, rigor and a good knowledge of international needs. Especially since this clientele, often with a comfortable budget, favors comfort, coherence and immersion, much more than the lowest price.
France seduces.
Your accommodation too.
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