Paris — the City of Light, fashion, art, and romance — ranks as the second most visited city in the world, just behind Bangkok.
In 2024, the Greater Paris region welcomed nearly 49 million visitors, cementing its position as Europe’s tourism powerhouse.
One of the city’s most iconic landmarks, the Eiffel Tower, attracts around 6 million visitors each year, making it one of the most visited paid monuments on the planet.
Behind these impressive figures lies a story of culture, economy, and global appeal — here are over 30 key statistics revealing the scale and impact of Parisian tourism.
How Many Tourists Visit Paris Each Year?
- In 2019, Paris and Île-de-France received over 50 million visitors.
- In 2020, the pandemic reduced that number to 17.4 million.
- 2023 saw 47.5 million visitors, and 2024 reached 48.7 million — with 26.1 million domestic and 22.6 million international.
How Much Revenue Does Tourism Generate in Paris?
- Tourism generated €19.6 billion in 2022, with €12 billion from international visitors.
- For 2024, tourism revenues across France hit a record €71 billion, with Paris as the main driver.
Which Countries Deliver the Most Visitors to Paris?
Paris may be in the heart of Europe, but its biggest group of international visitors comes from across the Atlantic.
In 2024, travelers from the 🇺🇸 United States made up roughly 15% of all foreign tourists — more than any European neighbor. The 🇬🇧 United Kingdom and 🇩🇪 Germany followed closely, together accounting for almost one-fifth of all overseas arrivals. Interestingly, 🇨🇳 China, despite long pandemic travel restrictions, still contributed around 4%, showing strong recovery potential.
Country | Share of International Visitors |
---|---|
🇺🇸 United States | ~15% |
🇬🇧 United Kingdom | ~9% |
🇩🇪 Germany | ~8% |
🇮🇹 Italy | ~7% |
🇪🇸 Spain | ~6% |
🇧🇪 Belgium | ~5% |
🇨🇳 China | ~4% |
🇳🇱 Netherlands | ~4% |
🇯🇵 Japan | ~3% |
🇨🇭 Switzerland | ~3% |
What Are the Most Visited Attractions in Paris?
The most visited attraction in Paris isn’t the Eiffel Tower — it’s actually Disneyland Paris, which draws an astonishing 14.8 million visitors a year.
The Louvre Museum, the most visited museum in the world, follows with 8.7 million, while the Eiffel Tower sees around 6 million paying visitors annually.
Surprisingly, the Sacré-Cœur Basilica in Montmartre, which is free to enter, welcomes an estimated 11 million people each year — more than the Eiffel Tower.
Attraction | Annual Visitors (latest available) |
---|---|
Louvre Museum | 8.7M |
Disneyland Paris | 14.8M |
Eiffel Tower | 6.0M |
Palace of Versailles | 7.7M |
Musée d’Orsay & Orangerie | 4.9M |
Centre Pompidou | 3.2M |
Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie | 1.74M |
Musée du quai Branly – Jacques Chirac | 1.1M |
Sacré-Cœur Basilica | ~11M (free entry) |
Arc de Triomphe | 1.6M |
When Is the Best Time to Visit Paris? (Seasonality)
If you want to avoid crowds, don’t come in July — that’s when Paris peaks at over 5.2 million overnight stays.
August is nearly as busy, with 4.9 million, boosted by summer holidays and international tourists. On the other hand, January is the quietest month, with just 2.9 million overnight stays — making it perfect for budget travelers.
December also attracts strong numbers (4.2 million) thanks to Christmas markets and New Year’s Eve celebrations.
Month | Overnight Stays (M) | Notes |
---|---|---|
Jan | 2.9 | Low season, but strong business tourism |
Feb | 3.1 | Valentine’s Day boost |
Mar | 3.5 | Early spring, art fairs |
Apr | 4.0 | Easter tourism |
May | 4.5 | Start of high season |
Jun | 4.8 | Peak season |
Jul | 5.2 | Summer peak |
Aug | 4.9 | Summer holidays |
Sep | 4.6 | Fashion Week & fairs |
Oct | 4.3 | Cultural season |
Nov | 3.7 | Lower tourism |
Dec | 4.2 | Christmas markets & NYE |
What Are the Biggest Events Attracting Tourists to Paris?
Paris is a magnet for major events — and some of them rival the city’s most famous landmarks in drawing crowds.
The Christmas markets bring in around 3 million visitors each year, while Paris Pride attracts approximately 700,000 people in a single weekend.
Even niche cultural gatherings like Paris Fashion Week host about 100,000 industry insiders, making them powerful drivers of hotel occupancy and restaurant spending.
Event | Annual Visitors |
---|---|
Paris Fashion Week | ~100K industry visitors |
Roland-Garros (French Open) | ~600K |
Fête de la Musique | ~1M |
Nuit Blanche | ~1M |
Christmas Markets | ~3M |
Bastille Day Celebrations | ~500K (Champs-Élysées + fireworks) |
Paris Marathon | ~60K participants & spectators |
Paris Pride | ~700K |
Paris Air Show | ~300K |
Art Paris Art Fair | ~70K |
How Does Tourism Impact the Paris Economy?
- Tourism supports 500,000+ jobs in the Paris region.
- It contributes over 10% of the city’s GDP.
- Paris has one of the highest tourism-to-resident ratios among global cities.
How Does Paris Compare to Other Global Cities?
City | Visitors (M, 2024) | Avg. Spend per Tourist (€) |
---|---|---|
Paris | 48.7 | 1,100 |
London | 21.7 | 1,000 |
New York | 33.0 | 1,300 |
Rome | 20.0 | 950 |
Dubai | 17.1 | 2,000 |
What Are the Challenges Facing Paris Tourism?
- Overcrowding at major attractions like the Louvre and Eiffel Tower.
- Rising accommodation costs — hotel rates surged during major events like the Olympics.
- Infrastructure pressure during peak season.
- Sustainability — balancing mass tourism with preservation.
Tourism Trends & Forecast for Paris
- Expected to surpass 50M visitors again in 2025.
- Strong recovery from Asian markets, especially China and Japan.
- Growth in luxury tourism and short-haul European city breaks.
FAQ
How many tourists visit Paris each year?
Around 49 million in 2024, with forecasts exceeding 50 million in 2025.
What’s the most visited attraction?
Disneyland Paris (14.8M) for entertainment; Louvre Museum (8.7M) for culture.
When is the best time to visit?
May–July and December for atmosphere; January–February for fewer crowds.
Is there overtourism in Paris?
Yes — Paris faces overtourism, especially at major landmarks like the Louvre, Eiffel Tower, and Sacré-Cœur, which can become overcrowded during peak months. The city has been exploring crowd management measures.
Is Paris the most visited place in the world?
Paris is the second most visited city in the world after Bangkok, and the most visited in Europe.
Is Paris dependent on tourism?
Tourism accounts for over 10% of Paris’s GDP and supports more than 500,000 jobs, making it a key economic sector.
What is the busiest tourist season in Paris?
July is the busiest month, with around 5.2 million overnight stays, followed closely by August. December also sees high numbers thanks to holiday events.
What is the most touristed city in Europe?
Paris holds the top spot in Europe, ahead of London and Rome.
Which nationality visits France the most?
The 🇺🇸 United States leads among overseas visitors, while domestic tourism within France itself remains the single largest source.
Has Paris tourism declined?
Tourism sharply declined in 2020 due to COVID-19, but numbers have rebounded strongly, reaching almost 49 million visitors in 2024.
Do people in Paris like tourists?
Opinions vary — many Parisians value tourism’s economic benefits, but some feel the effects of crowding in popular districts.
Why does Paris have so many tourists?
Paris offers a unique combination of history, architecture, art, fashion, gastronomy, and globally recognized landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre.
What is the cheapest month to go to Paris?
January is typically the cheapest month, with fewer tourists and lower accommodation rates.
How many days in Paris is enough?
For first-time visitors, 4–5 days is ideal to cover key attractions without rushing.
How many people visit the Louvre a day?
With 8.7 million visitors annually, the Louvre sees an average of around 23,800 visitors per day.
How much money does Paris make from tourism?
In 2022, tourism generated €19.6 billion, with €12 billion from international visitors.
What is the risk of traveling to Paris?
Paris is generally safe for tourists, but travelers should be aware of pickpocketing in crowded areas and stay alert during large events.
What is the most visited spot in Paris?
In terms of paid attractions, Disneyland Paris leads with 14.8 million visitors annually; for free sites, Sacré-Cœur Basilica tops the list at about 11 million.
Is it okay to kiss in public in Paris?
Yes — public displays of affection are common and socially accepted in Paris.
Are Parisians nice to Americans?
Generally, yes, especially when visitors are polite and make an effort to greet in French. Tourism from the U.S. is highly valued.
Sources
- Paris je t’aime – Tourist Office – Key Figures for Tourism in Paris and the Paris Region
- Île-de-France Regional Tourism Committee – Tourism Report – Greater Paris Region
- Statista – Number of Tourists in Paris
- Louvre Museum – Visitor Figures
- Eiffel Tower Official Site – Annual Attendance Figures
- Disneyland Paris – Press Room – Visitor Statistics
- Palace of Versailles – Attendance Data
- UNWTO – World Tourism Organization – International Tourism Highlights
- Statista – Overnight Stays in Paris by Month
- BBC Travel – How Paris is Dealing with Overtourism
- The Local France – Who Visits Paris the Most?
- Forbes – Most Visited Cities in the World
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