Atout France is pleased to announce that we will be present at this year's WTM on stand EU2000 from Monday 7th until Wednesday 9th November at the Excel Centre in London. We are delighted to welcome 61 partners and worldwide brands representatives.

NEW TRANSPORT ROUTES

Getting to France is easier with plenty of new routes and increased flights:

Fly Kiss

London Luton - Strasbourg (launches 7 November 2016)

London Luton – Clermont Ferrand (4 times a week from 7 November 2016)

London Luton – Brest (4 times a week from 7 November 2016)

London Gatwick – Rennes (3 flights weekly from 29 November 2016)

Ryan Air

Edinburgh – Bordeaux (twice weekly from winter 2016)

London Stanstead – Toulouse (Daily from November 2016)

British Airways

London Stanstead – Chambery (twice weekly from 16 December 2016)

Flybe    

Norwich – Chambery (Saturday service from mid-December 2016)

Birmingham – Toulouse (30 October2016 – 25 March 2017)

Monarch

London Gatwick – Lyon (Launches winter 2016/2017)

London Gatwick – Grenoble (increased flights 2016/2017)

Birmingham – Grenoble (increased flights 2016/2017)

In July 2017 SNCF will inaugurate a two hour Paris-Bordeaux train journey making the southern French wine mecca a do-able day trip from the capital.

NETWORKING – THE HUMAN FACES OF THE GREAT WAR

We are delighted to invite you to a special networking event 'The Human Faces of the Great War' taking place at the WTM Atout France stand (EU 2000) on Tuesday 8th November. Visit the Remembrance Tourism area between 12:00pm and 2:30pm, enjoy regional culinary specialities. The event will focus on 'The Human Faces of the Great War' looking at the part international rugby players served in the war and the nurses billeted at hospitals on the frontline. John Dennison, member of 'Passeurs de Mémoire', along with his partner Caz Tomas, will be present to explain to you more about the association's projects.

Remembrance Tourism in France continues to be important. In Alsace at Hartmannswillerkopf, Wattwiller, the first Franco-German Museum of World War I will be officially opened on 3 August 2017. In Craonne, Picardy, the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Chemin des Dames will be commemorated in April 2017 with a sound and light display and ceremony, and in September 2017 with the unveiling of a memorial.

WHAT'S NEW?

Meet with the Atout France team and partners to get the jump on some of the fantastic main events to hit the headlines in 2017. In Normandy Le Havre and its historic port celebrate their 500th anniversary in style. In the Alps-Mont Blanc  the Taj-i-Mah Hotel Les Arcs will open the first 5 Star hotel in Arc 2000; six “3 Vallées Selfie” points are dotted around the largest ski area in the world this winter for sensational selfies;  In the Alpes, 6 resorts will hold the epic Tournoi des 6 Stations Rugby Tournament over February half-term 2017.

In Champagne-Ardenne the sensational 'Trans-Ardennes' 120km/75 mile cycle path will see the final 10 km of this 'voie verte' completed in 2017. Cyclists will be able to follow the river Meuse from its mouth at Rotterdam all the way to its source in the Haute-Marne. Also in the region, the fabulous Métamorph'eau'ses sound and light boat tours on the rivers of Châlons-en-Champagne will see the enhancement of special illuminations and sound effects, part of an on-going programme of additions until 2019.

In Brittany, La Ferme du Vent in Cancale overlooking Mont Saint-Michel Bay will unveil a new concept in relaxed holiday accommodation with cosy Breton style “Kleds”. No Wi-Fi or TV, but a permanent show of nature evolving with the rhythm of tides, plus food prepared by Olivier Roellinger,  chef of the Michelin-star Chateau Richeux restaurant.

The Côte d'Azur region will celebrate its gorgeous gardens heritage in several towns with a brand new festival, the 'Côte d'Azur Garden Festival' between 1 April and 1 May 2017 with the theme “Awaken your senses”.

The Theatre in Paris group has 5 brand new productions with English language screens available for the 2016/2017 season.

VizEat continues to thrill visitors in Paris and Lyon with more opportunities to dine with the locals in their homes.

PERFUME WORKSHOP

Finally, come along to the Fragonard workshop and enjoy an irresistible chance to make your own Iris eau de toilette. The WTM Fragonard perfume workshop will be every day, 10am till 12pm and 2pm till 5pm at the Paris Pavillion on stand EU200

END

For further information please contact
Anne Pedersen, Head of PR, Atout France
anne.pedersen@atout-france.fr
Tel. 020 7061 6624, www.france.fr