Paris Offers Training Manual to Improve Tourism Reputation

Paris has embarked on a new campaign to improve its reputation and better cater to the needs of tourists, because of its reputation of being rude to tourists. Waiters, taxi drivers and sales staff in the French capital are being given a manual with guidelines on better etiquette. The six-page booklet entitled "Do you speak Touriste?" contains greetings in eight languages including German, Chinese and Portuguese and advice on the spending habits and cultural codes of different nationalities.

France is the world's top destination for foreign tourists. Last year Paris had some 29 million people visited the City of Light. Tourism accounts for one in every ten jobs in the region. The Paris Chamber of Commerce and the regional tourism committee have warned, however, that growing competition from friendlier cities like London meant Paris needed to work harder to attract visitors, especially from emerging market countries such as China.

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Traveling to France this Year?

If you are going to France anytime soon, you might want to consider getting some of these:

Paris
The Paris Museum Pass allows priority admission and free access to 60 museums, castles, gardens, cathedrals and monuments in and around Paris, including multiple visits at no extra charge, starting from $59.

The CityRama Paris L'Open Tour Pass allows over 50 stops and four open-air bus routes allow visitors to choose the sights worth seeing, starting from $45 per one-day pass.

The French Wine Discovery offers a beginning course on French regional wines without ever leaving Paris, starting from $47.

A Guided Visit of the Louvre Museum starting from $69.

A Paris Dinner Cruise in a glass-sided boat, and a meal from $143.

The Paris Visite offers unlimited travel to sites in and around Paris on the RER, bus or Metro, starting from $31.

Lyon

The Lyon Le Grand Tour, Hop on Hop off bus tours start from $27.

Loire Valley: Day Tours come in one of three distinct tours around Villandry, Chambord or Chenonceau and Amboise, all coupled with a taste of the local wine, starting from $211.

Marseille

The Marseille Le Grand Tour, Hop on Hop off bus tours start from $28.

The Marseille City Card offers visitors free public transportation in Marseille and free entry to more than 15 of Marseille's finest museums and monuments.

Nice

The Nice le Grand Tour starts from $31. The French Wine Master Class is a two-hour advanced wine tasting class that includes the tastes of Bordeaux, Burgundy, Côtes du Rhône & Champagne, starting from $77.

Contact a Professional Travel Agent today for assistance with booking your next trip to France.

300 Year Old Versailles Mansion to Become Hotel

A historic mansion that is located about one hundred yards from the cherished cultural landmark; Versailles is being renovated into a five-star, 23-room luxury hotel, the Grand Hotel de l'Orangerie.

Versailles, home to the French monarchy since Louis XIV, is a monument of royal grandeur. Soon, the palace may also become known for its new five-star hotel.

Starting in January 2012, guests will be able to spend the night for anywhere from $650 to $950. The mansion was built in the 1680s, it was the home and offices of the king's treasurer, where he lived with his family and servants. There is much work to be done on the mansion, as some of the walls are literally crumbling. Renovations are estimated to cost $7 million and should take about a year, according to a news release from the Château de Versailles.

The Belgian company Ivy International has been commissioned to head the restoration and operate the property for 30 years. A portion of the profits will be paid to the Château de Versailles for rent. It will retain its history and culture as the mirrors and floors and chimneys will be retained. The centerpiece of the hotel will be a big library and the main hall. The hotel will be decorated in the style of the Chateau and will be a five star property.

When the Hotel de l'Orangerie is completed, overnight guests will be able to stroll in the gardens of Versailles for the first time in 300 years. Guests will be able to schedule private visits to the Chateau every day after 5:30 p.m. and all day Monday.

To get started booking your trip to France, contact a Travel Agent today!