Known for couture, culture and cuisine, Paris is home to a large concentration of wealth: a 2024 ranking by the consulting firm Henley & Partners lists 165,600 millionaires and 23 billionaires living in the city. Paris also hosts the headquarters or major offices of many of Europe’s leading companies, including BNP Paribas, Crédit Agricole, AXA, Air France‑KLM Group and Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton.
France has been a longstanding trading and investment partner of the United States. In 2023, United Nations COMTRADE data show the U.S. imported $47.5 billion in French goods while France imported $43.55 billion from the U.S.
The U.S. Department of Commerce highlights export opportunities for American companies in sectors such as aerospace, food products, pharmaceuticals, renewable energy technologies, microelectronics, logistics and healthcare equipment. The French government continues to promote foreign investment through incentives, marketing and a global network of trade and investment promotion offices.
CHECKING IN WITH MARION FOURESTIER
Director of Communications USA, Atout France
You have been with the French National Tourist Office for more than 40 years and, since 2005, have served in New York at Atout France. What changes have you seen over the years?
Paris remains one of the world’s top destinations for international travelers and a favorite for Americans. When I began, many visitors perceived the French as reserved or aloof. Over the decades this has shifted: younger Parisians speak more English, are more connected to global culture through film, music and media, and American travelers increasingly feel comfortable visiting. Popular culture, including recent television portrayals, has helped make France feel more accessible.
What economic factors drive tourism and business in France?
Tourism is a major economic driver in France and has rebounded strongly since the pandemic. In 2023 the country welcomed 98 million international visitors, a 12 percent increase over 2019, with the United States remaining France’s top long‑haul market. Tourism generated €63.5 billion in revenue for businesses and cultural sites nationwide; Americans accounted for more than €6.2 billion of that spending. Major upcoming events and investments, including the Olympic Games, are expected to further boost visitor numbers and economic activity.
What effect do you expect the Paris 2024 Olympics to have on tourism and business development?
The Paris 2024 Summer Olympics will be among the largest events ever held in France and will bring global attention to the city. Paris already attracts millions of summer visitors each year—more than 6.3 million travelers visited the Eiffel Tower in 2023—and the Games are likely to reinforce Paris’s position at the top of travelers’ minds. The Olympics also leave lasting benefits: the Olympic Village will be converted into an eco‑friendly neighborhood, the Seine has been cleaned so swimming there is now possible, and nearly 40 miles of new scenic bike paths will encourage cycling as a long‑term mode of transport in the city.
DIVERSIONS
Expect long lines at the Louvre, particularly at the Mona Lisa; buying skip‑the‑line tickets or booking a private guide or an after‑hours tour can make for a more rewarding visit. For a local experience, explore smaller museums housed in elegant 18th‑century mansions, writers’ homes and artists’ studios. Musée Nissim de Camondo displays an extraordinary collection of 18th‑century paintings, furniture and objets d’art within a beautifully preserved mansion; its courtyard bar occupies the former stables. Musée Jacquemart‑André offers Dutch, Flemish and English masterpieces in another opulent mansion. In the Marais, the Maison de Victor Hugo preserves the rooms where Hugo wrote classic works such as The Hunchback of Notre‑Dame and Les Misérables. The Fragonard Musée du Parfum displays unusual perfume bottles and runs perfumer workshops where visitors can create a personal fragrance.
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Paris is the birthplace of haute couture and home to flagship houses along Avenue Montaigne and jewelers on Place Vendôme. Visitors can take behind‑the‑scenes workshops—jewelry‑making classes at historic maisons or perfume creation at studios in the Marais. Grands magasins such as Galeries Lafayette offer VIP services and private lounges for shoppers. For collectors and fashion lovers, legendary vintage boutiques showcase couture pieces by Balenciaga, Chanel and Dior in museum‑quality condition.
For tailored experiences, concierge services and private tour operators can arrange unique options: candlelight dinners in the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles, after‑hours visits to prestigious jewelers on Place Vendôme, culinary classes at renowned institutions, or private tastings of rare vintages in historic cellars.
The Paris cocktail and nightlife scene has gained fresh momentum, recalling the creative energy of American bartenders who worked in the city during Prohibition. Intimate garden bars, exclusive hotel lounges and historic jazz clubs contribute to a diverse after‑hours scene. New cocktail bars focus on craft spirits and innovative pairings, while legendary venues continue to offer live music and immersive atmosphere.
LODGING
Cheval Blanc Paris
An LVMH‑owned Art Deco landmark on the Seine, offering spacious rooms and suites with views of the Eiffel Tower and river, plus dining led by acclaimed chefs.
8 Quai du Louvre, Paris
$$$$$
La Fantaisie
Rooms designed by Martin Brudnizki feature gardenlike balconies and terraces in the Faubourg Montmartre neighborhood; dining is overseen by chef Dominique Crenn.
24 Rue Cadet, Paris
$$$$
La Réserve Apartments Paris
Housed in a Haussmann‑style building, the property offers a range of one‑ to four‑bedroom apartments and a discreet 24‑hour concierge providing services from breakfast delivery to transfers and theater tickets.
Place du Trocadéro – 3 Av. d’Eylau, Paris
$$$$$
DINING
Bustronome
A dining experience aboard a glass‑roofed double‑decker bus that travels past Paris landmarks while serving multi‑course meals and Champagne prepared in an on‑board kitchen.
2 Av. Kléber, Paris
$$$$$
Le Jules Verne
Located on the second floor of the Eiffel Tower, this two‑Michelin‑starred restaurant offers seasonal tasting menus alongside panoramic views; a jacket is typically required.
Avenue Gustave Eiffel, Paris
$$$$$
Maxim’s de Paris
A Belle Époque institution where classic French dishes and Champagne are served amid ornate décor featuring beveled mirrors, stained glass and velvet upholstery.
3 Rue Royale, Paris
$$$$$
JUST THE FACTS
Time zone: GMT+1
Phone code: Country code: 33 — City code: 1
Currency: Euro
Key industries: Banking, telecommunications, energy, tourism, fashion and luxury goods
COMING AND GOING
U.S. citizens visiting France for up to 90 days do not require a visa but must hold a passport valid for at least three months beyond their intended departure date.
LANGUAGE
French is the official language. Many professionals and most tourism workers speak English.
INFO TO GO
Paris is served by many international airlines. Two main international airports connect the city to the world: Paris Charles de Gaulle, about 15 miles from central Paris, offers taxis, ride‑share services, train and bus options; and Paris‑Orly, about 8 miles away, provides similar ground transportation options. If your hotel offers a shuttle, check availability in advance. For getting around Paris, consider a Metro pass that covers metro, bus and RER lines—single‑ticket and multi‑day passes are available to suit different itineraries.