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The Louvre Museum in Paris was the most visited museum in the world in 2014! - with an amazing 9.3 million visitors.

In 2017, France welcomed almost 87 million international tourists, making it the most visited country in the world in that year.

Europe’s highest mountain is in the French Alps. Mont Blanc, at 4,810m, takes 10 to 12 hours to climb to the peak.

Liberté, Égalitié, Fraternité meaning ‘liberty, equality and fraternity’ is the nations motto!

Paris Gare du Nord is Europe’s busiest railway station- So far, around 190 million passengers pass through each year.

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Teaming Up for European Challenges France and Croatia are working together to solve the biggest current issues of the European construction such as the necessary re-establishment of the Union, devising the next EU Multiannual Financial Framework, the challenge of illegal migrations and of course, Brexit

o broaden our excellent bilateral relations we must now intensify our economic relations”, says H.E. Mr Gaël Veyssière, the French Ambassador to Croatia. Indeed, the implementation of the Strategic Partnership 20182021 document, signed by France and Croatia last year, addresses that question. “This document was signed in April 2018 during the visit of Nathalie Loiseau, our European Affairs Minister at that time, to Zagreb. Even if our relations were already very dense, it was important to give them a framework with such a document. We worked a lot on this project with our Croatian counterparts to reach this objective. I was involved in this work at the time, as chief of staff of Ms Loiseau, and I am happy to say that these efforts are bearing fruit,” says the Ambassador. “The first follow-up high-level annual meeting took place in Paris on May 24, and was attended by JeanYves Le Drian, French Minister of European and Foreign Affairs, and Ms Marija Pejčinović Burić, then Croatian Minister of European and Foreign Affairs. The two Ministers underlined that the political dialogue had been stepped up and bilateral cooperation intensified, notably in the sectors of the economy, home affairs, culture, science and education.”

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In 2018, Mr Andrej Plenković, Croatian Prime Minister, visited France, and there were expectations that President Macron may visit Croatia soon.

How can we further improve bilateral relations?

— I am pleased to say that our political relations are excellent. Following the invitation by President Macron, the Croatian Prime Minister visited France on October 16, 2018, with Ministers Obuljen-Koržinek and Cappelli, as well as many Croatian business people, in attendance. Minister of European and Foreign Affairs, Jean-Yves Le Drian met with his Croatian counterpart in May 2019 as I have already mentioned.

We are indeed actively preparing a visit of President Macron to Croatia in the next months. In the next few days, our Secretary of State for European Affairs, Ms Amélie de Montchalin will come to Croatia for bilateral consultations to prepare this visit and discuss how we can best support the Croatian presidency of the Council of Ministers.

As you can see, we have regular and active contacts at the political level, bilaterally, as well as in the margins of EU or international meetings. This is also true at the high civil servant level.

For example, Sandrine Gaudin, counsellor of the Prime Minister for European Affairs and Head of the Secrétar-

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H . E . GA Ë L V E YS S I È R E French Ambassador to Croatia

As a result of the Strategic Partnership document, covering the 2018-2021 period, the political dialogue has been stepped up and bilateral cooperation intensified in many area

iat général des affaires européennes (SGAE), met with several state secretaries and top government officials in September in Zagreb.

We work together as close partners in many areas, naturally under the European Union framework, but our cooperation goes beyond. For instance, we work together in the Council of Europe, where the current President of the Committee of Ministers, Jean-Yves Le Drian and our Secretary of State Amélie de Montchalin are working closely with the new Secretary-General, Ms Marija Pejčinović Burić, who chaired the Council from November 2018 to March 2019. The relations at the local level, between municipalities and local governments, and at the civil society level, are also nourished, while the number of French tourists visiting Croatia rises steadily. To broaden this excellent base, we must above all densify our economic relations which are improving but remain below their potential.

What are the most important issues on which both countries can act together at the international level?

— France and Croatia are working together to solve the biggest current issues of the European construction such as the necessary re-establishment of the Union, which our leaders have very

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strong stances on, devising the next EU Multiannual Financial Framework, the challenges associated with illegal migrations and of course, Brexit. Our two countries also regularly exchange views on international security and international or EU military operations in different areas.

The Croatian government has unveiled some of the main characteristics of its presidency of the Council of the EU in the first semester of 2020. What do you expect from Croatia’s presidency?

— This presidency comes in the context of the beginning of a new political cycle, after the elections last May and a new Commission. This will be the first time that Croatia will preside over the Council. Many difficult topics are on the table and of course, Brexit introduces a high degree of uncertainty. All this does not make the task easy, but we have full confidence in Croatia’s ability to take up the challenge. We are here to help. In September, in partnership with the Croatian Prime Minister’s Cabinet and the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, the Embassy organized a seminar attended by the whole government. Top-level French experts involved in our previous presidencies came to Zagreb to discuss what makes a presidency successful from a political, technical and communication point of view. I believe that this presidency can become a major step for all the Croats in the appropriation of their country’s EU membership and their experiences as Europeans.

It also has crucial importance for Europe - we are still facing strong pressure from anti-European parties everywhere on our continent, which are using demagogy and fake news. It is all the more important to demonstrate that the EU is indispensable for effectively improving the day-to-day situation for Europeans. A very pro-European presidency from the EU’s latest Member State will be instrumental in this fight.

The external trade between the two countries is constantly growing. What is the biggest potential for cooperation?

— You are right, the trade relations between France and Croatia are improving. The nature of our external trade makes this bilateral relationship a winwin situation for both countries. Since Croatia’s EU integration in 2013, our bilateral trade has increased by 70%. In 2018, it reached 785 million euro (import

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and export combined). Furthermore, if we include trading in services (mainly tourism), the total amount rises to 1 billion euro. This figure alone shows how intense is our relationship today.

More than 60 French companies employ over 6,500 people across the country and French investors are still strongly interested in Croatia and its potential.

I would also like to commend the Franco-Croatian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The dinner event they organized on September 12, in support of the humanitarian project of the Foundation-Children’s Oncology Rebro for the construction of the new hospital wing for children suffering from malignant diseases at the University Hospital Centre Zagreb, was a great success. This event demonstrated that France-related companies in Croatia are active, generous and are willing to support those who need help.

The trade relations between France and Croatia are improving.

The nature of our external trade makes this bilateral relationship a win-win situation for both countries

The new Zagreb International Airport was built and is managed by a consortium led by French companies.

What did this impressive deal mean for other French companies in terms of market exploration?

— Zagreb International Airport was inaugurated on March 31, 2017. It is a great success for Croatia and a pillar of the Croatian economy, with a capacity of more than 5 million passengers. It is also a major employer with a workforce of over 1,500 people. Managed by a consortium led by French companies, the construction of a new international airport in Zagreb was a huge investment.

This was made possible owing to the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) method, and innovative project management by a private operator which is managing the airport and a public authority who decides on the legal framework and the regulation. This success also paves the way for other French companies while showing them how relevant the Croatian market can be in a way that benefits both countries. It opened the way for other very significant successes such as the Istria motorway and the water treatment plant in Dubrovnik, operational since this summer, which I visited in October. These very visible operations are important also because they can encourage small and medium-sized enterprises to develop strong economic links with Croatia.

How appealing is Croatia to French tourists?

— Croatia is an exceptional destination which is increasingly popular among French tourists year-on-year. 602,000 French tourists visited Croatia during the three first trimesters of 2019 in comparison to 583,000 in 2018 (all year) and 536,000 in 2017 (all year), mainly during the summer season. They come here to enjoy the wide range of Croatian tourist attractions, both the beautiful environment and the tourism activities. The upscaling of hotels reinforces a phenomenon that has been gaining momentum in recent years which allows the French tourists to discover the Croatian culture in a smart way.

This market can still grow, provided it is ecologically sound. Developing the use of French language could also help.

Croatia is much more than just a tourism destination, but tourism is instrumental in making people discover your country, fall in love with it and develop strong ties with the Croatian people for the years to come.

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We Get Results Through Hard Work In addition to large corporations investments, there is also a positive increase in the number of small businesses and micro-enterprises in Croatia, which is a great sign for the domestic economy. The Chamber is at their service

e are proud of the fact that by constantly working to come up with a new offer and new services, the Chamber has retained all its former members and attracted new ones, thus proving its success and importance in the Croatian market, says Višnja Ježić Sorić, President of the Franco-Croatian Chamber of Commerce and Industry on the occasion of the Chamber's seventh anniversary.

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How much has the Chamber established itself in this market and become a meeting point for French companies?

— Almost all companies which operate with French capital in Croatia are our members, and this information tells us that the Chamber is the focal point

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V I Š N JA J E Ž I Ć S O R I Ć President of the FrancoCroatian Chamber of Commerce and Industry

of the gathering of French companies.

To become recognized and to establish ourselves, not only in the Croatian but in all markets, is not something that happened overnight or was handed to us. Today's status and importance of the Chamber are a result of persistent work on publicity and visibility, participation and presence at economic events and constant networking, dare I say.

These are just some of the facts that are visible to the general public, while the less visible ones are the Chamber's fantastic work in terms of providing services to companies, either French or Croatian, and this part should by no means be ignored.

Which business associations do you most often collaborate with?

— Regarding business associations in Croatia, I have to mention the Croatian Chamber of Economy, which has been our partner from the very beginning, as well as other bilateral chambers or business clubs such as AmCham, the German Chamber of Commerce, the Austrians, the Canadian-Croatian Business Network and so on. We are always happy to organize B2B meetings for our members, participate in their events as much as they do in ours and socialize.

Our most important partners in France are the state agency Business France, which deals with the advancement of French companies abroad. Then there are the regional chambers of commerce and industry, with which we have been working more since we joined CCI France International, and MEDEF - the

largest employer association in France.

In Croatia, our first partner is the Embassy of the French Republic.

In which way does the Chamber engage in dialogue with the Government of the Republic of Croatia and relevant institutions when it comes to improving the business climate?

— First we assist our members in communicating with those institutions.

Most often, these are inquiries regarding launching of a business in the Croatian market, legislation and the like. All state institutions have been most helpful to us in finding a mutually satisfactory solution. The Chamber, or its members, is also willing to give advice based on their business experiences or help institutions with organizational issues, i.e. to eliminate the facts that may slow down or even, in rare cases, disrupt business or deter potential investors, all with the perspective of preventing negative effects on the investment climate in our country which provides numerous business development opportunities.

Another segment of the dialogue is supporting important state projects.

Also, there is organizing charity events.

I would just like to mention the very

successful Gala Dinner which we had in September this year, which was under the patronage of the Government of the Republic of Croatia, and was honoured by the presence of Prime Minister Andrej Plenković and several government ministers. With this event, we marked the Chamber's accession to CCI France International and at the same time, our members and their partners have raised money for the Rebro Pediatric Oncology Foundation, whose patron is the President of the Republic of Croatia.

At such events, we enable our members to have a direct dialogue with state institutions and the opportunity to exchange views with top state officials.

How much did Croatia's accession to the EU contribute to the country being recognized as a safe investment destination?

— It has greatly contributed to this recognition. The mere fact that legislation and regulations are in line with that of other EU countries is an additional endorsement and assurance for investors.

Croatia has worked a lot and is still working, through state institutions and agencies, to promote investments and this is a worthwhile endeavour.

Besides big investments by large corporations, I would also like to mention the positive increase in the number of small businesses and micro-entrepreneurs who have also chosen our country as a safe place for doing business and very comfortable life.

We enable our members to have a direct dialogue with state institutions and the opportunity to exchange views with top state officials

One of the great debates in Croatia is caused by the fact that the quality workforce is leaving the country. How would your members rate workforce availability here?

— Certainly, no-one is happy with this situation and there are concerns about the future when it comes to skilled labour leaving for other European countries. Our members also face the same problems but manage to overcome them through wage increases and improvements in working conditions, which were inevitable. For the time being, there are still qualified people that we have to know how to keep in Croatia. Also, employers need to be more flexible.

The vast majority of our members are regarded as excellent employers who care for their employees, have a well-developed social policy often managed from their headquarters in France, so they can successfully overcome the challenges in this troubling situation.

However, some of our members, who usually employ less skilled workforce or people who are „good“ with their hands, have encountered somewhat bigger problems, but there are fewer of them. Sometimes, even in spite of improving conditions, people leave, which our members see as a problem that the whole society should work on.

What do your members, who already do business in Croatia, expect from the Chamber?

— First and foremost, they expect the Chamber to be in the service of expanding their business contacts, whether the business is done between members of the Chamber or with external partners.

This is one of the reasons why we strive to a networking segment at each of our events - to get people to meet, talk to each other, and exchange information.

Furthermore, the Chamber is often an information point where they inquire about new business opportunities, a new supplier, a new partner and so on. Members like to introduce their new services and products to their colleagues, so we often organize smaller promotion and presentation events in collaboration with them.

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We Took a Big Step Forward By pointing out to the French investors that the Croatian market is safe and stable, we are slowly but surely paving the way for French capital interested in Croatia. Joining CCI France International was a great asset for us which allows us to work on this even better

ny company, either French or Croatian, that contacts the Chamber in Croatia or any country in the world, will get the same treatment and almost the same service. This is, in short, the key benefit of the Franco-Croatian Chamber of Commerce and Industry becoming a member of an umbrella association based in Paris - CCI France International.

"It's a big step we made this year. Of course, it did not come at once; we had been preparing it for several years. We had to meet certain criteria, required

by CCI France International, relating to the number of Chamber members, revenues, having a catalogue of services we provide, the ability to organize a certain number of events per year, as well as their size and importance, says Marko Klenović, Head of Office of the Franco-Croatian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and adds: "We wanted to become a part of this organization from the very beginning. We kept saying to ourselves that if over 120 chambers from over 90 countries in the world can be part of this network, so can we. And so, in June this year, the CCIFI General Assembly unanimously welcomed the Franco-Croatian Chamber under their roof. " It is very important for the Chamber to be a member of this organization for a number of reasons: a recog-

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nizable and universal trademark, both in France and worldwide, closer cooperation with the regional chambers of commerce in France and other stakeholders at Team France (state agency Business France, French Tech Organization, CCEF and, of course, the Embassy), and sharing knowledge and joint experiences, be it in regard to business services or event management.

"CCIFI's central office is very active in supporting, advising and mutualizing network services and constantly encourages us to work even better," says Mr Klenović.

What goal has the Chamber set for itself as it enters the eighth year since its inception?

— We have already achieved one of the big goals by joining CCIFI this year, as mentioned above, and we will certainly continue to work very actively to promote the Chamber and our members.

I also mentioned the services we provide to companies which we will continue to improve and adapt. Also, we are launching a new website that will be modern and attractive, investing more energy in online communication and up-to-date virtual environment, as well as preparing new services that we will have in our offer.

All this is a logical continuation of our growth and development, which

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M A R KO K L E N OV I Ć Head of Office of the FrancoCroatian Chamber of Commerce and Industry

has had its ups and downs in the past 7 years, but we have grown from a small business club to the size of a chamber, which is today among the first such organizations among bilateral business associations in Croatia.

Our membership is constantly growing and will do so this year too.

France is only the seventh or eighth largest investor in Croatia. What does the Chamber do to create space for major French investments in Croatia?

— All investors have recognized the Chamber's role in the Croatian market, whether it was linguistic, legal and

Luxury products are increasingly being developed in Croatia, attracting wealthy global investors, including French companies, thanks to their uniqueness

administrative assistance or contacts with high-ranking public officials and decision-makers.

It is part of our job and daily routine to try to influence the positive business climate in the country, enhance the openness of our public services to foreign investments and speak of their necessity.

In addition to the so-called traditional investors in the Republic of Croatia, France has proven to be a reliable and capable external trade partner. France is a "non-traditional" investor, which we try to underline at every opportunity.

In which areas is the potential for the expansion of the external trade between the two countries the biggest?

— The French Republic is one of the largest economic powers in the world and there are so many opportunities for our countries to cooperate; we just have to overcome those remaining barriers and realize that Paris is no further to us than Berlin, Rome, London or Vienna.

Croatia, on the other hand, has great potential for the development of infrastructure projects, clean energy, sustainable development and tourism, bio-agriculture and new technologies.

The French are certainly interested in marketing finished products on our market, so they are always in demand for quality distribution partners, in all economic sectors. They are also increasingly turning to the demand for quality partners in the manufacturing processes - we have witnessed the need for subcontractors in the wood and metal processing, textile, chemical/cosmetic industry and food production, which the French find very interesting.

There are many opportunities for our countries to cooperate; we just have to overcome those remaining barriers and realize that Paris is no further to us than Berlin, Rome, London or Vienna

co-Croatian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Any service and advice we provide to French companies, we can provide to Croatian too.

I am very pleased to say that we have noticed that our companies are becoming more daring, so to speak, when it comes to breaking into foreign markets, although there is still a strong disparity between them and the French companies in this regard.

Croatia has very strong potential and our companies should not be afraid to go to foreign markets if they are sure of the quality of their products or services and being able to deliver them in a timely manner; i.e. if they stand firm behind their work and are transparent.

What activities does the Chamber organize for its members?

— In addition to the fact that the Chamber is always available to its members for useful contacts, and promotion of their products and services, we organize more formal, business, events as well as not so business-like events all year round, at which we can relax and informally socialize, which is also very important in bolstering synergies among members.

We try to inform members of the novelties in legislation and finance and clarify new regulations. With that in

mind, we organize lectures for them, which are always very precise, concise and concrete, and which deal with the gist of the issue, because participants always have concrete questions. We have noticed that one of the best ways to expand business contacts is to have short all-to-all business meetings, so we regularly organize such speed networking events with other business associations or bilateral chambers in Croatia (AmCham, the German Chamber of Commerce, the Austrian Trade, etc).

The members themselves initiate presentations of their products or services and we help them organize the event, whether for members only or a wider business circle.

This year, for the first time, we also organized a Gala Dinner, a VIP event to commemorate joining CCIFI and supporting the Rebro Pediatric Oncology Foundation, a laudable charity initiative that has been accepted by all members and to which some have made significant contributions. It was an event attended by 300 guests, including several government ministers and the Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia, a large number of CEOs of the largest Croatian companies, renowned Croatian celebrities and of course, many of our members.

What niches are French companies also interested in?

— Luxury products are increasingly being developed in Croatia, attracting wealthy global investors, including French companies, thanks to their uniqueness. There are also services related to modern technologies, services regarding a high-class tourist offer, such as a complete personalization of your stay in a foreign country, specialized bio-production of food and others.

The French market offers much more potential than Croatian companies currently utilize. Can I contact your Chamber for advice and assistance in entering the French market?

— Absolutely, and this is something that we always highlight. We are the Fran-

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On the Upward Path In addition to the metal and plastics industries, the potential for cooperation with France lies in infrastructure projects, ICT and the provision of engineering services

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lthough the figures are still relatively low, Croatia has recorded better results in exports of goods and especially services to France in recent years.

What results in trading with France do you expect to see by year-end judging by the available indicators?

— The fact is that France is one of the most significant economies in the world with great potential for Croatia, which, unfortunately, is not even close to being realized. Croatia has a rather modest share of EUR 377 million or 0.066% out of total French imports, amounting to almost EUR 570 billion. The figures speak for themselves, though in recent years Croatia has seen a small but steady increase in exports. On the other hand, although exports of goods are in short supply, the bilateral trade in services shows a slightly different picture. In the first six months of 2019 alone, Croatia generated EUR 106 million in exports of services, while our expenses amounted to EUR 60 million.

In the first half of the year, we are seeing good results and an increase of almost 15% in exports over the same period in 2018, and we expect that we are going to end this year in an upward trajectory, if there are no significant turbulence in the EU and the world markets, that is, the impact of the still vague Brexit scenario or the tightening of the Chinese-US relations.

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A N I TA ST I P I Ć Head of European Markets Division at Croatian Chamber of Economy

In 2018, we recorded 583,000 arrivals and more than 2 million overnight stays.

Last year, we were among the top ten favourite destinations of the French tourists for the first time

What new “niches” and channels have business people from both countries discovered?

— Since we are talking about a common EU economic area and there are no barriers to doing business such as complex customs procedures, Croatian food companies - from traditional Croatian products to organic and bio-production – as well as organic cosmetics

manufacturers, have shown interest in entering the French market. The future also lies in the development of cooperation in the tourism and services sector, but also in the joint appearance in third markets. We must not neglect one of the most developed sectors, ICT, which is truly competitive in quality and price.

On the other hand, France is the ninth-largest investor in Croatia, with

more than sixty French companies operating here. Several French products are present on the Croatian shelves, and French investments are largely directed into the manufacturing and processing sectors, such as Saint-Jean Industries, Lactalis and the like. Joint construction of a Zagreb airport terminal is a good example of collaboration.

The Croatian Chamber of Economy recently organized a conference on how to do business in France. How many Croatian companies are present in this market and what economy segments look promising?

— The sectors that have achieved significant success in exporting to France are certainly metal and plastics processing, that is, the production of automotive components, where AD Plastik stands out as the industry's mainstay. Besides, Croatia has significant exports in the segment of small shipbuilding, followed by machine-building, pharmaceutical, chemical and wood processing sectors.

Several dozen Croatian companies are actively cooperating with France, and I would like to point out that a significant part of Croatian exports is realized through the placement of products of those companies in which production facilities the French have invested. The potential certainly lies in the cooperation on the implementation of infrastructure projects in Croatia and the cross-border provision of services in the

segments of consulting, the aforementioned ICT and engineering services.

Croatian wines are becoming increasingly recognized in France. Croatian winemakers are ready for the demanding French market by offering wines of autochthonous and international varieties, but there is still work to be done on creating an image of Croatia as a country of superior products.

Several wineries such as Krauthaker, Badel 1862, Kozlović, Radovan Winery, Dingac Skaramuče, Osilovac - Feravina, Terra Madre and many others represent Croatian wines in France.

Otherwise, in 2018, Croatia exported only 7,500 litres of wine, worth EUR 32,000, to France, mostly bottled wine with an average export price of EUR 4.27. In the same period, we imported wines worth EUR 5.14 million and 662,000 litres of mostly sparkling and bottled wines from France. There is indeed room for growth.

In which segments does the Chamber facilitate the improvement of cooperation between the two economies?

— The Chamber's focus is on the internationalization of the business of the companies and we support the members on this path through co-financing participation in major trade fairs in France this year such as Vinisud Paris, Vinexpo Bordeaux, Equip Auto, MILIPOL PARIS and ILTM Cannes. Since these are all international fairs, the Chamber's producer associations decide at which fairs they want to showcase their production programme.

In addition to organizing concrete business meetings, a significant part of our activities is focused on building member capacities through training and advisory assistance, as well as providing information on the possibilities of using EU funds to open new markets for all Croatian companies that have potential and interest in internationalization.

How successful are Croatian wines in France?

— Croatian wines, assembled under the brand Vina Croatia – Vina Mosaica, are regularly presented at international fairs in France, as well as at individual presentations organized by the Croatian Chamber of Economy.

Croatian winemakers are ready for the demanding French market by offering wines of autochthonous and international varieties, but there is still work to be done on creating an image of Croatia as a country of superior products

To what extent can the Croatian cosmetics industry find its place in the French market?

— I think that Croatia is a strong enough competitor in the global cosmetics industry, not in terms of quantities, which can hardly compete with the world's largest companies, but in the natural cosmetics niche. Top-quality products made from the medicinal and aromatic herbs growing in Croatia can surely find a place on the shelves of the most demanding customers. The key problem is finding a quality distributor and significant resources need to be invested to properly market the product, but there is the possibility of using EU funds for economic support. In terms of quality, Croatian brands like Olival, Nikel, Ulola, Mala od Lavande, Biobaza and others have something to offer.

How is tourism, as an important economic branch in both countries, ranked regarding revenue and improved cooperation?

— The number of French tourists coming to Croatia is growing and in 2018, we recorded 583,000 arrivals and more than 2 million overnight stays. Last year, we were among the top ten favourite destinations of the French tourists for the first time. As most French people decide to rent holiday homes or apartments, the complementarity of the most popular accommodation and current offers in Croatia suggests that the French market is very promising in terms of new acquisitions, as well as in terms of attracting investment in infrastructure projects in the tourism sector.

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We Are Already Living Our Vision of the Future In the global context of preserving the environment and reducing CO2 emissions, the European automotive industry and markets are facing many challenges and Croatia is not an exception. We invested a lot in adapting our cars and in 2020, our focus will certainly be on electrified cars C O R P O R AT E

F RA N CO I S D E L I O N General Manager of Renault Nissan Adriatic

ur ambition for 2020 is very clear: strengthening our No.2 position with Renault and entering the Top 5 with Dacia,” says Francois Delion, General Manager of Renault Nissan Adriatic.

The company has been recording excellent results in the Croatian market and promises to bring a variety of new models that will appeal to customers.

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The sale of the new Clio started in September. What kind of destiny do you think this model will have in the Croatian market?

— Renault Clio has been the best seller in the Croatian market since 1995 when we officially launched it here. Every new generation of Clio came with numerous upgrades, making it better each time.

We are confident that Clio V has the necessary design evolution and technological breakthrough that will enable us to maintain our leading position. The early feedback we got from the media, our sales team and customers show that we had every right to be optimistic regarding this vehicle and

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that our ambition of being a leader in this segment is realistic.

What business results have Renault, Nissan and Dacia achieved in Croatia in 2019 and which models are your best-sellers?

— In the first nine months of this year, Renault occupied the 2nd place in the overall market (passenger and light commercial vehicles) with 6,238 sold units, thus further solidifying its market position. Regarding the Renault range, I must point out great results achieved by the previous generation of Clio which still delivers strong results (2nd bestselling model in the overall Croatian market). There is also Captur, the No. 1 small SUV model in Croatia for the past few years and a good example of our growing SUV market share. I would also add Kadjar and Twingo to this group, ranking 2nd in the mini urban cars segment. Plus, I would like to underline that we are particularly proud of maintaining our leading position in the light commercial vehicles segment for several years in a row.

Every new generation of cars represents a huge step forward in terms of on-board technologies.

The new Renault Clio with a whole range of highly advanced technological solutions is a good example of this

The Dacia brand is another success story in Europe and particularly in Croatia, going from the 8th place in 2018 to the 6th in 2019, with 3,459 vehicles sold. We have the potential be among Top 5 next year, leveraging our two key models - Duster and Sandero (No. 1 in the B segment of the retail market).

In 2019, Nissan has gained bigger market share relative to last year, increasing its sales by 10 %, and selling 1,000 units. This increase was driven by strong demand for our basic model, namely Qashqai crossover, which sales rose by nearly 30%. We expect this momentum to accelerate even further in 2020, following the launch of the all-new Nissan Juke in the small SUV segment by the year-end, and the long-awaited Nissan Leaf, which comes with a higher-capacity battery pack, more range and more power.

What are Renault’s and Dacia’s plans for 2020? What are the challenges that the European market is facing? What about the challenges in the Croatian market?

— With all the great assets I’ve mentioned earlier, we have launched a strong product plan with the new Clio, the new Captur and the new Dacia Sandero, which will be launched in late 2020. We have a few other surprises in store. Our ambition for 2020 is very clear: strengthening our No.2 position with Renault and entering the Top 5 with Dacia. This ambition will be realized in the most challenging context ever. Indeed, in the global context of preserving the environment and reducing CO2 emissions, the European

automotive industry and markets are facing many challenges and Croatia is not an exception. From 2020 onwards, regulations on the reduction of CO2 emissions will become more stringent and all vehicle manufacturers will have to comply with these regulations. Penalties for those who miss their CO2 target are extremely high. Nevertheless, we invested a lot in adapting our cars and our commercial policies to be able to fulfil the given objectives.

Our focus in 2020 will certainly be on electrified cars. First, we will focus on the new Zoe, the bestseller in the electric vehicle segment in Europe, scheduled for the launch in Croatia by the end of this year. With Twizy, Zoe, Kangoo and Master, we have the largest Full EV range offer available. By 2022, we will double this range and furthermore, many of our prominent current models will get hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions next year.

But to ensure successful electrification of the whole fleet, it is crucial that local public institutions not only fulfil their obligations towards EU regulations but also create a favourable environment for e-mobility development which is not the case today. I’m referring mostly to the year-around incentives for EVs, development of charging infrastructure, bonus/malus taxation system, subsiding new mobility solutions like car-sharing, etc.

Since 2004, when you joined Renault, you witnessed a lot of technological changes in the automotive industry.

How quickly are new car generations launched today?

— Every new generation of a particular model represents a huge step forward in terms of on-board technologies.

For example, the all-new Renault Clio has a whole range of highly advanced technological solutions: displays in the cabin are the size of your tablet, integrated 4G SIM card connects the car to the Internet and allows over-theair automatic software updates just like on your smartphone, second level of autonomous driving helps you while you are driving on a motorway or you’re stuck in traffic during rush hour, while Advanced Driver Assistance Systems use artificial intelligence for scene recognition.

Both Renault and Nissan continue to democratize technology, bringing our most advanced systems to our highest volume models, rather than reserving them for our most expensive vehicles.

Local public institutions must fulfil their obligations towards EU regulations and create a favourable environment for e-mobility development

New mobility solutions have been constantly under consideration. What is your vision for the automotive industry in the light of accelerating digitalization?

— In response to rapid changes in customer behaviour, Renault has always been a visionary and a pioneer in terms of new mobility solutions and technologies. For us, the mobility of the future is electric, connected, autonomous and shared. That is why already today we are a leader in electric car-sharing in Europe with over 7,000 EVs in different car-sharing companies in Europe. We also constantly explore other solutions like short-term rentals, ride-hailing services or mobility services with autonomous robo-vehicles since we strongly believe that by 2030 nearly 70 % of the population will live in an urban environment and mobility without pollution and noise will be the only acceptable way of transportation. With our partners we ensure complete and flexible offer for different customer needs: we can offer a predisposal to installing the clients’ car-sharing solutions (Greenmobility in Copenhagen), we can pre-equip our vehicles (ZITY in Madrid) or we can go all the way to operate a car-sharing activity as we do with Renault Mobility. We are implementing this strategy locally. The most recent example is this month’s launch of the first 100 % electrical car-sharing project in Dubrovnik

by Avant Car to which we have been the automotive partner, providing 11 ZOE. So, as you can see, we are already living our vision of the future.

How do these trends change your internal organization and your relationship with customers?

— Digitalization is entering every segment of our lives. In terms of our internal organization, our production system is future-focused, undergoing a major transformation in response to the changing challenges of the automotive industry and the expectations of our customers. The 4.0 revolution is ushering in new business functions, new skills and new tools. For example, the 4.0 plant allocates the heaviest and most repetitive tasks to robots or we use VR for the training of our operators or simulations of certain processes.

The same goes with our relationship with customers: we had to rethink the whole customer experience, so now we provide them with a seamless experience from the Internet to the physical retail network, by linking the online research, purchase and after-sales service phases. We’ve developed a multichannel customer experience programme called C@RE, which offers easy-to-access information about the brand and products online, the interactive and innovative customer experience at Renault dealerships as well as a loyalty programme called MyRenault for tailor-made offers.

The proof that we’re on a good path lies in the fact that, only recently, Groupe Renault was ranked 1st in France by Google for its online-to-offline experience based on 50 key criteria.

We see many successful start-ups in the automotive sector. Have you considered cooperating with them?

— Absolutely! The vehicle of the future will come out of a process that combines in-house creativity, outside collaborations including start-ups and Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi synergies. Renault already cooperates with many start-ups all over the world to develop car systems and services; many of them are even not in direct correlation with cars themselves, but in the broader vision of sustainable mobility.

In 2011, Groupe Renault established a foothold in Silicon Valley, and in 2016, we launched two Open Innovation Labs where we work with start-ups: one in Israel and one in Paris. These labs aim to promote electric vehicles and foster creativity with the focus on the mobility of the future. The Group is also open to local cooperation that can accelerate the current automotive transformation and I definitively think that there a potential for new partnerships in Croatia too.

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Waiting for the Schengen A new chapter C O O P E R AT I O N

he news we have been all waiting to hear was that Croatia will finally become part of the Schengen Area, and border controls between Slovenia and Croatia, and Hungary and Croatia, would be abolished. As this event is drawing near, it is expected that economic activities between Croatia and the EU will expedite, with France occupying a special place.

It is finally happening - Croatia is soon becoming part of the European Schengen Area of free movement of goods and people, and the despised border controls between Slovenia and Croatia, and Hungary and Croatia, will be abolished. This will accelerate the flow and contribute to better communication between Croatia and the rest of the EU (except for Romania and Bulgaria, as

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In 2018, a total of 592,000 tourists from France visited Croatia, having 2.2 million overnight stays. This was an 8% increase relative to the year before

well as the UK and Ireland, which are not part of the Schengen Area). There are also Switzerland, Norway and Iceland, which, although not in the EU, belong to the Schengen Area.

NEW EUROPE, NEW FRANCE New Europe is also looming on the horizon. The United Kingdom is stumbling on its way to the exit and it is highly likely that it will finally exit the EU in 2020, to quote Jean-Claude Juncker: “I commend Croatia for its efforts and perseverance to meet all the necessary conditions to join Schengen. It is only through being united and standing together that we can ensure a stronger Schengen area. Sharing the achievement of Schengen must be our common objective. This is why I trust that Member States will take the right steps for Croatia to become a full Schengen

member soon.”

On the other hand, French President Emmanuel Macron has launched his Europe First campaign, which implies that the EU will first have to become internally stronger and undergo restructuring before it receives new members from the Balkans. Therefore, Croatia will remain the eastern border of the EU for a long time and will have to adapt to the current situation. In the New Europe, where there will be no UK, there will be more "space”, i.e. more importance for the largest economies, such as Germany and especially France. Macron’s vision of a "more autonomous Europe" is very important to Croatia.

Croatia and France still have very good relations, but there is a lot of room for bolstering economic cooperation, which continues to grow. But we won't bother you with the numbers now.

And where do new opportunities for growth arise? There are many, and energy is one of the areas in which the two countries can further strengthen their cooperation. The Croatian electric power company, Hrvatska elektropriveda (HEP), plans to boost the cooperation with the French power company EDF, and one of the greatest steps towards this goal is installing smart metres. In 2021, about 35 million smart metres will be installed in more than 95 per cent of the measuring points.

Also, the two companies cooperate in the area of smart grids, energy efficiency, electricity generation, as well as research and development.

NEWS SO FAR THIS YEAR At the invitation of Mr Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic, Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia, Mr Andrej Plenković, paid a working visit to Paris in late 2018. He was accompanied by Ms Nina Obuljen-Koržinek, Minister of Culture, Mr Gari Cappelli, Minister of Tourism, and Mr Luka Burilović, President of the Croatian Chamber of Economy and a substantial delegation of business people.

Mr Plenković also had the opportunity to speak at Medef, an employer association representing French companies, with the common aim of boosting trade relations between France and Croatia. On the other hand, in May 2019, an inverse occasion took place. The French-Croatian Chamber of Commerce and Industry held a gala dinner at the Westin Hotel in Zagreb, gathering 300 guests, including the representatives of the Croatian and French

business community, the Government of the Republic of Croatia, international organizations and diplomatic bodies.

On the occasion, they celebrated the entry of the French-Croatian Chamber of Commerce and Industry into the umbrella association based in Paris - CCI France International, while also marking the successful long-term economic cooperation and the strong ties between Croatia and France.

France and Croatia continue to increase investments (especially French investments in Croatia, since this is, for now, asymmetrical cooperation between one of the G-7 countries and a small country that is still transitioning).

However, things are picking up pace.

"The French market offers a lot more potential than domestic companies are currently utilizing, especially when we consider that our exports are largely oriented towards the European Union market, which France is a part of," said Zlatan Frölich, President of the Croatian Chamber of Economy and Industry at the conference „How to do business in France: Understanding the legal, tax and working environment“which took place in June. It remains to be seen to what extent will Croatian companies find their way around in the challenging environment of the French market, but steps have been made.

TOURISM In 2018, a total of 592,000 tourists from France visited Croatia, having 2.2 million overnight stays. This was an 8% increase relative to the year before.

Croatia expects a further increase in the number of French tourists this year

Croatia is soon becoming part of the European Schengen Area of free movement of goods and people, and the despised border controls between Slovenia and Croatia, and Hungary and Croatia will be abolished

since six direct flights between Croatia and France were launched in 2019 – the Croatian Tourist Board (HTZ) announced. Spanish low-cost airline Volotea launched new flights from Lyon to Dubrovnik and Split, from Marseille to Rijeka and from Bordeaux to Pula.

Air France increased the number of its flights to Dubrovnik in 2019 by 150% from last year and launched new direct flights from Paris to Split. Lowcost carrier Easy Jet commenced the Nantes-Dubrovnik flight in 2019. All of this shows that the French tourists are very much interested in the Croatian coast and attractions of Croatia, which contributes to the upward trends.

Danijela Mihalić Djurica, from the HTZ Representative Office in France, expressed her views for “Croatia Week” earlier this week: “We are extremely pleased with the increase in arrivals and overnight stays in the pre- and postseason, as well as the increasing number of French arrivals in regions where there have not been numerous guests such as Kvarner, Zagreb, Istria and Slavonia. This is all due to the expansion of the offer of existing tour operators, but also due to Croatia becoming a brand new destination for some French travel agency. According to the information we have received from regular meetings with tour operators, the forecasts for the 2019 season are good and good trends in sales should continue this year”.

Croatia also started cooperating with the BBC in producing video travelogues which will be distributed in France, as one of the key markets Croatia is aiming to.

Now we sit and wait for the results from 2019.

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New and Old Cultural Roots Cultural ties between France and Croatia are not only deeply rooted in history, but have also been supported and institutionalized by our cultural policy and supported through the French Institute.

Many exquisite cultural events before and ahead of us speak about that

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ultural exchanges between France and Croatia have a very long track record. One could have been reminded of that on the occasion of the exhibition “Napoleon’s Road in Dalmatia - The French Administration’s Contribution to the Development of Road Construction in Dalmatia in the early 19th Century” which was open in June. "We can be proud of this legacy but we have above all to work on keeping this tradition alive and relevant in a completely different context. Culture is no more limited to elite, it has become a highly competitive industry representing huge economic stakes and it is also at the centre of the struggle for hearts and minds!" says Guillaume Colin, Cultural Affairs and Cooperation Counsellor and Director of the French Institute to Croatia.

"As a French Institute, our role is to keep this cultural dialogue open, to maintain the curiosity and interest of our Croatian partners and of the Croatian audience, but also to defend together a certain model based on the respect of the cultural and linguistic diversity and on an appropriate retribution of the cultural reation. This is done through partnerships with different Croatian actors,

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G U I L L AU M E CO L I N Cultural Affairs and Cooperation Counsellor and Director of the French Institute to Croatia

as for example now with Rijeka 2020," adds Mr Colin.

How many people are learning the French language in Croatia today?

— There are currently 9,000 young Croatians learning French at school or university. Hence French is the fourth most learned language in Croatia. The five Alliances françaises register more than 2,000 learners every year. Overall around 2 per cent of the Croatian population speaks French. Indeed, many of our contacts in the artistic, cultural, academic and political fields, starting from the Croatian Prime Minister, Andrej Plenković and the new Secretary-General of the Council of Europe, Marija Pejčinović Burić – speak perfect French. Since Croatia’s accession to the European Union, the practice of using the French language has gained traction in Croatian diplomacy and administration.

Which joint projects of Croatian and French universities, implemented with your assistance, would you like to single out?

— The development of academic and scientific partnerships between France

and Croatia is one of our priorities since those partnerships represent an extremely fruitful investment into bringing our countries closer and making them more competitive at European and international levels. The fact that two “pairs” of Croatian (Split and Zadar) and French (Brest and La Rochelle) universities have been part of two alliances and projects – European University of the Seas and European University for Smart Urban Coastal Sustainability (CONEXUS), selected under the auspices of the European Universities initiative - is very encouraging in that prospect.

Furthermore, two other projects deserve to be singled out. The first one has been going on for more than ten years. I am referring to the double Master’s degree delivered by the Universities of Zagreb and Orléans in the field of bio-industrial technologies. This programme has allowed more than one hundred Croatian students to attend some of their classes in Orléans, to do practical work in French companies or laboratories and to obtain their diplomas from both universities. The second one, which is still in the making, entails the development of a joint study programme

in the field of cultural management. It is part of the Rijeka 2020 project and involves the University of Rijeka and Sciences Po Bordeaux, one of the most renowned schools of political and administrative affairs schools in France.

How far in advance do you plan the Month of Francophonie and what are the outlines of the one in 2020?

— The Month of Francophonie is not only the event of the French Embassy and the French Institute to Croatia – it is a vast collective effort involving many actors. Among them, I would mention the embassies in Zagreb of all French-speaking countries, the network of Alliances françaises, the associations that promote the French language and culture throughout the country that are located in Koprivnica, Omiš, Split, Varaždin and Zadar, the French departments of the Universities, the schools, the Ministries as well – as Croatia is also an associate member of the Francophonie.

Our main role is to coordinate efforts and increase the visibility of French language to the general audience, through the dedicated page on our website, for instance. As for our own proposals, we will have the pleasure of welcoming the distinguished French linguist Bernard Cerquiglini, former Rector of Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie and host of the linguistic programme “Merci Professeur!” on the TV5 Monde channel.

He is also famous for having worked on the issue of the feminization of professional titles, as well as on the concep-

tion of a Francophone online dictionary. He will exchange in Zagreb and in Zadar with students and with the general public. The French Theatre Company Libre à nous! will also visit Croatia to perform its play “Un amour de Molière” to high school pupils and students learning French. But that’s not all! We are planning other events in the fields of film, music and fashion…

Rendez-vous programme are another opportunity to meet up with the audience. What was the response to the pilot project launched in 2019, the Unexpected Rendez-vous?

— We have designed this new lineup with four yearly Rendez-vous to provide more visibility to our activities. Aside from punctuating the year, these four highlights aim at bringing together our concepts and proposals carried out with French guests and in cooperation with Croatian partners.

In addition to the existing events, the Month of Francophonie, happening internationally every year in March and the Rendez-vous au cinéma which has been taking place since 2015, we are going to hold a digital Rendez-vous in November as a 360-degree exploration of digital arts and cultures, new practices, innovations and issues related to a topic – for our first edition of media literacy.

The Rendez-vous inattendu took place for the first time in spring 2019.

Indeed, this first edition was a pilot project aimed as a transposition of

Culturethèque’s musical platform is permanently growing and constitutes a major gateway into today’s Francophone scene

this successful experience produced in France for five years now by the Centre of National monuments, called “Monuments in movement”, to Croatia. The idea is to invite contemporary circus and dance companies to create new pieces designed especially to be performed in heritage buildings, like abbeys, castles… The purpose is to raise both the audience’s awareness about new and sometimes cutting-edge performing art forms and its curiosity to appropriate its cultural heritage. For this pilot edition, we have organized two performances of the piece “Hydre”

by Yuval Pick Dance Company, created in France for the Royal Monastery of Brou, in the stunning premises of the HAZU Glyptotheque in Zagreb. We were very glad to see a huge interest in Croatia, coming from artistic partners and institutions like the Ministry of Culture, to co-produce the project.

We are willing to develop this formula in the upcoming years across the country, as it could be an interesting and original way to develop cultural tourism in Croatia.

What is Culturethèque all about and how can we access its content?

— Culturethèque is the digital go-to tool for any French-speaker or learner wishing to dive into the French contemporary culture. Your favourite novels, newspapers and music tracks are always with you; just a click away on your laptop, or a touch away on your smartphone or tablet.

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Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité Art as a core ingredient in its cultural essence

undreds and thousands of literature works and movies depict France as somewhat mystical yet romantic. It is a combination of artistry, spirituality and culture which inhabits every street of the magnificent country. Undoubtedly, there is something far more particular and unique about the French culture when compared to other nations of its kind, who’s secret lies in its outstanding diversity present in everything the country owns. From food and music, to art and architecture, the country is deeply backed up with pages of history and story telling which is why its free spirit and special aura is something of great significance.

A nations’ culture which is constructed of numerous aspects and relative view points is easily defined by a country’s motto and how it nurtures its population. “Liberté, Égalitié, Fraternité” meaning Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity hasn’t only been the nations’ go to phrase but also a mindset. Looking back, the city of Paris has been a high culture center, dating back to the 1600s in most of Europe. By 1900s the French culture and its highly recognized society spread its popularity worldwide. The French motto in particular has a strong

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Freedom in art, cuisine, and architecture, a free way of life

bond with the French Revolution, the essence of which focuses on the country’s freedom. Freedom in art, cuisine, and architecture, a free way of life.

Art defines France. Gothic, Romanesque Rococo and Neoclassic influences can be seen in many public infrastructures and churches. Many of the history’s most famous artists were based in France, including Claude Monet, Edgar Degas, and Camille Pissarro. The country is filled with museums, historical monuments and castles, defining the aura of the nation, even the ones found in the rural areas of France. They are filled with astonishing museums, spread in all directions, the most famous one being Louvre in Paris, with every sculpture and painting having their own story to tell, and indeed, the home to the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo.

A special part of this article has to be left for the indescribable French Cuisine. Food and wine make up a bridge to French conversation. French restaurants aren’t only known for their splendid food, but also the philosophical conversations. A typical cooking style of a French person includes a dish with heavy sauces and complex ingredients.

Usually, the dishes require a lot of preparation, examples include boeuf bourguignon, a stew made of beef braised in red wine, beef broth, and seasoned with garlic, onions and mushrooms. Another one being coq au vin, a dish made with chicken, Burgundy wine, lardons, button mushrooms, onions and garlic.

Believe it or not, the most famous cooking school in the world was founded in France called “The Cordon Bleu.” The country is also well known for inventing the crepe, and yes, they are still sold in old vendor carts, all over the chaotic, artsy streets.

Paris is known as the home to many high-end fashion houses, such as, Dior, Channel, Hermes, Louis Vuitton and many more. The term “haute couture” is associated with French fashion and means fancier garments which are usually hand-made. In order for a brand to earn a right to call itself “haute couture” it must follow certain rules. Firstly, they have to have experience in designing made-to-order for their private clients. They also must have a workshop in Paris which employees at least 15 workers, and as well as this each season they need to present a collection in the Paris press, having over 35 daytime and eveningwear outfits. Not too difficult…right?

The French take immense pride in their nation and government, and more than any other country, become particularly offended by any negative comments. The French embrace style and sophistication and take pride in the fact that even their public spaces strike a regal tone. A word which I believe precisely describes this nation is passion.

Their powerful love towards all aspects of life, from relationships to food and well being, the French place emotions into everything that they do.

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The Symbol of France The irreplaceable sight of the Paris Skyline T R A DI T ION

he symbol of Paris, the Eiffel Tower, is one of the world’s most famous landmarks. This masterpiece consists of 8000 metallic parts, designed by Gustave Eiffel as an exhibitor of the World Fair in 1889. This creation attracts millions of visitors each year, as its monumental size and breathtaking panoramas in the Paris skyline leave no one indifferent.

Not only is this monument the first thing that comes to one’s mind when France enters the discussion, but also it gained a representative role in the country’s spirit, tradition, and pride.

Although over 30 million people visit the sight each year, very few know the construction process behind this symbolic monument. The beginning of the construction began on July 1st, 1887, with the assembly of the supports. The elements were carefully made in Eiffel’s factory located at Levallois-Perret on the outskirts of Paris. Each of the 18,000 pieces used to make the tower were carefully designed and measured

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The lifts inside the tower travel a combined distance of 103,000 km a year, which believe it or not is two and a half times the circumference of the Earth!

to accuracy, traced down to a tenth of a millimeter and placed together forming new pieces around 5 meters each. It is noted that 300 workers were on site daily, assembling this gigantic rocket-like set. On December 7th, 1887, the joining of the main pieces which formed the first level was completed.

Believe it or not, it only took five months to build the foundations and less than two years to finish assembling the metal pieces of the tower. Recalling that this was taking place in the 19th century, that went at an incredibly rapid speed. The construction work finished on March 31st, 1889, and on the narrow platform at the top of the construction, Eiffel received his decoration from the Legion of Honor.

Journalist Emile Goudeau was one of the first to see the finished spectacle in the late 19th century, describing it as: “A thick cloud of tar and coal smoke seized the throat, and we were deafened by the din of metal screaming beneath the hammer. Over there they were still working on the bolts: workmen with their iron bludgeons, perched on a ledge just a few centimeters wide, took turns at striking the bolts (these in fact were the rivets). One could have taken them for blacksmiths contentedly beating out a rhythm on an anvil in some village forge, except that these smiths were not striking up and down vertically, but horizontally, and as with each blow came a shower of sparks, these black figures, appearing larger than life against the background

of the open sky, looked as if they were reaping lightning bolts in the clouds."

The tower was actually the world’s tallest man-made structure for 41 years until the completion of the Chrysler Building in New York in 1930. It is exactly 324 meters tall, and weights 10,100 tonnes. In order to climb this masterpiece, visitors need to take 1,665 steps, would you give it a try? The lifts inside the tower travel a combined distance of 103,000 km a year, which believe it or not is two and a half times the circumference of the Earth!

Today, the tower welcomes almost seven million people a year, making it the most visited paid-for monument in the world!

For all the crazy romantics out there, now you know some astonishing facts to impress your soul mate once your foot steps onto the streets of Paris. Who knew that a few thousand metal bars, placed together two centuries ago would become a symbol of unconditional love and amazement for millions these days.

As humans, it is important to desire as it brings us closer to loving and positively planning our next day, and visiting the Eiffel Tower with your loved ones is unarguably a wish which many crave to come true. It is a place which heals negative thoughts, and for a split second the world stops, as you are dazed into the never-ending sight of the Parisian skyline. The French knew exactly what they were doing when they created a story which is shared along their entire nation, and that is that particular magnetic spirit in the city of leisure, light, and love.

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ne doesn’t need to think twice before reaching a conclusion that France is their perfect holiday destination. It is a nation which most frequently comes to one’s mind when vacation season hits off, as it is crowned the most visited country in the world, thanks to its 89 million visitors. Now, you may be wondering, how does the country manage to retain its golden spot, year after year?

Well, let me guide you through a few of their secrets to touristic success.

O Bienvenue TOURISM

Indulge in every area and savor the irresistible charm of France

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From the boulevards of Paris to the welcoming seaside resorts of Côte d’Azur, France offers some of the most magnificent scenery in the world. It is a country which attracts romantics with its fairy tale castles, including the Disneyland setting, soaring cathedrals, and picture perfect countryside locations.

On the other hand side, it impresses realists with its progressive, contemporary style. From endless amounts of art masterpieces which are yet to be discovered at the Louvre Museum, to

spending a day being royalty at the elegant Palace of Versailles, the French have a lot on their plate to offer.

Paris, the city of light, it almost goes without saying, but the French capital is a huge draw of foreign visitors, more than 30 million per year, yet again hitting the peaks, more than any other city in the world! Visitors are hypnotized with a special aura of the city’s romantic image, stunning architecture, and indeed the iconic Eiffel Tower. Time stops when you find yourself sitting in a magical cafe, munching on your morning croissants, and watch the world go by.

France is an all-inclusive country.

From sandy beaches, to mountain peaks and countryside’s it has the most diverse holiday destinations. The French themselves shun international destinations for their vacations and instead chose to travel within their own perimeters, strong reasoning for this might be their internal love towards their nation, I mean, who wouldn’t be proud to be French?

It is crowned the most visited country in the world, thanks to its 89 million visitors

One of the best decisions one could make, apart form actually picking France as their travel destination, is coming with an empty stomach. The French are famous for their cuisine excellency, one must arrive hungry and activate their taste buds to discover as many breath-taking meals as possible!

Traditional French gastronomy has been inscribed on the UNESCO list of “Intangible Cultural Heritage”. Cozy chalets in the French Alps are famous for serving melting cheese fondue while quaint

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fishing villages of Brittany specialize in crêpes and seafood. With each region having its own distinctive cuisine and culture, you surely will return from your vacation with a different mindset when it comes to your eating preferences.

One of the most special and must see places in France is Month Saint-Michel.

Rising dramatically out of the sea on the coast of Normandy this figure is one of the most mystical and striking landmarks. During high-tides tourists are likely to see it as an island, while during low tides, it is possible to walk across the sand and reach this spectacular creation. The main tourist attraction being the Abbaye de Saint-Michel, was founded in 708 by the Archbishop Aubert of Avranches after he had a vision. Built in the 11th century, the Abbey Church has been an important pilgrimage destination often called “The Heavenly Jerusalem.”

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The French are famous for their cuisine excellency, one must arrive hungry and activate their taste buds to discover as many breathtaking meals as possible!

Yet another particular destination which is of inspiring beauty in the country is the Loire Valley Châteaux.

Many visitors would describe walking through these walls, feeling like they are turning the pages of a children’s fairytale. Surrounded by the magical countryside, filled with woodlands and river valleys, the area of Loire Valley is an enhancing one. It is also

known as “The Garden of France”, and is listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Now that you have flown into the unexplored bits of your imagination, whilst sitting at your office table, feel free to plan your next great trip into a country which won’t leave you indifferent. Indulge in it all, and savor the irresistible charm of France.