Culture and tourism: The first Rencontres Franciliennes

Organised in the context of the national plan for the reconquest and transformation of tourism"Destination France"and the new Regional Development Plan for Tourism and Leisure (SRDTL) of Île-de-France 2022-2028, these meetings aim to increase synergies between tourism and culture professionals, elected officials and public administrations, businesses, foundations and associations and to strengthen the economic, social and cultural development of the Ile-de-France territories.

New perspectives

During this day of exchanges and sharing of experiences, several major challenges for the destination are discussed to better understand the expectations of visitors from Ile-de-France, national and international, relying on all the cultural and heritage potential, and enrich the offer to strengthen the image of the destination Paris Île-de-France, especially in the run-up to major international sporting events (Rugby World Cup France 2023, Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024).

Laurent Roturier, Regional Director of DRAC Île-de-France and Eric Jeunemaître, President of the Regional Tourism Committee (CRT) Paris Île-de-France and Regional Councillor of Ile-de-France and Deputy Mayor of Provins photo © Cédric Helsly

workshops and round tables to match the challenges

Around a panel of 40 personalities and experts, the round tables and workshops are intended to exchange and debate on the major issues Culture and Tourism of the destination.

Xavier Darcos, member of the French Academy and the Academy of Moral and Political Sciences, Chancellor of the Institut de France since 2018 and Hamida Rezeg, Special Delegate in charge of Tourism at the Île-de-France Regional Council © Cédric Helsly

Christophe Decloux, Director General of the Comité Régional du Tourisme Paris Ile-de-France and Thomas Lamand, Director Tourism, Culture, Heritage SCET (Services Conseil expertises et Territoires) photos © Cédric Helsly

After an overview of cultural tourism in Île-de-France (challenges and challenges to be met), the exchanges focus on several key points of the attractiveness of the cultural offer:

Cécile Debray, President of the Musée National Picasso, Christophe Decloux Director General Comité Régional du Tourisme Paris Ile-de-France, Catherine Grenier, Director of the Giacometti Foundation, Marie-Christine Labourdette, President of the Château de Fontainebleau, Thomas Lamand, Director of Tourism, Culture, Heritage SCET (Services Conseil expertises et Territoires) and Simon Thirot, General Delegate of UNAT (Union Nationale des Associations de Tourisme et de plein air) photo © Cédric Helsly

• Effective strategies to ensure the visibility of cultural sites in the Ile-de-France region, and in particular to ensure a better dissemination of flows throughout the territory,
• Networks of actors, effective tools for structuring an attractive, diversified offer, and meeting visitors' expectations
• The expansion of the destination’s positioning, particularly around the ways in which the know-how and creativity of artisans and artisans of art, Ile-de-France businesses, can be exploited
• Innovation at the service of visitor experience: what models for the development of cultural sites, what digital tools to use to bring in new audiences
• Hybrid models (third-party locations, hotels at the same time artists' residences, etc.), a response to certain development constraints
• The keys to the success of the association between natural heritage and cultural heritage, in line with new mobility demands (hiking, cycling tourism, etc.)

General view of the interlocutors and the public for the Première rencontres franciliennes Culture et Tourisme 2022 in the amphitheatre at the Institut de France photos 1 and 2 © Cédric Helsly

Signing of a triennial agreement

These First Meetings in Paris Culture and Tourism at the Institut de France are consolidated by the signing of a triennial convention.

For Laurent Roturier, Regional Director of Cultural Affairs : "The cultural life of Île-de-France, the richness of its exceptional heritage, are major assets in adapting to the challenges we face collectively. These first Meetings were an opportunity to lay the groundwork for the strategy to be pursued for the coming years, in order to combine the approaches of the cultural and tourism stakeholders, committed together to enhancing the Ile-de-France region".

For Hamida Rezeg, Special Delegate in charge of Tourism at the Regional Council of Île-de-France : "Reinventing the models of Cultural Tourism in Île-de-France is the essence of these first Encounters. I welcome this initiative for Île-de-France, which is home to so many tourists who are keen on culture, among other things. This new focus for the coming years is essential for enriching and diversifying the offer and customer experience available to our visitors".

Eric Jeunemaitre, President of the Regional Tourism Committee Paris Île-de-France : "These first meetings are a founding event that foreshadows a lasting partnership between the CRT and the DRAC, materialized by the signing of a convention (2023-2025). This long-term approach will make it possible to work on subjects with major cultural and tourist issues for Paris Region".

The first Rencontres franciliennes Culture et Tourisme at the Institut de France in pictures

Discover in pictures the first meetings presented by Laurent Roturier, Regional Director of the DRAC Île de France and Christophe Decloux, Director General of the Comité Régional du Tourisme (CRT) Paris Île-de-France. Coproduction DRAC Île-de-France - CRT Paris Île de France