These are the top destinations in France for Aussie travellers right now
As Paris gears up to host millions of sport-crazy fans at this year's Olympic and Paralympic Games, Booking.com has released new search data for the Olympic period, revealing where Aussies are looking at heading while in France.
And it looks like tourists are not only readying to take in the athleticism, but also explore the quintessential cheese, wine and galleries of other French destinations.
Whilst Paris remains the number one city for Australian travellers, the data shares some interesting insights into what other destinations are beckoning Aussie visitors away from the crowds.
Here are some of the most popular.
Marseille
Aussies can never resist a beach holiday, and Booking.com recorded a 70 per cent increase in searches for Marseille, a coastal town nestled within France's stunning Provence region, for ray seekers.
Saint Tropez
Saint-Tropez is a coastal town in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of southeastern France that has seen a 40 per cent increase in search volume.
Long popular with artists, the town attracted the international "jet set" in the 1960s, and remains known for its beaches and nightlife.
Cannes
Again, another popular beach spot is Cannes. Of course the resort town on the French Riviera is famed for its international film festival but its Boulevard de la Croisette, curving along the coast, is lined with sandy beaches, upmarket boutiques and palatial hotels.
Lyon
Lyon, the capital city in France's Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, sits at the junction of the Rhône and Saône rivers. The home of renowned universities and higher education schools, Lyon is also the second-largest student city in France.
Bordeaux
Wine lovers are also heading to Bordeaux of course, as the hub of the famed wine-growing region. It is a port city on the Garonne River in southwestern France and is also known for its Gothic Cathédrale Saint-André, 18th- to 19th-century mansions and notable art museums.
Menton
Menton has seen a 55 per cent increase in search data by Aussies. Also along the French Riviera, Menton is known for beaches and gardens as well as its medieval old town.
Strasbourg
Search data highlights a 210 per cent increase in Australian travellers searching for accommodation in Strasbourg from last year, with those architecturally inclined seeking the gothic imaginings of the Notre-Dame.
