France Shifts to Sustainable Tourism in Lot and Hauts‑de‑France

The Lot department in southwestern France reported a 4 % decline in overnight stays, falling to 8.9 million in 2025 after two years of record tourism. Rather than viewing the drop as a warning, local officials are using it to pivot toward "slow tourism," emphasizing quality over quantity, longer visitor stays, and the development of 6 800 km of marked trails linking Cahors to Puy‑l'Évêque. The strategy also highlights the region’s walnut production, promoting a long‑term, high‑value agricultural model.

In the north, the Hauts‑de‑France region recorded a 4‑point rise in accommodation occupancy in July 2026, driven by strong demand for its coastal, heritage and new tourism offers. Regional tourism director Daniel Fasquelle praised the growth, but officials also noted challenges such as a falling average spend in restaurants, a small wave of economic layoffs at the regional tourism agency, and broader sectoral pressures.

Both regions illustrate France’s broader move toward balancing visitor numbers with sustainable, higher‑value tourism models.