Montréal – ATOUT FRANCE, the France Tourism Development Agency is thrilled to present its most recent edition of FranceGuide, the reference for Francophiles and sophisticated travelers. The magazine (www.franceguidemagazine.com) offers twice as much, with over 40 articles available only online. This new hybrid print/web publication welcomes the interaction of readers, providing travel stories, interviews, videos, and more.  Readers are also invited to share their comments and post specific contents to social network media.

Alain Ducasse, ambassador of the French art of living

This year, we welcome Alain Ducasse as an exclusive collaborator to our magazine. The chef, trendsetter and leader first prefaces the magazine, and then, for our cameras, elaborates on sustainable development and the fascinating diversity of his homeland, so intricately linked to the excellent reputation of French cuisine. The web video interview is available on page 1 of the webzine.

FranceGuide will also entice travelers who truly wish to cover French ground, with articles on walking trails in Brittany, Riviera and the Alps, incredible canoe races in Tahiti, romantic getaways in Martinique…  Nothing goes unnoticed to our collaborators - well-known journalists throughout the Americas — from the latest designs of Paris hotels and museums dedicated to fashion, to private lessons in wine-tasting.

Ten reasons to visit France in 2010

The release of FranceGuide magazine is the perfect opportunity for the France Tourism Development Agency to remind Canadians why the world’s most visited destination deserves to be seen again this year.

1.             Because it’s affordable: since January 1^st, 2010, there has been a 7% decrease in the value of the euro compared to the Canadian dollar, which makes travelling to France more advantageous (Source: Banque de France).

2.            Because it’s accessible: transportation services are in constant expansion, with more than 100 flights to France per week leaving from Canada during peak season.

3.             Because it’s easy to get around: vast choice of transportation options, with the freedom to travel by train (TGV) or by car.

4.             For the diversity of its terroir: so well illustrated by Alain Ducasse.
franceguidemagazine.com, p. 1

5.             For its wines and vineyards: in April 2010, ATOUT FRANCE LAUNCHES an important wine tourism oriented campaign, presenting vineyards from the Rhone-Alps region, Aube in Champagne and the Narbonne surroundings.  Another major event:  Bordeaux Fête le Vin.
franceguidemagazine.com, p. 23 

6.             For its Impressionist painters: the Normandie Impressionniste festival will mobilize an entire region from May to September around arts and artists inspired by this movement. To fully appreciate this event, we have created an exclusive itinerary on the Web section of our magazine.
franceguidemagazine.com, p. 8-9

7.             To see the new Pompidou Center in Metz: opening May 12!
franceguidemagazine.com, p. 43

8.             To go on a girls’ trip (friends, mothers and daughters, sisters…): ATOUT FRANCE will nourish this niche market, a growing trend in North America.

9.             To visit the New Paris *: capital of creation in all fields, from fashion, arts and culture, to urban planning and tourist attractions…  Paris, joyous and always festive, will help you travel with emotion.
franceguidemagazine.com, p. 58
(* Press and tourism industry professionals are invited to attend the annual tradeshow featuring the new Paris Ile-de-France, March 24^th in Toronto and Vancouver 26^th . Don’t wait to sign up.)

10.           For Jazz à Juan’s 50th anniversary, a festivity-filled program, from April to August, combining the perfect mix of big names and new talents.
franceguidemagazine.com, p. 10

500,000 copies throughout the Americas

The print edition of FranceGuide is 60 pages (with an extra 44 pages of exclusive online content), and is available in four languages.  As of February 2010, 500,000 copies are distributed throughout five countries in the Americas, free of charge, to select subscribers of major daily newspapers. In Canada, these include The Toronto Star, The Gazette, La Presse, Le Soleil, Le Devoir, and in the United States, The New York Times, The Boston Globe, The Chicago Tribune, The San Francisco Chronicle, and The Los Angeles Times.

Visit www.franceguidemagazine.com to discover this new publication and find out about Canadian distribution points.