France, Feb. 20 -- The figure was 2 million higher than in 2024. The visitors brought in 77.5 billion euros, said Atout France, the national tourism development agency.

Many of the European tourists who visited sites such as Notre Dame, the Louvre and Chartres Cathedral came from Germany and Belgium.

Nearly 15 million visitors travelled from those two countries. Just over 13 million came from Britain and 9 million from Switzerland.

Most tourists from outside Europe came from the United States and Canada.

"Tourism is a winning bet," said Serge Papin, the minister responsible for small and medium-sized businesses, craft trades and tourism.

"It is a sector that is performing well and continues to contribute to national wealth."

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