France: Historic center of Avignon
Score: 75
"The papal palace in Avignon ensures its place as one of the most important historical sites in France. The surrounding town is charming and remarkably unspoiled, full of good restaurants and shops. The Palace itself is used for many activities, including open-air opera in the summer months.Avignon is a beautiful and prosperous town that is obviously enjoyed by its inhabitants."
"The historic center of Avignon is well preserved, its accessibility is tourist-friendly—trains, buses, good roads, though often overcrowded in high season. The festival every summer illustrates the effective use of a historic space for cultural activities."
"During the summer festival Avignon is a very lively (crowded) and entertaining place to be, with a wide range of cultural activities (music, dance, museum visits, art exhibitions, etc.) that keeps the local and regional economy going strong throughout the year."
"Some concerns: too many cars are allowed inside the walled area, there need to be some restrictions, also on their parking."
"The creeping boutiques have to be watched, as do the type of restaurants and cafés that can too easily become tacky."
"The chateaus stand out in terms of their beauty, interpretation, and high standard of conservation."
"Very attractive, the condition of the architectural heritage is generally good, and facilities for tourists are diverse. Regional flavor is still very apparent (e.g., in food and wine), and it's clear the local communities benefit considerably from tourism."
"Aesthetic appeal of the attractions is very high. Some tourism development is scrappy and inappropriate, but it certainly benefits local people. Plenty of information about the attractions of the Loire Valley, but tourists are not particularly well-informed about anything other than historical and cultural features. The future of the destination seems assured."
"Delightful. Exquisite cuisine, peaceful scenery, delightful corners to explore, heavy sense of history. Sensation of visiting a place that is getting on with its normal life—doesn't feel like a tourist hotspot. Plenty of tourist information available.Sad that many simple old establishments being forced to close as American fast food chains move into the area."
France: Mont-Saint-Michel and its bay
Score: 62
"From a distance, particularly coming from the east along the coast of Brittany, Mont-Saint-Michel appears to float on the horizon. It is magical. As you approach it the magic gives way to a clutter of dining and lodging options. The parking lot at the base is unattractive.The shops on the mount contribute more clutter. And the crowds! Only when you look out from the ramparts onto the expanse of the bay do you recapture the majesty of the place."
"Well managed despite the high visitor numbers, excellent self-guiding infrastructure, well-integrated into local socio-economy, but really there are too many visitors in peak season to make it a pleasant experience."
"Just too congested, compounded by down-market souvenir shops and loud tour guides."
"An engineering solution to avoid sediments going into the bay and to take away parking is said to have been approved. Good for the site."
France: Paris, banks of the Seine
Score: 76
"More than any other European urban river, the Seine defines the city of Paris. As a visitor, you can walk on well-maintained streets and sidewalks past most of the city's iconic sites. The opportunities for eating, people-watching and experiencing art and architecture are outstanding."
"The amazing thing about the 'Old World' is how it manages to maintain its history, culture, and buildings intact. Paris is no exception, there is a timelessness about the Seine. Has absorbed increased influx of tourists very well, without being spoilt. Maintains its unique Parisian feel."
"The Seine takes you past some of the greatest architectural destinations in Europe—it is still magical.The restorations and heritage interpretations are first class."
"Perhaps the world's best example of successful urban and landscape design. Given the bustle of Parisian life, people seem inclined to promenade. Remarkable."
"The riverboats are horribly managed and a detriment to the historic vistas afforded by the riverbanks. At the same time, the current mayor has done a fantastic job of programming those banks with smart, well-managed events like the Paris Plage and the 'white nights.' Monuments along the river, including the Louvre and D'Orsay, are top-notch."
France: Versailles and environs
Score: 77
"Versailles seems perfectly preserved, and driving through the front gates is a step back in time.The promenade and walks for leisurely strolls are magical. Sculptures appear along shaded walks."
"Parts of the site were being refurbished, while others were newly opened, giving the visitor a continual variety of experience.Parklands and gardens were stunning, well managed. Park accessibility is excellent.A great cultural heritage site that is managed in such a way as to deal with mass tourism."
"Versailles itself (the palace and tourism attractions) has not changed too much over the last 25 years, but the town and overall region has boomed considerably and its landscape shows the overall commercialization. Just try to get parking."
"An iconic destination, as well as a site of great historic significance. Overcrowding inside the palace ruined the visit for me. It was suffocating.The gardens provided a much more satisfying experience, as they gave the opportunity to wander and look as long as one liked."
"A zoo of dueling tours.Hard to navigate.Garden is nice, but could be much nicer."
"Some inappropriate development underway very close to the palace that detracts from the visual impact of the approach from the town, which has already lost much of its character in the station area."
France: Vézelay, church, hill, and town
Score: 81
"Beautiful part of Burgundy with excellent and diverse levels of accommodations, cuisine, etc. The church itself is beautiful, well-preserved, and worth the journey..."
"Well kept, good atmosphere, and beautiful site on the hill surrounded by countryside."
"Local business seems to profit. I see no imminent threat of dangers."
