France has been the world’s most visited country since the 1980s.

France is on course to welcome a record number of tourists this year, helping boost sector revenue by about 4 percent, minister for foreign affairs and tourism Laurent Fabius said. Revenue from tourism last year represented 7 percent of France’s economic activity and brought in revenue of 150 billion euros. With the attractions of the capital Paris, its Loire Valley chateaux, Alpine ski resorts, Riviera beaches and gastronomic pleasures, France has been the world’s most visited country since the 1980s.