- French holidaymakers cut spending in summer 2026
- Average vacation budget drops to €1,530 per person
- Tour operator bookings fall 5.2pc in July and August
- Domestic destinations benefit from shift
- More travelers opt for cars over planes
French holidaymakers took fewer trips in July and August, shortened their stays and reduced expenditure because of cost of living pressures and heatwaves. The average vacation budget dropped to €1,530 per person, which is about €150 less than in 2025. According to reports, 17pc of vacationers cut back on eating out, 15pc reduced leisure activities and 14pc spent less on shopping. Nearly two-thirds of surveyed restaurateurs reported lower revenue in July and August compared to the previous year.
The number of travelers using tour operators fell by 5.2pc in July and August, and average stays were nearly a day shorter. International and long-haul departures dropped while local destinations within France saw an increase, particularly in mid-altitude mountain regions. More travelers opted for cars rather than planes to save on rising fuel and travel costs.
Domestic destinations benefited from the shift while overseas long-haul travel declined.
