Where do French people go on holiday?

Everyone knows France is a popular holiday destination - one of the most popular in Europe. With its stunning countryside, which boasts everything from pristine beaches to beautiful mountain ranges, to its countless cultural landmarks, unique buildings and sites of historical importance, there's something for everyone, and always a reason to keep going back.

But where do the French themselves like to go on holiday?

There is, of course, more than one answer to this question, and those answers change from year to year, not to mention season to season. But organisations like Les Entreprises des Voyagehave looked at the trends and data, and some clear favourites emerge.

Below we've listed the five most popular destinations for French people to visit on holiday.

France and Italy share a border that stretches from the Alps down to the Mediterranean Sea. This mountainous region is a popular destination for skiers from both countries, but the French also love to travel further afield to explore everything Italy has to offer. It's possible to catch a train direct from Paris to Milan, Turin or even Rome, all cities renowned for their vibrancy and cultural importance. Meanwhile, the colourful Amalfi Coast, the serene calm of Sicily and the rolling fields of Tuscany with its distinctive cypress trees are all favourites with French tourists who prefer to spend their downtime in nature.

The French are - deservedly - proud of their food. But they have a soft spot for pizza, pasta, gelato and everything else that comprises Italian cuisine.

While European countries are high on the list of French people's preferred destinations, North Africa is also popular. Amongst them, Tunisia is the most popular, having seen a 13% and 24% increase in tourism from France in summer and winter respectively this year compared with last year.

Known for its reliably hot weather and breathtaking cities - its capital, Tunis, is around 3,000 years old - Tunisia offers a unique experience for French tourists, although it's just on the other side of the Mediterranean. It helps that, although Tunisia's official language is Arabic, many Tunisians are fluent in French. Indeed, many immigrants to France hail from Tunisia originally, and they will often combine a vacation to Africa's northernmost country with a visit to friends and family.

Another county rich in history, cuisine and natural beauty is Greece. Considered the birthplace of democracy, philosophy and, of course, the Olympics, many French people have a fascination with Ancient Greek culture, and many of the temples and other buildings of Ancient Greece are still standing to this day. Less ancient is the food, which is known for its freshness and delicious flavour: gyros, tzatziki, souvlaki, halloumi - the list goes on!

The most popular destination point on the mainland is Athens. There are also thousands of Greek islands, so Greece is also an ideal location for tourists who enjoy being surrounded on all sides by the sea.

While Spain and France share a border, making popular destinations like Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia easy to get to for French tourists, the culture is sufficiently different from France's to offer an unparalleled holiday experience. Afternoon siestas, late-night tapas and warm weather all year round are just some of the things French people enjoy when visiting l'Espagne.

Spanish is the most taught language in France after English, so for many tourists, visiting Spain is also a chance to practise their Spanish skills.

It probably won't come as a surprise that French people's favourite place to visit is...France!

Why? France offers an immense diversity of cities, climates and distinct regional cultures. A person from the bustling metropolis of Marseille who takes the time to make a tour of Brittany's fascinating chateaux, for instance, may feel as though they are transported to a country on the other side of Europe. It's not uncommon for families to take a trip to the Alps to go skiing in winter, or for Parisians to have a quiet getaway in, say, the Loire Valley during the summer months. There's no wrong time to visit France, although different areas are undoubtedly better experienced at different times of the year.

Being more acquainted with France's ins and outs than tourists from other countries, the French will often seek out quieter areas to spend their holidays. Normandy, Ardèche and the French Riviera are all popular destinations for French tourists.