For many Saudi travelers, France has evolved beyond being a destination for iconic landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower and the Palace of Versailles. It has become a broader experience shaped by culture, history, art, food, education and everyday life, one that often leaves visitors with reasons to return.
The growing connection between Saudi Arabia and France has also been supported by expanding direct air links. Saudia operates nonstop services connecting Paris with both Riyadh and Jeddah, while Air France launched a direct Paris-Riyadh route in summer 2025, giving travelers more options between the two capitals.
France’s appeal comes as its tourism sector continues to strengthen its position globally. The country welcomed 102 million international visitors in 2025, reinforcing its status as the world’s most visited destination, according to Arab News.
Paris Offers More Than a List of Famous Landmarks
For many Saudi visitors, the appeal of Paris lies in the depth of the experience rather than the number of attractions checked off a list.
The city offers museums, historic neighborhoods, literary landmarks, cafés, libraries and restaurants, allowing travelers to engage with French culture in different ways.
Translator and cultural consultant Marwan Alrasheed visited France in autumn 2025 with precisely this kind of experience in mind.
During his 10-day stay, he chose to live in the Latin Quarter near the Sorbonne, an area deeply connected to Paris’ intellectual and cultural history.
His itinerary reflected his interests. He visited Les Deux Magots, the historic café associated with writers, artists and philosophers, as well as the Louvre, where he saw Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa and the Winged Victory of Samothrace.
He also visited Shakespeare and Company, the famous English-language bookshop on the Left Bank, adding a literary dimension to his journey.
For Alrasheed, Paris was therefore not simply a city to see, but a place to explore ideas, history and culture.
Food Adds Another Layer to the Experience
French cuisine is another important part of the country’s appeal for Saudi travelers.
During his visit, Alrasheed joined a tour exploring historic Parisian bakeries, combining his interest in history with the city’s culinary traditions.
The experience illustrates how food can become a way of understanding a destination. Traditional bakeries, cafés and restaurants offer travelers a glimpse into everyday life while creating memories that remain long after the trip is over.
For visitors who return to Paris repeatedly, discovering new restaurants, pastries and culinary trends can become an attraction in itself.
A Romantic Destination for Saudi Travelers
For Dania Halawani, from Jeddah, France became part of a very different personal experience.
Her first trip took place during her honeymoon, when she spent a week traveling through Paris, Versailles and Marseille.
The beauty and cultural richness of France made a strong impression on her, while the country’s atmosphere added a romantic dimension to the journey.
The Palace of Versailles was one of the highlights of her trip. Walking through its historic rooms and grounds gave her a stronger connection to the history she had previously encountered mainly through books and media.
The trip also brought her closer to the French language. She discovered that English was not always enough in everyday situations and began picking up French words and expressions during her stay.
When Tourism Becomes a Career
For some Saudi travelers, France has had an impact that extends far beyond tourism.
Saudi pastry chef Al-Batoul Al-Maddah repeatedly traveled to Paris during her vacations, using each visit as an opportunity to discover new pastries, flavors and trends in the world of baking.
Over time, those trips helped transform her interest into a professional direction. She eventually chose to study in Paris, attracted by the city’s culinary culture and its reputation for creativity in pastry-making.
Her experience shows how travel can evolve from personal curiosity into professional inspiration, particularly when visitors engage deeply with the culture and industries they encounter.
Five Years in Paris and a New Cultural Perspective
For Hadeel Al-Nufaiey, France became an even more formative part of her life.
She spent five years in Paris while studying at Paris Descartes University, describing the period as an important cultural, educational and social experience.
Living in France also gave her opportunities to speak about Saudi Arabia with people whose understanding of the Kingdom was sometimes limited or shaped largely by media coverage.
She often found herself explaining aspects of Saudi society and culture, turning her everyday interactions into opportunities for cultural exchange.
Her experience ultimately extended beyond her years as a student. When she returned to Riyadh, France remained part of her family life, with her two young children speaking fluent French.
Why Do Saudi Travelers Keep Coming Back?
These experiences suggest that the relationship between Saudi travelers and France cannot be explained simply by the country’s famous landmarks.
Paris can be a cultural destination for museum and art enthusiasts, a literary journey for those drawn to historic cafés and bookstores, a culinary adventure for food lovers, or an educational and professional opportunity for students and specialists.
It can also mean something deeply personal, a honeymoon, a period of study, a new career direction or simply the discovery of interests that were not previously known.
That diversity may be one of the reasons France continues to attract Saudi visitors. Each trip can offer something different, whether it is a new neighborhood, restaurant, exhibition, historical site or cultural experience.
At the same time, increasingly convenient air connections between Saudi Arabia and France are making travel between the two countries easier, supporting continued movement between Riyadh, Jeddah and Paris.
Ultimately, the question of why Saudi travelers return to France may have less to do with a single landmark and more to do with the country’s ability to offer layered experiences.
Between historic libraries, philosophical cafés, traditional bakeries, museums, palaces and vibrant neighborhoods, visitors can find experiences that stay with them long after they return home.
For many Saudi travelers, then, the journey from Riyadh to Paris is not necessarily a one-time trip. It can be the beginning of a lasting connection, and a reason to start planning the next visit.
