No Beyoncé or Gims this Thursday, October 8, at the Accor Arena in Paris… Tens of thousands of spectators in the concert hall came to applaud… business leaders!
The show is staged by Bpifrance, which is organizing its “Big 2026” event, the major gathering of entrepreneurs in France.
On the program, a day of exchanges, workshops and conferences around various themes, from climate to industry, from innovation to tourism, which holds a special place.
Because this year, the twelfth edition of the event is the opportunity for the Public Investment Bank to officially launch La French Expérience, a new community of tourism and leisure entrepreneurs in France.
The launch was formalized this morning, in the presence of Serge Papin, Minister of Small and Medium Enterprises, Trade, Crafts, Tourism and Purchasing Power and, more surprisingly, the influencer and content provider Bruno Maltor.
The show is staged by Bpifrance, which is organizing its “Big 2026” event, the major gathering of entrepreneurs in France.
On the program, a day of exchanges, workshops and conferences around various themes, from climate to industry, from innovation to tourism, which holds a special place.
Because this year, the twelfth edition of the event is the opportunity for the Public Investment Bank to officially launch La French Expérience, a new community of tourism and leisure entrepreneurs in France.
The launch was formalized this morning, in the presence of Serge Papin, Minister of Small and Medium Enterprises, Trade, Crafts, Tourism and Purchasing Power and, more surprisingly, the influencer and content provider Bruno Maltor.
Fostering the Sharing of Experiences
For years now, we have been calling for the creation of this community; it is a solemn moment. Tourism is about dreams, memories, but above all, it is a strategic asset, a powerful engine of growth, employment and attractiveness — this is how Eric Versey, executive director of financing and the network at Bpifrance, greets the launch.
Concretely, La French Expérience aims to bring together businesses of all sizes, from accommodation, dining, travel and leisure and Tourism Tech, in order to shine a light on sector successes and best practices, foster the sharing of experiences and encourage collaborations
And, in the end, with the ambition of creating a collective dynamic and strengthening the appeal of French tourism.
Forty ambassadors have been selected across France to form and expand this community, with participation free. The aim is to unite 1,000 engaged tourism leaders by 2030. Bpifrance can also rely on its 50 business managers, distributed across its offices nationwide.
La French Expérience will come to life through meetings, events, and study presentations, highlighting leaders, across the territory.
Concretely, La French Expérience aims to bring together businesses of all sizes, from accommodation, dining, travel and leisure and Tourism Tech, in order to shine a light on sector successes and best practices, foster the sharing of experiences and encourage collaborations
And, in the end, with the ambition of creating a collective dynamic and strengthening the appeal of French tourism.
Forty ambassadors have been selected across France to form and expand this community, with participation free. The aim is to unite 1,000 engaged tourism leaders by 2030. Bpifrance can also rely on its 50 business managers, distributed across its offices nationwide.
La French Expérience will come to life through meetings, events, and study presentations, highlighting leaders, across the territory.
Loans of honor, guarantees, and equity investments
The launch of La French Expérience, featuring a stylized rooster logo, is also an occasion for Bpifrance to reaffirm its strong commitment to tourism and to highlight its role alongside entrepreneurs, with a full range of financing, investment and support.
Since 2021, the Public Investment Bank has granted nearly €5 billion in financing for tourism and leisure, through loans of honor, credits, guarantees and equity investments, supporting almost 6,000 companies.
In this total, the unsecured loan offer, in particular the Tourism Season Boost Loan, benefited 1,640 companies for more than €73 million.
Guarantees of loans from banking and non-banking partners, such as Réseau Entreprendre, also participate in supporting the sector.
Overall, with these various partners, Bpifrance has enabled support for nearly 60,000 tourism and leisure companies over five years, totaling €12 billion.
Since 2021, the Public Investment Bank has granted nearly €5 billion in financing for tourism and leisure, through loans of honor, credits, guarantees and equity investments, supporting almost 6,000 companies.
In this total, the unsecured loan offer, in particular the Tourism Season Boost Loan, benefited 1,640 companies for more than €73 million.
Guarantees of loans from banking and non-banking partners, such as Réseau Entreprendre, also participate in supporting the sector.
Overall, with these various partners, Bpifrance has enabled support for nearly 60,000 tourism and leisure companies over five years, totaling €12 billion.
A new investment fund in 2027
Bpifrance’s support also comes through the Tourism Investment Funds (FIT), which aim to foster French champions. The three funds launched since 2015 have invested €520 million in 157 companies, including Pierre & Vacances-Center Parcs, Les Hôtels Littéraires, Voyageurs du Monde or Havas Voyages.
The year 2026 marks the end of FIT 3 (€200 million invested since 2023), with notably a recent investment in Belambra to support its renovation and upgrade program.
See also : Bpifrance takes a stake in Belambra
By 2027, FIT 4 will be launched, with a total envelope of €250 million. Beyond continuing to support tourism players, this new fund will broaden its scope to sport (infrastructure operators, equipment, etc.), entertainment, leisure and tourist experiences.
Note that Bpifrance has also assisted 885 SMEs and mid-caps in the sector through its advisory work since 2015, notably on growth and structuring, environmental and digital transition or AI integration.
Finally, part of these advisory missions are delivered within the Tourism & Leisure Accelerator (in partnership with Banque des Territoires), with seven cohorts since 2019, representing a total of 179 leaders supported in their projects.
The year 2026 marks the end of FIT 3 (€200 million invested since 2023), with notably a recent investment in Belambra to support its renovation and upgrade program.
See also : Bpifrance takes a stake in Belambra
By 2027, FIT 4 will be launched, with a total envelope of €250 million. Beyond continuing to support tourism players, this new fund will broaden its scope to sport (infrastructure operators, equipment, etc.), entertainment, leisure and tourist experiences.
Note that Bpifrance has also assisted 885 SMEs and mid-caps in the sector through its advisory work since 2015, notably on growth and structuring, environmental and digital transition or AI integration.
Finally, part of these advisory missions are delivered within the Tourism & Leisure Accelerator (in partnership with Banque des Territoires), with seven cohorts since 2019, representing a total of 179 leaders supported in their projects.
Published by Thierry Beaurepère Journalist See all articles by Thierry Beaurepère
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Publié par Amelia Brille 
