Saint Germain Boucles de Seine Tourist Office team
Sait Germain Boucles de Seine Tourist Office
The Tourist Office's Pro Area
A team at your disposal!
A total of 10 people are at the service of the area’s tourism promotion and development.
Three reception and information centres
Since 5 February 2018, the two teams have been brought together at the OTI headquarters in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, which is no longer rue au Pain, but in the Jardin des Arts, in a completely renovated 19th-century town house!
The Tourist Information Office in Marly-le-Roi has been added, still at 2 avenue des Combattants, with modified opening times.
A third reception area opened in June 2020 on the ground floor of the Levanneur gallery, on the Île des Impressionnistes in Chatou. This information office will only be open during the summer season from June to September.
Why create a new Tourist Office?
Because it’s the law! In fact, the NOTRe law (of 7 August 2015 on the new territorial organisation of the Republic), the Saint Germain Boucles de Seine Conurbation Community automatically exercises, in place of its member communes, the competence to create, develop, maintain and manage tourist activity zones as well as the competence to promote tourism, including the creation of tourist offices.
As a result, local authorities no longer have competence in tourism and can therefore no longer set up a tourist office, with the exception of resorts classified as tourist resorts that decide to keep their own office, such as Maisons-Laffitte.
Before 1 January 2017, three Tourist Offices existed in the territory of the Saint Germain Boucles de Seine Conurbation Community:
Saint-Germain-en-Laye Tourist Office for the town of the same name, located at 38 rue au Pain in Saint-Germain-en-Laye;
Pays des Impressionnistes Tourist Office for the towns of Carrières-sur-Seine, Chatou, Croissy-sur-Seine, Le Pecq, le Port-Marly, Louveciennes and Marly-le-Roi, located at 2 avenue des Combattants in Marly-le-Roi.
Maisons-Laffitte Tourist Office, for the town of the same name, located at 41 avenue de Longueil, in Maisons-Laffitte.
Since 1 January 2017, the Maisons-Laffitte Tourist Office has remained unchanged. However, the Saint-Germain-en-Laye and Pays des Impressionnistes Tourist Offices have been dissolved and the Saint Germain Boucles de Seine Intercommunal Tourist Office has been born!
What are its missions and area of jurisdiction?
Like those of the 2,000 or so Tourist Offices in France, its missions are:
Reception and information
Promotion and communication
Coordination of tourism players
Marketing
The OTI carries out its missions in 18 of the 19 communes of the Saint Germain Boucles de Seine Conurbation Community: Aigremont – Bezons – Carrières-sur-Seine – Chambourcy – Chatou – Croissy-sur-Seine – Houilles – L’Étang-la-Ville – Le Mesnil-le-Roi – Le Pecq – Le Port-Marly – Le Vésinet – Louveciennes – Mareil-Marly – Marly-le-Roi – Montesson – Saint-Germain-en-Laye/Fourqueux – Sartrouville.
What is its status?
The OTI SGBS has the status of a Public Industrial and Commercial Establishment (EPIC). It is therefore governed by public accounting rules. For our partners, this means that all payments are made by postal order. Once your account has been set up and your bank details have been registered, payment will be made within a minimum of three weeks.
Do not hesitate to contact us: info@seine-saintgermain.fr
Depending on the specific features and tourist reputation of the areas and destinations, Tourist Offices carry out several local missions to serve visitors and the local population, in close collaboration with the local authority and tourism socio-professionals:
WELCOMING VISITORS:
Giving informed advice to visitors and locals;
Collecting, sorting and prioritising tourist information: detailed knowledge of what the area has to offer, database organisation
Greeting visitors, but also the local population, physically, by telephone, by correspondence, virtually and on the move;
COORDINATING SOCIO-PROFESSIONALS AND ALL LOCAL TOURISM ACTORS:
Playing a business-building role for tourism professionals through the daily referral of consumers (accommodation, catering, retail, leisure, culture);
Uniting professionals around an area identity and a destination story;
Supporting professionals to improve their performance (area digital animation, information days….
Structuring and helping to improve the quality of what is on offer (encouraging hotels and campsites to be classified, qualifying furnished tourist accommodation and bed and breakfasts;
Involving local residents in the area’s tourism strategy (greeters network, ambassadors card, residents/visitors meetings).
Promote and enhance the strengths of the region and its destinations:
Develop tools for disseminating information (websites, mobile applications) to facilitate the stay at all stages (before, during and after) and to better disseminate the region’s tourism and commercial offer.
Promote the region and its tourist attractions online, at trade fairs, through eductours and press trips (in partnership with the CDT, CRT and CCI);
Promote the region and its tourist attractions by publishing guides and brochures, and by sending out newsletters and emailings, etc. to attract new customers;
Promote the region and its tourist attractions online, at trade fairs, through eductours and press trips (in partnership with the CDT, CRT and CCI);
Promote the region and its tourist attractions by publishing guides and brochures, and by sending out newsletters and emailings, etc. to attract new customers to attract customers;
Design and launch communication campaigns on different scales and using different media depending on the area;
Develop strategies on social networks;
Monitor the destination’s e-reputation and search engine referencing.
COMMERCIALISING THE DESTINATION:
Propose a programme of guided tours to promote the area’s heritage and culture;
Design tourism products in conjunction with local professionals (museum passes, packaged holidays for individuals or groups);
Develop a shop to promote local products (crafts, gastronomy, souvenirs, etc.);
Manage a ticket office for visitors and the local population (shows, museums, cruise ships, etc.).
DEVELOPING EVENT AND BUSINESS TOURISM:
Associating with sporting, cultural or musical events and functions to directly increase tourist numbers and consumption in the territories;
Organising professional conferences and seminars and seeking out business customers
MANAGING COLLECTIVE FACILITIES AND DEVELOPING A TERRITORIAL ENGINEERING CELL ON BEHALF OF THE COLLECTIVITY :
Manage various community facilities (accommodation, car park, museum, swimming pool, cultural or natural site, etc…);
Implement territorial tourism development plans (carrying out diagnostics, feasibility studies, drawing up and implementing development action plans….).
In accordance with the Tourist Office’s Articles of Association, the Management Committee has 22 seats, divided into 2 colleges:
– The college of elected representatives appointed by deliberation of the Communal Council:
Patrick Vidal, Le Vésinet
Gwendoline Desforges, Le Pecq
Caroline Doucet, Chambourcy
Paula Ferreira, Bezons
Michèle Grellier, Chatou / Vice-President of the OTI
Eric Jousse, Saint-Germain-en-Laye
Corinne Martinez, Croissy-sur-Seine
Michel Millot, Carrières-sur-Seine
Cédric Pemba-Marine, Le Port-Marly
Priscille Peugnet, Saint-Germain-en-Laye / President of the OTI
José Destang, Marly-le-Roi / Vice-President of the OTI
Marie-Dominique Parisot, Louveciennes
Samuel Benoudiz, Aigremont
Aline Billet, Le Mesnil-le-Roi
Brigitte Boiron, Maisons-Laffitte
Daniel Cornalba, L’Etang-la-Ville
Sandrine Martinho, Houilles
Huguette Fouché, Montesson
Laurence Gnemmi, Chatou
Rosa André, Saint-Germain-en-Laye
Frédéric Hasman, Sartrouville
Dominique Lafon, Mareil-Marly
Daniel Level, Fourqueux-Saint-Germain-en-Laye
Virginie Minart Giverne, Chatou
– The college of socio-professionals, appointed by decision of the President of the Communauté d’agglomération on the proposal of the Bureau des Maires:
ENTITLE MEMBERS
Anne-Sophie Moreau, Musée du Domaine Royal de Marly, Marly-le-Roi
Fabien Durand, Musée d’Archéologie Nationale, Saint-Germain-en-Laye
Gaétan Delesalle, Hôtel Cazaudehore, Saint-Germain-en-Laye
Emmanuelle de Rochegonde, Le Clos Tellier, Mareil-Marly
Edward Develay, Les Rives de la Courtille, Chatou
Cédric Miller, Smart Paddle, Sartrouville
Laurence Malcorpi, Sequana, Chatou
Véronique Vandenroy, artisan d’art Carrières-sur-Seine
Béatrice Bruneau-Latouche, Saint Germain Entreprises, Saint-Germain-en-Laye
Pascal Boutreau, Saint-Germain-en-Laye
Danier Varlet, traiteur, Mareil-Marly
ALTERNATES
Anne Galloyer, Musée Fournaise, Chatou
Frédérique Lurol, Château de Monte-Cristo, Le Port-Marly
Julien Siberchicot, Ibis, Saint-Germain-en-Laye
Isabelle Bouige, Meublé touristique, Mareil-Marly
Vivienne Gabriel, Saint Germain Club House, Saint-Germain-en-Laye
Pierre Drouard, Club d’aviron de Maisons-Laffitte, Le Mesnil-le-Roi
Gilles Combalat, Lissac, Saint-Germain-en-Laye
Jean-Michel Cavret, Société d’Initiatives et de Défense du Site du Vésinet, Le Vésinet
Guy Moro, La Pianoterie, Marly-le-Roi
Patrick Boisseau, Arpege Groupe Elior
Laurence Mine, Expert in sustainable development
The Tourist Office has one objective: to develop the offer on its territory to increase the number of visitors to tourist sites, restaurants, hotels or various shops and consequently to promote economic activity and employment.
Receiving tourists means offering them attractive cultural, sporting or entertainment activities for all ages, with the possibility of restaurants and accommodation.
The players in tourism development are primarily local authorities (commune, département, region), institutional bodies (SMSO, CAUE, VNF, CCI, CDT, CRT) and private players.
It is essential to have a shared vision of tourism so that all the players involved get involved and move in the same direction.
It is vital to know the short, medium and long-term projects in order to anticipate the resulting actions, whether in terms of information, development, promotion or communication.
Finally, in order to achieve maximum efficiency, it is necessary to know the roles and missions of everyone involved in supporting tourism activity.
This “Action Plan” is a document drawn up by the Tourist Office team, which aims to stimulate thought proposing analyses and concrete actions, broken down into action sheets.
Welcome / Inform
Welcome is one of the key roles of a Tourist Office. Welcoming, informing and selling are the essential qualities of a tourist advisor. There are three members of the team: Victoria Bernard and Béatrice Montfort, who are also guide-lecturers, and Eugenia Kessel.
The Tourist Office has three distinct reception points spread across the region:
Saint-Germain-en-Laye:
The OTI’s administrative headquarters are located in the Villa Eugénie Desoyer, a building that houses the town’s Senior Club, the Café des Arts and the Tourist Office. A beautiful reception area has been fitted out, with information leaflets and an attractive shop. Three screens display information and videos on the latest news from the OTI and its partners in Saint-Germain-en-Laye.
A touch-sensitive table is located in the building’s reception hall, showing a map of the area with the tourist attractions on offer and the various means of transport to get from one site to another. Finally, two tablets complete the digital offering.
Come and visit us:
Jardin des Arts, 3 rue Henri IV, 78100 Saint-Germain-en-Laye
LOW SEASON (1 October to 1 May inclusive)
Tuesday, Thursday & Friday : 1.30pm – 5.30pm
Wednesday & Saturday: 10.30am – 12.30pm / 1.30pm – 5.30pm
Closed on Mondays, Sundays and public holidays
HIGH SEASON (2 May to 30 September inclusive)
Tuesday, Thursday & Friday : 1:30pm – 6pm
Wednesday & Saturday: 10am – 12:30pm / 1:30pm – 6pm
Sunday & bank holidays: 10am – 2pm
Closed on Mondays
Marly-le-Roi:
The Marly-le-Roi Tourist Information Office is ideally located between the village of Marly and the park, in a cosy atmosphere, Béatrice and Eugenia welcome you and provide information. A shop with many books on the town but also many leaflets on nature activities and the Marly forest.
At Marly-le-Roi a screen broadcasts news and videos on tourist and cultural sites in the town and its nearby surroundings.
Come and visit us:
LOW SEASON (1 October to 1 May inclusive)
Wednesday: 2pm – 5pm
Saturday & Sunday: 11am – 1.30pm / 2pm – 5pm
Closed on public holidays
HIGH SEASON (2 May to 30 September inclusive)
Wednesday & public holidays : 2pm – 6pm
Saturday & Sunday: 11am – 1:30pm / 2pm – 6pm
And during the summer season we welcome you to Chatou, on the ground floor of the Maison Levanneur on the Ile des Impressionnistes.
We no longer display posters in our premises, but if you have an event you’d like to highlight, don’t hesitate to email it to us!
Contact us: info@seine-saintgermain.fr
The general public target What tools for this target: The general public website promotes the region’s entire tourism offering. The Groups target group What tools are available for this target group? The Socioprofessional target What tools for this target? The pro space: created during the 1st confinement this site aims to inform socio-professionals. It also provides a directory of all partners so that they can easily exchange information. Your contacts: communication@seine-saintgermain.fr / commercial@seine-saintgermain.fr
The communication strategy implemented has been based on four personas, including the local individual and family clientele, commonly referred to in our jargon as individuals.
The blog: internal to the general public site, it allows “hot” content to be put online highlighting experiences (I tested the wake board in Bezons”, “The pastry workshop at Michoco Migato”)
Facebook: two publications a week promoting an event specific to the OTI or one of its partners.
Instagram: the content focuses on images, reposting beautiful photos of the area, linked to the transcanal message.
The general public newsletter: monthly, it is aimed at subscribers and highlights news from our partner sites, that of the OTI and focuses on the theme of the month.
This can be broken down into different categories: senior groups (clubs, associations, local authorities), business groups (companies) and school groups.
The general public website features all our commercial offers, broken down into these three categories
Publications: the Groups 2020/2021 brochure is sent to a customer file of 2,000 prospective customers, and accompanies us to trade shows. A business brochure was published in 2018, but as it quickly became obsolete, it was replaced by sales sheets, which are easier to customise. The Schools brochure has just been reissued and is sent to schools in the area.
Newsletters: a monthly newsletter is sent to our senior customers, offering ideas for visits and tours.
Trade shows: every year the sales team takes part in trade shows offered by the département or the region.
These are the OTI’s partners: accommodation providers, restaurateurs, associations, cultural and tourist sites. They are represented on our CODIR and therefore actively participate in the life of the office.
Social networks: partners’ activities are promoted via the general public networks but also on professional networks such as Linkedin where we associate them with our various articles.
The newsletter: this is sent out monthly and informs partners of OTI life and the main news from the network.
Meetings and workshops: launched in 2019, the workshops provide digital support for partners who want to create a website, learn how to post on Facebook, respond to a customer review, etc. Publications: as well as appearing in our various publications (group brochure, tourist guide, etc.), specific publications are sent to accommodation providers to enable them to communicate with their customers about cultural and tourism news.The screens: digital communication has been set up at the various reception points, relaying news from the towns and partner sites as well as the various video reports.
The Apidae SIT: part of the general public site is fed by a national database, with each record (news, restaurant, accommodation) also feeding other sites and directories such as tousvoisin.com for example.
Marketing is also part of the remit of a tourist office, and is handled by two people, Mélanie Lacroix and Juliana Laurent, who manage a team of 10 lecturers.
What does tourism marketing involve?
The OTI markets museums and tourist sites through its website, its Groups brochure and its diary of visits aimed at individual customers.
Products for groups can be “dry” visits (guided tour of a museum), half days, tours or made-to-measure services (visit + lunch, Cluedo-type activities, etc)
The OTI has signed an agreement with the Château de Monte-Cristo, which delegates the management of all its guided tours to the OTI, so when a customer wants to organise a guided tour for their group, they book through the Tourist Office.
The OTI has also signed an agreement with Chambourcy town council to manage the Maison André Derain.
The OTI advises and coordinates local tourism professionals and supports tourism project developers.
Commercial publications
The group brochure is published for two years and sent to a database of more than 3,000 prospective customers. You can find all our suggested visits and tours on our general public website / Link
The school brochure, It is sent by direct mail to the schools, colleges and lycées of Saint Germain Boucles de Seine. You can find all our suggested tours on our general public website / Link
Commercial information sheets, you can find them on our general public website in the business section / Link
Contact us : commercial@seine-saintgermain.fr
The Tourist Office is a coordinator of local players, which is one of its four missions, and it can also support project developers and help develop the area’s tourism offering.
The observatory
Collecting and analysing data helps to paint a portrait of the destination, and the better our knowledge of the area and its visitor numbers, the better we will be able to adapt our strategy, in terms of marketing, communication and sales.
The observatory will be set up in 2021, the OTI already has valuable information but would like to take the process further and involve its partners.
SAINT GERMAIN BOUCLES DE SEINE IS:
15 hotels
1 tourist residence
Nearly 200 furnished tourist accommodation and guest rooms
6 museums
3 artists’ houses
3 public “collection places”
12 “family” leisure sites
2 state-owned forests
2 national estates of Saint Germain and Marly, numerous parks and green spaces
the Seine and its banks
2 cycle routes
Press review
There are many sources of information. The following list is not exhaustive, but it covers the main fields of tourism.
Le Quotidien du Tourisme: quotidiendutourisme.com
L’Echo Touristique: lechotouristique.com
La Quotidienne du Tourisme: laquotidienne.fr
Tourisme en groupe : voyagesetgroupe.com
Atout France regularly sends out very useful watch letters to monitor changes in markets, customer bases.
Themed studies are also available (free or paying).
Direction Générale des Entreprises: Espace tourisme
Atout France: Veille et intelligence économique
Atout France: Observatoire
The studies of the Comité Régional de Tourisme
The state of tourism in Europe at the end of the health crisis
The CRT Paris Île-de-France, Crocis and the Tourism, Conventions and Exhibitions department of the CCI Paris Ile-de-France have produced a partnership analysis of the consequences of the health crisis and the initial trends in the recovery of tourism activity in the main European metropolises.
Open the report
La Revue Espaces
La Revue ESPACES is the benchmark journal for the tourism and leisure sector. It is aimed as much at professionals (private and institutional) as at researchers, teachers and students.
The Tourist Office is a subscriber to the Revue Espaces and is offering you the chance to enjoy it too!
You now have access to more than 6,200 articles for consultation and downloading, as well as sections focusing on public contracts and their awarding, job offers and new appointments, training and events, not forgetting access to unpublished surveys and special issues of the magazine.
Click here to subscribe!
Association Eau et Lumière
The Association Eau et Lumière was created in 2009 with the main aim of gaining recognition for the heritage and tourism value of the places depicted by landscape painters of the 21st and 20th centuries, particularly the Impressionists.
To achieve this objective, the Association works to:
Enhance the value of these landscapes and the social activities that take place there: artistic schools, discovery tours, festivals, regattas and all practices stemming from local traditions,
Federate the places represented in Europe by “pleinairist” painters and the communities that host them,
Promote, in liaison with local communities, “innovative and responsible” tourism,
Suscitate public or private initiatives, French or European, among young people or the general public, promoting knowledge of this unique heritage in the world.
As such, in January 2018, Eau & Lumières obtained certification from the Impressionisms Routes© network as the Council of Europe’s 32nd Cultural Itinerary.
The Impressionisms Routes network brings together 12 European routes, seven of which are dedicated to the French pre-impressionists and impressionists (Boudin, Guillaumin, Monet, Morisot, Pissarro, Renoir and Sisley) and five routes devoted to Bunke (Germany), Toorop (Netherlands), Grohar (Slovenia), Llorens Diaz (Spain) and the Machiaiolo (Italy).
Impressionisms Routes
The Council of Europe’s cultural routes
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