Abstract FR:

French urban authorities have been being more and more interested in tourist function for about fifteen years. A large range of cities is concerned. This work focuses on cities not very looked into by tourist research workers : inland middle size common cities (neither economic or political capitals, nor famous historic cities ; neither seaside nor mountain towns). Three French towns have been selected : Angers, Le Mans, Saint-Etienne. Our results show tourism integration in wider urban politicies in which tourist is often not considered. An analyse of urban package tours proposed by tourism offices, an analyse of cities visitors spatial practices, and an historic perspective about tourist places production processes (or non-production processes) allow to question real specificity of urban tourism in the studied cities