Article révisé par les pairs
Résumé : The effect of tourism on retail trade is analysed here systematically at municipalities level on the basis of the rate of trade facilities by inhabitant. As to small towns and non urban communes the results of our approach are completed with a comparison in size and structure between the central neighbourhoods of regional cities, whether touristic (Bruges and Ostend) or not. Finally a method to define touristic commercial neighbourhoods, notably on the basis of the activity's seasonal character, is tested in the centre of a big city (Brussels).