French Schengen visa was refused. What are my options?

Question

In the past 2 years I was granted 10 Schengen Visas from Belgium, Greece, Portugal, Switzerland and France (in December 2018)

In February 2019 I applied for a French Visa in the USA & was denied with the following reason: "not convinced of your intention to return" to the USA.

The documents & purpose of the trip was the same in December 2018 and February 2019, no difference at all. First visa was approved and I visited France & returned after 7 days, did not of course overstay my visa.

The second visa was refused!

1. Anyone experience the same situation?
2. What was the solution?
3. Should I re-apply?
4. Apply for another Schengen visa (not France)?
5. Appeal the decision?

Answer 1

An appeal is long and costly and very unlikely to succeed so I don't see the point here (earlier questions cover this). A fresh applications therefore seems like the only course of action available to visit the Schengen area but applying immediately in the exact same circumstances will attract a new refusal. The consulate is under no pressure to revise or justify their decision.

I think the most promising approach is to apply to another Schengen country but only after waiting several months. You must at all cost avoid giving the impression that you are trying to salvage this trip and circumvent the first decision. Plan a trip to another country, prepare a strong and credible travel plan and follow through on it. Additional short trips to other parts of the Schengen area should bolster your credibility and make it possible to reapply for a French visa in one or two years from now.