As a lifelong resident of Paris, France of 10 years, I’ll tell you – the deeper my understanding of France becomes, the more fascinated I am. What I`ve learned has made me truly proud to call France my home.
The facts about France outlined in this article helped me seek out and experience some of the top attractions in France. Both notable and unusual details, as well as historic and quirky facts inspired my next trip there!
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33 Interesting Facts About France
1. France is the Largest Country in the European Union
Within the European Union (EU), France has the largest physical area. However, France is only the third-largest nation on the European continent after Russia and Ukraine, which are not EU members. [ Source 1,2]
2. France is the World’s Most Visited Country
75 million visitors came to France in 2022. The second most popular country was Spain, with 71 million visitors. This is out of 963 million people who traveled to foreign countries that year. [ Source]
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3. France Has Four Biomes
“Biomes” are a way of classifying regions of the earth by climate and natural environment. The four biomes in France include “temperate broadleaf forest,” the Mediterranean or “coastal biome,” “Alpine Tundra,” and “Mountain Forests.”
French landscapes contain coastal areas, expansive countryside, mountainous regions, and forests [ Source]. France additionally has three climate zones meaning there are a variety of optimal times to visit France.
📚 Related Subject Matter: Best Locations to Reside in France
4. France Has the Fourth-Largest Population in Europe
Over 64.75 million individuals inhabited France in 2022. Around 18% of the nation’s residents live in ParisSource]. Only the countries of Russia, Germany, and the United Kingdom within Europe have larger populations.
5. France Produces More Than a Thousand Types of Cheese
France creates more than 1,200 sorts of cheddar consistently, numerous which are one of a kind to the areas where they start. These incorporate specialty cheddar made from sheep and goat`s drain. [ Source]
6. It is Unlucky to Place a Baguette Upside Down
Inverted baguettes symbolize misfortune in France. Folklore tells that undertakers lacked time for eating before duties. Bakers would reserve loaves by turning them upside down, signifying the coroner had priority. This association with mortality gives the backward baguette its bad repute [ Source].
📚 Related Reading: Must-Try Meals in Paris & Eateries in Paris
7. France’s Motto is “Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité”
This message means “Liberty, equality, fraternity” and is a three-part motto that lists the three core principles of a free democracy. The motto originates from the French Revolution and appears on many government documents. [ Source]
8. The French Can Marry Dead People
One strange law on the books in France (Article 171 of the Civil Code) states that citizens may marry the deceased. This only really applies if you can prove that the deceased intended to marry the still-living individual. The President of the Republic must also agree for it to be valid. [ Source]
9. France Has Had Five Main Governments (Republics)
The preceding four governing bodies in France spanned from 1789-1804, 1848-52, 1870-1940, and 1946-58 respectively. The initial break incorporated the First and Second French Empires (1804-48 and 1852-70 in that order).
World War II brought about the next Republic with Germany`s defeat of France from 1940-1946. The Fifth Republic, the current governing system, began in the same year that the Fourth Republic concluded. [ Source]
10. France Has a Separate Head of Government and Head of State
France has both a Head of State and a Prime Minister. The Head of State is democratically elected by the French populace. The Head of State selects the Prime Minister, who is accountable to the French Parliament. [ Source]
11. France Was a Founding Member of the United Nations
France occupies a permanent seat on the UN Security Council, alongside the United States, China, Russia, and the United Kingdom. In 2023, France was the sixth largest contributor to the UN’s budget. [ Source]
12. French Women Gained the Right to Vote During World War II
In France, women did not have the legal right to vote until 1944, during the Second World War. Prior to that, only Belgium and Italy had granted women`s suffrage in Europe. France was the third-to-last European nation to authorize women`s right to vote. [ Source]
13. Champagne Only Comes From the Champagne Region in France
Folklore tells that a monk called Dom Perignon accidentally discovered the bottling method that makes champagne distinctive, by chance. Currently, 33,400 hectares of land cultivate the grapes utilized to produce champagne. This region encompasses four departments in France: Aube, Marne, Haute-Marne, and Ardennes. [ Source]
14. It is Illegal to Throw Away Unsold Food in France
France became the first country to forbid supermarkets from destroying or discarding unsold foodstuffs. They are now obligated to deliver unsold food to food banks and other charities. The French Senate passed this law unanimously. [ Source]
15. France is Home to the Tallest Mountain in Europe
Europe`s tallest peak, Mont Blanc, is situated in the French Alps in eastern France. Mont Blanc rises 4,807 meters high! It is a popular location for skiing, hiking, and rock climbing and one of the finest places to explore in France. [ Source]
16. It is Illegal to Kiss on Train Platforms in France
A 1910 law in France forbids kissing at train station platforms. Legislators originally intended this legislation to prevent overcrowding of platforms and increase travel efficiency. The government has never repealed this statute, technically still applicable today. [ Source]
17. Americans Invented the Phrase “French Kissing”
This custom wasn`t commonly referred to until the 1920s. Historians believe American GIs who engaged in intimate acts with French women popularized the practice Stateside. French kissing wasn`t widespread in the US until after 1945. Meanwhile, the French didn`t have a word for it until 2014 [ Source].
18. The River Seine Extends Far Beyond Paris
Additionally, even though the town is known for the ocean and sunlight, there are plenty of other awesome activities to participate in San Diego that make it worth visiting during less busy, but no less beautiful, times of the year.
19. French Government Institutions Forbid Religious Symbols
Public schools in France have mandated that all religious symbols (Article L141-5-1 of the Education Code) are prohibited. This includes headscarves, crosses, and yarmulkes, among others. The ban claims to reinforce France’s strict separation of church and state. [ Source]
20. France Has Seven National Symbols
Symbols that are strongly associated with France include the fowl, the flag that represents the nation, the memorable song tied to the country`s origins, the insignia used to officially denote the homeland, the official stamp signifying state authority, the memorable date linked to independence, the metaphorical woman representing key ideals, and the creed emphasizing crucial shared values of “liberty, equality, brotherhood.” All except the insignia, the fowl, and the stamp have roots from the times of the French Revolution. [ Source]
21. A Woman Symbolizes France
“Marianne” is an allegorical figure who epitomizes the French Republic’s principles of Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity. Portrayals of a woman wearing a Phrygian cap began appearing during the time of the French Revolution. This symbolized liberty as freed Greek and Roman slaves wore them. [ Source]
22. France Has a Different Daylight Savings Time
While observing daylight savings time similarly to the United States, France follows a different schedule for the transition periods. In the fall, France observes daylight savings at the end of October`s last Sunday. The U.S. observes daylight savings on the first Sunday in November. [ Source]
The French flag, known as “La tricolore” or “The Tricolor” in English, contains the colors of blue, white, and red. It originates from 1794 during the French Revolution, but today represents the Fifth Republic. The white symbolizes the country’s monarchal origins, while the blue and red represent the city of Paris [ Source]. These identical colors are used in the American flag as well.
24. France’s National Anthem Dates to the 18th Century
“La Marseillaise” serves as France’s national anthem. It was originally a battle song written by French officer Rouget de Lisle in 1792 after France declared war on Austria. It became France’s national anthem during the Third Republic. [ Source]
25. France Uses the Metric System
In 1790, the French National Assembly responsible for weights and measures requested that the French Academy of Sciences devise a standardized system of measurements. France adopted the metric system in 1795, and the French government later required all French citizens to utilize it in 1840. [ Source]
26. Napoleon I Crowned Himself Emperor
Napoleon Bonaparte crowned himself Emperor of France in 1804. The story goes that as the Pope was about to place the crown on his head Napoleon took hold of it and crowned himself.[ Source]
27. The French Army Invented Camouflage
The inventor Lucien-Victor Guirand de Scévola developed camouflage for the French military in 1914, at the start of World War I. The British were the next to adopt the style, followed by the Americans. [ Source]
28. France Invented the Hot Air Balloon
Two brothers, Joseph-Michel and Jacques-Étienne Montgolfier, pioneered the primary hot air balloon. It embarked on its debut flight on November 21, 1783, at the Château de la Muette outside Paris.
The pioneers were not the initial ones to journey in it. Rather, they delegated this task to an educator and an aristocrat: Jean-François Pilâtre de Rozier and François Laurent, Marquis d’Arlandes. [ Source]
29. The Tour de France Has Run for Over a Century
This long-running cycling competition has taken place annually since 1903, except for periods of world conflict. The route, which varies but traditionally concludes at the famous Arc de Triomphe landmark in Paris, cuts through France. Paris is renowned for attractions like the Arc de Triomphe. The longest edition was in 1926, covering over 5700 km (3541 miles)! [ Source]
30. Snails Need Train Tickets in France
You must purchase a ticket for any animal under 6 kg (13 lbs) riding on a French train. In 2008, a train passenger carried snails in a suitcase and received a fine for transporting unticketed animals. [ Source]
31. France Has Five Overseas Territories
- Sydney Mardi Gras (end February to early March) – now one of the world’s premier Gay and Lesbian events, with thousands marching and many more viewing the spectacular parade. Events occur across Sydney, but mainly in the Surry Hills and Oxford Street area, culminating in the parade on the first Saturday in March.
32. King Louis XIX Reigned for Only 20 Minutes
Louis-Antoine, the Duke of Angouleme, governed for 20 minutes in 1830 as King Louis XIX. His father, Charles X, abdicated that year during the Restoration. Charles X asked his cousin, Louis-Phillippe, to name Henri, Duke of Bordeaux, king. But Louis-Phillippe himself ended up as the next leader of France. [ Source]
33. French Toast is Roman
The earliest known recipe for French toast comes from ancient Rome. Dating back over 2,000 years to 300 BC, it first appeared. The French initially referred to it as “Roman bread,” but now call it “lost bread” (pain perdu). [ Source]
FAQs About France
What are some interesting facts about France?
Some intriguing realities incorporate realities about the significance of the French Revolution. Five of France’s images date from the Revolution. These incorporate Bastille Day, the Marsaillaise, the public phrasing, Marianne, and the banner.
What is France famous for?
France is renowned for its wine, its cheese, and its culture. France produces over 200 wines, creates more than 1,200 cheeses, and has the largest art museum globally.
What are some fun facts about France?
Thank you for reading my selections on the best day trips from London. Happy exploring! Be sure to see my guide to London’s finest pubs before you depart!
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Knowing background about France makes exploring France’s prominent urban areas and idyllic villages even more fascinating, in my view. Note down your favorites to help you fully experience everything France has available!
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