Whether you are a nature lover, hungry for culture or a « fin gourmet », France is waiting for you. Being one of the most touristic destinations in the world, the country will give you a magical experience. From North to South, you will be amazed by the different landscapes and architecture that France has to show you.
Take your loved one to Paris, he/she will never forget this trip, your children will be fascinated by the amusement or natural parks and your friends will be crazy about seaside towns and beaches.
General Information About France
| Continent: | Europe |
| Capital of France: | Paris |
| Country Code: | FR |
| Language: | French |
| The difference between GMT: | GMT+1 |
| Telephone Code: | +33 |
| Domain Extension: | .fr |
| Currency: | Euro |
Official Language
French is the official language in France. You can also hear different local dialects.
The Population of France
Around 68 million people live in France. There are also numerous people from Europe, Africa, and Asia in France belonging to the population.
Location
France is located at the western end of Europe. Bordered by the North Sea, the Channel, the Atlantic ocean and the Mediterranean sea, it will pull the wool over your eyes.
With an approximative 650 thousand square kilometers surface area, it also borders Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Monaco, Spain and Andorra.
Local Time
Paris is in western European time (UTC/GMT+1).
Currency in France
Since 2002, the currency in France is the Euro which is the common currency in Europe. You will find many exchange possibilities during your journey.
Climate in France
France will welcome you with different climates depending on your holiday location. The west side of the country is soft and humid. The east side has hot summers and cold winters (rarely more than - 10°C). The Mediterranean side, on the other hand, is very hot in the summer and soft in the winter (mostly raining) whereas the mountain climate is known for its long and cold winters.
Vegetation in France
Concerning the greenery, France is one of the largest forest reserves in Europe, you will also find beautiful vineyards, plants, and flowers on the seaside.
Travel to France
There are many travel options to go to France such as high-speed trains and buses. There are also many cheap flights to reach your destination in France which is by far the best option. Several cities have an international airport and thus have daily connecting flights to Paris. The largest international airport, Roissy Charles de Gaulle, is in France. You can easily reach wherever you want from the airport.
Find Cheap Flights to France
Places to Visit in France
The great diversity of landscapes in France is a major asset.
Mont St-Michel
It is one of France's most visited tourist attractions with more than a million visitors a year. Mont St Michel is a rocky island connected to the mainland by a small access voice that was formerly covered by the Channel at high tide.
Châteaux de la Loire
The special aspect of these castles is that most of them have been reworked in the French Renaissance at a time when the court of kings of France was in this region.
Côte d'Azur
It is an area that extends over several jurisdictions such as the Alpes Maritime. This is the place where Nice, Antibes, St Tropez, Toulon and Monaco are.The main tourist attraction is of course the view of the Méditerranée and the heavenly climate you will enjoy.
Provence
Provence offers you more in addition to its pleasant climate and places to visit. In Provence, you will find the cities of Avignon, Arles, Aix-en-Provence, Marseille and you will spend unforgettable times in the small charming villages and gardens.
Paris
Parisian architecture with all its diversity, many buildings will blow your mind away. You will be confronted with ancient monuments such as the very famous Notre Dame de Paris cathedral. Also known as the capital of fashion along with New York, London and Milan, it's the perfect place to go shopping. Many shopping centers including small shops and thrift shops satisfy the shopaholics that you are. Among them are Galeries Lafayette, Printemps Haussmann, Beaugrenelle etc.
Dune du Pilat
Located at the entrance of the Arcachon bay, the dune du Pilat is with its 110.9m the highest dune of Europe. A true wonder of nature, it attracts nearly two million visitors every year.
Calanques de Marseille
Typical of the Mediterranean sea, the creeks are particular geological shapings partly submerged by the sea. It is in the region of Marseille that you will find the most beautiful examples and in particular the Calanque de Sormiou. Take a boat trip from the Old Port of Marseille to discover them.
Traditional Food in France
France has always enjoyed a unanimous and unrivaled culinary reputation on an international scale. With its many regions and cultural heritage, France has a pool of traditional dishes out of the ordinary and specific to each region.
Let us give you an overview of the main typical dishes of France :
- The Cassoulet: Beans-sausage-pork rind- lardons
- The blanquette de veau: Veal stew
- The Gratin Dauphinois: Potatoes with cream coked in the oven
- The Boeuf Bourguignon : Beef
- The Pot au feu: Vegetables
- The quiche lorraine: Cheese and bacon quiche
- The Bouillabaisse: Fish soup
- The Coq au vin: Chicken casserole
When in France, it would be impossible to enjoy these delicious dishes without a glass of good wine. Beaujolais, Saint-Emilion or Chablis would be the best options for you. You can be sure that you will have one of the best dinners of your life in France.
Things You Need to Know Before Going to France
- If you are a European or Swiss citizen, you can travel freely in France for a maximum period of 3 months. Beyond that period, you will need to apply for a residence permit which will be valid for 5 years. If you are non-European, you must have a valid passport but a short-stay visa is no longer required. You can learn the details of the France visa application process from the "France Visa Guide" article.
- In case of sickness, if you are a resident of a country of the European Union you just need to apply for your European Health Insurance Card. If you are a non-European visitor,you will not be covered. Remember to keep the medical bills (doctors or hospitals) so that you can be reimbursed back in your country.
- In France, you must be at least 21 years old to rent a car and have at least 1 year of license. If you come across with a police search, you should be able to present an ID (passport, identity card) and provide the original driving license
Holidays and Festivals in France
Wherever you are in France, there is always an event nearby. Here are the most important ones.
31 Dec: New Year's eve - You will celebrate it hanging out on the Champs-Elysées like many parisians do!
15-17 March: The famous book fair which is a very important cultural event in France.
May: The Cannes Cinema Festival is a very important event in France. Famous actors and actresses in the world attend to the Cannes.
21 June: French people celebrate the coming of summer with music.
July: Tour de France takes place in July. It is the most prestigious cycling race in the world.
August: Ferias and corridas take place in Nimes or Bayonne. It is a very famous event since 1952.
Christmas: In December, the streets of France is full of Christmas markets. The most popular one is in Strasbourg.
