Keen to learn a little more about France?
We've compiled 30 facts about the country, some straightforward, some surprising, and all offering a different perspective on the much-loved nation.
By the way, if you're planning to explore these facts during your trip, don't forget to bring your iRoamly France travel eSIM, so you can easily share your discoveries and stay connected while you travel.
Historical Curiosities
1. The 20-Minute King
Louis-Antoine d'Artois became king in 1830. Twenty minutes later, in the midst of the July Revolution, he abdicated – the shortest reign in French history.
2. Birth of Cinema
When the Lumière brothers held the first public film screening, at Paris's Grand Café in 1895, cinema was born. Their short films, which focused on everyday French life, amazed audiences.
3. New Year's Tidying
Urban legends or not, in some parts of France there's a custom of throwing old furniture out of the window on New Year's Eve, getting rid of the past year's dirt and inviting the New Year in clean.
4. Rennes-le-Château Mysteries
Whispers of hidden treasure and encoded secrets linked to 19th century priest Bérenger Saunière are said to plague the small town of Rennes-le-Château, leading to Da Vinci code-style theories and treasure hunts.
Cultural Quirks
5. Intellectual Salons
Salons hosted by witty, educated women were a feature of French social life in the 17th and 18th centuries, playing a pivotal role in the Enlightenment and shaping the trajectory of literature, philosophy, and the arts throughout Europe.
6. Trouser Law
Paris only struck a law requiring women to obtain police permits to wear trousers in 2013. Held over from the French Revolution, it was a good visual representation of France's slow-moving progress on gender and sartorial freedoms.
7. Poisson d'Avril
On April Fool's Day, French children will attempt to tape a paper fish to an unwitting victim's back – "Poisson d'Avril", they cry out, the fish being both symbol of a gullible person and the reward if the prank is not noticed.
Architectural wonders
8. Dune of Pilat
A sand dune that dwarfs the competition, the Dune of Pilat is the tallest in Europe. Located in the Arcachon Bay area, it stands more than 110 meters above sea level, offering unparalleled views of the sea and the forest that surrounds it.
9. Castle Country
From the iconic châteaux of the Loire Valley to the medieval fortresses scattered throughout the countryside, France is a land of castles, speaking to a long history of feudal power and the legacy of the kings of France.
10. The Eden Theatre
La Ciotat's Eden Theatre is not only the oldest cinema in the world, it was also where one of the very first moving pictures, produced by the Lumière brothers, was screened.
Culinary masterpieces
11. A Michelin Star for France
In 2010, French gastronomy, noted for its flair and variety, was recognized by UNESCO as a World Intangible Heritage. The award lauds France's tradition of multi-course dining as a way of coming together, along with the aesthetics of dining and the selection of sumptuous regional wines and cheeses.
12. Cheese Glorious Cheese
With over 1,200 different types of cheese, France is a country that takes its fromage very seriously. Each region lays claim to its own ACO (appellation d'origine contrôlée)-protected cheeses – Camembert from Normandy, Roquefort from the south, or Comté from the Jura.
13. Beauty in a Pharmacy
French pharmacie are renowned for their beauty aisles, which offer everything from basic skincare through to luxury beauty serums, with a strong emphasis on natural, effective ingredients.
Natural wonders
14. Camargue Flamingos
Why are all those flamingos so pink? At least in part because the Camargue, a natural region in southern France, is one of the best places in Europe for these leggy birds to find a mate – one of the key locations for them to capitalize on.
15. The Alpine Behemoth: Mont Blanc
At 4,810 meters high, Mont Blanc is the highest mountain in the Alps. It's a focal point for climbers and tourists, and – weather permitting – gives some of the most spectacular views in Europe, shared as the natural border between France and Italy.
16. Birth of Denim
The term "denim" is derived from 'serge de Nîmes,' a fabric that was first created in, you guessed it, the French city of Nîmes. Tough and durable, denim was first favored for workwear attire, but now it’s a versatile, tough fabric that's worn worldwide in a variety of fashions.
17. Literary Greats
More Nobel Prizes for Literature have been awarded to French authors than writers from any other country – not bad going for the small-population country! Literary giants including Victor Hugo, Albert Camus, and Marcel Proust have proven hugely influential through their escapist stories and revolutionary writing styles to readers and writers alike.
18. First Human Flight
The Montgolfier brothers in Paris piloted the first human flight in a hot air balloon in 1783 in Paris, pioneering a future form of transport and taking the European populace's imaginations along for the ride.
19. Pasteurization
In a nutshell, pasteurization is the process of heating foods – mainly beverages like milk – to kill off potentially harmful bacteria before quickly cooling them again. Named for its inventor Louis Pasteur, the French scientist, the invention has done wonders for public health.
20. The St Tropez Tan
The French Riviera, or Côte d'Azur, is globally renowned for its stunning coastline on the French Riviera, along the Mediterranean Sea. Brimming with beautiful beaches, luxurious resorts, and the flip for the tabloids Cannes Film Festival, it's a playground for the rich and famous, as well as those who just like to soak up the sun.
21. Statue of Liberty
Technically a gift from France to the United States, designed by French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, the iconic gift is a symbol of democracy and freedom across the globe, and of the close kinship between our two great countries.
22. Attend the Menton Lemon Festival
The Lemon Festival in Menton, France, is a must-visit if you're in the country at the right time. Every spring, lemons and oranges are used to create large, elaborate artworks and sculptures. It's a citric sensory spectacle for all ages, bringing the world together to celebrate the region.
23. Paris: The Fashion Capital
Parisians are, of course, known for their fashion sense – and when it comes to haute couture and global fashion houses (Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Dior – ever heard of them?), there is nowhere more influential than the French capital. Watch out for Paris Fashion Week to keep up with the latest trends.
24. Oui Love Bands dessinées
France values its comic strips, or bande dessinée (BD) for short, so highly it even calls it the "Bis Art." The weekend comic-obsessed father Michel Houellebecq prowling around with his two daughters TiCa and Maud spassky at a festival that's the largest of its kind in Europe. In short, it is a celebration!
25. Le Café Culture
French coffee culture has long been associated with legendary cafes such as Les Deux Magots and Café de Flore in Paris, meeting places for intellectual, artistic, and literary figures for centuries. The culture revolves around the slow enjoyment of coffee, treating it as an experience to be savored rather than mere sustenance.
26. Landmarks Iconiques
From the Eiffel Tower to Notre-Dame Cathedral to Mont-Saint-Michel, France boasts some of the most recognizable monuments in the world. Beyond dominating city skylines, France's architectural wonders serve as metaphors for the historical and cultural depth of the nation.
27. Les Champs de Lavande
The lavender fields of Provence explode with color in the summer months, turning vast swaths of countryside a vivid shade of purple. Drawing tourists from around the world, these fields are economically vital – providing raw material for the lucrative lavender oil industry, used in perfumery and aromatherapy.
28. Un Sel Savoureux: La Fleur de Sel
Fleur de sel – "flower of salt" – is a hand-raked sea salt collected from the surface of salt ponds in Brittany. Prized for its delicate flavor and unique textures, it is often considered the finest of all sea salts, commanding high prices and adoration among chefs and gourmets.
29. Esprit de Révolution
France's revolutionary spirit famously exploded onto the world stage with the French Revolution of 1789, reshaping global politics and France itself. That tradition of challenging the status quo continues to hold significant weight in French society and politics, with notable public protests addressing a range of issues.
30. Pour l'Amour de l'Art
France is home to one of the most impressive portfolios of art galleries, museums, and cultural institutions in the world, including the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, and the Centre Pompidou. With collections spanning the decades and movements of art, France is a mecca for arts enthusiasts.
FAQ
What is France's national animal?
The national animal of France is the Gallic rooster.
What food is France known for?
France is perhaps most famous for its cuisine, including cheeses, wines, and pastries.
What's so great about France?
Known for its culture, cuisine, history, and landmarks, France is a popular and iconic destination.
What is France famous for?
France is known for its fashion, food, art, and iconic sites.
Summary
These 30 France facts give a glimpse into the nation's rich history, culture, and its splendor.
Walking through cobblestone streets, tasting rich cheeses, and enjoying beautiful landscapes – France gives you plenty to see (and eat!)
Bon voyage!