France Facts

Did you know that France was under British rule for more than three centuries? Find out more interesting facts about this amazing European country!

• France is the largest nation in Western Europe.

• France’s population is about 64.7 million people (2010).

• 20% of the French people live in the Parisian region.

• Paris is not only the capital of France, but also the largest and most popular tourist destination in France.
  

  To protect the tower from the elements, it was coated with 60 tons of paint. It was since been repainted 18 times.

• The Millau Viaduct in southern France is the world’s tallest bridge.

• An interesting fact in France: the Eiffel Tower is one of the most famous and most visited attractions in Europe.

• The French TGV has an average speed of 263.3 km/hr from station to station.

• The Statue of Liberty was made in France, and transferred to the United States as a gift for the 100th anniversary of its independence in 1876.

• The Mont Blanc mount is the highest point in France.

• France has only had 3 presidents in the last 32 years (since 1974).

• France is also home to the Louvre, one of the largest art museums in the world.

• France is where the Gothic art and the Baroque style of architecture were born.

• The country is one of the largest wine-producing nations in the world.

• The average French citizen eats 500 snails each year.

• Every day two new cookbooks published in France!

• The French fries and French toast were not invented in France.

• There are over 300 kinds of cheese made in France.

• Soccer, bicycling and tennis are favorite sports in France.

• The French kiss each other on the cheeks as a form of greeting.

• It is illegal to kiss on the railways in France.

• In very exceptional cases, you could marry a deceased person with the permission of the President.