France

Welcome to France

France, renowned officially as the French Republic, is a country situated in Western Europe. It also shares borders with Belgium, Luxembourg, Italy, Spain, Monaco, Germany, Andorra, and Switzerland. This country has an alluring beauty that is magnetic enough to pull in anyone and fascinate everyone with its beauty. Not only that, but France’s impact on world politics, economy, and culture has defined its history as well. It is worth mentioning that in the 1st century BCE, during the Roman Empire, France’s name was “Gaul.” However, in the 5th century, after the fall of the Western Roman Empire, the name gradually changed to “Francia,” then to “France.” Nevertheless, since France nowadays is mostly known for art and literature, these started to beautifully flourish, specifically in the Renaissance Era, the 16th century, which also contributed to the world’s literature and art simultaneously. Furthermore, the last republic, also known as the Fifth Republic, was established in 1958 by Charles de Gaulle, and this sovereignty stays as the current government structure. 

Paris is the capital city of France; it is also known as “The City of Love” and “The City of Light” (La Ville Lumière). This city is home to over 2 million residents, and it is not only the pinpoint of commerce, culture, finance, and industry in France but the world as well, as numerous festivals, fashion shows, galleries, and headquarters of companies are based here, including L’Oréal, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Hermès, Christian Dior, and many more. Whether you are a history buff, a foodie, or a fashionista, Paris has something to enchant you, such as the Eiffel Tower. This is the iconic symbol of not only Paris but overall France. After that, you should not miss out on the Louvre Museum, as this is the biggest museum of art in the world and it displays world-famous works like Venus de Milo and Mona Lisa. And if you are more interested in diving into the culture and the day-to-day life in Paris, then you have to visit Marché aux Puces de St-Ouen, as it is one of the biggest flea markets in the world and offers everything that you can think of! While having a blast, you’d love to enjoy these must-try French cuisines, such as Ratatouille (a vegetable stew consisting of bell peppers, onions, tomatoes, zucchini, eggplant, and herbs), Croissant (a flaky, buttery pastry), and Crêpes (thin pancakes filled with chocolate, cheese, or fruits).

Interesting Facts About France

• After Germany, France has the second-largest population of EU nations.
• The license plates that we see today on automobiles were first introduced in France.
• Between 1814 and 1830, the French flag was plain white (no color, just white).
• Until 2012, wearing trousers for women in France was illegal.
• The Eiffel Tower is named after its engineer, ‘Gustave Eiffel.’
• Paris alone has 5,000 restaurants.