Europe: France

For the traveller in France, you will find gorgeous nature and geography. France is situated in Western Europe and neighbouring Spain and Belgium, the Mediterranean Sea between Spain and Italy. Other neighbouring countries include Monaco, Germany, Andorra, Italy, and Switzerland.

The French nature lover is spoiled with diversity due to the sea and mountains creating different weather and thus plant life throughout the country.

France’s countryside consists of 500 square miles of water, 2,000 miles of coastline and a climate of warm summers and mild winters. France is a country that takes care of its environment and has many International agreements, taking care of organic compounds, air pollution, marine life etc.
For the visitor to France there are many stunning Nature Reserves to visit. They include:
Pilat Nature Reserve (half an hour from Lyon)
Monts d’Ardèche Nature Reserve (most recent)
Chartreuse Nature Reserve (the greenest with dark forests)
Vercors Nature Reserve (most historical)
Haut Jura Nature Reserve (most wooded)

This amazing country of France has 96 départements which is unite-divisions of administration and 5 overseas departments, or départements d'outre-mer, in the Pacific island groups of Tahiti, New Caledonia and French Guiana, French Polynesia and Réunion, (in the Indian Ocean east of Madagascar), the Caribbean islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe and south of Newfoundland the Saint Pierre and Miquelon.

The National Anthem, the Marseillaise was written by Claude Joseph Rouget de Lisle and the flag, accepted in 1794 by the National Convention, dates back to 1789 when, during the ruling of the Bourbon family, Louis XVI had to add the red and blue to the white-only flag.

FAST FACTS of France:

Capital and Largest City Paris

Area 674, 843 Sq km

Entry requirements into France is a valid passport.

The best time of year to visit France is from May to August, yet late spring is fantastic too!

Public Holidays of France
January 1
Easter Sunday
Easter Monday
May 1, Labor Day
May 8, Anniversary 1945 Victory in Europe Day
Ascension Day
Whitsunday
Whitmonday
July 14, Bastille Day
August 15, Assumption Day
November 1, All Saint's Day
November 11, Armistice Day
December 25

The official Language is French

The French Government is Unitary Republic

The President of France is Jacques Chirac and the Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin

Population: 63,587,700 (Jan 2006 estimate)

Currency: Euro (Whole French territory except its overseas territories), CFP Franc (French Overseas Territories in the Pacific Ocean only)

Calling Code: +33

The Travel-Informed Team

You are welcome to send us comments or suggestions of what you would like us to cover on this page (), we always enjoy hearing from you.

READ MORE ON FRANCE
France, Family Fun
France, Gardens