Fifteen Interesting Facts About France
Musée du Louvre. Paris, France. Source: Unsplash
France, with its rich history, cultural diversity, and culinary excellence, stands as a country of remarkable achievements and unique characteristics. Here are 15 interesting things about France you might not know that contribute the country’s richness.
France is the largest country in the European Union: France holds the title of the largest country in the European Union. The surface area of metropolitan France is approximately 551,695 square kilometers. If we include the overseas departments, the total surface area of France reaches around 643,801 square kilometers.
France is the country with the most Nobel Prizes for literature: France boasts an impressive literary tradition, having won the most Nobel Prizes for Literature. French authors have made significant contributions to world literature, with laureates like Albert Camus, and Jean-Paul Sartre and more recently, Annie Ernaux.
France has over 400 kinds of cheese: France is a cheese lover's paradise, with a variety of over 400 types of cheese. This means you could savor a different cheese every day of the year. My personal favorites are Comté and Ossau-Iraty.
France has the second largest railway network in Europe: The French railway system ranks as the second largest in Europe, after Germany’s, connecting cities and regions across the country with efficiency and speed.
France has the biggest museum in the world: The Louvre in Paris is not only the largest museum in France but also in the world. Housing a vast collection of art and historical artifacts, including the iconic Mona Lisa, it attracts millions of visitors annually.
The French gastronomy is UNESCO-recognized: French gastronomy, renowned for its craftsmanship and culinary techniques was officially honored as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2010, acknowledging its cultural significance and global influence.
France is the most visited country in the world: Tourists come to France in record numbers, making it the most visited country in the world. The allure of Paris, the French Riviera, the French Alps and historical landmarks such as Versailles Castle or Mont Saint-Michel contribute to its popularity.
France’s national animal is a rooster: The Gallic Rooster, or Coq Gaulois, is the national animal of France. It symbolizes vigilance and courage and is often seen on official emblems and symbols.
Source: Unsplash
French is an official language in 29 Countries: French is not only the official language of France but also holds official status in 29 countries worldwide such as Belgium, Canada and Switzerland, emphasizing its global influence.
France’s nickname is L’Hexagone: France is often referred to as L’Hexagone due to its roughly hexagonal shape on the map.
France is the country with the most time zones in the world: France, including its overseas territories, spans the most time zones of any country. This is due to its territories in the Pacific (French Polynesia, New Caledonia, etc.) and Indian (Reunion, Mayotte, etc.) Oceans.
France has more roundabouts than any other country in the world: France is renowned for its love of roundabouts. With thousands of circular intersections across the country, they are a common feature of French road networks.
Paris Gare du Nord is Europe’s busiest railway station: Each year, more than 214 million passengers commute through it. I was there just yesterday and I can only confirm!
The longest book in the world is French: According to the Guinness World Records, the longest novel ever written is A la recherche du temps perdu (In Search of Lost Time) by Marcel Proust, a literary masterpiece spanning thousands of pages.
France is home to Europe’s highest mountain: Mont Blanc, located in the French Alps on the Italian border, is the highest mountain in Western Europe, standing at an impressive 4,810 meters.
France's multifaceted identity, from its literary prowess to culinary excellence and diverse geography, makes it a country of enduring fascination for people around the globe.
Did you know about this? Do you know any other interesting facts about France you would like to share with us? Let us know in the comments section below.
Lilas, OLS Community Manager — French
Mont-Blanc, France. Source: Unsplash