France Travel Guide

France Country; The Ultimate France Travel Guide

 

France is a beautiful country located in southwestern Europe. It can be said that France, with an area of more than 640 square kilometers, is the largest country in Western Europe and the European Union, as well as the third-largest country in continental Europe. It should be noted that France is located in the neighborhood of important countries such as Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Belgium, etc. In addition to its geographical and political location, France is one of the most popular countries in Europe for tourists due to its diverse climates and many sights. For this reason, on this page of Lilimag, we want to introduce you to France as well as its tourist attractions:

France Travel Guide
Things to Know About France Country

France Country Profile

France is one of the best European countries, and tourists from many different countries travel to France every year. But before going on a travel guide to France, we need to acquaint you with the characteristics of this country. These include:

France History

According to the earliest evidence, humans lived in France about 1.8 million years ago. In the face of various climatic factors, these humans have begun to live nomadic and hunter-gatherer lives. France has many caves, such as Lascaux, which date back to the Paleolithic. After the end of the last glacial period (around 10,000 BC), the region’s climate returned to normal, and around 7,000 BC, the region entered the Neolithic period. Then we see growth and prosperity in population and agriculture, which happened in the middle of the fourth and third millennium.

But perhaps the greatest historical event in France is the French Revolution, which in 1789 marked the beginning of a new era in the history of France and the world. Danton and Robespierre, the revolution’s leaders, brutally killed the internal opposition and ushered in an era of terror. Robespierre’s opponents ousted and executed in 1794 but failed to secure the country. Under these circumstances, Napoleon Bonaparte staged a coup in 1799 and proclaimed himself emperor in 1804. With the defeat of Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815, Louis XVIII became king. During his time, the Congress of Vienna was formed, and the borders of Central Europe, including France and Germany, were established. At the end of World War I, France recaptured Alsace and Lorraine from Germany despite heavy losses. In June 1940, during France’s Nazi German lightning invasion, Marshall Patten signed a non-aggression pact with Germany on France, and Hitler’s puppet government came to power in France. At the same time, General Charles de Gaulle established the French Republic in exile in London. With the liberation of France in 1944, General de Gaulle’s government was transferred to Paris. After a year, the French colonies gradually gained independence. The last major French colony was Algeria, which gained independence in 1961. To learn more about the history of France, you can watch the video below:

Things to Know About France Country
France Country Guide

France Economy & Government

France accounts for about one-fifth of Europe’s GDP. The service sector is the most important sector of the country’s economy, with more than 70% share. France is one of the largest producers of aerospace, rail, automotive, cosmetics, and luxury goods in terms of industry. On the other hand, the level of labor education in this country is high. France has the highest proportion of university-educated labor per thousand labor force in Europe. In this respect, it is even higher than Germany. On the other hand, France is also a leader in the tourism industry. France is the most popular tourist destination globally, and more than 83 million tourists enter France every year, which owes 7% of France’s GDP. France’s tourism revenue has been about $ 65 billion a year in recent years. In comparison, for example, Iran’s annual revenue from crude oil sales is about $ 94 billion. France is also the most popular ski destination in the world. There are about 20,000 hotels and 3,900 museums in France. The Louvre and Versailles Museum alone attracts more than 12 million tourists, and about 6 million people visit the Eiffel Tower each year.

The type of government in France is semi-presidential, and the parliament consists of two parts, the National Assembly and the Senate. France is one of the most important and influential countries in the world politically and economically. He is also one of the founders of the United Nations and a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.

France Climate

The climate of France varies from city to city, depending on the weather conditions. The northern and northeastern parts of France have a temperate climate. The southern parts of the country also have a Mediterranean climate. The western parts of France have an oceanic climate with high rainfall and mild winters, and hot summers. So other areas usually have hot summers and sometimes stormy and cold winters. It should be noted that in Paris city, it rarely snows, and the rain is drizzle with fog. The driest month of the year in France is in May, and the driest part of the country is the Mediterranean coast in the south of France, where the rainfall is weighty in spring and autumn.

Other Important France Facts

  • France Capital City: Paris is the capital of France. Other important cities include Marseille, Lyon, Nice, Toulouse, Strasbourg and Lille.
  • Neighboring Countries of France: Belgium, Germany, and Luxembourg to the north, Italy and Switzerland to the east, and Spain to the south are France’s neighbors.
  • France Country Code: +33
  • France Currency: Euro (€)
  • France Language: French
  • France Population: 67,081,000 (June 2020)
  • France Time Zone: GMT+1
  • France Coastline: 4,668 km
  • France Symbols: The Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, Cathedral of Notre Dame & The Palace of Versailles (To know more about this palace & its history click here: Palace of Versailles history)
  • France Flag: The flag of France consists of blue, white, and red colors, which are placed vertically next to each other, respectively. Along with the above, these flags are the most important symbols of France’s country.
  • France Religion: Half of France’s population is Christian. Muslims make up only 5% and Jews less than 1% of the population.

France Country Profile
Introduction to the Country of France

France Travel Guide

A trip of a few days is not enough to enjoy all the beauties of France. Everyone who travels to France once counts the moments to see this spectacular country again. Travel guide to France gives you complete information about this country:

Best Places to Visit in France Country

In addition to natural attractions, France hosts more than 80 million tourists annually with its ancient monuments, diverse museums, unique cuisine, cinemas, and theaters with unforgettable programs and numerous art galleries. The Alps, Lake Bourgeoisie, and the Chambery Mountains are some of the country’s most popular natural attractions. As a symbol of the country, the Eiffel Tower, with a height of 342 meters and 1665 steps, is considered one of the most important sights in the world. The Louvre Museum in France is also one of the most famous museums globally and is a tourist destination with an amazing collection of works and objects. One of the Louvre’s most valuable assets is the Mona Lisa smile painting. Notre Dame de Paris is another masterpiece of French architecture. Charles de Gaulle and Champs Elysees are also some of the most famous streets in the world that cannot be missed.

Other famous French tourist destinations are Cannes, famous for its famous film festivals and its charming public beaches, Menthon with the magnificent Château de Menthon, and Bordeaux with the old church of Saint-André. Some of France’s most famous landmarks include Disneyland Paris, the Palace of Versailles, the Royal Palace of France, the Place de la Bastille, the Arc de Triomphe, and the Luxembourg Gardens of Paris, Les Catacombes de Paris, the Panthéon, the Pont des Arts and the other things to do in Paris. With a unique history in art and literature, France is also full of artistic and literary tourist attractions, including the Museum of Fine Arts in Lyon, the Tomb of Oscar Wilde, the Paris Opera House, the Matisse Museum, the Comedy Jazz Club, the Parcels Cemetery, the house of Victor Hugo, the house of Honoré de Balzac, the Picasso Museum and the house of Jean Cocteau (read more).

France Travel Cost

France is a relatively expensive country. To stay in cities in France, you can choose hotels or hostels in the city. It should be noted that the cost of accommodation is relatively luxury hotels varies between 160 and 200 euros per person per night. To save on your travel expenses, you can also stay in hostels and pay between 15 and 40 euros per night.

French restaurants usually have an expensive menu. For example, you have to spend about 40 euros to have a meal in a restaurant in this country. The best way to manage travel expenses to France is to prepare raw materials and cook food. You should also know that visiting the tourist attractions of this country is not free and you have to pay between 9 and 20 Euros to enter most of them. So as you can see, France is an expensive country, and if you have a small budget for travel, this country is not for you!

France Travel Guide
Things You Should Know before France Travel Itineraries

Other France Travel Tips

  • Travel to France in the quietest seasons. The best time of year is autumn or early spring (read more).
  • Before the trip, learn a few practical sentences in French and use them to communicate with the locals.
  • Instead of shopping around the Eiffel Tower or the Lafayette Gallery, go to local small shops. The price of goods in these stores is lower!
  • Instead of staying at a cheap hotel in the suburbs, stay in the city center. The hotel may be more expensive downtown, but access to transportation, restaurants and other entertainment venues will improve.
  • You should not speak loudly in public places such as the subway or restaurants!
  • The French people are not interested in talking about politics, religion, and other sensitive issues. Instead, you can talk to a Frenchman about sports, fashion, monuments, and local stories. They love these things!
  • Do not start eating while sitting at the dinner table until the host says “Bon appétit”!
  • As soon as you sit down to eat, place your napkin on your knees, and place your hands on the table with your elbows off the table. You should also note that wine cherries are less than half full and should never be poured to the edge of the wine cherries. The bread breaks, and you should not cut the bread. Take the salad with a special fork, and do not use your knife or fork. These are the most important eating habits in France!
  • Never wear comfortable pants or shorts while walking the streets of Paris. Or, more importantly, you should know that wearing comfortable pants or shorts while eating in a restaurant is considered disrespectful. French people have a special interest in stylish clothing.
France Country Profile
Most Important France Travel Advice

We suggest you watch the video below to get more acquainted with the sights of France :


Every year, France is among the countries that receive a lot of tourists. For this reason, the travel guide to France is handy and can help you have a memorable trip. To learn more about this country and its sights, follow Lilimag’s France page.