France – A Quick & Quirky Guide
Official name: French Republic (République française)
Area: ~551,700 km² – the largest country in the EU (“l’Hexagone” because of its shape)
Population: ~68 million (2024)
Location: Western Europe, bordered by Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Andorra, Monaco, plus the Atlantic and Mediterranean
Form of government: Semi-presidential republic (translation: they like having both a president and a prime minister, just in case)
Head of State: President Emmanuel Macron
Prime Minister: Gabriel Attal (since 2024)
Capital city: Paris (~11 million metro area, ~2 million within the city limits)
Time zone: Central European Time (UTC+1 / +2 in summer)
Official language: French (and yes, they will correct your pronunciation)
Currency: Euro (€)
EU member: Founding member (since 1957)
Schengen area: Yes, since 1995
Top 10 Largest Cities (metro area population)
Paris – ~11 million
Lyon – ~2.3 million
Marseille – ~1.8 million
Lille – ~1.5 million
Toulouse – ~1.4 million
Bordeaux – ~1.2 million
Nice – ~1 million
Nantes – ~0.9 million
Strasbourg – ~0.8 million
Montpellier – ~0.6 million
✈️ Popular Tourist Cities & Regions
Paris – Eiffel Tower, Louvre, baguettes, existentialism.
Nice & French Riviera – Glamour, yachts, and sun you didn’t pack enough sunscreen for.
Lyon – The food capital of France (yes, even Parisians admit it).
Bordeaux & Champagne – Wine, wine, and did we mention wine?
Loire Valley – Castles that make Disney jealous.
Normandy – D-Day beaches, Camembert cheese, and cider.
Strasbourg – Half-timbered houses and a Christmassy vibe all year round.
🌦 Climate
Varies like French fashion:
North: Temperate, drizzle-friendly.
South: Mediterranean, sunny and hot.
Alps & Pyrenees: Cold, snowy, and ideal for skiing (or pretending to ski while sipping mulled wine).
Overall: expect sunshine with a chance of strikes.
Culture & Daily Life
Food & wine: Basically a religion. Meals are slow, sacred, and delicious.
Strikes & protests: Considered a national pastime.
Art & philosophy: From Monet to Sartre, culture is everywhere (and often comes with a lecture).
Fashion: Looking good is mandatory, even when buying baguettes in slippers.
Food & Drink
Classics: Croissants, baguettes, escargots (yes, snails), foie gras, and crème brûlée.
Cheese: Over 1,000 types — one for every mood swing.
Wine: France practically invented the concept of pairing it with everything.
Regional stars: Cassoulet (southwest), bouillabaisse (Provence), raclette (Alps).
Drinks: Champagne, cognac, pastis — and gallons of café.
Summary
France is Europe’s cultural superstar: art, fashion, food, and enough wine to float a battleship. It’s the most visited country in the world, famous for romance, revolutions, and the occasional national strike. Whether you come for the Eiffel Tower, the Riviera sun, or just to eat cheese in bulk — France always delivers.