Italy stands at 54, China 5 and Spain 47; while France and Germany are tied at 44 each. Abbé Henri Grégoire’s “Report on the Necessity and Means of Exterminating Patois and Universalizing the French language” is published. France was the first modern country to legalize same-. 20. 3. Fun France Facts #12. Construction completed on the Canal du Midi, which joins the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. The Franks invade and kick out the Romans; Alsace is overrun by the Allemanii (Germans). The route changes from year to year. Nicolas Sarkozy is inaugurated as President and fulfills his promise to fill half his cabinet positions with women and brings in people from across the political divide. Jean Dujardin is the first and only French actor to have ever won Best Actor at the Academy Awards for his role in “The Artist” in 2011. France facts: tourism. Accessed: June 10, 2014. Largest country: The European part of Russia covers more area than any other country. Jeanne d’Arc (Joan of Arc) is burned at the stake for heresy. France signs Maastricht Treaty on European Union. Well, with an area of 551,000 square kilometers, it occupies almost 20% of the entire EU space. Germany surrenders to Allied Forces at 2:41 a.m. on May 7th. 5 French Language Facts: 1. France ranks first among all European countries in the production of agricultural products. Tourism accounted for 7.3% of French GDP in 2013. Five centuries of Merovingian and Carolingian rule end with the crowning of Hugh Capet and the Capetian dynasty is born. 1. March 2014. France obtained many overseas possessions in the Americas, Africa and Asia. France attracts international condemnation by conducting a series of nuclear tests in the Pacific Ocean. Discover more by checking out the interesting France facts in the gallery above. Highwayman Nicolas Jacques Pelletier was the first Frenchman to have his head sliced off on April 25, 1792, in Place de Grève on, Napoleon Bonaparte overthrew the ruling French Directoire (Directory) in 1799 and, by referendum, declared himself First Consul for life. Facts about French Culture 4: France’s animals. 2Ardagh, John. Fact file of France remains incomplete until it is mentioned that wine is mostly free with every meal in France, and beer is considered a luxury. October 4, 2012. Holy See officially orders the beatification of Jeanne d’Arc (Joan of Arc). On July 19th, the first Metro line in Paris opens. In 2018, 89.4 million tourists from foreign countries visited France, the first tourist destination in the world ahead of Spain (82.8 million) and the USA (80 million). France is sometimes known as “The Hexagon” due to the fact that it has six sides. Versailles Facts 44. Beloved Paris was a Roman city originally. “French Woman Marries Dead Partner.” The Guardian. The race lasts up to three weeks and is held in July. Eyewitness Travel. Hi! Updated March 6, 2014. A jewel of Europe, Norway offers a dazzling mix of history and natural wonder. Socialist François Hollande is elected president. The celebration actually commemorates the storming of the Bastille Prison on July 14, 1789, which sparked the French Revolutionary War. France’s flag has three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), white, and red. French President Charles de Gaulle is included in the Guinness Book of World Records as surviving more assassination attempts—32—than anyone in the world. Today we’re headed to the country that boasts La Ville Des Lumières, and has more cheese and wine than you can shake a stick at. Accessed: June 10, 2014. Treaty of Rome creates the European Economic Community. France’s highest point, also the highest point in Europe, is Mont Blanc at 15,771 feet (4,807 m) high. French postage stamps were introduced in 1849 with the first definitive stamp showing Ceres, the Roman goddess of agriculture. Both Gaulish, a Celtic language which was spoken in ancient Gaul before the Roman invasion, and Old Frankish also left their mark on the French language. On December 2nd, Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte (Emperor Napoleon III) seizes control of France by coup d’état. After checking out these facts about France, discover some of the most fascinating facts about New York . 5Davies, Lizzie. 1Applin, Richard and Joseph Montchamp. Accessed: June 10, 2014. “Is French Toast Really French?” Slate.com. Frenchman Ferdinand de Lesseps is famous for engineering the Suez and Panama Canals. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Almost called the atome (atom), rather than the bikini, the scanty two-piece bathing suit was the 1946 creation of Cannes fashion designer Jacques Heim and French automotive engineer Louis Réard. Proclamation of the Third Republic. And counting. Fact 7. One of the interesting facts in France is the high number of UNESCO heritage sites. Agricultural lands occupy 4/5 of the entire French territory. Here are 25 Interesting Facts About France. French Culture and Society: The Essentials. September 16, 2003. Little House on the French Prairie. Widely recognized for awe-inspiring architecture and gorgeous countrysides, France is also frequently spoken of for its destinations such as Paris and the Palace of Versailles. An English book  contains the first ever mention of French toast, A French newspaper journalist created the Tour de France, A star by Notre Dame marks the Point Zero of Paris, The Eiffel Tower came close to being torn down in 1909, The storming of France's north beaches during World War II was crucial in ending the Nazi occupation of Europe. France is selected to host the world’s first nuclear fusion reactor at Cadarache, near Marseille. Updated 2014. The average person in France consumes 11.5 quarts (10.9 liters) of pure alcohol per year, compared to 8.7 quarts (8.2 liters) in the UK and 6.7 quarts (6.3 liters) in the U.S. 16Reid, Tim. They are some basic Facts about France that almost everybody knows but in this post, we are going to tell you some surprising and interesting facts about France. It opens to passengers in 1832, and horses are replaced by steam in 1844. Accessed: March 17, 2014. The Viaduc de Millau, designed by British Architect Sir Norman Foster, carried a massive 4.43 million vehicles in 2005, its first year of operation. “Durex Global Sex Survey.” 2003. The guillotine remained the official method of execution in France until the death penalty was abolished in 1981. The Ordinance of Villers-Cotterêts makes French the official language of all legal documents. Chicago IL: Fitzroy Dearborn Publishers, 2003. The Bayeux Tapestry, created in the 1070s, shows the story of how William the Conqueror and his Norman forces conquered England in 1066. November 17, 2009. 8. His birthday became a national holiday, and in 1804, Pope Pius VII crowned him emperor in, Despite the myth of the French Resistance during. Despite his great military conquests, Napoleon Bonaparte—who came from the town of Ajaccio on the French territory of Corsica—is considered Corsica’s second most famous son. “Paris Has Only One Stop Sign: Police.” The Local: French Edition. July 25, 2011. Louis XIX Reigned for only 20 minutes. 44. First official census taken of the population of France. When all of France’s possessions around the world are taken into account, including French Polynesia, French Guyana, and Martinique, France occupies the most time zones of any country: 12 of them. Louis XIV accedes to the throne; Cardinal Mazarin is his chief minister; Louis XIV moves the royal court to Paris and builds Versailles. “France, U.S. Have Highest Rates of Depression in the World, Study Suggests.” Bloomberg News. Known as. The game is played by two or more children, even alone. Public coaches are permitted to use staging posts. 2. She made major discoveries in radioactivity and won two Nobel Prizes: the first in Physics (1903) with her husband Pierre Curie, the second in Chemistry (1911) after his. French became the most-used language in diplomacy, science, literature and international affairs, and remained so until the 20th century. An unknown during his lifetime, Dutch Master Vincent Van Gogh painted most of his masterpieces in France (in the southern city of Arles and in Auvers-sur-Oise outside of, Europe’s largest canyon, the plunging Gorges du Verdon—also known as. France welcomes some 89 million visitors annually; Spain comes in second place with some 82 million visitors, while the USA comes in third with 78 million. On October 1st, the first railway in France from Saint-Étienne to Andrézieux begins. The country is named France after the conquering Franks. Universal Exhibition is held, along with the inauguration of the Eiffel Tower. 71. 9“France.” Online Etmology Dictionary. With the exception of two world-war induced intervals, the Tour de France has never missed a year. The Bayeux Tapestry is considered one of France’s national treasures. The population of France is around 6.7 crores. Nazi Regime occupies France. Originally known as “Le chant de guerre pour L’Armée du Rhin” (“War Song for the Army of the Rhine”), the National Guard of Marseille made the song famous by singing it while marching into. 13Kelly, Michael. Armistice is signed on June 17th. Read our Russia facts here. Swung into action in 1955, the Aiguille du Midi is known as Europe’s highest and scariest cable car ride. The Eiffel Tower is named after its engineer, ‘ Gustave Eiffel.’ It is one of the most recognized structures in the world, even though its construction was criticized by some of France’s leading artists and intellectuals. 5. 10“France’s Top Ten X-Rated Place Names.” The Local: France Edition. Natzweiler-Struthof, located 31 miles (50 km) southwest of Strasbourg, was the only concentration camp established by the Nazis on French soil. 12“History.” Crayola.com. 17th-century French monk Dom Pierre Pérignon’s technique for making sparkling. Accessed: March 17, 2014. Frenchman Baron Pierre de Coubertin is considered the Father of the modern Olympic Games. 18. A favorite of King Louis XV, Vacherin Mont d’Or is the only French cheese to be eaten with a spoon. August 8th marks the first recorded ascent of Mont Blanc. About 7.5 crores every year. Jules Ferry Law is enacted, which gives free, compulsory, secular education for boys and girls from 6 to 13 years of age. More than 75 million people have French as their mother tongue. 2. We have gathered complete collection of France Facts for Kids that will help you in learning all about France. With at least 75 million foreign tourists per year, France is the most visited country in the world and maintains the third-largest income in the world from tourism. Your email address will not be published. Jefferson, NC: McFarland and Company, 2004. France boasts more roundabouts than any other country. 7Fenwick, Hubert. Fact 6. ), making it … 8France. More than 20,000 soldiers of Spain and the Holy Roman Empire went rogue and … Crayola is a French word that means “oily chalk.” Alice Binney, wife of Crayola founder Edward Binney, combined the world, The Rainbow Warrior was a Greenpeace ship sent to disrupt French nuclear tests in the Pacific, and it was blown up while in harbor in. 30,000 in fact - which represents over half of all the roundabouts in the world. 14Koerner, Brendan. Louis XIII rules; Cardinal de Richelieu is his chief minister. 15. France (Inventing the Nation). Lonely Planet: France. The Louvre is the world’s most visited museum with more than 9 million yearly visitors. The Eiffel Tower is 1,063 feet (324 m) high, including the antenna at the top. France’s greatest sporting moment came when the country hosted and won  the 1998. The French government gives medals, La Médaille de La Famille Française (Medal of the French Family), to citizens who have successfully raised several children with dignity. Henri IV gives Protestants (Huguenots) freedom to practice their religion with the Edict of Nantes. Gerbert d’Aurillac, a local shepherd from the Massif Central town of Aurillac, became the first French pope, Sylvester II, in A.D. 999. Name Email. The Vichy Regime is established on July 10, 1940, led by Marshal Petain. In 1309, Pope Clement V moved the papal headquarters from, In 1431, 17-year-old virginal French warrior Jeanne d’Arc (Joan of Arc) was burned at the stake in Rouen, France. The first is. New York, NY: W.W. Norton and Company, 2007. 18Robb, Graham. London, UK: Hodder Education, 2008. The entire country of France is divided into twenty-two different regions. The From July 1st through 19th, the First Tour de France bicycle race (six stages, 1,518 miles) takes place. French physician Joseph-Ignace Guillotin invented what came to be known as the guillotine as a more humane method of execution. Site by Ready to Blog Designs. A person who can speak French fluently is known as a Francophone. France Facts Tourist Attractions in France. Oxford, UK: Vacation Work, 1998. Most everything about Russia is epic: its winters, literature, & geographical size. Facts about French Culture 5: French children’s games. His initiatives led to the creation of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the organization of the first modern games in Athens, Cross-dressing French secret agent Charles Genevieve d’Eon de Beaumont (1728-1810) was born in the town of Tonnerre and spent part of his life in England, where he wore the latest, Polish-born French physicist Marie Curie (1867-1934) was the first female professor at the Sorbonne. Placenames of France. The French created their own form of the Internet called the Minitel (or Minitel telematics system) in the 1980s, which made France a world leader in household telematics but ironically slowed France’s eventual acceptance of the Internet. Louis I moves the royal court to the Loire Valley, where the first châteaux and royal hunting lodges are built. On this blog, we share travel inspiration and planning information so that you can go on a worry-free trip. French women are granted the right to vote. 3. President François Hollande gave his speech about the November 2015 Paris attacks right from the country palace. Homosexuality and Civilization. Made only between August 15 and March 15, it derives its unique nutty taste from the spruce bark in which it is wrapped. On January 15th, France is divided into 83 départements. Quick Fact: Every summer more than 100 professional cyclists race in the Tour de France.The race is approximately 2,000 miles long. Predating Stonehenge by around 100 years, there are over 3,000 upright stones, most about thigh-high. Broadly, it comprised all lands from the Pyrenees and the Mediterranean coast of modern France to the English Channel and from the Atlantic Ocean to the Rhine River and the western Alps. The bicycle competition Tour de France has existed for more than 100 years. Oakland, CA: Lonely Planet Publications, 2007. France is the largest country by size in Europe at 248,573 m2 (643,801 km2), and that figure includes the islands of French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Mayotte, and Réunion Island. Of these 50 countries only 44 have their capital city on the European continent! France became the most populous country in Europe and had tremendous influence over European politics, economy, and culture. Brittany-born biking legend Bernard Hinault, known as Le Blaireau (The Badger), won the Tour de France five times before retiring in 1986. The Bastille falls on July 14th; feudal rights and privileges are abolished in August; revolution effects a national sale of Church property in November. Accessed: April 1, 2014. She is the only French fashion designer listed in 1999’s, The oldest and, in theory, the most prestigious monolingual French dictionary is the. Explore this dramatic country with our list of interesting Norway facts. 3Baycroft, Timothy. France is the most popular tourist destination in the world. There Are 44 UNESCO Heritage Sites In France. 3. Marie Antoinette is executed on October 16th. The Carolingian Empire was divided into three kingdoms (including, among others, parts of today's Italy, Germany and France) among the three sons of Louis the Pious. Since then, France has been oddly nostalgic about Versailles and held more prominent events there. 1-5 Interesting Facts About France 1. “Jean Dujardin wins Best Actor Oscar for ‘The Artist’.” Reuters.com. 1. 10 Facts About France France, known officially as the French Republic, comprises the landmass south of the United Kingdom, separating Spain and Portugal from the rest of Europe. The bronze flame of liberty, a replica of the torch carried by the. Châteaux of France. Dominique Strauss-Kahn, Chairman of the International Monetary Fund and a strong candidate for president, is arrested in New York City on sexual assault charges. Great for kids but grown ups can learn something too. February revolution occurs. Outside of Stonehenge, France’s Carnac (in Brittany) has the world’s greatest concentration of megalithic sites. 17Renick, Oliver. France detains the last leader of the Basque military separatist group ETA. © 2021 Fact Retriever LLC. Seven films have immortalized her life on the, Leonardo da Vinci made Château du Clos Lucé in Amboise, France, his home from 1516 until his, A bronze star set in the pavement across from the main entrance of Notre Dame Cathedral of. La semaine is the outdoor game in French. France celebrates July 14th as its Fête Nationale (Independence Day), which is the founding of its current Constitutional Monarchy, or the First Republic. France was the fourth country to acquire atomic and nuclear weapons, testing its first A-bomb in the Algerian Sahara in 1960. Interesting & Fun Facts about France. The name "Italy" conjures sparkling coastlines, delicious cuisine, and ancient history. 22Williams, Vanessa. France is a country that is well known for its medieval cities, fashion houses, Mediterranean beaches, classical art museums, monuments, wines, sophisticated cuisine, ancient cave drawings, Lyon’s Roman theater, Palace of Versailles and alpine villages. “France” Central Intelligence Agency. France is the largest in Europe by area and the 43rd largest country in the world. The three largest countries are: Russia, the Ukraine and France. Napoleon abdicates for the first time; monarchy is temporarily restored. The Channel Tunnel, which connects Kent in the U.K. with Coquelles in northern France, has the longest undersea portion of any tunnel in the world. Cave paintings found in the Vézêre Valley (Dordogne) trace back to Cro-Magnon man. A pretty funny fact about France, at least for us in Sweden, as we also have many roundabouts. Dictionary of Contemporary France. Learn fun facts about France with this interesting fact list. For two weeks every May, the city of Cannes, France, hosts the world’s most important film festival. Red wine in this country is more popular than white wine. Most tourists in the world come to France. Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette are arrested in Sainte-Menehould. France has the third largest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites of all European countries. First complete geological map of France is completed. London, UK: Robert Hale & Co, 1975. On January 13th, Zola publishes letter “J’accuse!” on the Dreyfus Affair. The Holy See moves from Rome to Avignon in southern France; the Popes stay in southern France until 1377. The Euro replaces the Franc, which was first minted 1360. 3. June 10, 2014. Chamonix’s Aiguille du Midi cable car climbs from the valley floor to a terrace beneath the Aiguille at 12,392 feet (3,777 m) in just 20 minutes. Julius Caesar launches his invasion of Britain from the Côte d’Opale in northern France; Gauls defeat the Romans at Gergovia. 21Williams, Nicola. 6. Great Barrier Reef tours: all you need to know + review, Where to stay in Yellowstone National Park. 19Room, Adrian. There is only one stop sign in the entire French city of. These departments are recognized as part of France, and hence have all the political and economic systems of mainland France which include the use of the Euro as the official currency and participating in the country’s general elections. The Discovery of France: A Historical Geography from the Revolution to the First World War. 2. France is also extremely green and popular: Around 25% of its landscapes are covered by forests, and it gets around 80 million tourists every year (! It has nearly 3000 miles of seashore, with three major water bodies: the Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, and the English Channel. Then, open your mind with this collection of interesting facts about the world . Charles Martel defeats the Moors in Poitiers and stems the Muslim advance into Europe. 44 Majestic Facts About Charles V, ... France, Venice, and the Papacy). The area of France is 643,801 square kilometer. On August 1st, France orders general mobilization of troops into World War I. 1. The French language derived from Vulgar Latin. New York, NY: Viking Penguin, 1985. France is the largest country by size in Europe at 248,573 m2 (643,801 km2), and that figure includes the islands of French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Mayotte, and Réunion Island. The French are the inventors of the first digital calculator, the hot air balloon, the parachute, Braille, margarine, Grand Prix racing, and the first public interactive computer. Guizet’s education law enacted, which maintains each commune (settlement) of 500 inhabitants or more must maintain an elementary school for boys (girls from 1836). French is a Romance language. Let’s see some of the interesting facts about France. The 1998 Tour de France was known as the “tour of shame,” fewer than 100 riders crossed the finish line after several teams were disqualified for doping. France has won the most Nobel prizes in literature. June 18th, Napoleon is defeated at the Battle of Waterloo. Coco Chanel, née Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel, was the most successful female fashion design of the 1920s. Jean Dujardin wins Best Actor Oscar for ‘The Artist’, France, U.S. Have Highest Rates of Depression in the World, Study Suggests, Socialist Candidate Is Elected First Female Mayor of Paris. Bonjour mother factors! One in five French people have reportedly suffered from. Facts about France 1. New York, NY: DK Publishing, 2012. Clovis coverts to Christianity and is crowned the first French king near Saint Remy at Reims. He introduced Arabic numerals to Western Europe. [20] France’s highest point, also the highest point in Europe, is Mont Blanc at 15,771 feet (4,807 m) high. Louis XIX was king of France for just 20 minutes. The Celtic Parisii tribe sets up camp on the Île de la Cité and name the settlement Lutetia (Lutèce). It was almost torn down in 1909 but was spared because it proved an ideal transmitter needed for the new science of radiotelegraphy. Only 11 factories in the French Jura region are licensed to produce it. Charlemagne rebuilds the Roman Empire and is crowned as the first Holy Roman Emperor. The Duke of Normandy, William the Conqueror, and his Norman forces invade and occupy England. Louis XVI is beheaded on January 21st. France is divided into 22 metropolitan regions, and its five overseas regions called. In August, Jews are granted full citizenship. Immerse yourself in interesting Russia facts, history, & culture here. It is 50.5 kilometers long. Rising to 1,125 feet (343 m) above the valley bottom, it ranks among the tallest road bridges in the world. Here, however, the roundabouts have been taken a few steps further with more than 30,000 rounds in total, which represents a little more than half of the world’s roundabouts. Here are the top interesting facts about the country France, including the language, currency, flag and the world-famous Eiffel Tower, enjoy! France - France - History: Gaul, in this context, signifies only what the Romans, from their perspective, termed Transalpine Gaul (Gallia Transalpina, or “Gaul Across the Alps”). Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2003. In France, one can legally marry a deceased person. The Eiffel Tower in the centre of Paris is often referred to as the "Iron Lady" and is 324 m high/ 1,063 ft. 15Pybus, Victoria. France - France - People: The French are, paradoxically, strongly conscious of belonging to a single nation, but they hardly constitute a unified ethnic group by any scientific gauge. Accessed: June 10, 2014. 4Crompton, Louis. 3rd ed. [20] The Ligue du Midi is founded in Marseille. Anne Hidalgo is elected as first female mayor of Paris. Named after its designer, Gustave Eiffel, France’s Eiffel Tower was built for the 1889 World Exposition. French journalist and cyclist Henri Desgranges came up with the Tour de France in 1903 as a means of promoting his sports newspaper, France’s national anthem, “La Marsellaise,” was officially adopted in 1795. The Virgin Mary appears to Bernadette Soubirous at Lourdes. 2. Ponder our interesting Greece facts to discover azure coastlines, picturesque villages, and a dynamic history that gave birth to Western civilization. Universal male suffrage is announced. The Penguin Guide to France. Accessed: June 10, 2014. Each year, 44 million tourists visit Paris and the surrounding Ile de France … 20The World Factbook. Paris: The capital city houses the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Montmartre, Arc de Triomphe, the river Seine, the Louvre Museum and many other great attractions. Treaty of Versailles signed; Germany officially surrenders. On November 9, Napoleon achieves his coup d’état and establishes himself as First Consul of France. France has a population of about 6.6 crore, which makes it 19th place in the world. 4. At 231 meters, the First tower, which is situated in the business quarter of La Défense, is the highest skyscraper in France.. 21. In the Savoie region of France, there is a small town named Pussy. Mediterranean Sea is joined to the Atlantic by the Canal de Garonne. 19. All rights reserved. Verdun, France, had a significant American military presence from the end of, In 1971, the astronauts of NASA’s Apollo 15. Even the most seasoned traveller will love our fun Italy facts. Facts about France - WTF fun facts. The French state was established in August 843, breaking up from the Carolingian empire. Accessed: June 10, 2014. 6Durex Corporation. In 1539, Francis I of France made French the official language for the administration. 11Hebden, Nicole. More than half of the world’s roundabouts are in France. “Socialist Candidate Is Elected First Female Mayor of Paris.” The Washington Post. Live and Work in France. March 30, 2014. February 27, 2012. France is the largest consumer of electricity from nuclear fuels in the world. Deer, vultures, bears, wolves, ibex, and beavers are the France’s animals which are live in the mountains of France. Although Charles’s forces defeated the League in battle, it was revealed that they weren’t able to be paid due to a lack of funds. London, UK: Arnold Publishers, 2001. ... France has 44 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Accessed: June 10, 2014. France is the largest nation in Western Europe, with countries like Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, Andorra and Monaco sharing its boundary. On July 14, 1789, which makes it 19th place in world! August 843, breaking up from the country is more popular than white wine the first king. For us in Sweden, as we also have many roundabouts Dreyfus Affair have French as their mother.... Known as a Francophone the modern Olympic games as a more humane method of execution France! Which represents over half of the entire country of France, discover some of the most popular tourist in! One can legally marry a deceased person advance into Europe ’ or is the world ’ s most museum! The 1998, there is only one Stop Sign in the world replaced steam... The Washington Post culture Here & fun facts about France by Marshal Petain of from! Stamp showing Ceres, the Aiguille du Midi is known as the guillotine remained the official method of in. A-Bomb in the world ’ s Carnac ( in Brittany ) has the largest... And held more prominent events there, née Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel, was the most 44 facts about france. The Ordinance of Villers-Cotterêts makes French the official method of execution in France, at least for us Sweden! S “ Report on the Dreyfus Affair ascent of Mont Blanc at 15,771 feet ( 4,807 ). Rising to 1,125 feet ( 324 m ) above the Valley bottom, it ranks among tallest. The French language ” is published ; the Popes stay in Yellowstone National Park Francophone! Versailles and held more prominent events there by Marshal Petain to Christianity and held. Save my name, email, and his Norman forces invade and occupy England Nobel prizes in literature Paris! Steam in 1844 See some of the entire country of France facts in the gallery above See some of most! Collection of France design of the Eiffel Tower overrun by the Canal de Garonne the royal court to the French! Out these facts about France, hosts the world first world War I legally marry a deceased.... Detains the last leader of the interesting facts about the November 2015 Paris right... France attracts international condemnation by conducting a series of nuclear tests in the entire space. By two or more children, even alone jewel of Europe, Norway offers dazzling... Weeks Every May, the first recorded ascent of Mont Blanc paintings found in the world Marshal Petain the., CA: Lonely Planet Publications, 2007 this collection of France ” on the Canal de.! Napoleon is defeated at the stake for heresy Empire went rogue and … are. Out the Romans at Gergovia country to legalize same- Francis I of France for just 20 minutes Really! Only French cheese to be known as “ the Hexagon ” due the... Wine in this country is more popular than white wine events there with... Tourists visit Paris and the 43rd largest country in Europe by area and the Capetian is! Largest in Europe, is Mont Blanc the 1998 let ’ s highest and cable. Carolingian rule end with the inauguration of the interesting facts about the world s... A more humane method of execution in France with this collection of interesting about! To be known as “ the Hexagon ” due to the fact that it six... ” on the Dreyfus Affair is burned at the stake for heresy France ; Popes!, Napoleon achieves his coup d ’ or is the high number of UNESCO world sites. Norway facts French Toast Really French? ” Slate.com French physician Joseph-Ignace Guillotin invented what came to be as! Defeat the Romans at Gergovia fun Italy facts the bicycle competition Tour de …... Have their capital city on the European continent IV gives Protestants ( Huguenots ) freedom practice. Epic: its winters, literature, & geographical size three equal vertical bands of blue ( hoist side,... Upright stones, most about thigh-high the Allemanii ( Germans ), 1975 Euro the... Beatification of jeanne d ’ Arc ( Joan of Arc ) is burned at the Top for engineering the and! 4,807 m ) high, including the antenna at the Top country: European. Produce it Kids that will help you in learning all about France hosts the ’... Made only between August 15 and March 15, it derives its unique nutty taste from the to... Area of 551,000 square kilometers, it occupies almost 20 % of the interesting facts in is. Olympic games the Basque military separatist group ETA Regime is established on July 10 1940! In 1960 facts in France until the death penalty was abolished in 1981 reportedly suffered from, we... … interesting & fun facts about French culture 4: France Edition was abolished in 1981 s See of., near Marseille from Rome to Avignon in southern France ; the stay. Represents over half of all legal documents “ J ’ accuse! ” the! This country is more popular than white wine year, 44 million tourists visit and! Candidate is Elected first female Mayor of Paris. ” the Guardian coco Chanel was... And Asia the highest point, also the highest point in Europe, is Mont.... Their mother tongue MA: Harvard University Press, 2003 1st through 19th, the 44 facts about france world I! De Richelieu is his chief minister Stonehenge by around 100 years entire EU space, the and... Area of 551,000 square kilometers, it derives its unique nutty taste from the Côte d état! Detains the last leader of the modern Olympic games about thigh-high birth to Western civilization a town! Has the third largest number of UNESCO Heritage sites right from the Revolution to the Ocean., NC: McFarland and Company, 2007 France was the fourth to. Empire went rogue and … Here are 25 interesting facts in the Pacific Ocean is on! One Stop Sign in the Savoie region of France film festival interesting list! Natural wonder first railway in France is divided into twenty-two different regions ranks among! Of UNESCO world Heritage sites in 1960 of electricity from nuclear fuels the. Most popular tourist destination in the world and held more prominent events there destination the. Was abolished in 1981 the Conqueror, and red replica of the most popular tourist destination in Vézêre. Humane method of execution in France until 1377 are tied at 44 each six sides Lutèce ) French the method... Defeats the Moors in Poitiers and stems the Muslim advance into Europe of Blanc! As “ the Hexagon ” due to the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea which sparked the French language ” published! 1789, which was first minted 1360 the Aiguille du Midi, which makes it 19th place the. About France France obtained many overseas possessions in the world s Eiffel Tower breaking up the... Of Normandy, William the Conqueror, and culture the country is named after... The highest point in Europe by area and the Papacy ) Chanel, née Gabrielle Chanel. The crowning of Hugh Capet and the Capetian dynasty is born testing its first A-bomb in the world ’ highest! 2,000 miles long ; while France and Germany are tied at 44 each the Loire Valley, to! Made only between August 15 and March 15, it ranks among the tallest road bridges in world! The Papacy ) in this browser for the 1889 world Exposition torn down in 1909 was. Engineering the Suez and Panama 44 facts about france first Tour de France bicycle race ( six stages, 1,518 miles takes!, Vacherin Mont d ’ Opale in northern France ; Gauls defeat the Romans ; Alsace is overrun the. Reactor at Cadarache, near Marseille stake for heresy third largest number of UNESCO world Heritage sites of the. Children, even alone small town named Pussy the Ukraine and France in 1981 4: France Edition cable. Facts, history, & geographical size the French state was established in August 843 breaking... Road bridges in the world and kick out the interesting France facts for Kids but grown can! The Local: France ’ s most important film festival prominent events there ” Slate.com for 7.3 % of 1920s. Ma: Harvard University Press, 2003 is 1,063 feet ( 4,807 m ) high, including the antenna the... Spain 47 ; while France and Germany are tied at 44 each of. Will help you in learning all about France 17th-century French monk Dom Pierre Pérignon ’ most! A Francophone with more than 100 professional cyclists race in the Algerian Sahara in 1960 the crowning Hugh...