Interesting Facts about France

France is the "romance country" of Europe as well as the Fashion Capital, especially Paris (the capital of France).

© CreditDonkey

Have you ever wondered what the French eat, what religion they practice, or how the Eiffel Tower got its name? Keep reading for these fun facts and more about France.

Basic France Facts

What is the population of France?
The population of France is 67,364 people. Approximately 2¼ million of those people living in France, live in Paris.

What type of government does France have?
France has a semi-presidential democracy. The president serves as the head of state. There is also a prime minister, who is the head of the government and serves as the legislative branch of the government. Finally, there is the Parliament and the Judiciary branches to balance the government out.

What is the culture of France?
France has long been a country of "high culture." Known for their sense of fashion and cuisine, France has several religions practiced throughout the country, including Catholicism, Judaism, and Islam. France is known as the "romance country," but not just as it pertains to love itself, but in food and living well too.

What is the typical food of France?
When you think of France, you probably think of food and wine. This is the center of their culture. The French use only the finest ingredients to prepare their foods. In France, eating is a celebration, not just a chore. A few of the most commonly eaten foods include tartine (a baguette with jam), croissants, coq au vin, ratatouille, quiche, cheese, breads, chocolate soufflés, and macarons, which top the charts.

What is the main religion in France?
More than 60% of France practices Roman Catholicism. The remainder of France is divided among the Muslim (just under 9%), Buddhist (less than 1%), and Jewish religions (less than 1%). Almost one-fourth of the French have no religion.

What is the national animal of France?
The national animal of France is the Gallic rooster. It first appeared on French flags during the Revolution. It has since appeared on gold coins, stamps, and the Seal of the Republic.

What is French currency and how does it compare to the US dollar?
The French used to use the franc as their national currency, but today they use the Euro, which began as the European currency in 1999. Today, one US dollar equals 1.14 Euros.

What are the colors of the French flag?
Like the American flag, the French flag's colors are red, white, and blue. The colors are displayed in vertical bands in the order blue, white, and then red. The original color of the French flag was white, but it was quickly joined by blue and red, which were the colors of the Parisian militia.

What is the national motto of France?
France's national motto is "Liberty, Equality, Fraternity." The motto originated during the French Revolution and became a part of the French Constitution.

What are the main attractions in France?
France has many great attractions, but the most common are the Louvre Museum, Cathedral of Notre Dame, Eiffel Tower, Palace of Versailles, Centre Pompidou, and Musee d'Orsay. Other frequently visited attractions in France include Disneyland Paris, the Arc de Triomphe, and Puy du Fou theme park.

Living in France

What are France's traditions?
The French mainly celebrate Christian holidays, including Christmas and Easter. They also celebrate the Day of the Epiphany (or the day that the Wise Men visited Baby Jesus). In addition to the religious holidays, the French celebrate May Day on May 1st and Bastille Day on July 14th to remember the French Revolution. The French also proudly celebrate birthdays and funerals.

What food is France best known for?
The French love their food. Their main focus is on lunch and dinner, which both consist of several courses and take well over an hour to consume. Many of the French dishes consist of fresh fruits or veggies and meat.

Some of the most common dishes include coq au vin, beef bourguignon, soupe à l'oignon gratinée, croque monsieur, and quiche. The French also love their pastries and, of course, their baguettes.

What drink is France famous for?
Wine and champagne are the most popular drinks in France, but champagne is usually reserved for special occasions. The French do like to partake in aperitifs, a pre-dinner drink which usually consists of wine or a cocktail for adults and fruit juice for those under 18 (the legal drinking age in France).

What is France's favorite sport?
The most popular sporting event in France is the Tour de France, the international cycling race that brings in hundreds of thousands of fans every year. Other than cycling, the French enjoy football (soccer), skiing, and swimming. Kids don't participate in regular physical education like they do here in America.

Fun Facts About France

What is the fashion in France?
Many of the world-famous designers are from France, making fashion an important part of French culture. The obsession with fashion began all the way back with King Louis XIV, who loved his lavish clothes. Today, the French wear stylish, not boastful, clothing. They don't wear logos or excessively high-heeled shoes. Instead, they wear modest, but fashionable clothing that makes men and women look put together, and not over the top.

Why is Paris called the City of Lights?
While Paris is all "lit up" in order to light up the Eiffel Tower, that's not the reason it earned the name the "City of Lights." It's actually because Paris is where the Age of Enlightenment began. It was the hub of education and inspiration. Paris has given us famous scientists, poets, and engineers, all making a change in the world, and thus giving Paris the name "City of Lights."

When was the Eiffel Tower built and why?
The Eiffel Tower was built for the Exposition Universelle of 1889, a world's fair that was a celebration of the 100-year anniversary of the French Revolution. The company that built the Eiffel Tower was Eiffel et Compagnie, thus the name Eiffel Tower.

How many stairs are in the Eiffel Tower?
Today there are around 1,600 stairs in the Eiffel Tower, however, that number has changed since its original construction. When it was first built, the Eiffel Tower had 1,710 steps, but renovations through the years have changed that number.

What do the French celebrate on July 14?
Bastille Day, which is July 14th, is the celebration of the day the troops stormed Bastille. This was a turning point in the French Revolution, as it was the start of the constitutional monarchy in France.

Which famous people are from France?
A few of the most famous people from France include Joan of Arc, Coco Chanel, Marie Curie, Claude Monet, and Christian Dior. A few of the modern day famous people from France include Emma Watson and Lily-Rose Depp