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France

France

Capital:Paris
Population:68.4M
Currency:Euro (EUR)
Language:French (official) 100%, rapidly declining regional dialects and languages (Provencal, Breton, Alsatian, Corsican, Catalan, Basque, Flemish) overseas departments: French, Creole patois, Mahorian (a Swahili dialect)
Alexander Bridge, Paris, France

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  • From France0
  • France heritage4
  • Visited3
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Quick Look Factsheet

A multi-page overview of France.

France Factsheet

Customs and Culture

Cultural Attributes

The French are among the most patriotic people in the world, which is illustrated by their attempts to limit the influence of other cultures in France. While French attitudes have traditionally been dominated by Paris, there seems to be a growing decentralization in administration as well as attitudes.

The French are reserved and polite. Political and social trends have caused the French to re-examine their national identity. Society debates issues related to the central government’s structure, education, immigration, economics, and even language.

A great part of the population, due to a precarious situation and often unemployment, often has difficulties making ends meet. However, in general, people have no problem putting food on the table and can experience leisure opportunities to a certain point (depending on their revenue).

It is also possible for people to send a child on for a higher level of education thanks to France's free education. The only things which hinder some people to go on to higher education are the cost of living, the necessity for students to work, and the fact that some private schools are expensive.

Wealth is defined as cash and ownership of goods (mostly the house). The poorest members of society hope for more financial security, as running water, electricity, and freedom from war are almost certainly guaranteed. They wish for ownership of a car (but this is most of the time the case), home ownership, and money to pay debts. In some suburbs, freedom from violence in one's neighborhood would certainly be very valuable.

Alexander Bridge, Paris, France

The Art of Living

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6 more cultural topics for members

Social Customs & Etiquette · Diet · Family · Dating Customs · Recreation · Student Life

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Holidays

  • Bastille Day

    7/14

    Other

  • Birth date - Joan of Arc

    1/6

    Birthday

    Birth date -Joan of Arc, French patriot and saint, born in Domrémy, France on Jan 6, 1412.

  • Birth date - Paul Cezanne

    1/19

    Birthday

    Birth date - Paul Cezanne, French artist, was born on Jan 19, 1839.

  • Birth date - Jules Verne

    2/8

    Birthday

    Birth date - Jules Verne, French author, was born Feb. 8, 1828.

  • Birth date - Pierre Auguste Renoir

    2/25

    Birthday

    Birth date - Pierre Auguste Renoir, French artist, was born Feb. 25, 1841.

  • Birth date - Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi

    4/2

    Birthday

    Birth date - Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi, French sculptor, creator of the Statue of Liberty, was born in Alsace, France on April 2, 1834.

  • Birth date - Paul Gauguin

    6/7

    Birthday

    Birth date - Paul Gauguin, French artist, was born in Paris, France on June 7, 1848.

  • Birth date - Louis Braille

    1/4

    Birthday

    Birth date - Louis Braille, inventor of the Braille system for the blind, was born on Jan. 4, 1809 in Coupvray, France.

  • Birth date - Edgar Degas

    7/19

    Birthday

    Birth date - Edgar Degas, French artist, was born in Paris, France on July 19, 1834.

  • Birth date - Pierre Charles L'Enfant

    8/2

    Birthday

    Birth date - Pierre Charles L’Enfant, French architect who created the plans for Washington, D.C. was born in Paris, France on Aug. 2, 1754.

  • Birth date - Pierre Charles L Enfant

    8/2

    Birthday

    Birth date - Pierre Charles L’Enfant, French arcitect who created the plans for Washington, D.C. was born in Paris, France on Aug. 2, 1754.

  • Birth date - Claude-Achille Debussy

    8/22

    Birthday

    Birth date - Claude-Achille Debussy, French composer, was born in Yvelines, Saint-germain-en-laye, France on Aug. 22, 1862.

  • Birth date - Yo Yo Ma

    10/7

    Birthday

    Birth date - Yo Yo Ma, cellist, was born in Paris, France on Oct. 7, 1955.

  • Birth date - François-Auguste-René Rodin

    11/12

    Birthday

    Birth date - François-Auguste-René Rodin, French sculptor, was born in Paris, France on Nov. 12, 1840.

  • Birth date - Claude Oscar Monet

    11/14

    Birthday

    Birth date - Claude Oscar Monet, French artist, was born in Paris, France on Nov. 14, 1840.

  • Birth date - Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec

    11/24

    Birthday

    Birth date - Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, French artist was born on November 24, 1864 in Southern France.

  • Birth date - Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec

    11/24

    Birthday

    Birth date - Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, French artist was born on November 24, 1864 in Southern France.

  • Birth date - Georges Pierre Seurat

    12/2

    Birthday

    Birth date - Georges Pierre Seurat, French artist, was born Dec. 2, 1859 in Paris, France.

  • Birth date - Louis Pasteur

    12/27

    Birthday

    Birth date - Louis Pasteur, French chemist-bacteriologist whose work led to the process of pasteurization, was born Dec. 27, 1822 in Dôle, France.

  • Birth date - Henri Matisse

    12/31

    Birthday

    Birth date - Henri Matisse , French artist, was born Dec. 31, 1869 in the Picardy region of northern France.

  • Christmas

    12/25

    Christmas

    The holiday season usually begins December 5th, St. Nicholas Eve. Many years ago French nuns began leaving gifts secretly at the homes of poor families with children on St. Nicholas eve. Now French children leave their shoes by the fireplace or radiator hoping to receive gifts.

    The Christmas tree is decorated with stars of many colors.

    A famous French Christmas carol is “The First Noël”.

    For the Christmas day meal fresh goose is a tradition because legends say the Three wise men were meet by geese when they arrived at the manger. Bûche de Noël is a traditional cake eaten during Christmas.

Dates of Interest

  • December 25th

    The holiday season usually begins December 5th, St. Nicholas Eve. Many years ago French nuns began leaving gifts secretly at the homes of poor families with children on St. Nicholas eve. Now French children leave their shoes by the fireplace or radiator hoping to receive gifts. The Christmas tree is decorated with stars of many colors. A famous French Christmas carol is "The First Noel". For the Christmas day meal fresh goose is a tradition because legends say the Three wise men were met by geese when they arrived at the manger.

How do people greet each other in France?

Handshakes are standard when meeting someone, while cheek kissing (la bise, without actual mouth contact, more like a hug) is common between women and men and, in some regions, between men. Greetings are combined with the person's name or title and always come before any conversation or request.

Do

  • Shake hands when meeting someone
  • Say "Bonjour" as a neutral greeting
  • Say "Bonjour Monsieur" to someone older or of higher social status
  • Use titles unless you are with friends or close colleagues

Don’t

  • Give an aggressive handshake
  • Use first names except with friends and close colleagues
  • Say "Bonne nuit" unless the person is about to go to bed

Good to know

  • Use "salut" only with very good friends or in casual settings
  • Say "Bonne soirée" at night time
  • When non-peers meet, the higher-class person usually offers to shake hands first

What are the dining customs in France?

French cooking is considered an art with strong regional traditions, and table manners are taken seriously. There are usually three meals a day, and the whole family typically eats together at the same time.

Do

  • Keep your hands above the table so they are visible
  • Try French breads and patisserie such as croissants and baguettes
  • Expect the person who invites or suggests the outing to pay when eating out

Don’t

  • Place your elbows on the table
  • Hide your hands, as this is seen as concealing something

Good to know

  • Breakfast and dinner are usually eaten at home; dinner is around 7 or 8 PM
  • Supper is at noon or before 1 p.m.
  • Children often have a snack at 4 p.m.
  • Dinner out is generally associated with great occasions

What etiquette should I know when visiting French homes?

The French are generally formal and reserved when visiting, and people do not often visit unannounced. Guests wait to be invited inside before entering a home.

Do

  • Keep about 1 meter of personal space when speaking with someone
  • Maintain eye contact, as it shows frankness
  • Send a thank you note the day after being a dinner guest
  • Wait to be invited inside before entering a home

Don’t

  • Visit unannounced
  • Stand too close to people you don't know well

Good to know

  • Physical contact is limited, mostly slaps on the back, handshakes, kissing, and hugs
  • In the South of France, physical contact and gestures tend to be more accentuated
  • Going out for a drink, a meal, or to the cinema is a common way to socialize

How should I dress in France?

The French usually make an effort to dress well and fashionably, and professional attire tends to be formal. Men wear pants, a shirt, a jacket, and a pullover depending on the weather, while women wear elegant, feminine clothing including pants, skirts, or dresses.

Good to know

  • Traditional peasant clothing survives in regions like Brittany, Alsace, and Provence, but is worn only on traditional occasions and mostly for tourists

Which gestures should I be careful with in France?

Some gestures common elsewhere are considered vulgar or carry different meanings in France. Keep your hands visible and avoid certain hand signs.

Don’t

  • Slap an open palm over a closed fist (this is vulgar)
  • Speak with your hands in your pockets
  • Chew gum in public
  • Use the index-finger-and-thumb circle to mean "okay" (in France it means zero or worthless)

Good to know

  • To get someone's attention, wave a hand and call them by name

What is family life like in France?

Most families are small with one or two children, and both partners commonly work. The French place a high priority on family time, especially gathering for a Sunday meal.

Good to know

  • Sunday family meals are expected
  • Families usually spend time together on weekends and holidays
  • Many couples cohabit or use a PACS civil partnership, and common-law couples are recognized for government benefits
  • The government subsidizes daycares known as crèches

What do people do for recreation and sport in France?

Soccer is the predominant sport among children, alongside tennis, basketball, volleyball, and handball. France is also known for the Tour de France cycling race, pétanque, rugby, and regional games.

Good to know

  • The Tour de France cycling race takes place in July, with the leader wearing the yellow jersey (maillot jaune)
  • Pétanque (boules) is played by rolling metal balls toward a target ball, usually on a sandy court
  • Rugby is especially popular in southern France
  • In the Pays Basque, people play pelota, a fast-paced game a little like squash

Last updated: 2026-07-12 · Sources: CountryReports

Photos of France

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Travel and Tourism

Travel Alert Status
Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
Currency
.885
Time Difference
UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) time zone note: applies to metropolitan France only; for its overseas regions the time difference is UTC-4 for Guadeloupe and Martinique, UTC-3 for French Guiana, UTC+3 for Mayotte, and UTC+4 for Reunion
Climate
The west and north of France experience cool winters and mild summers, while southern France and Corsica have a Mediterranean climate with hot summers and mild winters. Precipitation is frequent all year. The average yearly rainfall in Paris for the last 30 years is 26 inches.
Airports
473
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Recipes

Featured Dish

Croissant

Bread

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History

Historical Eras

  1. Ancient & Medieval Gaul

    600 BCE – 987

    Celtic tribes inhabited Gaul before Julius Caesar's conquest (58–51 BCE) incorporated the region into the Roman Empire, bringing Latin culture, Christianity, and urban infrastructure. Following Rome's decline, the Frankish Merovingian dynasty unified much of the territory, succeeded by the Carolingians under Charlemagne, who built a vast Christian empire and was crowned Holy Roman Emperor in 800. The fragmentation of the Carolingian realm by 987 set the stage for the emergence of a distinctly French kingdom.

  2. Medieval Kingdom

    987 – 1453

    The Capetian dynasty, beginning with Hugh Capet in 987, gradually consolidated royal authority over fractious feudal lords, laying the foundations of the French nation-state. This era encompassed the Crusades, the construction of Gothic cathedrals, and the catastrophic Black Death of the 14th century. The Hundred Years' War against England (1337–1453), punctuated by Joan of Arc's inspirational military campaigns, ended with France expelling English forces and cementing national identity.

  3. Renaissance & Ancien Régime

    1453 – 1789

    France emerged from the Hundred Years' War as a centralizing monarchy, with the Valois and later Bourbon dynasties expanding royal power through capable ministers such as Richelieu and Colbert. Louis XIV's reign (1643–1715) represented the apex of French absolutism and European dominance, symbolized by the Palace of Versailles, though ruinous wars strained the treasury. Chronic fiscal crisis, Enlightenment philosophy, and deepening resentment of aristocratic privilege created the explosive conditions that culminated in the Revolution of 1789.

  4. Revolution & Napoleon

    1789 – 1815

    The French Revolution dismantled the monarchy and aristocratic privilege, producing the Declaration of the Rights of Man (1789), the execution of Louis XVI, and the radical Terror under Robespierre before stabilizing under the Directory. Napoleon Bonaparte seized power in 1799, crowning himself Emperor in 1804 and remaking European borders through brilliant military campaigns while codifying French law in the Napoleonic Code. His catastrophic Russian invasion and defeat at Waterloo in 1815 ended the empire and restored the Bourbon monarchy.

  5. Turbulent Republics

    1815 – 1958

    France oscillated between monarchy, empire, and republic across the 19th century — the Restoration, the July Monarchy of Louis-Philippe, the Second Republic, and Napoleon III's Second Empire — before the Franco-Prussian War (1870–71) established the more durable Third Republic. Two World Wars inflicted staggering losses: the trenches of 1914–18 bled a generation, while the German occupation of 1940–44 and the collaborationist Vichy regime left deep moral wounds. The unstable Fourth Republic (1946–58) struggled with decolonization in Indochina and Algeria until governmental collapse brought de Gaulle to power.

  6. Fifth Republic & Modern France

    1958 – present

    General Charles de Gaulle's Fifth Republic introduced a strong executive presidency that stabilized French governance after decades of parliamentary fragility, overseeing decolonization and France's emergence as a nuclear power. Successive presidents — Pompidou, Giscard d'Estaing, Mitterrand, Chirac, and their successors — deepened European integration, culminating in the Maastricht Treaty and the adoption of the euro in 1999. France today remains a permanent UN Security Council member, a leading EU power, and one of the world's foremost cultural and economic nations.

Overview

France was one of the earliest countries to progress from feudalism to the nation-state. Its monarchs surrounded themselves with capable ministers, and French armies were among the most innovative, disciplined, and professional of their day.

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Timeline of Key Events

  1. 481 – 987

    Merovingian and Carolingian dynasties

    Sweeping invasions from the east. Hugh Capet, elected King of France, founds the Capetian dynasty.

  2. 1610 – 1715

    Reigns of Louis XIII and Louis XIV.

    Reigns of Louis XIII and Louis XIV. Royal power at its peak; France dominates Europe, French culture spreads. Start of large-scale sea trade.

  3. 1789 – 1799

    French Revolution

    French Revolution. Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen (26 August 1789). Abolition of the monarchy (1792). First Republic. Directory. Consulate.

  4. 1789

    Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen

    Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen

  5. 1799 – 1815

    Rise of Napoleon Bonaparte

    Rise of Napoleon Bonaparte, First Consul, then Emperor of the French (1804). Establishment of modern administrative institutions, codification of the law. European wars lead to abdication of the Emperor.

  6. 1815 – 1848

    Restoration and constitutional monarchy

    Restoration and constitutional monarchy (Louis XVIII, Charles X). Revolution of 1830. Reign of Louis-Philippe. Economic prosperity. Rapid development of industrialization. First railways. First colonies established.

  7. 1848 – 1852

    Revolution. Second Republic

    Revolution. Second Republic. First laws on labor, the press and education.

View full timeline (29 events)
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Interesting Facts

  • When a child loses a tooth they put their tooth under their pillow. A mouse called La Pettie Souris, will come to take it and leave a gift.

  • France is the top tourist country with over 71.4 million visitors each year.

  • St. Pierre and Miquelon are the only remaining French territories in North America. These two small islands are located off the south coast of Newfoundland.

  • The Camargue is a region in southern France at the Rhône River delta, made up of 140,000 hectares of wetlands, pastures, dunes and salt flats. This fragile ecological area includes rare animal species like egrets and ibises and a unique breed of small white horses.

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Geography and Environment

The landscape is varied; about two‑thirds flat plains or gently rolling hills, and the rest mountainous. A broad plain covers most of northern and western France from the Belgian border in the northeast to Bayonne in the southwest, and it rises to uplands in Normandy, Brittany, and the east.
Terrain
mostly flat plains or gently rolling hills in north and west; remainder is mountainous, especially Pyrenees in south, Alps in east
Climate
The west and north of France experience cool winters and mild summers, while southern France and Corsica have a Mediterranean climate with hot summers and mild winters. Precipitation is frequent all year. The average yearly rainfall in Paris for the last 30 years is 26 inches.
Natural Hazards
flooding; avalanches; midwinter windstorms; drought; forest fires in south near the Mediterranean
Current Environmental Issues
some forest damage from acid rain; air pollution from industrial and vehicle emissions; water pollution from urban wastes, agricultural runoff
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People & Demographics

Religion

Languages Spoken

French (official) 100%, rapidly declining regional dialects and languages (Provencal, Breton, Alsatian, Corsican, Catalan, Basque, Flemish) overseas departments: French, Creole patois, Mahorian (a Swahili dialect)

  • French

Population

Population
68,374,591
Population: Male/Female
male: 33,557,094 female: 34,817,497
Population Distribution
much of the population is concentrated in the north and southeast; although there are many urban agglomerations throughout the country, Paris is by far the largest city, with Lyon ranked a distant second
Urban Population
urban population: 81.8% of total population rate of urbanization: 0.67% annual rate of change
Population in Major Urban Areas
11.208 million PARIS (capital), 1.761 million Lyon, 1.628 million Marseille-Aix-en-Provence, 1.079 million Lille, 1.060 million Toulouse, 1.000 million Bordeaux
Nationality Noun
noun: Frenchman(men), Frenchwoman(women) adjective: French
Ethnic Groups
Celtic and Latin with Teutonic, Slavic, North African (Algerian, Moroccan, Tunisian), Indochinese, Basque minorities
Language Note
French (official) 100%, declining regional dialects and languages (Provencal, Breton, Alsatian, Corsican, Catalan, Basque, Flemish, Occitan, Picard); note - overseas departments: French, Creole patois, Mahorian (a Swahili dialect)

Education

Literacy Definition
age 15 and over can read and write

French schools are usually not as well equipped with modern technology. They rarely have computers or televisions in the classrooms. Also, because schools don’t have lockers, older students load up their backpacks with their books for the day and just carry their heavy backpacks from room to room. Although class size varies from school to school, it usually ranges from 20 to 35 students.

One interesting fact about the school system in France is that the schools are closed on Wednesday afternoons but open on Saturday mornings. School usually begins at 8:00 or 8:30 in the morning, and public schools are finished at 5:00 in the evening. Private schools finish at 4:00 or 4:30 because they have a shorter lunch period.

When it comes to lunch, French public schools allow two hours for lunch (11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.). Throughout France, the midday meal is traditionally the main family meal and consists of three and sometimes even four courses. Approximately half of the cost of lunch served at school is paid for by the government, and the student’s family must pay the remainder (the price is adjusted for lower-income families). Lunch is often the most expensive part of a student’s education in France.

Health Information

Life Expectancy at Birth
total population: 83.1 years male: 80.4 years female: 85.7 years
Alcohol consumption per capita
total: 11.44 liters of pure alcohol beer: 2.52 liters of pure alcohol wine: 6.44 liters of pure alcohol spirits: 2.3 liters of pure alcohol other alcohols: 0.18 liters of pure alcohol
Tobacco Use
total: 33.4% male: 34.9% female: 31.9%
Infant Mortality Rate
total: 3.1 deaths/1,000 live births male: 3.4 deaths/1,000 live births female: 2.8 deaths/1,000 live births

Life Expectancy

Life Expectancy at Birth
total population: 83.1 years male: 80.4 years female: 85.7 years
Median Age
otal: 42.6 years male: 41 years female: 44.2 years
Age Structure
0-14 years: 17.3% (male 6,060,087/female 5,792,805) 15-64 years: 60.7% (male 20,875,861/female 20,615,847) 65 years and over: 22% (male 6,621,146/female 8,408,845)
Infant Mortality Rate
total: 3.1 deaths/1,000 live births male: 3.4 deaths/1,000 live births female: 2.8 deaths/1,000 live births
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Government & Politics

Country Identity

Country Name
France
Full Country Name
French Republic
Local - Long
Republique Francaise
Local - Short
France

Government Structure

Government Type
republic
Legal System
civil law system with indigenous concepts; review of administrative but not legislative acts
Executive Branch
chief of state: President Emmanuel MACRON (since 14 May 2017; reelected for a second five-year term on 24 April 2022) head of government: Prime Minister François BAYROU (since 13 January 2025) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the suggestion of the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 10 April and 24 April 2022 (next to be held in spring 2027); prime minister nominated by the National Assembly majority and appointed by the president election results: Emmanuel MACRON reelected president; percent of vote, second ballot - Emmanuel MACRON (Renaissance) 58.55%, Marine LE PEN (RN) 41.45%
Legislative Branch
Bicameral Parliament or Parlement consists of the Senate or Sénat (348 seats; members are indirectly elected by an electoral college composed of local and regional elected officials to serve six-year terms, with one-half of the seats renewed every three years) and the National Assembly or Assemblée Nationale (577 seats; members are elected by popular vote under a two-round single-member majority system to serve five-year terms). Elections: Senate - last held in September 2023 (next to be held in September 2026); National Assembly - last held on 30 June and 7 July 2024 (next to be held no later than July 2029). Election results: Senate - seats by party - Les Républicains (LR) 139, Socialist Party (PS) and allies 64, Rally for the Republic (RDPI/Renaissance and allies) 57, Union Centriste (UC) 56, Rassemblement National (RN) 22, Ecologist and Solidarity Group 17, other and non-attached 13; National Assembly - seats by party - New Popular Front (NFP) coalition 193, Ensemble (centrist alliance) 166, Rassemblement National and allies 143, Les Républicains 39, other and non-attached 36.
Judicial Branch
Supreme Court of Appeals or Cour de Cassation (judges are appointed by the president from nominations of the High Council of the Judiciary); Constitutional Council or Conseil Constitutionnel (three members appointed by the president, three appointed by the president of the National Assembly, and three appointed by the president of the Senate); Council of State or Conseil d'Etat
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Constitution
28 September 1958, amended concerning election of president in 1962, amended to comply with provisions of 1992 EC Maastricht Treaty, 1996 Amsterdam Treaty, 2000 Treaty of Nice; amended to tighten immigration laws in 1993; amended to change the seven-year presidential term to a five-year term in 2000
Independence
486 (unified by Clovis)
National Holiday
Bastille Day, 14 July (1789)

Capital City

Capital Name
Paris
Capital - geographic coordinate
48 52 N, 2 20 E
Capital Time Difference
UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) time zone note: applies to metropolitan France only; for its overseas regions the time difference is UTC-4 for Guadeloupe and Martinique, UTC-3 for French Guiana, UTC+3 for Mayotte, and UTC+4 for Reunion

name derives from the Parisii, a Celtic tribe that inhabited the area from the 3rd century B.C., but who were conquered by the Romans in the 1st century B.C.; the Celtic settlement became the Roman town of Lutetia Parisiorum (Lutetia of the Parisii); over subsequent centuries it became Parisium and then just Paris

Military

Branches: Army (Armee de Terre; includes Marines, Foreign Legion, Army Light Aviation), Navy (Marine Nationale), Air Force (Armee de l'Air (AdlA); includes Air Defense)

Embassy / Diplomatic Mission

U.S. Embassy Paris

2 Avenue Gabriel 75008

Telephone: 33 (1) 43 12 22 22

Fax: 33 (1) 42 66 97 83

Website: http://france.usembassy.gov/index.html

U.S. Consulate General Marseilles

Place Varian Fry

13286 Marseille Cedex 6

Telephone: 33 (0) 4 91 54 92 00

Fax: 04 91 55 09 47

Website: http://marseille.usconsulate.gov/about-us.html

U.S. Consulate General Strasbourg

15, Avenue d'Alsace

67082 Strasbourg Cedex

Telephone: 33 (3) 88 35 31 04

Fax: 33 (3) 88 24 06 95

Website: http://strasbourg.usconsulate.gov/index.html

U.S. Consular Agency Nice

7, Avenue Gustave V

3rd floor

Tel. 33 (4) 93 88 89 55

Fax 33 (4) 93 87 07 38

Website: http://marseille.usconsulate.gov/nice.html

All of our telephone numbers below are written the way you would dial them from the United States. When calling from within France, drop the country code and add a zero. For example: 33 (1) 43 12 22 22 becomes (01) 43 12 22 22.

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Economy

France has the world's seventh-largest economy by nominal GDP and the second-largest in the European Union, characterized by a diversified mix of private enterprise and significant state involvement.

Snapshot

Currency Name and Code
Euro (EUR)
GDP — official exchange rate
$2,055,000,000,000 (USD)
GDP Real Growth Rate
1.1%
Gini Index
32.7
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News & Weather

Current Weather

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Latest News

News via Google News

Climate Overview

The west and north of France experience cool winters and mild summers, while southern France and Corsica have a Mediterranean climate with hot summers and mild winters. Precipitation is frequent all year. The average yearly rainfall in Paris for the last 30 years is 26 inches.

Videos

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of France?
The population of France is approximately 68.4M.
How do people greet each other in France?
Handshakes are standard when meeting someone, while cheek kissing (la bise, without actual mouth contact, more like a hug) is common between women and men and, in some regions, between men. Greetings are combined with the person's name or title and always come before any conversation or request. Do: Shake hands when meeting someone Say "Bonjour" as a neutral greeting Say "Bonjour Monsieur" to someone older or of higher social status Use titles unless you are with friends or close colleagues Don't: Give an aggressive handshake Use first names except with friends and close colleagues Say "Bonne nuit" unless the person is about to go to bed Use "salut" only with very good friends or in casual settings Say "Bonne soirée" at night time When non-peers meet, the higher-class person usually offers to shake hands first
What are the dining customs in France?
French cooking is considered an art with strong regional traditions, and table manners are taken seriously. There are usually three meals a day, and the whole family typically eats together at the same time. Do: Keep your hands above the table so they are visible Try French breads and patisserie such as croissants and baguettes Expect the person who invites or suggests the outing to pay when eating out Don't: Place your elbows on the table Hide your hands, as this is seen as concealing something Breakfast and dinner are usually eaten at home; dinner is around 7 or 8 PM Supper is at noon or before 1 p.m. Children often have a snack at 4 p.m. Dinner out is generally associated with great occasions
What etiquette should I know when visiting French homes?
The French are generally formal and reserved when visiting, and people do not often visit unannounced. Guests wait to be invited inside before entering a home. Do: Keep about 1 meter of personal space when speaking with someone Maintain eye contact, as it shows frankness Send a thank you note the day after being a dinner guest Wait to be invited inside before entering a home Don't: Visit unannounced Stand too close to people you don't know well Physical contact is limited, mostly slaps on the back, handshakes, kissing, and hugs In the South of France, physical contact and gestures tend to be more accentuated Going out for a drink, a meal, or to the cinema is a common way to socialize
How should I dress in France?
The French usually make an effort to dress well and fashionably, and professional attire tends to be formal. Men wear pants, a shirt, a jacket, and a pullover depending on the weather, while women wear elegant, feminine clothing including pants, skirts, or dresses. Traditional peasant clothing survives in regions like Brittany, Alsace, and Provence, but is worn only on traditional occasions and mostly for tourists
Which gestures should I be careful with in France?
Some gestures common elsewhere are considered vulgar or carry different meanings in France. Keep your hands visible and avoid certain hand signs. Don't: Slap an open palm over a closed fist (this is vulgar) Speak with your hands in your pockets Chew gum in public Use the index-finger-and-thumb circle to mean "okay" (in France it means zero or worthless) To get someone's attention, wave a hand and call them by name
What is family life like in France?
Most families are small with one or two children, and both partners commonly work. The French place a high priority on family time, especially gathering for a Sunday meal. Sunday family meals are expected Families usually spend time together on weekends and holidays Many couples cohabit or use a PACS civil partnership, and common-law couples are recognized for government benefits The government subsidizes daycares known as crèches
What do people do for recreation and sport in France?
Soccer is the predominant sport among children, alongside tennis, basketball, volleyball, and handball. France is also known for the Tour de France cycling race, pétanque, rugby, and regional games. The Tour de France cycling race takes place in July, with the leader wearing the yellow jersey (maillot jaune) Pétanque (boules) is played by rolling metal balls toward a target ball, usually on a sandy court Rugby is especially popular in southern France In the Pays Basque, people play pelota, a fast-paced game a little like squash
What is the capital of France?
Paris is the capital of France and by far its most populous and influential city. Situated on the Seine River in north-central France, Paris has served as the country's political, cultural, and economic heart for centuries. It is home to the national government, major museums, and iconic landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower and Notre-Dame Cathedral. The city draws tens of millions of visitors annually and remains one of the most recognized urban centers in the world.
Where is France located?
France is located in Western Europe, occupying a large hexagonal territory on the western edge of the European continent. It borders the Atlantic Ocean to the west and the Mediterranean Sea to the south, giving it significant maritime reach. France also maintains overseas departments and territories across the globe, including islands in the Caribbean, the Indian Ocean, and South America, making it one of the few countries with a genuine worldwide geographic footprint.
What countries border France?
France shares land borders with eight countries: Belgium and Luxembourg to the northeast, Germany and Switzerland to the east, Italy and Monaco to the southeast, and Spain and Andorra to the south. This central position within Europe has made France a crossroads of trade, culture, and diplomacy for centuries. Its postwar reconciliation and deepening cooperation with Germany in particular has been a cornerstone of European political and economic integration.
What is the primary religion in France?
Roman Catholicism is the dominant religion in France, practiced by approximately 83 percent of the population. Islam is the second-largest faith, observed by roughly 10 percent of residents, reflecting the country's significant immigrant communities, particularly from North and West Africa. About 4 percent of the French population identifies as unaffiliated. France officially maintains a strict principle of laïcité, or secularism, which separates religious institutions from the state.
What currency does France use?
France uses the euro, with the ISO currency code EUR. France adopted the euro in January 1999 as part of the broader European monetary union, replacing the French franc. The move reflected France's central role in advancing European economic integration, a project it pursued closely alongside Germany. The euro is today the official currency of the eurozone, which encompasses the majority of European Union member states.
What language is spoken in France?
French is the sole official language of France and is spoken by virtually the entire population. Several regional languages and dialects — including Provençal, Breton, Alsatian, Corsican, Catalan, Basque, and Flemish — have historically been spoken, though all are in rapid decline. In France's overseas departments, Creole patois is widely spoken alongside French, and Mahorian, a Swahili dialect, is used in Mayotte. The French government has long actively promoted the French language as a pillar of national identity.
What is France known for?
France is globally recognized for its cuisine and gastronomy, its luxury goods industry — encompassing fashion houses such as Chanel and Louis Vuitton — and its exceptional concentration of art and architecture, from the Louvre's collection to the Gothic cathedrals of the medieval period. It is the world's most visited country, receiving more than 71 million tourists annually. France is also a leading producer of wine and cheese, with hundreds of classified regional varieties, and its cultural institutions, from the Cannes Film Festival to the Tour de France, carry significant international prestige.
What type of government does France have?
France is a semi-presidential republic, a system established under the Fifth Republic in 1958. This framework divides executive power between a directly elected president and a prime minister who is accountable to the National Assembly, combining elements of both presidential and parliamentary governance. The structure was designed to provide stronger executive leadership and greater political stability than the Fourth Republic it replaced, and it has proven durable through decades of economic, social, and geopolitical change.

Last reviewed 2026

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