Article written by Elisa - Travel Writer & Local in France
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Where is France Located?
Where is France? Where is France located in the world? As you can see in the map below, France is located in the European continent, and it is bathed by the Mediterranean Sea, the Atlantic Ocean, and the English Channel.
France is part of Europe. People living outside Europe like to divide the European continent into smaller geographical areas. Thus, France is located in Western Europe.
France’s neighbors are Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Monaco, Andorra, and Spain.
< France in Europe
Since January 2016, France has been divided into 18 French regions: 13 regions of France are on the European continent, and 5 French regions are overseas. The capital of France is Paris. It has a population of approximately 2.3 million.
France is one of the world’s most visited countries, with vibrant cities, picturesque towns, and beautiful landmarks. It is also one of the top 5 countries with the most UNESCO World Heritage sites (45 sites listed in 2020).
Thanks to Paris, in summer 2024, France will host the Olympic Games. There will be Olympic events in the cities of Paris, Versailles, Lille, Lyon, Marseille, Nice, Bordeaux, Nantes, Saint-Etienne, and Tahiti.
What is France Known For
France is a cultural city. France has a wide choice of museums and cultural places, especially in Paris and the biggest cities. The list of top museums in France includes the Louvre Museum, the Orsay Museum, the MuCEM (Marseille), the Palais des Beaux-Arts (Lille), Matisse Museum (Nice), Musée des Confluences (Lyon), Cité de l’Espace (Toulouse), and Cité du Vin (Bordeaux).
France is known for its beautiful castles. You may have heard about the Palace of Versailles or the Loire Valley Castles, but there are many more beautiful castles in France of all styles worth exploring.
France is a country with a long and rich history. From Prehistoric Lascaux and Carnac to Baroque palaces, France is blessed with a rich heritage, with many interesting historic sites all over the country. There are also many sites and museums related to WW1 and WW2, being the Normandy WW2 sites one of France’s most visited historic sites.
Finally, France is also famous for its gastronomy, with delicious regional specialties based on seasonal, local produce. The country is also known for its quality cheeses. Depending on the source, there are between 350 and 450 different types of French cheeses.
To wash all this down, you will find excellent French wines and other French drinks taken as apéritive or digestive.
Interesting Facts About France
The actual name ‘France’ came from a Germanic tribe. They used the word ‘frank,’ which meant ‘free’ in their native tongue.
France is sometimes known as ‘The Hexagon’ due to the fact that it has six sides.
The current French flag is known as the Tricolor for its blue, white, and red stripes. It was created as part of the French Revolution in 1794.
In total land area, France is the largest country in the European Union.
When all of France’s possessions worldwide are taken into account, including French Polynesia, French Guyana, and Martinique, France occupies the most time zones of any country: 12 of them.
The Louvre Museum in Paris is consistently the most visited museum in the world. Over 9 million visitors go through their doors annually.
The highest mountain in France is Mont Blanc. At 4,809 m, Mont Blanc is a part of the French Alps.
The longest river in France is the Loire River. With a length of 1,006 kilometers, it has its source in Mont Gerbier de Jonc, in the Massif Central, and the mouth is in the Atlantic Ocean.
The French are responsible for creating the metric system of weights and measures in 1793.
The Tour de France is the most well-known bicycle race in the world, and it began in 1903.
INTERESTING READINGS ABOUT FRANCE
- Plan your trip to France (France Travel Planner)
- 50 Best Things to Do in France
- France’s Top Destinations
- Most Beautiful French Islands
- France Road Trip Planner
Practical Information About France
Paris is divided into 18 regions. Read more about the regions of France.
France’s most popular regions are Ile-de-France, Alsace, Normandy, Provence, French Riviera, and the Loire Valley.
France’s main airports are Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) and Paris Orly (ORY), but there are other international airports in France worth considering if your next trip does not include Paris.
Visiting France by train is easy. Check out our proposals for one week in France by train.
A self-drive holiday in France gives you the freedom to explore the best of France at your own pace. Check out the best road trips in France.
Seasons in France
Spring in France corresponds to the months of March, April, and May. Check out the best places to visit in France in Spring.
Summer in France corresponds to the months of June, July, and August. Check out the best places to visit in France in the Summer.
Fall in France corresponds to the months of September, October, and November. Check out the best places to visit in France in the Fall.
Winter in France corresponds to the months of December, January, and February. Check out the best places to visit in France in Winter.