1. It is the largest country in the European Union
By area, metropolitan France is the biggest country in the EU, and one of the largest in Europe overall (after Russia and Ukraine). At the height of its colonial empire in the 1920s, France controlled around 8% of the world’s land.
2. French is a truly global language
Dozens of countries once ruled by France celebrate their own independence days, and today far more people speak French in Africa than in France itself — one reason it remains a leading world language.
3. Paris began as “Lutetia”
The Celtic Parisii tribe settled on the Seine long ago; the Romans conquered them and called the town Lutetia, only later renamed Paris after its original inhabitants.
4. Napoleon wasn’t actually short
The idea that Napoleon was tiny is a myth, partly born of old British caricatures and a mix-up between French and English units. At around 1.68 m, he was about average height for his day.
5. The royal flag was once plain white
During the Bourbon Restoration (1814–1830), the flag of the Kingdom of France was entirely white — a far cry from today’s blue, white and red tricolore.
6. France gave the USA the Statue of Liberty
Dedicated in 1886 as a gift marking a century of American independence and Franco-American friendship, the Statue of Liberty was designed in France and shipped across the Atlantic, where it became a symbol of New York.
7. It pioneered the licence plate
France was the first country to introduce vehicle registration plates, back in 1893 — one of many French firsts in the early history of the motor car.
8. Politeness can be cheaper
A café on the French Riviera famously posted a menu charging more for a coffee ordered rudely than for one requested with a “bonjour” and a “s’il vous plaît” — a very French lesson in manners.
9. There’s a verb for French kissing
In 2014, French dictionaries officially added the verb *galocher* — “to kiss with tongues” — giving the act the world calls a “French kiss” a proper word of its own at last.
FAQ
Why is France so popular with tourists?
Its mix of world-class art and food, romantic cities, alpine and Mediterranean scenery and deep history makes it the most-visited country on earth.
When is the best time to visit France?
Spring (April–June) and early autumn (September–October) offer pleasant weather and thinner crowds than the July–August peak.
What is the main airport?
Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) is the country’s busiest international gateway.
