Woohoo! We’ve missed you France. To celebrate, we’ve rounded up these fun facts about France to get you in the mood to travel in the future. Get more information here on France travel and openings.
If you are dreaming of a vacation to France or are just interested in learning more about the country, you will love learning about these France fun facts.
Fun Facts About France
Did you know that France is the largest country in Europe and one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world? France has good food, amazing wine, beautiful cities, and charming culture. It’s no surprise that everyone wants to visit!
From the largest art museum to a bread superstition, this list covers it all. Keep reading for 10 fun facts about France that will make you want to hop on an airplane to Paris immediately.
1. France Is the Most-Visited Country in the World
Of all the countries in the world, France is the most visited! Approximately 89 million people visit France every year to take in the culture and enjoy the food.
In addition to being the most visited country in the world, Paris is one of the most visited cities. In 2019, over 19 million tourists visited the city of Paris, France. It consistently ranks in the top 10 most visited cities year after year.
2. France Is Smaller Than Texas
If you want to imagine how big France is, a good comparison is that it is slightly smaller than the state of Texas! France has a ton of personality for such a small country.
While France isn’t that big, it is the biggest country in the European Union. For a little more perspective, France is twice as big as the United Kingdom and eight times the size of Ireland.
3. France Has the Largest Art Museum
The Louvre Museum in Paris, France, is the largest art museum in the world. This museum is so big that if you wanted to spend 30 seconds looking at each piece of art, it would take you approximately 100 days to get through the entire museum.
French artists created 66% of all the artwork in the museum. Here are some of the most famous pieces of artwork in the Louvre Museum:
- The Mona Lisa
- The Raft of the Medusa
- The Venus de Milo
- The Horse Tamers
- The Wedding at Cana
Before the Louvre Museum became a museum, it was a fortress built in the 12th century and then renovated into a royal palace in the 16th century. Many people claim that the Louvre Museum is haunted due to its age and complicated past.
4. The French Eat 25,000 Tons of Snails Each Year
Did you know that in France over 25,000 tons of snails are eaten every single year? That is a lot of snails! On average, a resident of France eats approximately 500 snails per year. The French consider snails to be a delicacy and they are often enjoyed during holidays.
In France, snails are referred to as “escargot.” While there are several different types of escargot that you can eat, one of the most common ways to eat snails in France is cooked in butter and garlic. The best way to eat snails in France is to do so at a French restaurant, often enjoyed as an appetizer.
- Interestingly, it is illegal to carry live snails on a train in France unless they have a ticket. This law states that animals weighing less than 5 kg (11 pounds) must travel with their own ticket, leading to some peculiar enforcement.
5. France Produces Over 1,500 Types of Cheese
While the exact number of cheeses produced in France is unknown, it is said that they make over 1,500 different cheeses! If you happen to love cheese, this may sound like a dream come true.
In fact, France ranks in the top ten countries for their amount of cheese consumption. More than 95% of the French population eats cheese, characterized by how long they age, the process of making the cheese, and how moldy they are.
Here are some of the most popular cheeses that you will find in France:
- Camembert de Normandie
- Brie de Meaux
- Reblochon
- Fromage Blanc
- Roquefort
- Munster
If you decide to visit France and try these different types of cheeses, be sure to pair wine with them for the full, French experience.
6. Supermarkets in France Can’t Throw Away Food
Supermarkets in France are not allowed to throw away food that is near the “best by” date. Instead, they must donate the food to a charity or food bank. France passed this law in 2016 to help reduce hunger and prevent food waste!
Supermarkets in France are donating about 45,000 pounds of food annually that would have been thrown away. Most of the food is distributed to families in need, benefiting both the community and the environment.
7. France Had a King – That Lasted Only 20 Minutes
Another interesting fact about France is that one of their kings only held the throne for about 20 minutes. This was one of the shortest reigns of a monarch that there has ever been.
Louis XIX was king of France for only 20 minutes after his father had abdicated. Ironically enough, Louis XIX also abdicated about 20 minutes after his father appointed him to the throne, sharing this record with Luís Filipe from Portugal.
8. The French Army Invented Camouflage
Did you know that the French Army was the one to invent camouflage? The French invented camouflage during World War I in 1915 by hiring artists to paint their vehicles and guns to blend in with the environment.
About a year after the French started camouflaging their equipment, other countries began adopting similar tactics.
9. It’s Unlucky to Turn a Baguette Upside Down
The French believe that placing a baguette (or any type of bread) upside down on a table can cause bad luck. This legend has persisted since the Middle Ages, rooted in historical practices surrounding the town executioner.
If you ever get the chance to visit France, be sure that you do not place any bread on the table upside down. Also, if you see any upside-down bread, avoid it!
10. The Tour de France is More than 100 Years Old
The famous cycling race, Tour de France, has been running since 1903. Since its humble beginnings, it is now the most prestigious cycling race in the world, lasting 23 days and covering more than 3383 km (2102 miles).
11. The French Drink Over 11 Million Glasses of Wine Each Year
Of all the countries in the world, France consumes the second-largest amount of wine. Total consumption reaches approximately 25 million hectoliters per year.
In addition to their high consumption, France is also known for creating the most expensive wine in the world. While you may not try the most expensive, exploring local wines in regions like Burgundy, Bordeaux, Rhône Valley, Provence, and Champagne is a must during your visit.
Fast France Facts
- Capital City: Paris, France
- Population of France: 68 million people
- National Motto: Liberté, égalité, fraternité
- The French Flag: Blue, White, and Red (Le Drapeau Tricolore)
- French is the official language of 29 countries worldwide.
- French was once the official language of England from 1066 to 1362 after the Norman Conquest.
Did You Enjoy These Fun Facts About France?
France is a country that is full of history, culture, and amazing experiences. There are so many fun facts about France that it is impossible to cover them all.
France remains the most popular tourist destination for good reason.
