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France, Sovereign state in Western Europe.

France is a country in Western Europe stretching from the Mediterranean coast to the English Channel and reaching the Rhine, with Atlantic shores, Mediterranean coves, wide river valleys and mountain ranges. The mainland includes both flat plains and high mountains and shares borders with eight other nations.

The kingdom emerged in 843 through the Treaty of Verdun and became a republic in 1792. The Fifth Republic under Charles de Gaulle came into being in 1958 following several constitutional changes.

The name comes from the Germanic tribe of Franks who ruled the territory in the early Middle Ages. Today people live in a secular society where religion is separated from public life and where daily interactions are shaped by shared republican values.

The railway network connects larger cities with high-speed trains and regional lines, while motorways serve all parts of the territory. International airports operate in major urban areas and allow arrivals from many countries.

Mont Blanc rises to 4,808 meters and forms the highest peak in Western Europe. More than 400 cheese varieties are produced across the territory and each region maintains its own recipes and aging methods for these dairy products.

Inception: May 18, 1804

Part of: Western Europe, Pyrenees–Mediterranean Euroregion, European Union, European Economic Area

Shares border with: Spain, Andorra, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Monaco, Brazil, Suriname, Kingdom of the Netherlands, United Kingdom, Venezuela, Navarre, Mauritius, Solomon Islands

Address: France

Website: https://gouvernement.fr

GPS coordinates: 47.00000,2.00000

Latest update: December 12, 2025 18:37

Photos
Historical sites off the beaten path: medieval towers, Roman theatres, prehistoric caves

This collection presents historical sites across France that lie away from the usual tourist routes. From medieval fortifications to Roman structures, these locations provide direct access to different periods of French history. The selection includes fortified towers, amphitheatres, Celtic temples...

Botanical gardens in France: rare plant species, historic parks

These botanical gardens in France contain rare plant species, historic grounds and Mediterranean landscapes. Collections include the Jardin des Serres d'Auteuil in Paris with its 19th century greenhouses, the Parc Oriental de Maulévrier featuring Japanese garden design and the Jardin Botanique de la...

Canyons in France: limestone gorges, red cliffs, and rivers

France's landscape features a variety of natural canyons carved by river erosion over millennia. These geological formations include the white limestone walls of Verdon, the red shale cliffs of Daluis Canyon, and the emerald waters of Ardèche. Each site reflects a unique geological history, with...

Hidden gems of France

France protects some of Europe's most varied natural landscapes through a network of national and regional parks. These areas range from snow-capped mountains to Mediterranean shores, each offering something distinct to visitors. You can find alpine peaks that touch the sky, glaciers that have...

The most beautiful botanical gardens in France

France has several dozen botanical gardens combining scientific research and plant conservation. The greenhouses of the National Museum of Natural History in Paris host over 4,500 species in climate-controlled zones, while the Lyon Botanical Garden cultivates around 15,000 plants divided between...

Top tourist attractions in Grenoble

Grenoble sits in the Isère River valley, surrounded by three mountain ranges in the French Alps. The city combines alpine landscape with urban infrastructure and serves as a base for exploring the surrounding mountain regions. The Fort de la Bastille, accessible via a historic cable car, provides...

Historic streets and passages in France: medieval architecture, traditional markets, seaside walks

The streets of France tell stories that go back many centuries. Walking through the cobblestone alleys of Paris, you see old facades and small hidden cafes. In Strasbourg, the canals wind between colorful houses with typical timber-framed walls. Nice has palm-lined walkways where locals and visitors...

French national parks: Alps, Mediterranean, Pyrenees

France maintains eleven national parks and dozens of regional nature parks that protect diverse landscapes from the Mediterranean coast to the Alps. The protected areas preserve mountains, coastlines, wetlands, volcanic formations and forests. They provide habitat for various wildlife and plant...

French winter destinations in cities and nature

France offers diverse winter destinations spanning both urban and natural landscapes. The Alpine regions contain several ski areas, including Chamonix-Mont-Blanc at the base of Western Europe's highest peak, Les Trois Vallées with its extensive network of runs, and L'Alpe d'Huez at elevations above...

Notable rock formations in France

France displays a range of geological formations shaped by millions of years of natural processes. White chalk cliffs mark the northern coast, including the cliffs of Étretat and the rock of Mont Saint-Michel in Normandy. In southern regions, deep limestone gorges cut through the landscape, while...

Ski resorts in France: alpine ski areas, slopes and ski lifts

The French Alps encompass several hundred kilometers of ski slopes spread across various mountain ranges. Ski areas such as the Three Valleys, linking Courchevel, Meribel, and Val Thorens, or Paradiski, connecting La Plagne and Les Arcs, provide extensive networks suitable for both beginners and...

Halloween in France: amusement parks, haunted castles, and night visits

Halloween becomes an annual major event across France. Theme parks like Disneyland Paris, Parc Astérix, and Futuroscope create special environments with seasonal decorations, themed shows, and attractions suitable for all ages. Families can enjoy special menus in restaurants and meet costumed...

World War I historical sites in France

Across France, you'll find places dedicated to World War I that tell the story of what happened between 1914 and 1918. These are not just buildings or collections—they are where the war actually took place. You can visit monuments that stand on former battlefields, walk through military cemeteries...

The most beautiful lighthouses of France

French lighthouses line approximately 3,400 miles (5,500 km) of coast, from the English Channel to the Mediterranean Sea. These maritime structures, built between the 17th and 20th centuries, occupy strategic locations on rocky promontories, islands, and sometimes in open sea. Constructed from...

The most beautiful historic villages of France: stones, alleys, and open-air stories

Throughout France's regions lie villages that seem frozen in time. These places are built from stone, wood, and light, where history is written across facades and paved streets. Some nestle in valleys, others cling to cliffs or look out over vineyards. You find old houses, squares with arcades,...

Famous writers’ houses in France

France has kept the homes of its greatest writers, turning them into literary museums where you can step into the lives of authors who shaped French culture. In Paris, you can visit Balzac's house, where he wrote his novels fueled by endless cups of coffee. Head to Berry to see Nohant Castle, where...

The smallest villages in France by population

France has some municipalities with extremely low populations, not exceeding 12 residents. These villages reflect the demographic shifts in rural France and provide insight into a lifestyle that has become rare. Rochefourchat in Drôme holds the record with just one inhabitant, while Aingoulaincourt...

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