Spotlight: France

In honour of Bastille Day—France’s National Day commemorating the start of the French Revolution in 1789—we’re turning the spotlight on this beautiful Gallic nation. The largest country in the EU, and third largest in Europe as a whole, France has been charming visitors with its atmospheric cities, culinary delights, stunning scenery, and chic inhabitants for centuries.

Fast Facts

• Population: 66, 259, 012
• Capital: Paris
• Major cities: Paris, Marseille, Lyon, Toulouse, Lille
• Motto: Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité (“Liberty, Equality, Fraternity”)

Fun Facts

• The French flag, aka “le drapeau Tricolore” dates to 1790, when the blue and red of the Parisian militia was combined with white, the ancient colour of France
• Its national symbols are the Gallic rooster, the fleur-de-lis, and Marianne, a portrayal of the Goddess of Liberty
• France is ranked as the top tourist destination in the world, ahead of the US and China
• It has 37 UNESCO sites
• It’s roughly the size of Texas
• It was under British rule for 300 years
• The Statue of Liberty was made in France and given to the United States in 1886 to celebrate their centennial
• The metric system was invented during the French Revolution
• The distress code “Mayday” comes from “M’aide,” French for “Help me”
• The concept of denim clothing originated in the city of Nimes
• There’s only one stop sign in the whole of Paris!

Where to Visit

• One of the most beautiful, historical, and iconic cities in the world, everyone should visit Paris at least once in their lifetime
• Located just outside the capital, the magnificent palace and gardens of Versailles will immerse you in the grandeur of pre-Revolution France
• For a European take on Disney that will please all ages, Disneyland Paris is worth a trip
• The stunning chateaux and vineyards of the Loire Valley are within easy reach of Paris
• Spread along the Channel coastline in the north of the country, Normandy has been a region of historical significance from the time of the Norman Conquest to the Second World War
• The Celtic region of Brittany is renowned for its beautiful beaches and charming towns
• On the border between France and Germany, the picturesque Strasbourg serves as the seat of the European Parliament
• For some serious glamour, the French Riviera (aka the Côte d’Azur), is the place to see and be seen
• With its rustic farmhouses and fields of lavender and sunflowers, Provence is an artist’s dream
• France’s second largest city, Marseille is a lively Mediterranean seaport which seamlessly blends old and new
• For a historical city with much to offer in the way of culture and cuisine, look no further than Lyon
• The recently spruced up port city of Bordeaux is well worth a visit, and its surrounding wine region is legendary
• Corsica, an island in the Mediterranean, is ideal for those seeking beautiful beaches as well as sites of historic interest
• With the peaks of Mont Blanc in the background, Chamonix, France’s premier ski resort, is a wintertime playground

What to Eat

In addition to the requisite croissants, baguettes, and macarons, be sure to try:

• Boeuf bourguignon (stew made of beef braised in red wine)
• Salade Niçoise (salad with tuna and hardboiled eggs)
• Croque-monsieur (grilled ham and cheese sandwich)
• Ratatouille (stewed vegetables)
• Bouillabaisse (Provençal fish stew)
• Tarte Tatin (upside-down fruit tart, usually made with apples)
• Brie, Gruyère, Camembert, and Roquefort (some of France’s best-known cheeses)

What to Drink

• Wine from the Bordeaux, Alsace, Champagne, and Provence regions
• Cognac (brandy)
• Cointreau (orange-flavoured liqueur)

What to Read 

• Madame Bovary, Gustave Flaubert
• Les Misérables and The Hunchback of Notre-Dame, Victor Hugo
• In Search of Lost Time, Marcel Proust
• The Three Musketeers and The Count of Monte Cristo, Alexandre Dumas
• The Stranger, Albert Camus
• A Tale of Two Cities, Charles Dickens

What to Watch

• Amélie (2001)
• La Vie en Rose (2007)
• Chocolat (2000)
• Midnight in Paris (2011)
• The Artist (2011)
• Marie Antoinette (2006)

Who to Listen To

• Berlioz, Saint-Saëns, Bizet, and Debussy are some well-known classical composers
• Daft Punk, David Guetta, and M83 are more recent additions to the French music scene

Who to Cheer For

• Les Bleus, France’s national football team, who won its first and only World Cup title in 1998
• Some other popular sports in France include rugby, cycling, motorsports, basketball, skiing, and sailing