France is one of the major countries in Europe. It borders six other countries: Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg Andorra, Italy, Monaco. As there are many large international airports (two of these can be located in Paris), ferry terminals, and the French rail service, the country is considered to be the gateway to Europe. The most popular tourist destination in the world is France. France is now renowned and famous for its food and wines. It is safe to claim that the French enjoy cooking and dining. The standard French meal involves three to four courses including pre-dessert cheese. Freshly baked bread and wine accompany all meals. What are interesting facts about France? Regardless of whether you live in France or just visit it, knowing some information about the country will help you get to know things better. So be prepared here we are sharing some interesting facts about France.
The camera phone has been invented in France
In 1997 a Parisian business named Philippe Kahn invented the camera phone in France. He first took the picture of his newborn daughter, Sophie, whom he sent to friends and relatives.
France is the EU’s largest nation and it is known as L’Hexagone
France, with a total surface area of 551,695 km square, is the largest country in the European Union. Around a third of France (31 per cent) is forest, so after Sweden, Finland, and Spain, France is the fourth largest forest country in the EU. Because of the six-sided form, the country is often called L’Hexagone.
The Louver in Paris is the world’s most famous art museum
In 2019, the Paris Louver museum was visited by a record 10.2 million people – a Beyonce and Jay-Z video shot at the museum was suggested to raise numbers of visitors. Most significantly, you need to reserve your ticket in advance. Stop wasting time and book your ticket for the Louver.
Facts about France: It is the best-known tourist destination in the world
It could be time to master your French because according to the latest tourist statistics France is the place to be. In 2018, a record of 89,3 million tourists made the country the world’s most frequented destination. The capital of the nation, Paris, is also behind Bangkok and London, the third-largest city in the world. Packing time!
For around 300 years, French was England’s official language
It is difficult to believe that French was England’s official language. However after William, the Conquistador led the Norman conquest and subsequently occupied England, he introduced the nation to Anglo-Norman French in 1066 The kingdom, aristocrats, and influential officials, some of whom could not speak English, spoke it. However, in 1362 the parliament approved the Pleading Act in English, which made English the government’s official language. Since Norman French was used to pleading but the common people in England, who were not sure what was said in court, were completely ignorant of it.
For just 20 minutes Louis XIX was King of France: The shortest reign ever
Yeah, you read that right. After his father Charles X’s resignation, the French king entitled himself to the French throne in July 1830 was just twenty minutes after the royal fame. Louis-Antoine also abdicated in favor of his nephew, Duke of Bordeaux, after that short time. It makes him the shortest king ever to rule. He shares the stunning record with Crown Prince Luis Filipe who, after his father’s assassination, became the king of Portugal. Twenty minutes later he also died of a wound.
The French Army used camouflage for the first time in 1915 (World War I)
A fascinating truth about France is now here. In reality, “camouflage” comes from the French verb which means “to make up for the stage.” The French Army, in 1915, was the first to create a devoted unit of camouflage. Artists called camouflage painted weapons and cars. The next year, under Lieutenant Colonel Francis Wyatt, the British Army followed and formed its own camouflage division.
Facts about France: You can marry a dead man in France
One very surprising reality is that in special cases, you can marry, posthumously under French law. This is provided you can explain that when the dead person was alive he wished to marry you. The French President must also give you permission. The most recent case accepted was in 2017, when jihadist authorisation was given to a partner of a gay police force who had been shot down by a jihadist in the Paris Champs-Elysees.
France was the first nation in the world to prohibit food throwing in supermarkets
Now, it’s one of the facts about France to take pride in. France was the first country in the world to forbid supermarkets from tossing or burning unsold food in February 2016. Shops now have to donate food banks and charities excess food items. Supermarkets over 4,305 m2 that are found with good quality food near their ‘best-earlier’ date face high penalties of up to $75,000 or two years in jail. In addition, the destruction of food as a way to avoid the “dumping divers” from drilling in garbage cans is also prohibited for all French supermarkets. Nice one, France!
Facts about France: The French Lumière screened a film for the first time in 1895
The brothers of Lumiere were famous as they were for their film photography system and their short films made from 1895 to 1905. They were Auguste Marie Louis Nicolas and Louis Jean. On 28 December 1895, at the Grand Café in Paris, a prominent duo conducted the first public film screening in the world. Their debut director was The Staff Leaving the Lumière Factory, The Light Factory’s Production. The black and white video, which was 5 seconds long, showed workers leaving the factory in Lumière, which completely blurred the audience. Louis Lumière allegedly said in 1895 that film is “a future free invention.” Oh, how little did he know?
The French invented tin cans, hairdryer, and balloon
One of the fun facts about France is that it turns out that we have to thank the French for many of the useful innovations that today we know and love. The idea of using sealed glass jars held in boiling water to preserve food was, for instance, put by the French inventor Nicolas Appert in 1809. The tin can was invented later by Pierre Durand. Braille has also been created by the infant blinded Louis Braille. Meanwhile, in 1816 the stethoscope was invented by the doctor René Laennec and the world’s first hair dryer was patented by the doctor of Alexandre-Ferdinand Godefroy. The Montgolfier brothers Joseph and Etienne both pioneered the magnificent hot air balloon and introduced in 1783 the first public display of a non-termed balloon in the world.
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A French lady named Jeanne Louise Calment was the oldest person ever alive
The greatest completely authenticated age is 122 years and 164 days to which a human being has ever lived. Born in France, 21 February 1875, Jeanne Louise Calment died on 4 August 1997. Of course, in 2018, women in France had a life expectancy of 85.3 years and men 79.4 years. France also ranks 14th overall for men and women with an average life expectancy of up to 83 years.
In 2013, France legalised marriage of the same sex
On 18 May 2013, when President Françoise Holland signed the bill, France became Europe’s ninth and 14th largest country to legalise marriage between the same sexes. Although polls at the time demonstrated that about 50% of the French embraced it, it was not a pleasure for everyone. In reality, thousands of people have taken to the streets in protest to defend so-called “family values.”
Facts about France: It’s unlucky to turn a baguette upside down
Some of this French superstition’s origins have been related to, but it is most likely mediaeval. The lawyer himself had no time to get in the bakery before he works because an execution had been planned in the area. Therefore, by turning down the bread the baker reserved his loaf. Thus, flipping a baguette on its head was linked to death and sickness – and superstition persists. Take a ‘behind the scenes’ bakery tour in Paris for more kitchen secrets.
The croissant was invented In Austria
France may be the croissant’s spiritual home, but the pastry originally started its days in Austria. The Kipferl – the ancestor of the croissant who was born in the 13th century in Vienna’s coffee shops – was the crescent morning sweet original. The kipferl was made from thick dough with less flaky weight and later crossed the French frontier, becoming the iconic croissant.
Facts about France: ‘Liberté, égalité, fraternité’ or ‘liberty, equality, fraternity’ is the national motto
The national motto “Liberty, Equality and Fraternity” has its origin in the French Revolution but has not been popularised until the end of the 19th century. This motto has its origin in the French Revolution. In the first speech given by Maximilien Robespierre in 1790, this popular trio of words was vocalised. Interestingly speaking, the sentence is also Haiti’s (a former French colony) national motto.
Lastly, some facts about Christmas in France: Most French children open their Christmas gifts on Christmas Day, but many French adults don’t. They await New Year’s Eve.
The French also hang mistletoe over their doors in their home to bring good fortune for the coming year.
FAQs
1.What’s unique about France?
From being the largest country in the European Union to being the country that invented the hot air balloon, there are tons of interesting and some pretty crazy facts that make France the unique and exceptional country that it is.
2.What is the most interesting fact about France?
A lesser-known, interesting and commendable fact about France has to be that it is the first country to make throwing out or burning food perfectly consumable yet unsold food illegal. Unlike major countries around the world that dispose of their unsold food items, France has made it illegal to get rid of these food items but rather urging that they be distributed among the needy.
3.What did France invent?
France is home to some of the most immensely popular and important inventions of the centuries past. From the stethoscope to the hairdryer and our beloved movies, France has revolutionised the world with its contemporary inventions the ones that we cannot imagine life without.
4.What’s best about France?
Be it the cheese, the beach, the fashion, the architecture or the French way of life, France does it best. Among the top countries in the world, it is always a step ahead and yet embraces its legacy along the way.
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