France:
A member of the European Union, France is located in the western part of Europe. Paris is the capital city and largest city. France has a population of 65.5 million people.
Paris, Marseille, Lyon, Lille, Toulouse, Nice and Nantes are the largest cities in France. In 2007 France, 81.9 visited France with this figures France is the number 1 destination in the world, ahead of Spain and the USA. France features cities with high cultural interest, Paris among the most visited for its cultural assets, France is also a great place to enjoy the beaches in the summer and skiing in the winter time. Some of the most visited sites in France include the Eiffel Tower (the symbol of Paris), Louvre Museum, the Palace of Versailles, Musee d'Orsay, Arc De Triomphe and many others of great cultural or historical importance.
France offers ski resorts in the area of the French Alps. Accommodation of all kinds is available all over France. English visitors like to spend summer in the Dordogne valley, visitors from Spain like to vacation in Biarritz and St. Jean de Luz, the Irish spend time visiting Lourdes. Every year France receives visitors looking to attend the annual cycle race the Tour de France.
France also has beach resorts on the famous French Riviera in Languedoc-Roussillon or in the Corsica. Overseas France has sovereignty over the French Polynesia, especially in Tahiti, the Caribbean islands of Martinique, Guadeloupe and others are also frequented by visitors.
France Facts:
- Population: 60.90 million
- Capital: Paris
- Area: 640,053 sq km
- Language: French
- Government type: Republic
- Independence: July 14, 1790
- Major religion: Roman Catholic (83%-88%)
- Life expectancy: 78 years (men), 84 years (women)
- Monetary unit: Euro
- Internet domain: .fr
- International dialling code: +33
- Climate: Temperate, generally cool winters and mild summers.
- Driver's License: A valid driver's license is accepted for rental periods of less then
90 days. An International Driving Permit is recommended.
- Electricity: 220 V, 50Hz
- Entry Requirements: A valid passport and a return or onward ticket required.
- GMT Time: +1hr. Daylight savings time is applied.
- Requirred Vaccines: none
- Tourist Season: Year round but from April to June and September to November are best
- Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada: Travel Report of France
Map of France