France has many interesting facts that might surprise even the most seasoned readers.
From its unique geography to its contributions in various fields, there’s much to learn beyond the famous landmarks and traditions. In this article, we explore some lesser-known facts about France that show its uniqueness.
Photo by Polina Kovaleva
15 Fun Facts About France
France’s National Motto: Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité
One of the most iconic fun facts about France is its motto, Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité (Liberty, Equality, Fraternity). This motto originated during the French Revolution and reflects the main ideas of the Republic. It was officially established in the Constitution of 1958.
You will find this motto on government documents and even engraved on buildings. It represents the values of freedom, equal rights, and unity among people.
Photo by Jean-Philippe Canto
World’s Most Visited Museum: The Louvre
A fun fact about France is that the Louvre Museum in Paris is the most visited art museum globally. In 2022 alone, it welcomed about 7.8 million visitors. In fact, the museum limits daily attendance to 30,000 visitors in order to make visits comfortable. It exposes world-famous artworks, including the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo.
The Louvre has a long history: it was originally built as a fortress in the late 12th century and was converted into a museum in 1793.
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France Has Over 1,600 Types of Cheese
With over 1,600 varieties, France is truly the land of cheese, and it is an integral part in French culture. Each French region produces unique cheeses based on local traditions and milk sources.
Famous examples include Brie, Camembert, and Roquefort. Many French cheeses carry the Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC) label, which guarantees they meet specific production standards. Such incredible diversity of French cheeses is a testament to the country’s culinary history and regional craftsmanship.
Paris Introduced the First Public Transport
An interesting fun fact about France is that Paris launched the world’s first public transportation system, the omnibus, in 1662. Devised by Blaise Pascal, this system, called Carrosses à Cinq Sols, had fixed routes and fares. It began with five lines connecting various parts of the city.
Despite its initial success, the service could not attract enough passengers and ceased operations around 1677. However, this pioneering attempt laid the groundwork for future public transportation in Paris.
France is the Largest Country in the EU
Did you know that France is the largest country by land area in the European Union? It covers approximately 551,695 square kilometers and its population is around 68 million.
France plays a very important role in leading the EU and is highly influential in the union’s politics and economy. The country also contains many overseas regions, which contribute to its cultural diversity but are not part of its land area within the EU.
Photo by Anthony Beck
The Oldest Person in the World Was French
One interesting fun fact about France is that Jeanne Calment, a French woman, holds the record as the oldest person ever to have lived. Born on February 21, 1875, she lived for an incredible 122 years and 164 days, passing away on August 4, 1997.
While many might think Japan holds this record due to its reputation for longevity, Jeanne’s age was well-documented and verified through multiple records. She even met notable figures like Vincent van Gogh and witnessed major historical events during her lifetime. To this day, Jeanne Calment is still the longest-lived person ever confirmed.
France Spans 12 Time Zones
France spans 12 official time zones, more than any other country, including Russia, which spans 11. This is due to its numerous overseas territories around the world. Metropolitan France uses Central European Time (UTC+1) and Central European Summer Time (UTC+2) during the summer. Areas such as French Polynesia and New Caledonia use different times, ranging from UTC-10 to UTC+12. With daylight saving time in Saint Pierre and Miquelon, the count can reach 13 time zones.
The Hot Air Balloon Was Invented in France
The hot air balloon was invented by the brothers Joseph-Michel and Jacques-Étienne Montgolfier of France. They conducted their first public demonstration at Versailles in 1783, during which the balloon carried a sheep, a duck, and a rooster into the air. Later that same year, the first flight with human passengers took place over Paris, with Pilâtre de Rozier and Marquis d’Arlandes aboard. This event marked a giant milestone in the history of human flight.
Baguette Superstition: Don’t Place It Upside Down
A superstitious fun fact about France is that placing a baguette upside down on the table is considered bad luck. This superstition dates back to medieval times. In the past, some people believed that an upside-down baguette brought misfortune, especially because bakers would flip loaves over for executioners. The upside-down loaf was associated with death and bad luck.
Today, many still consider it bad luck, believing it could bring misfortune, such as hunger curses. If it happens by chance, the remedy is to draw a cross on the flat side before cutting it.
Photo by Pixabay
French People Consume 47 Liters of Wine Per Year
France is one of the top wine-consuming countries in the world, which highlights its long wine tradition. In fact, French people drink about 47 liters of wine each year on average. Wine is a big part of French culture, with many people enjoying it during meals and social events.
France is also famous for its diverse wine varieties, including red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir, and white wines like Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, each of which represents different regions and terroirs of the country.
France Pioneered Military Camouflage
France initiated military camouflage in World War I when the first special camouflage unit was established in 1915. The French Army tried other designs, including hand-painted uniforms for snipers and scouts. Artists, known as camoufleurs, helped in creating these patterns.
This innovation influenced military tactics worldwide and marked a shift in how armies concealed their movements and positions during battle.
Photo by Maxim Potkin ❄ on Unsplash
Tour de France is Over 100 Years Old
One of the fun sporting facts about France is that the Tour de France cycling race started in 1903. It is one of the most prestigious and challenging cycling events. It was created to help promote the French newspaper L’Auto. The first race took 19 days and covered about 2,428 kilometers.
Since then, it has grown longer and more difficult, becoming a major yearly event. Typically, it involves about 20 teams, attracting millions of viewers from all over the world, including some of the best cyclists.
The Croissant Originated in Austria
A surprising fun fact about France is that the beloved croissant is not French. The croissant originated in Austria in the form of the kipferl, a crescent-shaped pastry dating back to the 13th century. It gained more popularity in France when, in 1838, August Zang opened a Viennese bakery in Paris. The French adapted the recipe to include laminated dough, which gives the croissant its flaky texture.
Other stories connect the croissant with Marie Antoinette, but these have not been proven. Today, the croissant is a staple of French cuisine.
France Allows Posthumous Marriages
One of the weirdest facts is that France allows posthumous marriage, a type of marriage where one marries a deceased partner. This practice has been legally allowed since the aftermath of a tragedy in 1959, when the collapse of a dam killed dozens, including the fiancé of a pregnant woman. The law requires that the surviving person prove the deceased’s agreement to the marriage and receive approval from the deceased’s family.
This marriage is symbolic, as the surviving spouse does not gain inheritance rights. Every year, several requests for posthumous marriages are made to legitimize children or simply out of personal interest.
France Has a Food Waste Law
France passed a Food Waste Law that compelled supermarkets to give away unsold food. The 2016 law, which targets food waste reduction, takes in the needy. According to French law, all supermarkets larger than 4,500 square feet have to partner with a food recovery organization to distribute their surplus at least two days before it expires.
Failure to comply could lead to possible fines or even prison, giving much-needed impetus to donating food.
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Photo by Polina Kovaleva