France Facts And Figures
Facts About France
France has a lot to offer visitors. There are stunning beaches, mountain ranges, ancient ruins, majestic castles, historic cities and villages, and modern cities with the best shopping in the world. Not to mention that France has some of the finest, and most delicious cuisine in the world.
There are a ton of attractions in France worth visiting, but you should definitely start by crossing some of these off of your travel list.
Great Tourist Attractions in France
Paris
Paris by itself has a wide range of attractions that draw in visitors from all over the world every year.
- Eiffel Tower – Probably the most well-known tourist attraction in France, the Eiffel Tower was built by Gustav Eiffel in 1887. It stands 324 meters high and offers a breathtaking view of Paris.
- Notre Dame Cathedral – The Notre Dame Cathedral is one of the longest-standing symbols of Paris. It is one of the most beautiful examples of French Gothic architecture and is well-known for the statues and gargoyles that adorn its roof.
- Louvre Museum – This museum is said to be the most visited museum in the world and is divided into eight departments; Egyptian antiquities, paintings, graphic arts, Sculptures of the Middle Ages, Renaissance and Modern Times, Islamic Art, Greek, Etruscan and Roman art, Objects of art and Oriental antiquities.
Lascaux Caves
Located near the village of Montignac, Lascaux is a complex of caves that feature some of the oldest cave paintings discovered. The rock paintings are said to be around 17,000 years old.
French Alps
The portion of the Alps that is within France is known as the French alps. This is a great spot for sports such as hiking, skiing and snowboarding.
Provence
This region is known for its charming historic towns and its romantic lavender fields. Photographers travel to this area often to get pictures of the stunning fields of flowers.
French Riviera
Also known as the Côte d’Azur, this is the Mediterranean coast in Southeast France. This area is famous for its glamorous beaches, stunning views and picture-perfect water.
| Information Type | France Data |
|---|---|
| Population | 65,273,511 people (June 2020) |
| Gross Domestic Product PPP (GDP) | US$2.7 trillion (2019 est.) |
| GDP Per Capita | US$44,800 (2020) |
| Inflation Rate | 0.9% (2013 est.) |
| Currency | Euro (EUR) |
| Exchange Rate Versus U.S. Dollar | 0.88 euro per U.S. dollar (June 2020) |
| Language | French |
| Capital | Paris< |
| Population of Capital City | 11 million (metropolitan area, 2020) |
| Time Zone | GMT plus 1 |
| International Dialing Code | 33 |
| Electricity | 230V / 50 Hz. Plug Type: E |
| System of Government | Republic |
| Current Leader | President Emmanuel Macron (since May 14, 2017) |
| Inheritance Tax | 0% to 60% |
| Transfer Tax | 3% to 5.09% |
| Sales Tax | 20% |
| Restrictions on Foreign Ownership of Property | None |
| Local Chamber of Commerce | www.acfci.cci.fr 46-48, Avenue de la Grande Armee. CS 50071 75858 Paris Cedex 17 Tel: 33-0-1-4069-3700 |
| American Chamber of Commerce | www.amchamfrance.org AmCham France 77, Rue de Miromesnil 75008 Paris Tel: 33-0-1-5643-4567 |
| Primary Exports | Machinery and transportation equipment, aircraft, plastics, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, iron, steel, beverages. |
| National Airline | Air France www.airfrance.com |