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France

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France

France occupies a mythic place in the eurocentric consciousness. No country is more grand, opulent, dramatic, or tragic. It’s the idea of France and the French way of life that is ever enticing; life is full of adventure, passion, and love. The French appetite for living and living well is what enchants the rest of the world.

With diverse landscapes, medieval towns and abbeys, stunning architecture, high mountain ranges, dramatic coastlines, and never-ending lavender fields, France is perhaps the most majestic country in Europe.

Though we’ve both traveled throughout France, we’ve only traveled to Paris together.

This post links to products and services we love, which we may make a small commission from, at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting our blog!! – Sabrina and Kati

Versailles Gardens

France Basics

Official Name: République française (French Republic)

Capital: Paris

Government: Unitary Semi-presidential Republic

Regions: Mainland France is divided into 13 administrative regions. France also has 5 overseas regions. Until December 31, 2015,  the country was divided into 22 administrative regions.

  • Metropolitan Regions: (1) Grand Est, (2) New Aquitaine, (3) Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, (4) Burgundy-Franche-Comté, (5) Brittany, (6) Centre-Val de Loire, (7) Île-de-France, (8) Occitania, (9) Hauts-de-France, (10) Normandy, (11) Pays de la Loire, (12) Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (PACA), and (13) Corsica
  • Overseas Regions: (1) French Guiana, (2) Guadeloupe, (3) Martinique, (4) Mayotte, and (5) Réunion

Population: 67 Million

Official Language: French

Currency: Euro

Tipping Etiquette: Tipping isn’t obligatory in France. In a fine restaurant, you can tip up to 5% for exceptional service. In a casual dining setting, €1 to €3 is sufficient.

Water Quality: Tap water is safe to drink throughout France.

Something Interesting: You can legally marry a dead person in France. If there is sufficient proof that the deceased had the intention of wedding their partner while alive, a French person can receive permission from the French president to marry posthumously.

 
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On ne fait pas d’omelette sans casser des œufs.

 

 

 

French Proverb

You can’t make an omelette without breaking eggs.

Where to Go in France

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Destinations
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  • Lake Drachensee in the Mieminger Mountains in Tirol, Austria. Check out our stories for a recap of this gorgeous hike. @tirolerzugspitzarena @almbahn.tirol @visittirol
  • The greatest homecoming of all - Almabtrieb in Mayrhofen, Tirol, Austria. 🐄🐐🐑🐏 If you’ve hiked in the Alps, you’ve likely encountered grazing cattle, sheep and goats on high alpine pastures. When the animals return safely to the valley at the end of the summer/beginning of fall, their homecoming is celebrated with jubilant festivities in villages across the Alps. Seeing this special cattle drive marks one of our top experiences of 2021. ❓Have you been to an Almabtrieb? If so, which one?
  • Another perspective of one of the prettiest lakes in Slovenia. 📍Double Lake, Triglav Lakes Valley
  • Drinking coffee in the historic @post.hotel.kassl - a hotel in Oetz dating back to 1605. Once a farm, then a stagecoach inn, and now a 4-star-luxury hotel, the Haid family has been hosting royalty, artists and travelers for centuries. If you find yourself in Ötztal, drop by for a drink in their gorgeous Belle Époque bar, or better yet stay overnight to step back in time for a while. 📷 photo taken inside the stone pine Stube.
  • The loop trail around Pala di San Martino (2987 m) in Pale di San Martino. 📍Trailhead: San Martino di Castrozza, Trentino, Italy
  • Dvojno jezero (Double Lake) in Triglav Lakes Valley, Slovenia.
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