France occupies a mythic place in the eurocentric consciousness. No country is more grand, opulent, dramatic, or tragic. Itโs 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.
Hikers flock to Chamonix each summer to hike the famous Tour du Mont Blanc, a 170 km (105 miles) long distance hiking trail, which circuits the Mont Blanc mountain range.
Our love affair with France began in Calanques National Park in Provence and continued in Brittany in the north.
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FRANCE TRAVEL GUIDE OVERVIEW
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France Travel Map
France Destinations
Brittany
Late May – September
Best Places to Stay in Brittany including Belle-Ile Island, Crozon Peninsula, and Roscoff
Calanques National Park
October – May
France Facts
Official Name | Rรฉpublique franรงaise (French Republic)
Capital | Paris
Government | Unitary Semi-presidential Republic
Regions | Mainland France is divided into 13 administrative regions. France also has 5 overseas regions.
Metropolitan Regions: (1) Grand Est, (2) New Aquitaine, (3) Auvergne-Rhรดne-Alpes, (4) Burgundy-Franche-Comtรฉ, (5) Brittany, (6) Centre-Val de Loire, (7) รle-de-France, (8) Occitania, (9) Hauts-de-France, (10) Normandy, (11) Pays de la Loire, (12) Provence-Alpes-Cรดte d’Azur (PACA), and (13) Corsica
Overseas Regions: (1) French Guiana, (2) Guadeloupe, (3) Martinique, (4) Mayotte, and (5) Rรฉunion
Population | 67 Million
Official Language | French
Currency | Euro
Tipping Etiquette | Tipping isnโt obligatory in France. In a fine restaurant, you can tip up to 5% for exceptional service. In a casual dining setting, 1-3 EUR 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.
French Proverb | On ne fait pas d’omelette sans casser des ลufs, which means “You can’t make an omelet without breaking eggs.”
France Travel Blogs
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Europe Road Trip Ideas: 16 Adventurous Routes
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Hiking in Brittany, France: Our Favorite Coastal Walks
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Where to Stay in Brittany, France: 7 Charming Towns
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10-Day Brittany Road Trip Itinerary, Northern France
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7 Best Things to Do in Roscoff, Brittany, France
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Visiting Paimpol in Brittany, France: Where to Eat, Stay, Hike
