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- Capital: Paris
- Area: 643,801 sq km
- Population: 67.8 million
- Language: French
Regions
| Auvergne – Rhône-Alpes | Brittany | Bourgogne – Franche-Comté |
| Corsica | Centre – Val de Loire | Grand-Est |
| Hauts de France | Île de France | Nouvelle Aquitaine |
| Normandie | Occitanie | Pays de la Loire |
| Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur |
Cities
| Paris | Nice | Lyon | Marseille | Burgundy | Strasbourg |
France, officially the French Republic, is a country whose territory consists of metropolitan France in Western Europe and several overseas regions and territories. The metropolitan area of France extends from the Mediterranean Sea to the English Channel and the North Sea, and from the Rhine to the Atlantic Ocean. It is bordered by Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany to the northeast, Switzerland and Italy to the east, and Andorra and Spain to the south. The overseas territories include French Guiana in South America and several islands in the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans. France is a unitary semi-presidential republic with its capital in Paris, the country’s largest city and main cultural and commercial centre. Other major urban areas include Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse, Bordeaux, Lille and Nice.
During the Iron Age, what is now metropolitan France was inhabited by the Gauls, a Celtic people. Rome annexed the area in 51 BC, holding it until the arrival of Germanic Franks in 476, who formed the Kingdom of Francia. The Treaty of Verdun of 843 partitioned Francia into East Francia, Middle Francia and West Francia. West Francia, which became the Kingdom of France in 987, emerged as a major European power in the Late Middle Ages, following its victory in the Hundred Years’ War (1337–1453). During the Renaissance, French culture flourished and a global colonial empire was established, which by the 20th century would become the second-largest in the world.
The 16th century was dominated by religious civil wars between Catholics and Protestants (Huguenots). France became Europe’s dominant cultural, political, and military power in the 17th century under Louis XIV.[12] In the late 18th century, the French Revolution overthrew the absolute monarchy, establishing one of modern history’s earliest republics and drafting the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, which expresses the nation’s ideals to this day.
USEFUL INFORMATION
Currency & banking
On 1 January 2002, along with 11 other Member States of the European Union, France adopted the euro currency. These notes and coins can therefore be used in any country belonging to the euro zone: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia and Spain.
- €1 is made up of 100 centimes or cents.
- Notes: €5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200.
- Coins: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 centimes, as well as €1 and 2€.
Credit cards from major providers are accepted almost everywhere. That includes Visa and Mastercard as well as American Express and Diners Club.
Just be wary of the charges you might incur for using your credit card overseas. These can include:
- International transaction fees
- High exchange rate margins
- ATM fees
- Potential ‘cash advance fees if you use an ATM
Etiquette
- Conversation Use the formal vous when speaking to anyone unknown or older than you; the informal tu is reserved for close friends, family and children.
- Churches Dress modestly (cover shoulders).
- Drinks Asking for une carafe d’eau (free jug of tap water) in restaurants is acceptable. Never end a meal with a cappuccino or cup of tea. Play French and order un café (espresso).
- French kissing Exchange bisous (cheek-skimming kisses) – at least two, but in some parts of France it can be up to four – with casual acquaintances and friends.
Getting around
Air
France’s high-speed train network renders rail travel between some cities (eg from Paris to Lyon, Marseille and Bordeaux) faster and easier than flying.
Bicycle
France is great for cycling. Much of the countryside is drop-dead gorgeous and the country has a growing number of urban and rural pistes cyclables (bike paths and lanes; see Voies Vertes online at http://www.voievertes.com) and an extensive network of secondary and tertiary roads with relatively light traffic.
French law requires that bicycles must have two functioning brakes, a bell, a red reflector on the back and yellow reflectors on the pedals. After sunset and when visibility is poor, cyclists must turn on a white headlamp and a red tail lamp. When being overtaken by a vehicle, cyclists must ride in a single file. Towing children in a bike trailer is permitted.
Boat
There are boat services along France’s coasts and to its offshore islands, and ferries aplenty to/from Corsica.
Canal Boating
Transportation and tranquillity are usually mutually exclusive – but not if you rent a houseboat and cruise along France’s canals and navigable rivers, stopping at whim to pick up supplies, dine at a village restaurant or check out a local château by bicycle. Changes in altitude are taken care of by a system of écluses (locks).
Bus
Buses are widely used for short-distance travel within départements, especially in rural areas with relatively few train lines (eg Brittany and Normandy). Unfortunately, services in some regions are infrequent and slow, in part because they were designed to get children to their schools in the towns rather than transport visitors around the countryside.
Some less-busy train lines have been replaced by SNCF buses, which, unlike regional buses, are free if you’ve got a rail pass.
Car & Motorcycle
Having your own wheels gives you exceptional freedom and makes it easy to visit more remote parts of France. Depending on the number of passengers, it can also work out cheaper than the train. For example, by autoroute, the 930km drive from Paris to Nice (9½ hours of driving) in a small car costs about €75 for petrol and another €77 in tolls – by comparison, a one-way, 2nd-class TGV ticket for the 5½-hour Paris to Nice run costs anything from €69 to €120 per person.
In the cities, traffic and finding a place to park can be a major headache. During holiday periods and bank holiday weekends, roads throughout France also get backed up with traffic jams
Train
Travelling by train in France is a comfortable and environmentally sustainable way to see the country. Since many train stations have car-hire agencies, it’s easy to combine rail travel with rural exploration by car.
The jewel in the crown of France’s public transport system – alongside the Paris métro – is its extensive rail network, almost all of it run by the heavily indebted, state-rail operator SNCF.
What to wear
Light cotton clothes are needed in the summer, medium weight in the Winter. raincoats and waterproof clothing are especially needed in the western areas and the mountainous regions. Wherever you go, take a sweater for cool evenings.
Health advice
The US Center For Disease Control maintains an updated list of medical advice for those travelling to France.
The CDC recommends being up to date with all your regular shots. These vaccines include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine, varicella (chickenpox) vaccine, polio vaccine, and your yearly flu shot
They also suggest being vaccinated for hepatitis A. There is also some advice about protection for hepatitis B and rabies – but this depends to some degree on where you are heading and what you are doing.
Health insurance
The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) entitles EU citizens to the same emergency healthcare benefits as local citizens receive from their national healthcare; therefore, most emergency care in France will be free for EU citizens, but transporting you to your home country, if you fall ill, will not be covered.
Citizens from other countries should find out if their personal insurance policy covers them abroad. Doctors expect cash if you do not have a national or European health insurance card; make sure your insurance plan will reimburse your expenses.
Regardless of whether or not you carry an EHIC card, it’s always wise to bring cash, a credit card and a valid passport to any hospital or emergency clinic.
Recommended vacations
No jabs are required to travel to Italy, though the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that all travellers should be covered for diphtheria, tetanus, measles, mumps, rubella, polio and hepatitis B.
France’s level of health care is high, and all cities and large towns will have a hospital or clinic offering emergency medical treatment. Prague has several hospitals that are used to treating visiting foreigners. Costs are reasonable and generally lower than in Western Europe, and much lower than in the US.
Tap water safety
Tap water in Prague and other large cities is safe to drink. Opt for bottled water in rural areas.
Safety
Here is a link to the US State Department Travel Advisory for the Czech Republic for the latest information on travelling to Italy.
Remember the emergency number in the Czech Republic is 112. It works from any phone.
Travelling in the Czech Republic is generally safe, it’s highly ranked on the list of the safest and most dangerous countries. … Visitors of the country never faced any serious threats during their stay in the country, however, pickpocketing, petty thefts, bag snatching and ATM scams are possible.
Use ATM machines in a bank and not the ones on sidewalks. This is to prevent youngsters from rushing to you in a group and grabbing the money as it comes out of the machine. Also, some ATM machines on the street may have had their keyboards tampered with and will transmit your card number and code to someone who will try to empty your account. This is called card skimming.
Climate
France has a predominantly oceanic climate (Köppen climate classification Cfa, Cfb). The southeast, including the island of Corsica, has a mainly Mediterranean climate (Köppen Csa, Csb), with a few arid swathes (Köppen BSk). The highlands and mountains in the east experience alpine climates (Köppen Df variants and ET). France occupies a significant portion of Western Europe and has several overseas territories that lie in different time zones. Land borders include Spain and Andorra in the south, Italy, and Switzerland in the east, and Germany, Belgium, and Luxembourg in the northeast. The Mediterranean Sea in the southeast, the Atlantic Ocean in the west, the English Channel in the northwest, and the North Sea in the north, form the water boundaries. The location in the northern temperate zone and proximity to vast bodies of water influence the climate.
France has a diverse topography that consists of mountain ranges in the south and east, and coastal plains in the north and west. The Massif Central range lies in the south-central portion, while the Pyrenees are in the southwest. The valleys and river basins in the southwest and north have the most fertile grounds. The coastline of the French Riviera has a landscape overlooking mountain ranges, while the coast of Languedoc has sandy plains nearby. Rhone, Loire, Garonne, and Seine rivers and their tributaries constitute the four major river systems. Many of the rivers flow into the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. Mont Blanc, on the border of the French-Italian Alps, with an altitude of 4810 meters, is the highest peak in France.
Best time to visit France
The best time to visit France is from mid-May to June in spring and September in the autumn. The Mediterranean region has mild temperatures in the shoulder seasons and is relatively less rainy. The summer is also a good time for beach holidays on the Atlantic coast in July and August, with warm sunshine. The inland areas, southeast, and Corsica are particularly prone to heatwaves during the hot season. Skiing enthusiasts find February and March to their liking when the days are longer than peak winter season, and there is ample snow. High altitude mountain resorts remain open even in the summer, with the availability of snow.
The worst time to visit France
The worst time to visit France is generally in the winter from December to February. The cold winds from Eastern Europe have a substantial impact on the temperatures. Snowfall is abundant in the mountains, and there is a risk of avalanches. Frosty conditions keep the nights and early mornings chilly. The days are short in the winter, and the sunshine limits to less than 4 hours in many places. However, winter is mild in some areas, particularly near the Mediterranean Sea, where the mountains offer a barrier to cold winds. Visits to places with mild conditions are usually less costly in the winter and offer plenty of deals for budget travellers.
The winter months can be very cold throughout France. If you’re visiting the countryside, you’ll find it very quiet with many restaurants and hotels closed. However, it’s an excellent time to visit Paris. Crowds are much fewer yet many cultural events take place, making it a very lively time to visit. Rain showers are quite common at this time of year.
Events and Festivals
- The Nice Carnival is a highlight of the winter calendar, with a procession of floats and parades of musicians and dancers.
- Paris Fashion Week is held twice a year, in spring and autumn, and celebrates the latest styles and trends.
- The Cannes Film Festival in May plays host to the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, and international names descend on the town for the annual award ceremony.
- Fête de la Musique, held on 21st June, is a free live music festival held in all the large cities across the country.
- Held in July, the Tour de France is a prestigious bicycle race finishing at the Champs-Élysées in Paris. It takes a different route each year, usually through the mountains.
- Held on 14th July, Bastille Day is a big event in the French calendar. The storming of the Bastille is celebrated across France with fireworks, music and parties.
- Paris Fashion Week is held twice a year, in spring and autumn, and celebrates the latest styles and trends.
- Held on the first Saturday in October, Nuit Blanche or ‘White Night’ is an all-night art festival where museums and galleries across Paris open their doors and street parties reign supreme for one night only.
- Christmas markets pop up across the country, particularly in the capital.
Spring is considered one of the best seasons to visit France, as temperatures start to rise and life pours back into the towns and countryside. Markets tend to reopen or double in size. Although the Easter school break can increase domestic tourism, France during springtime is still relatively peaceful in terms of crowds.
Events and Festivals
As it starts to heat up across the country, many visitors either head to the sea or to the swimming pool. June is considered one of the best months to visit, as schools are yet to break up for the summer and temperatures are just right for exploring the cities. July is busier, but it’s also when the lavender fields in Provence are at their peak.
Events and Festivals
Many businesses throughout the country close in August, as this is when many of the French take trips of their own and the schools take their long summer break. However, it’s still a very popular month for travel. Temperatures are at their warmest, so you can spend your days soaking up the sun and dining alfresco.
This is one of the best times to visit France. Temperatures are still warm but not too hot, creating ideal conditions for exploring both the cities and the countryside. The crowds have thinned, families have returned to school, and landscapes are illuminated with vibrant reds and golds, ready for the vendange (grape harvest) to begin.
Events and Festivals
Although the weather is cooler, November and December are lovely months to visit Paris. Museums and sites are quiet, while restaurants in the cities are still lively. Christmas markets open up across the cities, where vendors sell mulled wine, cheese, charcuterie and seasonal arts and crafts. Rural areas can be quiet during these months.
Events and Festivals
Visa information
What is Schengen?
Schengen refers to the EU passport-free zone that covers most of the European countries. It’s the largest free travel area in the world.
What is a Schengen Visa
A Schengen visa is a short-stay visa that allows a person to travel to any members of the Schengen Area, per stays up to 90 days for tourism or business purposes.
The Schengen visa is the most common visa for Europe. It enables its holder to enter, freely travel within, and leave the Schengen zone from any of the Schengen member countries. There are no border controls within the Schengen Zone.
However, if you are planning to study, work, or live in one of the Schengen countries for more than 90 days, then you must apply for a national visa of that European country and not a Schengen Visa.
The 26 Schengen countries are:
Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
Citizens of Which Countries Need a Schengen Visa to go to Europe?
The countries whose citizens are required to obtain a Schengen visa in order to enter any member country of the Schengen Area are:
| Afghanistan | Gabon | Oman |
| Algeria | Gambia | Pakistan |
| Angola | Ghana | Papua New Guinea |
| Armenia | Guinea | Palestinian Authority |
| Azerbaijan | Guinea-Bissau | Philippines |
| Bahrain | Guyana | Qatar |
| Bangladesh | Haiti | Russia |
| Belarus | India | Rwanda |
| Belize | Indonesia | Sao Tome And Principe |
| Benin | Iran | Saudi Arabia |
| Bhutan | Iraq | Senegal |
| Bolivia | Jamaica | Sierra Leone |
| Botswana | Jordan | Somalia |
| Burkina Faso | Kazakhstan | South Africa |
| Burma/Myanmar | Kenya | South Sudan |
| Burundi | Kosovo | Sri Lanka |
| Cambodia | Kuwait | Sudan |
| Cameroon | Kyrgyzstan | Suriname |
| Cape Verde | Laos | Swaziland |
| Central African Republic | Lebanon | Syria |
| Chad | Lesotho | Tajikistan |
| China | Liberia | Tanzania |
| Comoros | Libya | Thailand |
| Congo | Madagascar | Timor-Leste |
| Cote D’ivoire | Malawi | Togo |
| Cuba | Maldives | Tonga |
| Dem. Rep. Of Congo | Mali | Tunisia |
| Djibouti | Mauritania | Turkey |
| Dominican Republic | Mongolia | Turkmenistan |
| Ecuador | Morocco | Uganda |
| Egypt | Mozambique | Uzbekistan |
| Equatorial Guinea | Namibia | Vietnam |
| Eritrea | Nepal | Yemen |
| Ethiopia | Niger | Zambia |
| Fiji | Nigeria | Zimbabwe |
| North Korea | Northern Mariana’s |
Electrical
Which power plugs and sockets are used in Europe?
In Europe, the power plugs and sockets are of type F. The standard voltage is 230 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz. Check out the following pictures.
Type F: also known as “Schuko”. This socket also works with plug C and plug E.
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| Type F: This socket also works with plug C and E |