FRANCE
Welcome
Motto: "Liberté, égalité, fraternité"
("Liberty, Equality, Fraternity")
Anthem: "La Marseillaise"
France is one of the oldest nations on Earth and the most ethnically diverse country in Europe. Its size is smaller than Texas, but it is still the Most-Visited Country in the World.
Capital: Paris 48°51′N 2°21′E.
Population: 67,897 million inhabitants.
Gross Domestic Product - GDP (PPP): $3.667 trillion.
Official languages: French.
Area: 643,801 km2.
Water (%): 0.86.
Currency: Euro (€) (EUR); CFP franc (XPF).
Safety rating: Ranked 65 on the Global Peace Index with a score of 1.89.
Food
Baguettes
No food is more deeply associated with France than the humble baguette. The long, elongated loaves are ideal when crusty and golden on the outside, slightly chewy and soft on the inside. The best ones are enjoyed plain, straight from the bakery oven and promising a good "bite." Complemented by a pat of butter laced with sea salt or a small plate of creamy French cheese, they make for a delicious snack or meal in their own right.
French Cheeses
France produces over 240 traditional cheeses, from cow's-milk brie and camembert to goat cheese laced with peppercorns or fruit. Whether you like yours mild or strong, there are numerous tempting varieties to try. We recommend guided cheese tastings, where passionate experts can teach you the basics and offer wine pairings.
Crêpes & Galettes (my personal favorite)
One of France's most popular dishes is both affordable and delicious—sometimes it's even portable. Sweet crêpes made to order and garnished with chocolate sauce, salted butter caramel, or sugar and lemon are an ideal street food on a chilly day, best enjoyed between seeing the sights. Meanwhile, hearty buckwheat galettes (pancakes) from Brittany are nutritious and filling, and range from simple (cheese and mushroom) to creative and unusual (smoked fish, roasted vegetables, and crême fraiche).
We love Breizh Café for their creative, mouthwatering galettes and tempting dessert crêpes. They have locations in Paris, Saint-Malo, and Cancale (the latter two are in Brittany).
Butter Croissants
Alongside the baguette, the all-butter croissant (croissant tout beurre) is perhaps France's most-beloved baked treat. The formula for achieving the perfect specimen isn't easy, however: You need top-quality butter and flour, professional ovens, and a bake that balances flakiness with a rich, buttery interior. The puff pastry shouldn't be too thick or rise too much, either.
Beef Bourguignon
Named after the region of Burgundy from which it originates and a winter favorite, Beef Bourguignon is a hearty stew that involves slowly braising tender cuts of Charolais beef in red wine before adding mushrooms, pearl onions, garlic, herbs, and carrots.
Macarons
This pastry has conquered the world with its airy texture and delicious buttercream and jam fillings. They come in flavors as varied as dark chocolate, salted butter caramel, matcha, and strawberry cheesecake. They're also a relatively light treat.
Ratatouille
This naturally vegetarian, healthy dish is full of Provençal sun. Traditionally made by separately and gently cooking summer vegetables such as zucchini, eggplant, fresh tomatoes, and peppers with good olive oil and Mediterranean herbs, ratatouille is one of the emblematic dishes of Provence. It's delicious with bread, or alongside fish or meat.
French-style Omelette
This deceptively simple dish becomes art at the hand of French cooks and chefs, who insist that the perfect omelette is quite difficult to achieve. It must be fluffy, light, and not overly-browned—but a runny or lumpy result is frowned on.
Transportation
Although nine out ten times, the best way to travel around France is by train, there are a few occasions when a flight is your best bet.
Traveling by Train in France
If you want to get between French cities, you can comfortably take SNCF trains. This French national railway company runs an efficient system, with clean trains and comfortable seats. Most trains have a special family carriage where children can play loudly, and in summer, live entertainment may be provided at no extra charge. A carriage can become a cinema, an exhibition hall, or a showcase of regional specialties.
The TGV
The (“train à grande vitesse”) system offers high-speed links from Paris to many regional capitals. French inter-city public transportation doesn’t get more efficient than this. Tickets for these trains must be booked in advance and all seats are pre-allocated. There are two classes in TGV: first (three seats) and second (four seats).
The Metro: Public Transportation in Paris
The easiest way of getting around Paris is “le Métro” (“the Metro” or subway system). There are 16 lines that can get you anywhere in the city. Metro stations are identified by street signs displaying a large “M.” You can buy a ticket at guichets (ticket offices), newsagents, and café-tabacs. There are also automatic ticket machines that sell them. One ticket is good for any one-way journey, no matter the length. You can use your Metro ticket on the Metro, on buses, and on the RER within the city limits. If you’re staying in Paris, it may be better to get a weekly “Passe Navigo”. You can buy one at any Metro station in Paris, and you’ll also need a passport-sized photo. You can use your “Passe Navigo” on buses, on Metros, and the RER.
Taking the Bus in the City
If you want to see the sights while you travel, the bus is a cheap option. You can buy a bus route guide to help you navigate the bus system in Paris. To validate your ticket, board the bus and have your ticket punched by a machine in the front or the middle of the coach. Be aware that politely standing in line for the bus is not a French virtue. Once again, you can use Metro tickets on the buses. Line 72, which goes from the Hotel de Ville (Town Hall) and takes in the Eiffel Tower, is a particularly good sightseeing route. Many tour companies also offer on-off sightseeing tours.
Traveling to Disneyland Paris
The best way to travel to Disneyland is with the RER. This suburban subway system can take you from the center of Paris or Charles de Gaulle airport to the happiest place on Earth. It takes about 40 minutes by train from downtown Paris on RER Line A to Marne-la-Vallée-Chessy. Visit www.transilien.fr.
Renting a Car
If you’re still not convinced about the excellence of public transportation in France, you can always rent a car. It’s fairly easy and straightforward to drive in the country. However, we don’t recommend driving in Paris. Taking public transportation is much easier if you’re in the city.
Best things to do
Cathédrale de Chartres
When UNESCO classifies something as a “masterpiece” and calls it “the high point of French Gothic art”, then you know it’s one of the best things to do in France. In addition to the spectacular architecture, many visitors come to pay respects to the Virgin Mary and the Sancta Camisa, said to be the tunic Mary wore during Jesus Christ’s birth. From history to sculptures to stained glass windows, a visit to Cathédrale de Chartres will be nothing less than magnificent.
Musee du Louvre
This former royal palace is now the world’s largest art museum. To see everything in the Louvre at one time would take about two weeks. Home to renowned artwork like the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo, this impressive museum is not to be missed when visiting Paris.
Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris
Gothic architecture is at its finest at Notre-Dame de Paris. Situated on the River Seine, it’s one of the largest and most visited monuments in the world. From the famous gargoyles to the smallest details, the beauty of Notre-Dame is truly unmatched.
Lascaux II
Prehistoric art is at its best in Lascaux II. Lascaux was a world-famous Stone Age cave art site. After it was damaged due to the more than 1,000 visitors per day, Lascaux II was created as a replica so guests could still be amazed by the artwork and enjoy the significance of the site.
Eiffel Tower (Tour Eiffel)
There’s a reason that nobody thinks of France without thinking about the Eiffel Tower. With two restaurants, two cafes, and a bar, this global icon is the perfect place to spend an afternoon. Offering absolutely breathtaking views of Paris, the Eiffel Tower will always be one of the best things to do in France.
Other popular tourist sites:
Palace of Versailles (Château de Versailles)
Jardin du Luxembourg
Loire Valley
Carcassonne
Théâtre Antique d’Orange
Disneyland Paris
Best time to visit
The best time to visit France is in spring (April-May), summer (June-August), or autumn (September-October). Spring is pleasant across the country, with fewer crowds and temperatures ranging from 13°C to 20°C. They can rise up to 29°C in summer, but aren’t too hot to stop you from exploring the cities and mountains...
Autumn is still warm, with temperatures between 16°C and 25°C, and vibrant landscapes as the leaves change colour. France enjoys mild temperatures, although there are regional variations: there’s a Mediterranean climate in the south and wetter weather in the north, near the English Channel. In August, most of the country closes down to chase the sunshine in the south. Winter is my preferred times to explore Paris, as the crowds are fewer, yet the restaurants are still lively.
Quick tips
France is like something out of a dream, and you need time to really experience the best of it. However, beware of pickpockets. Busy areas and tourist areas in particular are zones that attract pickpockets. It is therefore important to be vigilant and keep your personal belongings in your bag, check that it is well closed and wear it in front of you. It's also advisable to keep your baggage & personal belongings close to you.
Everybody knows 911, but in France, you contact the police by calling 17, 15 or the emergency services by calling 112. You can also Lodge a complaint in any language with S.A.V.E., the assistance system for foreign victims is a software application enabling any foreigner to lodge a complaint with a police officer, in their language.
Cities with lots of wealth and lots of wealthy tourists also attract thieves and criminals. So the places in France where tourists should be most on their guard and take most precautions are Paris and Nice. Don't flaunt your wealth or your trendiest and valuable possessions. Avoid speaking English in Tourist area, it attracts attention as the locals speak French. You should also Learn basic French words to be polite.
You can pick up basic, easy French words which will work like magic while traveling around in the country. For example, Bonjour is hello. While greeting someone, try to spark the conversation by saying Bonjour. Merci, which means thank you, is another basic French word you can use in your daily conversations.
