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France, [a] officially the French Republic, [b] is a country located primarily in Western Europe. It also includes overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans, [XII] giving it one of the largest discontiguous exclusive economic zones in the world.
3 days ago · France is among the globe’s oldest nations, the product of an alliance of duchies and principalities under a single ruler in the Middle Ages. Today, as in that era, central authority is vested in the state, even though a measure of autonomy has been granted to the country’s régions in recent decades. The French people look to the state as ...
France is a unitary semi-presidential republic. The head of state is the President, who is also a politician. The Prime Minister is secondary to the President. Metropolitan France is bordered (clockwise from the North) by Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Monaco, Andorra, and Spain.
- 93.0% French citizens, 7.0% foreign nationals
- Paris Has Great Urban Vibes
- The Loire Valley's Castles Are Best Explored by Bike
- Normandy’s Coast Is The Place to Learn About WWII History
- Strasbourg and Alsace’s Wine Routes Are Full of Fairy-Tale Charm
- The Luberon in Provence Has Many Lovely Hilltop Villages
- Mont-St-Michel Is A Top Destination For Medieval History Buffs
- Dune Du Pilat Is France's Most Scenic Place to Camp
- Lyon Is A Top Food Destination
- Bordeaux Is The Best Place to Go For Wine Lovers
- Annecy Has The Best Alpine Beauty
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Much as you’d like to tick the main sights of Paris off your list – world-class art at the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay, the Eiffel Tower, Sacré-Coeur – make time for some of its lesser-known attractions. Wander the atmospheric streets of the Marais – popping into the free Musée Carnavalet as well as Musée Picasso – before checking out the vintage shop...
At some point, you’ll want to be on two wheels as you explore the gently rolling landscapes of the Loire Valley – especially as cycling is made so much easier thanks to the extensive Vélo Verte network of bike routes. Combine visiting vineyards with glimpses into lavish Renaissance life in the 42 sumptuous chateaux, particularly the fantastically e...
Normandy’s long coastline is packed with historical landmarks, the D-Day beaches being the most striking. It’s impossible not to be moved by the many poignant memorials, including the American cemetery at Omaha Beach and the Juno Beach Centre at Courseulles-sur-Mer. Head further east, and you end up in a 19th-century time capsule in the alluring re...
Strasbourg is half-timbered heaven, with an outrageously picturesque old town set on its own island on the River Ill. Wander round its imposingCathédrale Notre-Dame before relaxing on one of the cafe terraces in little Place du Marché Gayot just behind. The city is an excellent starting point for a tour of the AlsaceWine Route, the oldest in France...
Terracotta rooftops and honey-colored stone cottages tumble down pine-clad hills, while vineyards crisscross the valleys with olive groves and lavender fields. That’s when you know you’re in Provence, specifically the wonderfully mellow Luberon. Wander from village to hilltop village and lose yourself in the medieval lanes of some of the most gorge...
The 10th-century Benedictine abbey at Mont-St-Michelcasts its spell even before you arrive. The walk to this tidal island takes at least 20 minutes, during which you have this magnificent abbey, monastery and snail-like spiral of village houses in your sights. You certainly won’t tire of that view. Once you’ve explored the gothic interiors, take yo...
Soaring more than 100m (328ft) above sea level, the otherworldly Dune du Pilat is Europe’s tallest sand dune. Sheltered by the Arguin sandbank, its waters are much gentler than further up the Atlantic coast on the western side of Cap Ferret. It’s ringed with campsites, giving you not only one of the loveliest views but also utterly mesmerizing suns...
Even Parisians have to admit that Lyon is gastronomic royalty in France. Bring a big appetite to do justice to eating in Lyon’s trademark bouchons, intimate little bistros that specialize in hearty meat-heavy lyonnaise cuisine. Start your bouchontour in the UNESCO-listed Renaissance lanes of Vieux Lyon, where you can also spot the old secret passag...
Mixing easy elegance with liveliness, France’s wine capital hums with the sounds of people enjoying themselves in Bordeaux’s cafe-filled 18th-century lanes of Saint-Pierre and Place du Parlement. Take the pleasant, pedestrianized path along the River Garonne to La Cité du Vin, whose audacious design holds a thoroughly enjoyable museum celebrating w...
On the doorstep of the French Alps, Annecy is another one of those sigh-inducing gorgeous cities that France does so well. Its medieval heart squeezes into gaps between the Thiou River and Canal, with tall pastel-colored townhouses towering over the quayside cafes. You can’t miss the Vieille Ville’s most distinctive landmark, Palais de l’Île, a med...
Discover the top destinations for art, culture, nature and cuisine in France, from Paris and the Loire Valley to Normandy and the Luberon. Learn about the history, culture and attractions of France's diverse regions and regions with Lonely Planet's travel stories and tips.
Discover France's regions, cities, attractions, events and activities with France.fr. Find practical information, travel tips, news and inspiration for your next trip to France.
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France, officially the French Republic, is a country located primarily in Western Europe. It also includes overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans, giving it one of the largest discontiguous exclusive economic zones in the world. Metropolitan France shares borders with Belgium and Luxembourg to the north, Germany to the north east, Switzerland to the east, Italy and Monaco to the south east, Andorra and Spain to the south, and a maritime ...
Jan 9, 2024 · France country profile. 9 January. France is known the world over for its cuisine, fashion, culture and language. A key player on the global stage and a country at the political heart of Europe ...
