Day 3333 (Friday) 24th July 2026
This is Eze Village
and this is Saint-Paul de-Vence.
It was hot again but that breeze is still blowing making it a lot more comfortable. We took the scooter over to Saint-Jean Cap-Ferrat for lunch. We shared a quiche Lorraine in our favourite café and it was as delicious as always.
This article will be posted over two days…
29 interesting facts about France
From palaces with thousands of rooms to tidal islands and 1,200+ cheeses, there are dozens of quirky and fun facts about France that will make you stop and think. Did you know France invented the hot air balloon, photography and metric system? Even everyday things, like bread or perfume, have stories behind them. Here are 29 interesting facts about France that show the country’s culture, creativity and unique charm.
How big is France? It’s the largest country in the EU by land area
With an area of about 551,695 km², metropolitan France is the biggest member of the European Union by surface area. It’s larger than Germany, Spain and Italy. It also calls itself L’Hexagone as the country has a six-sided shape.
France is the most visited country in the world
France attracts over 90 million tourists annually – perhaps thanks to its blend of famous sights, world-class food and wine, charming villages and diverse landscapes from mountains to beaches. Paris itself – a city of roughly 2.05 million inhabitants – and the Île-de-France region receive around 47.5 million tourist arrivals per year.
French is spoken not only in France but in 33 countries worldwide.
The French government 300 million French speakers in 33 countries across the globe, an increase of 9.6% since 2014. There are 29 countries where French is an official language, and the International Organisation of La Francophonie encompasses many more nations with French as a working or educational language.
France has a higher life expectancy than the global average, around 82 years
According to WHO data, life expectancy at birth in France was 81.9 years in 2021. That places France above many global and EU averages.
Champagne must come from the Champagne region to legally carry the name
Under EU and French law, only sparkling wine produced in the strictly defined Champagne region using the méthode champenoise can legally be labelled ‘Champagne’
What is France known for? Cheese… and it produces over 1,200 distinct types
From soft, creamy Brie to pungent Roquefort and hard Alpine cheeses like Tomme de Savoie – any cheese shop is filled with wonderful wheels you’ve likely never heard of. There may even be up to 1,800 different French cheeses.
The baguette became a protected cultural icon in 1993
The French government officially recognised the baguette de tradition (made without additives) as part of France’s cultural heritage in 1993, protecting its traditional recipe and shape.
The Eiffel Tower wasn’t initially popular with Parisians
When it was built for the 1889 World’s Fair, many Parisians considered the Eiffel Tower a modern eyesore. Prominent artists even signed a petition calling it a “monstrous” intrusion on the city skyline. Well, imagine if they saw it today.
France has 45 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
That puts France among the world’s most culturally rich nations. It’s UNESCO sites span prehistoric caves, Gothic cathedrals, historic city centres and exceptional natural landscapes – including the Historic Centre of Paris (Banks of the Seine) and the Loire Valley.
Mont-Saint-Michel has the highest tidal range in continental Europe
The tidal island of Mont-Saint-Michel welcomes over 3 million visitors a year, making it one of Europe’s most iconic and photographed pilgrimage sites. But it’s not always easy to reach the UNESCO-listed destination – the tides in the bay can rise fast, climbing up to 15 metres (50 feet) within hours, transforming the site back into an island.
The Palace of Versailles has over 2,300 rooms
If you get lost, will you ever find the front door again? The opulent Palace of Versailles contains more than 2,300 rooms, from grand ceremonial halls to intimate royal apartments to the dazzling Hall of Mirrors. This monumental building reflects the height of French monarchical power and artistry.
The Louvre is the most visited museum in the world
The palace-turned-gallery welcomes millions annually (8.7 million in 2024) with treasures like the Mona Lisa, drawing more visitors than any other museum on the planet.
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