Blog · 2024-04-01
Surprising facts about France you probably didn't know
France is a country of extraordinary history, rich culture and refined cuisine that draws millions of tourists from around the world every year. Yet even if you think you know everything about it, France still has a way of surprising you. Here are some intriguing facts about the country that you may not have known.
- The French rank first in the world for wine consumption per capita, and they rival Italy in the sheer volume they produce. There are roughly 500 named French wines.
- France spans 12 time zones once all its overseas territories are counted - more than any other country on Earth.
- France has some decidedly odd laws. It is forbidden to name a pig Napoleon, and forbidden to kiss on railway tracks. In the town of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, a local law even bans flying saucers from landing within the town limits.
- The guillotine remained in use in France until 1981, when capital punishment was finally abolished by law.
- The French are a melancholy nation - they lead the world in antidepressant use.
- Every town in France has a street or avenue named after Victor Hugo.
- The word "nicotine" was coined in France, one of the most smoking-prone countries in the world. It was named after Jean Nicot, who recommended tobacco as a remedy for headaches.
- Paris is the final resting place of Jim Morrison, Oscar Wilde, Symon Petliura, Rudolf Nureyev and a great many Russian nobles - Felix Yusupov among them.
- The most visited attraction in the Paris area is neither the Eiffel Tower (5.5 million visitors a year) nor the Louvre (5 million), but Disneyland - with 13 million visitors annually.
- The white wedding dress is an exclusively French tradition, born in 1499 with the marriage of Charles VIII and Anne of Brittany.
- The Statue of Liberty was created in France by the celebrated sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, then shipped in pieces across the Atlantic to New York.
- During the French Revolution, 70% of the population did not speak French.
- French women have the highest life expectancy in Europe, while French men rank third.
- France is McDonald's most profitable market after the United States, with around 1,000 restaurants across the country.
- The croissant isn't actually French at all - it came to France from Austria.
Are you a leader in your field?
The Passeport Talent is a special "talent visa" category for those who have achieved notable results in science, digital technology, the arts or culture and wish to move to France to work in their field.
Applicants need to assemble a case file documenting their talent, along with proof of a place of residence in France and a certain level of income.
Benefits of the French talent visa
- The right to live and work in France for four years
- The option to bring your family
- French residency after five years
- French citizenship after ten years
- Visa-free travel across the EU
- Healthcare on the same terms as locals
- Access to the European banking sector
FAQ
How many time zones does France have?
Twelve, once you count every overseas territory, which is more than any other country in the world. Mainland France itself runs on a single time zone.
What is the most visited place in Paris?
Not the Eiffel Tower and not the Louvre, but Disneyland, with around 13 million visitors a year. The tower draws roughly 5.5 million and the Louvre about 5 million.
Are croissants actually French?
No, the croissant arrived in France from Austria, and the French then perfected it. The icon of the Parisian breakfast is Viennese by origin.
Does France really have strange laws?
It does. Naming a pig Napoleon is banned, so is kissing on railway tracks, and the commune of Châteauneuf-du-Pape formally forbids flying saucers from landing within its limits.
How can a skilled professional move to France?
The route for specialists is the Passeport Talent, a visa for people with a record of achievement in science, digital technology, the arts or culture. You need a documented case for your talent, a place to live in France and a proven level of income. It grants four years of living and working in France with your family, and opens the path to long-term residence after five years and citizenship after roughly ten.
Don’t want to figure this out alone?
We handle the whole process end to end: we check your documents, match a program to your situation and give you honest timelines and costs. Leave your details and a migration expert will get back to you. The first consultation is free.