France, officially the French Republic, is a transcontinental nation that spans the Americas, the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans, with the majority of its territory located in Western Europe. In addition to French Guiana in South America, Saint Pierre and Miquelon in the North Atlantic, the French West Indies, and numerous islands in Oceania and the Indian Ocean, its metropolitan area stretches from the Rhine to the Atlantic Ocean and from the Mediterranean Sea to the English Channel and the North Sea. Due to its several coastal territories, France has the largest exclusive economic zone in the world. France borders Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Monaco, Italy, Andorra, and Spain in continental Europe, as well as the Netherlands, Suriname, and Brazil in the Americas via its overseas territories in French Guiana and Saint Martin. Its 18 integral areas, five of which are outside the country, cover a total of 643,801 km2 and house around 68 million people (as of July 2022). France is a unitary semi-presidential republic, with Paris serving as both the nation’s capital and its largest city. Other significant cities in France include Marseille, Lyon, Toulouse, Lille, Bordeaux, and Nice.
France continues to be a major hub for philosophy, science, and art on a global scale. With over 89 million foreign visitors in 2018, it is the world’s top tourist attraction and is home to the fifth-highest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. France is a developed nation with the seventh-largest nominal GDP and tenth-largest PPP economy in the world. It also ranks fourth globally in terms of total household wealth. In comparison to other countries, France ranks highly in the areas of education, healthcare, life expectancy, and human development. Being one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and a recognized nuclear-weapon state, it continues to be a major player in world affairs. France is a founder and influential member of the European Union and the Eurozone, as well as a significant participant in the Group of Seven, NATO, the OECD, and La Francophonie. France is also a major member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
TRENDING FASHION IN FRANCE
ACCESSORIES IN FRANCE
TRIBES IN FRANCE AND THEIR FASHION
The Vocontii
A Gallic tribe known as the Vocontii lived in Massilia in southern France (present-day Marseilles). They were infamous for fighting the Romans and the Ligurians in the third century BCE, and they posed a menace until Gaius Julius dealt with them in 49 BCE.
The Ambarri
In the Iron Age and the Roman era, the Ambarri, a Gallic people, lived in the present-day Ain department. The Allobroges were the Ambarri’s neighbors to the east, and they both lived in the Rhône Valley on a plot of land that was likely in the angle formed by the Saône and the Rhône. They are included by Livy alongside the Aedui among the Galli that Tarquinius Priscus is claimed to have led through the Alps into Italy. They are not listed among the Aedui’s clients.
TOURIST AND HISTORICAL PLACES IN FRANCE
Provence – visitors are encouraged to escape to Provence’s pastoral scenery of olive trees, sun-drenched hills, and rich purple fields of lavender. Tiny villages are tucked away in the valleys and perched on rocky outcrops.
Musée du Louvre – the Louvre Museum is one of Europe’s best art museums, housed in a regal castle that was formerly a royal dwelling.
Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Chartres – The magnificent stained-glass windows in the Chartres Cathedral, the majority of which date from the 12th and 13th centuries, are well known. The stunning stained-glass windows, which span 2,500 square meters, let colorful light seep into the enormous nave, giving it an ethereal appearance.
Carcassonne – it resembles a scene from a fairy tale with its turreted towers and crenellated ramparts. This fortified city gives a complete immersion into the Middle Ages thanks to its excellent preservation (and renovation).
Alsace Villages – these charming Alsatian hamlet have half-timbered homes with pastel paint arranged around little parish churches. Cobblestone streets with pedestrian traffic and cheery flower-filled balconies add to the appeal.
Rocamadour- it is a legendary religious location that is perched on a sheer limestone rock suspended between heaven and earth.
Mont Saint-Michel – one of France’s most remarkable sites is the UNESCO-listed Mont Saint-Michel, which rises steeply from a rocky islet off the coast of Normandy. Perched 80 meters above the bay and surrounded by enormous defensive walls and bastions, this “Pyramid of the Seas” is a mystifying sight.
Loire Valley Châteaux – It feels as though you are entering a children’s tale while traveling through the Loire Valley. The picturesque region of lush forests and gently flowing rivers is adorned with turreted fairy-tale castles.
Prehistoric Cave Paintings in Lascaux – In Lascaux, the best example of Paleolithic art in the world, visitors can explore the intriguing world of prehistoric art.
Eiffel Tower – The “Iron Lady” moniker for the Eiffel Tower comes from its grace. Despite its enormous scale, the tower has a delicate airiness that mesmerizes visitors, and each of its three levels offers stunning views.
The Côte d’Azur – it stretches from Saint-Tropez to Menton near the Italian border, is the most fashionable section of French coastline.
Chamonix-Mont-Blanc – The historic alpine community of Chamonix, located in a high-mountain valley, lies beneath its spectacular summit. There are numerous medieval churches, authentic Alpine eateries, and lovely auberges in this sleepy small town.
Brittany – it is a stunning historical location on France’s northeastern coast. This area, which is steeped in old traditions and well-known for its costumed religious festivals, is characterized by a craggy coastline, charming fishing villages, and weathered seaports.
Biarritz – in France’s Basque region, Biarritz is a chic seaside town on the stunning Bay of Biscay.
Château de Versailles – Before the Ancien Régime was overthrown, the French monarchy was at its height of splendor, as symbolized by the Château de Versailles. This UNESCO-listed structure commemorates a great period in France’s history, during Louis XIV’s rule.
MUSIC IN FRANCE
In France, a wide range of styles are represented in music. While the chanson and cabaret styles have become increasingly popular in folk and popular music, France has produced a number of notable romantic composers in the classical music world. The phonautograph, the world’s first known sound recording device, was granted a patent in France. France is the fifth-largest market in the world by value, and the nation’s music business has given the world many well-known musicians, particularly in the nouvelle chanson and electronic music genres.
Some musicians in France include:
Vanessa Paradis
Christine and the Queens
Some artwork in France include:
MEAL IN FRANCE
Crepe – a delicious French pancake.
Gratin dauphinois – traditional winter dish in Grenoble made of sliced potatoes cooked with cream.
Tartiflette – it is made of bacon, potatoes, onions and reblochon.
Quiche Lorraine – it is one of the most popular recipe made with open custard and smoked bacon.
Croissant – a yummy and well-spiced chicken meal that is popular in Europe.
Salad nicoise – a typical French salad from the Provence region.
Crepe
Gratin dauphinois
Tartiflette
Quiche Lorraine
Croissant
Salad nicoise
Ratatouille – this is one of France most iconic dish, consisting of vegetables.
Bouillabaisse – a traditional French fish soup infused with saffron, orange, thyme and chilli.
Cassoulet – a comfort dish of white beans stewed gradually with meat.
Coq au vin – a popular dish made of chicken braised with wine.
Steak tartare – it is a preaparation made of thickly minced raw beef or horse meat.
Blanquette de veau – it is slowly cooked with white sauce made with fresh cream, flour, butter and lemon juice.
Ratatouille
Bouillabaisse
Cassoulet
Coq au vin
Steak tartare
Blanquette de veau
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION AND HABITAT PROTECTION IN FRANCE
France has a very rich natural heritage and a unique geopolitical role in the national and global biodiversity issue due to its physical location on the continent and beyond, on land and sea.
The diversity of animals, birds, and amphibians on the French mainland is among the highest in all of Europe. Over 50% of the natural habitat types, of Community interest are found there, as well as 40% of the flora species found in Europe (natural terrestrial or aquatic habitats that are endangered or have a small natural range or present outstanding examples of typical characteristics of one or more of nine biogeographical regions whose conservation requires the designation of a Special Area of Conservation).
Protected spaces are essential for maintaining biodiversity because parks provide more protection for endangered species than other places. Protected areas are essential to sustainable development because they store the same amount of carbon as tropical rainforests, supply drinking water to almost a third of the world’s 100 largest cities, and support the livelihoods of millions of people worldwide.
In order to maintain biodiversity as a whole, mitigate climate change, and promote inclusive sustainable development, wildlife and natural habitat conservation are now a cornerstone of sustainable development policies and investment programs.
EFFECT OF CLIMATE CHANGE IN FRANCE
France is susceptible to the effects of climate change, including rising sea levels, a significant shift in storm frequency and intensity, a rise in temperature that increases the chance of heat waves, and more intense rainfall that increases the risk of flooding. France wants to safeguard its citizens against extreme weather conditions through the National Climate Change Adaptation Plan, as well as increase climate change resilience across the country’s key economic sectors (agriculture, industry, and tourism).
France has experienced some of the highest yearly temperature rises of any nation in Europe as a result of climate change. Temperature records were set during the 2019 heat wave at 46.0 °C (114.9 °F). With ongoing climate change, it is anticipated that heat waves and other extreme weather events would become more frequent. Higher floods brought on by both sea level rise and increased glacier melt are other anticipated environmental effects. These environmental changes will also influence local organisms and cause ecosystems to alter, which could result in economic losses, for instance in the agriculture and fishing industries.
GENDER EQUALITY IN FRANCE
The Gender Equality Index places France third in the EU with 75.1 out of 100 points. Its rating surpasses that of the EU by 7.2 points.
Some prominent women in France include:
Rima Abdul Malak – French-Lebanese politician who is serving as Minister of Culture.
Pascale Boistard – French politician and former State Secretary for Women’s Rights.
Martine Aubry – a French politician and First Secretary of the French Socialist Party.
Carole Delga – French politician of Socialist Party who is currently serving as President of Occitania.
Rima Abdul Malak
Pascale Boistard
Martine Aubry
Carole Delga
Justine Benin – French employment counsellor and politician who served as Secretary State for the Sea and, deputy in the 15th legislature.
Emmanuelle Cosse – a French activist, journalist, magazine editor and a politician with the green party.
Audrey Azoulay – a French civil servant and politician who has been serving as the Director-General of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
Laurence Boone – French economist who has been serving as Secretary of State for European affairs.
Justine Benin
Emmanuelle Cosse
Audrey Azoulay
Laurence Boone
