France Travel Wiki

France has been the world's most popular tourist destination for over twenty years (81.9 million in 2007) and it's geographically one of the most diverse countries in Europe. Its cities contain some of the greatest treasures in Europe and it boasts dozens of major tourist attractions. The country is renowned for its gastronomy (particularly wines and cheeses), history, culture and fashion.

See & Do

Here in the South of France it is the summer holidays for most people.

The beach resorts are filling up with people from across France and Europe, ready to enjoy a hot and relaxing summer break. The holidays in France are split into regions/departments, each taking different holidays i.e the north start their first and then it works it way down, this is so not all the country is off at the same time. makes sense, doesn't it.

It is common for people living in France to spend their summer holidays in the South of France because of the hot weather 30c+ and the more laid back approach. Coming from England this is something that does happen, people holiday in Devon, Cornwall and Torquay also known as the English Rivera but if you want to be sure to get some then 9 times out of 10 britons will holiday abroad.

If you want to see the Cannes film Festival it is from the 16-27 May 2012.

Food & Drink

This is a good little guide for those people who are eating out at a restauratn and who's french is not great. Attention when ordering from the Viande menu! For some fun I have created a menu s’appelle.. these type of dishes you may want to know before ordering.

Bon Apétit!

Tete de Veau (calf’s head)

Steak Tartare (normally prepared with a lot of spices and herbs)

Tripe (veal belly) – French soul food

Ris de Veau (calf’s pancreas)

Rognons (testicals)

Pintade (guinea fowl)

Pigeon

Pied paquets (pigs feet)

Boudin Noir (blood sausage or blood pudding)

Bulots (sea food)

Cuisses de grenouilles (frog legs)

Taureau (bull)

Queue de Taureau (bull's tail)

Escargot (snails)

Huîtres (oysters)

These are the stranger options! They are not eaten as part of a regular balanced French diet.

Culture

Expressions en français et Anglais:

Above the salt - This means that something or someone has a high position

On a shoogly peg - Something, like a person's job, that's on a shoogly peg is insecure

There's a dead cat on the line - This used as a way of telling people that something suspicious is happening

There's no "I" in "Team - Individual achievement is not superior to the good/results of the team

Stare down the barrel of a gun - If someone is staring down the barrel of a gun, there's a high risk of something very bad happening

One nail drives out another - A new pain or problem will stop you worrying or feeling bad about something else

Avoir une faim de loup - to be as hungry as a wolf

écrire comme un cochon - write like a pig

Etre frisé comme un mouton - to have curly hair like sheep

Avoir une fièvre de cheval - to have a fever like a horse

Etre heureux comme un poisson dans l'eau - to be happy like a fish in water

il fait un froid de canard - brrrr! it is really cold

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Have you ever noticed the roundabouts in France? How each one is unique.

Did you know that half of the world's roundabouts are in France (over 30,000 as of 2008).

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Photos

Eiffel Tower in Paris, France
Arc de Triumphe in Paris, France
Paris, France
Champs E'lysee, France
View from the Eiffel Tower
Avignon, France
Pont du Gard, France
Pont du Gard, France
La Villa Maladie in Cassis, France
St Gilles, France

Editors

Andrew Dunkle

Andrew Dunkle from GO! OverseasAndrew studied Chinese and Art History at the University of Colorado, and is now the Senior Editor of GoOverseas.com. He loves to travel, and has so far called Colorado, Australia, Taiwan, and California home. He tweets at @AndrewOverseas.

Claire Morris

Claire Morris from GO! OverseasAn English Mademoiselle who met her French Prince in England in 2008. They laughed, travelled, danced, before falling in love and heading of to live in the sunny, glam, South of France. My favourite believe that if you embrace what life has in store, you will enjoy the ride! Every day brings new experiences and challenges each one creating a memory. So far I am enjoying being une femme au foyer avec le chien s'appelle Giulia, mais sans enfants. xx Ooh La La English Demoiselle.

Edit This Page!

Go Overseas personally selects a handful of qualified editors to contribute their expertise to these country pages. Here you'll find the most up to date information for volunteers, teachers and students planning to travel abroad, filled with everything from popular sports, the best bars, to which side of the road to drive on.

If you think you're savvy enough to become a Go Overseas editor, email Kate.Thomas@GoOverseas.com to get started!

Map of France

Fast Facts

Flag: 
France Flag
Capital: 
Paris
Population: 
62.3 million (UN, 2009)
Current President/Prime Minister: 
Nicolas Sarkozy
Languages: 
French
Religions: 
Christianity
Currency: 
Euro or € (EUR)
Weather: 
Please visit http://france.meteofrance.com/ for upto date weather information for the whole of France.
Drive on the left/right?: 
Left
Time-Zone: 
UTC+1
Calling Code: 
+33
Electricity: 
230V/50Hz
Emergency Numbers: 

Police: 17
Fire: 18
Ambulance: 15
Foreigner Assistance: 112

Embassies

UNITED STATES EMBASSY
Address: 2 avenue Gabriel, 75382 Cedex 08, Paris
Phone: +33-1-4312-2222
Fax: +33-1-4266-9783
Website: http://france.usembassy.gov/

AUSTRALIAN EMBASSY
Address: 4 Rue Jean Rey, Paris 75724 Cedex 15
Phone: +33-1-4059-3315
Fax: +662-344-6310
Website: www.france.embassy.gov.au

UNITED KINGDOM EMBASSY
Address: 35, rue du Faubourg St Honore, 75383 Paris Cedex 08
Phone: +33-1-4451-3100
Fax: +33-1-4451-3234
Website: http://ukinfrance.fco.gov.uk/en/

CANADIAN EMBASSY
Address: 35, avenue Montaigne, Paris
Phone: +33-1-4443-2900
Fax: +33-1-4443-2986
Website: http://www.France.gc.ca

NEW ZEALAND EMBASSY
Address: 7 ter, rue Leonard de Vinci, 75116, Paris
Phone +33-1-4501-4343
Fax: +33-1-4501-4344
Website: www.nzembassy.com/home

SOUTH AFRICAN EMBASSY
Address: 59, Quai d'Orsay, 75343 Paris Cedex 07
Phone +33-1-5359-2323
Fax: +33-1-5359-2368
Website: http://www.afriquesud.net/

IRISH EMBASSY
Address: 4 Rue Rude, 75116, Paris
Phone +33-1-4417-6700
Fax: +33-1-4417-6760
Website: http://www.embassyofireland.fr

Broken link? If any information here is out of date please email us and we will update our records.