Explore the enchanting world of France with these fascinating facts! From the Eiffel Tower’s secret origins to quirky French traditions, uncover the magic of this beautiful country.

Fun and Interesting Facts About France

Get ready to be charmed by France’s rich history and delightful surprises.

Cuisine

  • The average French citizen eats 500 snails each year and the population approximately 500 million snails!
  • France produces over 400 varieties of cheese!
  • Some claim that French toast isn’t French but was invented by a man called Joseph French.
  • Turning a baguette upside down is unlucky in France.
  • The croissant was invented in Austria, and not in France!
  • You can easily find rabbit and horse dishes on a French restaurant’s menu.
Cheese platter travelandhome
Click on our cheeseboard to find out how to prepare delicious charcuteri boards.

Guinness World Records

  • Le Dorat, a charming town in France, made history by baking the world’s largest croissant. This delicious pastry was a true masterpiece of French baking, showcasing the country’s expertise in all things flaky and buttery.
  • Lyon, known as the gastronomic capital of France, proudly holds the record for the largest cheeseboard. This cheesy delight featured an astounding variety of French cheeses, highlighting the country’s exceptional cheese-making tradition.
  • The iconic French baguette holds a special place in the hearts of many. In Paris, bakers joined forces to create the world’s longest baguette. This record-breaking loaf of bread stretched over several city blocks, emphasizing France’s dedication to its beloved bread.
  • In the heart of Paris, a team of talented chocolatiers crafted the tallest chocolate sculpture ever recorded. This delectable masterpiece was an impressive example of culinary artistry, showcasing the rich tradition of chocolate-making in France.
  • In Nancy, a city famous for its macarons, they created the world’s largest macaron tower. The tower stood tall with thousands of these colorful and delicious almond meringue treats, stacked meticulously to achieve this sweet record.

Fashion

  • Kilts originated in France, not Scotland.
  • Denim clothing was originally developed in France in the city of Nimes.
SCOTLAND Kilts

Guinness World Records

In a fun and whimsical record, a large gathering of people dressed as Smurfs, those adorable blue cartoon characters, assembled in Lauchringen, France. It was a sea of blue as participants celebrated this iconic Belgian comic. The gathering was recorded as the largest gathering of Smurfs!

Pretty things!!!

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Geography

  • When I think of canyons America springs to mind, but surprisingly Europe has a canyon of significance too! The Verdon Gorge (Gorges du Verdon in French) is 25 km long and up to 700 m deep in some places. That makes Verdon Gorge in Provence the largest canyon in Europe.
  • Mont-Blanc in the French Alps is the highest peak in Western Europe at almost 4,810 meters high. Plan and book a ski holiday in the picturesque Megève resort village in the Alps of southeastern France, in the Mont Blanc massif.
  • Marseille is the oldest city in France and the largest city in the Provence region.

Inventions

French inventions include the parachute, the hot air balloon, the motion picture camera, the bicycle, and inflatable tires for cars.

Winter snow ski holiday best in Megeve French Alps

Lavender

I don’t blame you for having visions of Provence when you think of lavender. Although Provence is known for its lavender production, it is Bulgaria that produces the most lavender. However, Provence is famous for its lavender essential oil for stress relief and relaxation.

Lavender inspired home decor purple travel and home min

Travel Tip: Keep your devices juiced up, so you can capture every unforgettable moment of your journey!

Law

  • It is against the law to take photos of police officers or police vehicles.
  • It’s also illegal to name a pig “Napoleon”.

Monuments

The Eiffel Tower is the most-visited paid monument in the world.

The tower was built in 1889 as the entrance arch to the 1889 World’s Fair and was initially intended to be a temporary structure.

However, it quickly became a cultural icon and a symbol of Paris, which made it permanent. One of the main reasons for its popularity is its location, as it is located in the heart of Paris, and offers visitors spectacular views of the city.

Another reason is its architectural significance, as it was the tallest man-made structure in the world at the time of its completion and is an impressive example of 19th-century engineering.

Additionally, the Eiffel Tower is a popular spot for tourists to take pictures, dine in its restaurants, and even get married. The tower has also been featured in many movies, and it has become an essential stop for many tourists visiting Paris.

FRANCE Paris Eifel Tower Day Visit Tour

Museums

The most visited art museum in the world is the Louvre in Paris – also home to the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo.

Observances

April Fool’s Day was also originated in France after the nation started following the Gregorian Calendar but failed to communicate the change properly.

Perfume

Grasse on the foothills of the Alpes-Maritimes in Provence is known as the “perfume capital of France”.

Grasse, France' Perfume Capital

Although the very first evidence of perfume was found in Cyprus, it is the French that is famous for it.

Politics

Guinness World Records

President Charles de Gaulle is in the Guinness Book of World Records for surviving the most assassination attempts in his life – all of 32 attempts!

Romance

A 1910 law in France forbids couples from kissing on train platforms to avoid delayed departures.

Traffic

The city of Paris has only one stop sign.

Weddings

The tradition of wearing a white dress for wedding days originated in France back in 1499. Now that’s amazing if you think about how traditions tend to be forgotten.

And that seals the deal for me in terms of one of the most romantic countries to get married. Especially in the Provence region!  Provence is steeped in history and accolades that make it a perfect wedding destination.

Provence France romantic wedding destination ideas
With around 300 days of sun in a year, it makes for a perfect honeymoon destination if you're into soaking up some rays.

Wine

France, like South Africa, is famous as a wine-producing country.  Bordeaux, Burgundy, and Jura are beautiful wine regions to visit. And then there’s the romantic Provence, the oldest wine-producing region in France.

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And that's it, folks!

I hope you enjoyed the fun facts about France. I bet you never knew about the stop sign. If you have a fun fact about France that is not listed above, tell us about it!

Travel Tip(s)

Look for free cancellation options: Some hotels offer free cancellation up until a certain date. Booking accommodations with free cancellation can provide flexibility in case your plans change.

Check the map view: Booking.com has a map view feature that shows the location of hotels. This can help you identify accommodations in areas that are both desirable and affordable.

Explore France