Home » Travel Destinations » 20+ Fun and Interesting Facts About France
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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.
Get ready to be charmed by France’s rich history and delightful surprises.
Guinness World Records
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!
French inventions include the parachute, the hot air balloon, the motion picture camera, the bicycle, and inflatable tires for cars.
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.
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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.
The most visited art museum in the world is the Louvre in Paris – also home to the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo.
April Fool’s Day was also originated in France after the nation started following the Gregorian Calendar but failed to communicate the change properly.
Grasse on the foothills of the Alpes-Maritimes in Provence is known as the “perfume capital of France”.
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!
A 1910 law in France forbids couples from kissing on train platforms to avoid delayed departures.
The city of Paris has only one stop sign.
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.
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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.
Lifestyle Tips
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.
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