France is well known for its sophisticated culture and world-class education system. However, France also boasts some unusual customs and stories that may come as a shock.
Name your pig Napoleon was once illegal! Additionally, France boasts 12 time zones and may come as a shocker!
1. The longest book in the world is written in French
France is an amazing culture and history lesson – its breathtaking landscapes, delicious food and iconic landmarks make the country truly fascinating – but here are some fascinating France facts you should know for greater understanding of this fascinating place and its people.
The Eiffel Tower is one of the world’s most beloved landmarks, but when first constructed it received significant criticism. Many believed that it was ugly and pointless; today however, it serves as a symbol for French culture as one of the top tourist attractions worldwide.
France stands out as having one of the highest life expectancies worldwide; men can expect to live to at least 78 years and women up to 84. This achievement can be credited largely to France’s healthy diet and lifestyle choices.
France is home to some of the world’s best-known luxury brands, including Cartier, Louis Vuitton and Chanel – making France one of the leading exporters of such goods worldwide.
France uses two distinct words for rivers; those flowing directly into the sea are called flouve while those flowing into another river are called riviere. Only the Rhone River flows directly into Mediterranean.
France is widely recognized for its cuisine, producing some of the world’s most beloved dishes such as baguettes, cheese, wine and pastries – some restaurants even specialize in keeping traditional French recipes alive!
France boasts an ancient and complex history, and its residents take great pride in both culture and language. Their language is protected by an institution called Academie Francaise which provides lessons on its basics as well as serving as the official source for grammar and punctuation for France – no wonder their passion runs so deep for their beloved language!
2. The oldest human voice recording was made in France
Edouard-Leon Scott de Martinville of France made history’s oldest sound recording in 1860 by creating an eerie rendition of “Au Clair de la Lune.” Recorded using a phonautogram (an early method of sound preservation), Scott meticulously recorded each session he created. Some recordings from these sessions have recently resurfaced after decades in storage; thanks to technology designed for non-touch playback of records, scientists were able to convert scratched-through paper lines into vocal performances that sang out from within!
France has many fascinating facts that may surprise visitors, including laws designed to protect its famous Champagne region and only wines made here can be called Champagne. Additionally, the French are well known for their love of escargots – which is an edible type of snail.
France boasts one of the highest life expectancy rates worldwide. Men in France can expect to live on average 78 years while women can live up to 84. This compares favorably with other parts of the world where males typically only survive an estimated 69 years and 68 for females respectively.
The French are well known to be health conscious people, which can be seen through their diet choices. For instance, they banned unlimited ketchup and salad dressing from school cafeterias; additionally they have an abundance of cheese varieties made in France that are well known internationally.
France takes great pride in their rugby team. Considered the most significant sport in their nation since 1987, they have won every Rugby World Cup that has come their way since 1987. Additionally, skiing is immensely popular due to the beautiful Alps and Pyrenees mountains found there.
Ludwig Bemelmans famous children’s book Madeline was written in 1939, taking place in Paris. Paris boasts some of Europe’s most renowned landmarks and serves as a popular tourist destination. France is the largest Western European nation and borders Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Italy Monaco Andorra Spain; prior to 1789 monarchs ruled over it but this revolution overthrew monarchy and established republicanism instead.
3. The oldest bridge in France is called “New Bridge”
France is one of the world’s most visited countries and its capital city Paris stands as an iconic attraction across all of Europe. France also hosts some of the most celebrated artwork in existence – Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo being two examples – and offers visitors much to experience from its rich culture to its delectable cuisine.
France’s oldest bridge is known as “New Bridge,” due to it being constructed over the Seine River in Paris. This moniker comes from being the initial bridge constructed here – making it not only one of 36 existing Seine bridges in Paris but also its oldest member.
At its construction, Pont Neuf had to withstand much heavier loads than other bridges because it needed to accommodate vehicles which were becoming increasingly prevalent at that time. Therefore, its design included provisions to accommodate carriages and wagons – two types of vehicle commonly found during its time.
Additionally, the bridge was specifically constructed to be capable of accommodating pedestrians as well. This marked an innovation that enabled people to walk over it and enjoy views of the river below. Subsequently, bathing boats would come and people could access swimming holes from there.
Pont Neuf was named for its designer, Henri IV – an influential French monarch who was well known for his love of both art and science. Henri was an ardent patron of Leonardo Da Vinci who lived at his palace of residence at Clos Luce for several months during his lifetime.
Henri IV was an exceptional individual whose contributions to art and science remain appreciated today. If you find yourself in Paris, be sure to visit Pont Neuf and witness this piece of history first hand!
4. The French Government awards medals to those who raise their kids well
No one disputes France’s exquisite palate for food and wine – over 89 million visitors flock there annually! France remains a favorite culinary tourism destination.
French cuisine is well known for producing over 1,200 varieties of cheese annually – so they certainly know their stuff when it comes to cheese!
France is known as one of the world’s most romantic countries; however, when travelling on train platforms do not kiss your loved one as this violates a French law passed in 1910 that prohibits kissing to prevent delays and overcrowded stations.
French are well known for their love of cheese and their devotion to snails (escargots). Snails make a delicious appetizer when served alongside garlic butter; in addition, the French have a particular fondness for foie gras and other game meats.
Jeanne d’Arc, known as the Maid of Orleans in France, is an iconic saint and national hero. Throughout her life she courageously and boldly fought on behalf of France in numerous battles; furthermore she was also an ardent Catholic and devout follower of Christ.
Many beloved books for children, like Madeline, take place in Paris. Her story about saving cats from an evil man has become one of the world’s beloved tales for generations to come.
France has produced many esteemed authors and poets, such as Albert Camus, Jean-Paul Sartre, Andre Gide and Patrick Modiano. France holds the record for receiving the highest number of Nobel Prizes for literature throughout its history; its many animated film productions – such as Madeline – even draw inspiration from this nation’s literary achievements. Additionally, France is home to an abundance of military heroes; monuments have been constructed honoring them while French retirement pensions remain some of the highest in terms of retirement payments worldwide. Additionally, French people take immense pride in both language and culture!