Interesting things in France: the north, ports and the French. Interesting things in France: the north, ports and the French Geography of the country and iconic places

France is a multifaceted and multifaceted country. It’s not for nothing that the French themselves call it Hexagon. I have visited several regions, and each is different from the other. Each has its own flavor, its own charm, its own culture, its own traditions and customs. Just because you've only visited France doesn't mean you know France. and France are two different worlds, just like Russia.

To get to know the real France, travel through its provinces, visit small towns, and try local wine. You need to absorb its taste, smells and aromas, then perhaps it will reveal its true face to you.

Visa and border crossing

If you think that only in Russia there is a terrible bureaucracy, then I can assure you: in France it blooms no less magnificently. Therefore, when applying for a visa, I advise you to carefully and accurately fill out and collect them.

To travel to France you need a Schengen visa. List of documents:

1. Visa application completed in French or English;
2. Two photographs 35 mm x 45 mm, taken no later than 6 months before filing documents, on a light blue or light gray background;
3. A foreign passport valid for at least 3 months from the date of intended departure from the country and with at least two blank pages;
4. Confirmation of accommodation (hotel reservation, voucher from a travel agency, etc.);
5. Route confirmation (air tickets, train tickets, etc.);
6. Confirmation of availability of financial resources (bank statement, certificate of employment);
7. Medical insurance (in the amount of at least 30,000 EUR);
8. Photocopies of all pages of the internal passport (no need to notarize);
9. If you previously had old passports with Schengen visas, you need to provide them.

Of course, you will also need to pay fees:

• at the consulate - 35 EUR (if the visa is refused, the visa will not be returned);
• at the Visa Center - 25 EUR + consular fee 35 EUR (in case of refusal to issue a visa, they will not be returned).

Also, when applying for a Schengen visa for the first time, you need to undergo the procedure of dactyloscopy (fingerprinting) and digital photography. This can be done at one of the visa centers or the French consulate. The data is stored for 5 years, and during this time the procedure does not need to be repeated. After this period, it must be re-taken. Therefore, if you are applying for a visa for the first time, your personal presence when submitting documents is required.

Submission of documents takes place only by appointment. The period for their consideration is from 10 to 30 working days. If you need to urgently apply for a visa, then this can be done in 3 days, but the cost of fees increases and can cost 100 EUR. The visa application must be submitted no earlier than 3 months before the start of the trip.

A short-term visa of category C (the purpose of the visit is tourism) is issued for 3–6 months with a stay in the country itself of 90 days and is valid throughout the Schengen territory. If you have previously received a visa valid for six months, then they can issue you a multiple visa for 1 year. With previously issued visas for a period of 1 year or more, you can request a multiple visa for both 3 years and 5 years, but at the same time having an ideal package of documents.

More details about the documents, the process of obtaining a French visa and other subtleties are written sensibly.

What can be imported and exported

As for customs rules when crossing the border, they are as follows.

Allowed to import:

1. Up to 10,000 EUR without declaration. Larger amounts must be declared;
2. 200 cigarettes / 100 cigarillos / 250 cigars / 250 grams of smoking tobacco for persons over 17 years of age;
3. 1 liter of alcoholic drinks with a strength of more than 22% / 2 liters of alcoholic drinks with a strength of less than 22% / 4 liters of still wine / 16 liters of beer - for citizens over 17 years of age;
4. Medicines necessary for the duration of your stay in the country (no more than 3 months);
5. Personal items worth up to 430 EUR, for citizens under 15 years old - up to 150 EUR (for air travelers).

All goods and things not intended for personal use and the quantity of which exceeds the above norms must be included in the customs declaration. Items that are prohibited for import without declaration or have import restrictions must also be declared.

Prohibited for import:

1. Products that violate intellectual property rights;
2. Meat and dairy products;
3. Psychotropic and narcotic substances;
4. Weapons and other items that pose a threat to the lives of citizens.

In my experience, French customs officers are quite loyal, but you still shouldn’t tempt fate and follow all the rules.

How to get there

Below I will list the main ways to get to beautiful France. You can choose any of these methods according to your budget and intentions.

The most convenient and fastest, but quite expensive, is by plane. Flights to France are operated from many Russian cities.

You can go by train or bus, but it takes longer (you will spend about 2 days on the way) and is cheaper.

The option of going by car is also not cheap, given that you have to pay for gasoline, stays in hotels or campsites, food and travel on highways, but here you plan your trip yourself.

You can also get to France by water: along the Mediterranean Sea to the Cote d'Azur, but this pleasure is not cheap.

By plane

The most comfortable and popular way. Of course, direct flights are expensive, so I bought with transfers in Europe. This is both cheaper and, if the time between flights allows, the opportunity to visit another European city. I selected flights using offer aggregator sites. You can see the tickets.

Several times I flew direct with Rossiya Airlines. A round-trip ticket cost about 12,000 rubles. This happened in 2011 and 2013. Now the prices of this company are higher, of course.

Once I flew only there on a Belavia flight with a transfer in Minsk. A ticket also cost about 12,000–14,000 thousand rubles in 2014. By the way, the service is pretty good.

A couple of times I took round-trip flights with transfers in Munich or Zurich from Lufthansa. This pleasure cost about 16,000–18,000 rubles. in 2013–2014, but the service is much better than that of the above companies.

Now a round trip ticket costs from 14,000 to 40,000 rubles, depending on the airline you choose.

You can also get to France on low-cost airlines from other European cities. For example, by ferry or by bus to Finland or Sweden, and then transfer to a plane.

Depending on the purpose of your trip to France, you can choose the desired airport of arrival.

There are 4 airports in Paris:

1. Charles de Gaulle is where most flights arrive and is the most convenient of the four as it operates 24 hours a day;
2. Orly. Serves mainly domestic flights;
3. Beauvais. For low cost airlines like Ryanair;
4. Le Bourget. Only for charters and private business class aircraft.

There are also two international airports in two French cities - Nice and Marseille. Travelers who want to relax on the Cote d'Azur arrive there.

By train

If you want to see the rest of old Europe on the way to France, then going by train is the option for you.

There are two trains from Moscow to France: one through to Paris, the second to Nice. You will spend about two days on the road. Ticket prices from 228 EUR and above.

The carriages on the trains are quite comfortable, there is a dining car.

By bus

Top cities

Here, as anyone would guess, the leader is Paris. So much has been written about this city and by such wonderful writers as Nabokov, Victor Hugo, Alexandre Dumas that I have nothing special to add. I will say one thing: paradoxically, I never loved Paris until I lived there for a year. And even now I don’t really miss it, because coming there as a tourist is one thing, but living there is completely different. You encounter many problems there that are typical for megacities, but that’s not what we’re talking about now. Towards the end of my period of life in the beautiful capital of France, I still realized that “Paris loves me, and I love it.” You can read more about Paris

Cozyly located on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, with the famous Promenade des Anglais, the Matisse and Marc Chagall museums, Nice, as before, attracts tourists from all over the world. And not only with fashionable beaches and comfortable hotels in the style of the French Riviera, but also with an indescribable atmosphere of grace and elegance.

The neighboring city Cannes known throughout the world for the famous Cannes Film Festival. It is not for nothing that most tourists who come to this city consider it their duty to take photos on the red carpet, along which so many famous actors and actresses walk. This is one of the most popular resorts on the Cote d'Azur, where you can relax on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea and plunge into the world of art.

Another equally popular city in France is. It is better to start visiting Lyon from the Old Town, where traboules are still preserved - narrow medieval streets where one person can hardly pass. In this city you can see both perfectly preserved monuments of the Middle Ages (Saint-Jean Cathedral) and buildings from the Roman Empire (the Ancient Roman Theater on Fourvière Hill).

The world-famous French resort remains where they filmed the famous epic about the adventures of the gendarmes with Louis de Funes in the title role, the film “And God Created Woman” with the beautiful Brigitte Bardot, who, by the way, still lives here, and the film “Swimming Pool” with the participation of Alain Delon. By the way, it was Brigitte Bardot who contributed to considerable popularity, now one of the most prestigious vacation spots.

Islands

Corsica

The closest island to France and the most obstinate is Corsica(Corsica, in fact, never wanted to become part of France, which did not bother the latter at all. That is why the island has a special status: Territorial Community of Corsica). The birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte, sunny Corsica will delight you with its welcoming Mediterranean landscapes, a huge abundance of beaches and delicious cuisine.

I only advise you to take care of renting a car in advance, since this is the best way to get around the island. You can get to Corsica by plane or ferry from Italy or France. You can rent a car in Corsica itself (from 70 EUR per day) or take the ferry with it (from 250 EUR for 2 people with a car).

Former colonies

Like other former colonial powers, France has retained some of its “colonies” to this day, but now they have different statuses and a more expanded range of rights and freedoms. Most of these possessions are islands (except Guiana), which are located in three oceans: the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian.

In the Pacific Ocean there are two islands popular with tourists - Martinique and Guadeloupe.

Martinique- a beautiful island that France can be proud of. It once inspired the work of Paul Gauguin himself, whose museum is located there. This is also where Napoleon Bonaparte's first wife, Josephine Beauharnais, came from. “Land of Flowers” ​​is how the name of the island is translated, and it fully justifies it. Fans of beach and relaxing holidays will love the postcard beaches of Martinique and the warm Caribbean Sea.

From France you can also get to the island by plane. The flight is operated by Air France, Air Caraibes, Corsair. Return ticket price starts from 400 EUR. Airplanes also fly from Russia, but the travel time will be about 13 hours.

There is an island not far from Martinique Guadeloupe. Divided into two parts, Large and Lower, the island is interesting with tropical forests, magnificent beaches, an active volcano and waterfalls.

You can get from Martinique to Guadeloupe in 40 minutes by plane, so it's convenient to visit both islands in one go.

In the Indian Ocean there is a whole necklace of 5 island groups called French Polynesia.

The most popular island of the group is Tahiti. He is both the largest and the most important among the rest. Like Guadeloupe, it consists of two parts - North and South. Here you can find everything for a perfect holiday: coral reefs, luxurious beaches, magnificent views of small mountains covered entirely with jungle. It was not for nothing that Paul Gauguin fled to this island.

The flight from France will last approximately 21 hours. Flights are only with transfers. The price of a round-trip ticket is from 1,000 EUR and above. As is quite obvious, you can get to Tahiti from Russia by plane, and also with transfers.

In the Pacific Ocean is located one of the most beautiful island groups on planet Earth - New Caledonia. Its main island is Grande Terre. The large amount of natural resources makes this island chain extremely important for France. Here you can also find magnificent beaches and stunning landscapes.

By the way, the islanders here adopted a lot from the Europeans, and even the capital of New Caledonia, the city of Noumea, is more similar to a typical small European town than an aboriginal settlement.

There are indirect flights from France. The price of a round-trip ticket is from 1,500 EUR and above. From Russia you will have to fly for two or three days with transfers.

Top attractions

When it comes to France, everyone immediately remembers Eiffel Tower. Probably the top question for me about France is: “Have you been to the Eiffel Tower?” Answer: “Yes, it was.”

Get ready for:

1. The lines are incredibly long. During the time spent in line, I managed to read a book, listen to music and discuss a lot of things with my friend.
2. At the very top, everything is covered with a dense iron mesh, so it’s not very convenient to take pictures.
3. It is on the tower that they like to rob naive tourists - do not take particularly valuable things or a lot of money with you there.

Another equally famous landmark of France is Disneyland. What child, adult or teenager has not dreamed of being there? I also managed to visit Disneyland. It is divided into two parks: an amusement park and the Walt Disney studio, where they show how cartoons are created. I advise you to arrive early and, again, prepare for a giant queue, stock up on a player or book. The amusement park itself has a well-developed system: you can go around all the most popular attractions in advance and buy tickets for them indicating the time when you will arrive there, and during breaks you can walk around the park.

France, like any former feudal medieval European country, is rich in castles and palaces. The most popular one Versailles. I visited there too. You are guaranteed a huge queue with several bends (by the way, you will have to wait for it twice: at the ticket office and at the entrance to the palace). There are few open halls and rooms in the palace itself; you could go through them quickly enough if it weren’t for the crowds of tourists taking pictures with everything. If you don’t have the energy to visit the park (as happened to me), you can take a ticket for the train that runs through it.

Since we are talking about castles, another undoubted attraction of France is Castles of Loire. To have an idea of ​​what it is and what it is eaten with, visit at least 2-3 of them. I went to two of them: Amboise and Chambord. Amboise is a very beautiful and perfectly preserved Renaissance monument. The chapel contains the tomb of Leonardo da Vinci. He lived in this castle for the last years of his life. The interior is also in excellent condition. Chambord is beautiful only on the outside; inside, most of the halls and rooms are empty and unfurnished.

Louvre also comes to mind for everyone who talks about France. The famous museum with a glass pyramid can be seen on many souvenirs that are brought from there. It is located in the center of Paris, near the Tuileries Garden. The central entrance is through a large pyramid.

The Louvre has 3 wings: Richelieu, Denon and Sully. It’s impossible to get around all 3 in one go. I explored the museum in several visits. If you want, like many, to find Mona Lisa first, then go towards the Denon wing. There you will immediately recognize it by the huge crowd of people taking selfies next to Leonardo’s great work. Read about what else you need to see in the Louvre.

Another emblem of both Paris and France is. In my humble opinion, Victor Hugo wrote about the cathedral best of all travel observers in his book of the same name.

It is located on the islet of Cité. Nearby, by the way, there is a wonderful square where you can relax, stand in line and enjoy the magnificent stained glass windows and gargoyles of Notre Dame de Paris.

The majestic Alps, stretching in the southeast of the country. Highest point in the French Alps - Mont Blanc mountain- the cherished mecca of many European climbers. At the western foot of the mountain there is just a resort, which I wrote about above. Fans of active tourism, especially mountain tourism, will really like it here. Stunning mountain scenery makes everyone hold their breath.

How can one not mention the famous ones in the list of attractions in France? Champs Elysees, about which Joe Dassin sang so beautifully? To be honest, I didn’t find anything special there except crowds of tourists, very expensive shops and the same cafes and restaurants. In fact, this is an ordinary wide avenue connecting the Arc de Triomphe with the Place de la Concorde. If you want to feel like the Angry Birds, then this is the place for you. In the huge crowd spreading on both sides of the fields, you will certainly run into someone. Again, advice: keep an eye on your bag or things. Happy in the knowledge that they are in Paris, tourists sometimes do not notice how they are deprived of money or expensive things.

The author sees the Champs Elysees somewhat differently.

I already wrote above about monastery Saint Michel in the province of Normandy. It reminded me of the gloomy castle of some evil witch from children's fairy tales. Getting there is somewhat difficult, since the monastery is located on a rock island in the center of the shallow waters of the bay of the same name. The tides occur at specific times, so to get there you have to wait for the tide to go out. In the evening they turn on the lights, and the abbey takes on a darkly beautiful appearance.

Who hasn't watched the Fort Boyard program before? No less famous than other attractions in France, Fort Boyar is located close to the city, comfortably located on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean (I advise you to go there too, a very pleasant city with a well-preserved medieval central part and unusual modern buildings around). Boats go there and go around it. Unfortunately, you can’t get inside, as games are still taking place there.

Weather

The climate of France varies depending on the region. In general, 5 climatic zones can be distinguished:

• The Côte d'Azur and Corsica have a classic Mediterranean climate: summers are hot and long, and winters are short and warm. There may be thunderstorms in the summer and cool and windy weather in the spring due to the mistral wind that blows across the country. The average temperature in summer is +27 °C, in winter - +13 °C.
• In mountainous regions (Rhône-Alpes) winters are long and very snowy. Prolonged snowfalls are possible. The average temperature in summer is +15 °C, in winter about –10 °C;
• In central France the climate is continental: summers are hot and winters are colder. The rainfall here is much less than in coastal areas. The average temperature in summer is from +15 °C to +25 °C, in winter - from –5 °C to +6 °C.
• In the north of the country, in the coastal regions, summers are warm and winters are mild. But rainy weather is often possible. The average temperature in summer is +20 °C, in winter - +5 °C;
• In the southwest of the country, summers are reasonably hot, but thunderstorms are possible, and winters are mild. The average temperature in summer is +25 °C, in winter - +10 °C.

The best time to visit France is the beginning of spring (May, April) and the beginning of autumn (September, beginning of October), since it is during these periods that it is not yet very hot, but not cold either, and at the same time you can safely go explore the main attractions of the country without wasting time in giant queues.

Moving around the country

By train

There are two types of trains:

By car

You can rent a car. On average it will cost you from 25 to 70 EUR per day. This type of transportation is convenient if you want to visit the Loire Valley or the Cote d'Azur, where the distances between settlements are quite significant.

In order to rent a car, you must be over 21 years old and have at least 1 year of driving experience. You can rent a car using various specialized services, for example, in the Travelask section.

Let me remind you that in Europe (including France) gasoline is more expensive, there are toll highways (they cost from 2 to 50 EUR). Payment for travel on a toll road depends on the category of the vehicle and the distance already traveled. You will also need to pay for travel through some tunnels and bridges.

Another popular way to travel today is to hitch a ride in other people's cars. In Paris, advertisements from the BlaBlaСar website are posted everywhere, thanks to which people are looking for travel companions or drivers heading to a particular city. Of course, it will be much cheaper (in agreement with the driver), but no one will give a complete guarantee of your safety.

I would like to add that in France there are a variety of well-maintained campsites and motels. Prices range from 10 to 50 EUR per day depending on the type of camping.

By plane

Comparable to train prices, flying around France is one of the most comfortable travel options.

Low-cost airlines offer more than reasonable prices (100 EUR round trip), and it will take much less time (1-2 hours) than traveling by train or car.

By bus

This option has not been canceled either. Moreover, here they are much more comfortable than in Russia. SNCF has its own bus network. Disadvantages of this method of travel: the journey will take longer, and most flights depart early in the morning, since the bus schedule is adjusted to approximate working hours, start and end times of school classes, etc. Plus - low prices (from 20 to 50 EUR ).

I mostly traveled around France by bus, but it was always as part of organized excursions offered by the private school where I studied in Paris. Such excursions cost from 80 to 300 EUR. The buses were very comfortable, and from the windows you could see the changing landscapes of France. So, when we took a bus on an excursion to the castles of Amboise and Chambord, we saw other Loire castles along the way.

Connection

There are no problems with the Internet in France. It works great and quickly here. Almost all hotels, bars, cafes have free Wi-Fi. An hour in an Internet cafe costs from 4 to 10 EUR. In hotels - from 10 to 20 EUR.

Cellular service is also excellent. Main operators in France:

• Bouygues Telecom,
• Orange France,
• SFR GSM.

I had Orange because I lived in Paris for a long time and needed a local SIM card. It cost me 20 EUR per month with the number of minutes for calls, SMS and Internet determined according to my tariff.

You can top up your account in two ways:

• Buy a card for the amount you need with a special code, which is covered with a protective film. You erase the film, there is a code under it. You need to enter it together with the appropriate combination (depending on the operator), and the amount will be credited to your account. Such cards are bought in tobacco shops.
• Go to a mobile phone store and pay directly there.

If you are going to France for a short time, then you don’t have to buy a local SIM card, but use a Russian one. The operator should automatically switch to French, but you need to find out in advance the rates for international calls and messages from your specific operator.

Language and communication

The French don't like to speak English. This is a generally accepted fact. And if they do, it is with obvious reluctance. In Paris, I met many Russians among store saleswomen or cafe waiters, because there you can speak Russian. In other cities of France you may not be so lucky, although in one souvenir shop in Reims I accidentally met a Russian saleswoman.

Below are some simple phrases for communication:

• Bonjour, est-ce que vous pouvez m'aider? - Hello, could you help me? - Bonjour, esko vu puve made?
• Ou se trouve la station de metro / l’arret de bus / la station de RER / la gare? - Where is the metro station / bus stop / RER station / train station? - U se trouve la station de metro / la re de bus / la station ereer / la gard?
• Je voudrais acheter cette chose. - I would like to buy this item. - Zhe vudre ashte set shoz la.
• Combien coute cette chose-la? - How much does this item cost? - Kombyan kut set shoz la?
• C'est loin/prés d'ici? - Is it far/near from here? - Se luan/pre disi?
• Déposez–moi à l’aéroport. - Take me to the airport. - Depoze mua a la eropor.
• Quelle heure est-il? / Il est quelle heure? - What time is it now?- Kal er ethyl? / Ile kel er?
• Arretez ici, s’il vous plait. - Stop here, please. - Arete isi, sil wu ple.
• Conduise-moi à cette adresse, s’il vous plait. - Take me to this address, please. - Conduize mua a set address, sil vu ple.
• Montrez-moi cela, s’il vous plait. - Show me this please. - Montre mua sela sil vu ple.

Features of mentality

Food and drink

French cuisine is refined and amazing. Let's start with foie gras, ratatouille, quiche Laurent, etc., not to mention the huge variety of wines. For the most part, all these dishes can be found in restaurants. As for the famous frog legs, I have never tried them because I couldn’t find them anywhere. The fact is that with the increase in environmental and fauna rights activists, frog legs have become a rarity in restaurants.

The same goes for foie gras. After all, to prepare this delicacy you need an enlarged duck liver, and in order for it to grow faster and larger, many farmers and factories feed poor birds with large amounts of chemicals.

Conventionally, French cuisine can be divided into regional and aristocratic (what is usually served in restaurants). Each region of France has different dishes, methods of preparation and wines.

For example, on the Cote d'Azur, Mediterranean cuisine is widespread, which uses fish, seafood, etc. A striking example is the famous bouillabaisse soup.

There are 2 discount seasons in Paris:

• from January to February,
• from mid-June to mid-July.

During this time, you can buy various items with up to 70% discount.

Another ideal city for shopping is. Among the large shopping centers here you can visit Cap 3000, Nice Etoile and Galerie Lafaytte. In the first one you can buy clothes, shoes, cosmetics, and souvenirs. By the way, Cap 3000 is located on the promenade, so you can stroll along the seashore after a run to the shops. Nice Etoile and Galeries Lafayette are not far from each other, so it's convenient to kill two birds with one stone.

How not to remember when talking about shopping, Cannes. Walking along La Croisette, you can find many boutiques of the most famous brands: Valentino, Prada, Ralph Lauren, Dior. But be careful, the prices here are steep! For those who want to save money, there is the Forville flea market, it takes place on Mondays, and there you can sometimes find interesting things among all the trash.

IN Bordeaux you can find great wines. Be sure to go to the Museum of Bordeaux Wines and Wine Trade - you will not only plunge into the magical history of Bordeaux wines, but you will definitely taste several varieties of this wonderful drink. There is also a shop at the museum.

In a small but very picturesque town Colmar There is a bakers' street where you can go crazy with all kinds of aromas. Even the most staunch opponents of sweets will not be able to resist the temptation here and try Alsatian cakes and other sweets.

IN Dijon You can buy the best mustard, and there are also excellent food markets.

But from Reims They usually bring excellent champagne. This city is located in the Champagne-Ardenne province. I visited two champagne factories there. One of them is Mercier. Each factory has a shop where you can buy a bottle of champagne (prices vary). In the city itself there are also good shops where you can buy this wonderful sparkling drink.

IN La Rochelle You can buy salt, in souvenir shops it is everywhere and in every form, as well as salty cookies. The fact is that the city leads the country in salt production.

In Genoa you can go to the Doge's Palace, which combines elements of different styles and eras, and to Piazza Ferrari. In Turin - the Supergo Monastery and the Egyptian Museum of Turin - the only museum in Europe specializing only in the history of Ancient Egypt. - a paradise for shopaholics and opera lovers, the famous La Scala theater is located in Milan, but tickets there should be booked many months in advance.

I won’t write about Rome here: that’s something that goes without saying. You should visit the Eternal City at least once in your life.

By the way, it is located next to France. Go there during the famous Venice Carnival! The riot of colors and costumes here is something incredible.

Andorra

In Andorra you will find an amazing mixture of Catalan, Pyrenean and Spanish cultures, which is reflected in the country itself. If we start the list of attractions of this small country, it would require a separate article.

I will list only the most unusual: Comic Book Museum, Russian Matryoshka Museum, Tobacco Museum, Electricity Museum. There is also a very beautiful reserve “La Cortinada”, where you can see stunning mountain landscapes.

Spain

Hotels- don’t forget to check prices from booking sites! Don't overpay. This !

Rent a Car- also an aggregation of prices from all rental companies, all in one place, let's go!

Anything to add?

Tours to France are always chosen by romantic people and those who are attracted by the centuries-old history of one of the original peoples of Europe. But before you go to Paris or the Cote d'Azur, it is worth knowing how the French people differ from their closest neighbors and from the Russians, with whom they have several centuries of common history.

Let's try to find out the most interesting facts about France and the people inhabiting this country.

Triumphal Arch

Mentality and characteristics of the population

The main feature of the French is their slight hypocrisy. They smile constantly, even if they are annoyed or you are unpleasant to them. However, this quality cannot be called bad, and besides, in public the French are quite friendly.

The French are very polite people; here, even after an accident, they often do not call traffic inspectors and solve the problem very quietly and calmly.

By the way, the French take traffic rules very lightly. If there is no patrol car on the road, the rules will be violated everywhere, even in the center of Paris.

In addition to politeness, the French are highly sociable. Here, at any moment on the street, a person can come up to you and start talking about anything.

The French love of kissing is far from a myth. Here it is customary to kiss even a stranger twice on both cheeks when meeting and goodbye. In the southern regions of France, the population is even more loving - four kisses are considered the etiquette norm.

The French have a strange style of clothing, especially among young people. If adults conform to French sophisticated fashion, then almost 100% of teenagers wear watches and chains on top of their clothes, give themselves unusual hairstyles and dress in clothes that are very catchy and bright colors.

Tourists also need to follow the dress code in France. A guest who dresses like a “true Frenchman” in a beret and a striped sweater may be booed on the street or, at a minimum, seen off with mocking glances and shaking his head reproachfully.

Superstition is one of the national character traits of the French. For example, a tourist may be kicked out of a hotel lobby for opening an umbrella indoors. In France, there are special baskets for umbrellas located near the doors.

The superstition and piety of the French does not interfere. Churches and cathedrals here are an off-limits zone and tourist groups are not allowed during services. You can view the temples from the inside only at certain hours.

In France you should always say hello to the staff when entering a hotel, store or restaurant. Etiquette boundaries are sacred for native French people, and those who do not comply with them will not receive the most polite service.

French wine

The responsiveness of the French to people in trouble is another distinctive character trait. Although, in part, this is dictated by laws - if an accident occurs in front of a Frenchman or a random passer-by becomes ill, he must call the police or an ambulance. Otherwise, the victim has every right to sue the witness.

The French are partial to fire - in order to spoil someone, they burn door mats, set fire to doors or cars. That is why all French cars are primarily insured against arson.

When it comes to the automobile industry, local residents are true patriots. Even if they have a lot of money, they would rather buy a Renault, Peugeot or Citroen than a Mercedes.

Patriotism also concerns the native language. On the main streets of French cities you will not find a single sign in a foreign language, and local residents may demonstratively not understand English, much less German.

In addition, the broadcasting law states that from 8 am to 8 pm, 70% of the music played on the radio must be written by French composers. Songs may be in English. But the French must carry them out.

The French idolize Napoleon Bonaparte, despite the inglorious last years of the emperor's reign. Excursions to “Napoleonic” places are regularly organized for foreigners, and for insulting the name of the great French ruler you can get several months in prison.

The attitude towards Russian-speaking tourists in France is even - unlike the Italians or the British, the French never judge people by stereotypes. Well, the average Frenchman’s attitude towards the rich heritage of literature, music and Russian ballet is more than reverent.

Attitude to food and cuisine

The French have a very special attitude towards food and the process of eating food. While a Frenchman is eating, it is completely indecent to distract him. And being late from lunch here is considered less shameful than being stuck in a traffic jam.

When going to a French restaurant, you should also take care of your appearance, having first found out what the establishment’s policy is. If you must be in a tuxedo and bow tie, then a visitor in a youth blazer over a turtleneck or, worse, a tracksuit, will simply not be allowed in.

Table etiquette is almost more important than general manners. For example, with cheese dishes, you only need to order red wine from drinks - otherwise, you may get a sarcastic remark from the waiter about the lack of taste of Monsieur or Madame.

By the way, a waiter in restaurants or cafes is perhaps the main person. You shouldn’t rely on universal politeness and the “customer is always right” rule. French waiters are always confident that they have a much better understanding of which dishes are good and which ones are better not to order. And in most cases, this is true.

It is generally accepted that in France, at almost every step there is a restaurant serving frog legs. However, in fact, this dish is considered a real delicacy and can only be ordered in the most refined and rare restaurants.

France is one of the few countries where the most expensive and most famous mushrooms in the world grow - truffles. There is no fixed price for this delicacy - it is traded in the same way as for gold or currency. The average price is 600 euros per kilogram, and this includes land and waste. Truffles ripen in winter.

There are as many as 22 national cuisines in France - as many as there are regions. Each cuisine is influenced by what is grown in that region.

The French really know how and love to cook. For example, here you can eat almost nothing but potatoes - so many dishes are prepared from this vegetable that it is impossible to try them all.

Other facts

A salary of 1,000 euros is considered quite low in France; only janitors, waiters and other unskilled workers receive less here.

France has a healthy attitude towards corruption - here it is very difficult to give a bribe to a policeman, he will most likely not take it and will also hand you over to law enforcement agencies.

In our money, a pack of cigarettes in France costs about 200 rubles. Despite such exorbitant prices, there is a lot of smoking in France, especially among young people.

Public transport in France is simply excellent - the buses are clean, and the transport itself runs regularly and without delays. A ticket in France is universal for all types of transport; for 1.5 euros you can ride for an hour on the metro or buses.

Controllers are very rare here - in France it is simply not customary not to buy a ticket. Well, besides, the fine for traveling without a ticket is 200 euros - it’s easier to buy a ticket for 1.5. In general, the fines here are very high for all types of violations.

Houses in France are luxurious and usually low. Most of the buildings here are five or six-story buildings. The entrances of the houses are very cozy and clean.

Important: France has a large number of Africans and Arabs - immigrants from former imperial colonies. Each nation has its “own” neighborhoods where it is better for tourists not to enter due to the high crime rate.

The standard of living in France is very high - low-income citizens live in three-room apartments with renovations and expensive appliances.

French education is no worse - already in the 11th grade, children study the 2nd year program of a Russian university. Anyone who has completed an education can almost automatically find a good job, but without a certificate, you can get a job as a builder or auto mechanic at most.

There are practically no 24-hour grocery stores in France, and pharmacies here close at nine in the evening.

France is so unique and amazing that no matter how many years you live there, you never tire of admiring it. This is one of the most visited countries in the world - the annual flow of tourists approaches 100 million people. To get into the spirit of this country, we present to your attention some interesting facts about the country and the French.

Attractions

Today, the majority of castles in the world - 4969 pieces - are located in France.

Some of the world's most visited attractions are in France: Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral, Eiffel Tower, Champs Elysees, Versailles, Mont Saint-Michel Monastery.

For almost 10 years, from 1925 to 1934, the Eiffel Tower was a huge advertising medium. The founder of the Citroën concern paid for the rent and installed night illumination on the tower with more than 100,000 light bulbs. The name of the company, the signs of the zodiac and a shower of stars were illuminated on the tower.

One of the famous symbols of France is the Gallic rooster. In Latin, the word gallus had two meanings: rooster and Gauls - tribes that lived in the territories of modern France, Germany and Switzerland. The French love this symbol, because the rooster means pride, courage, and boasting can be forgiven.

Ancient palaces and castles in France, such as the Castle of Amboise, are famous for their wooden fireplaces. For their construction, special “fireproof” trees growing in France were used - cedar and juniper. Local pine nuts are several times larger than Siberian ones and cost only 25 euros per kilogram.

Social life

The French refused to accept the draft European Constitution and standardize production. That is why more than 480 types of cheeses with unique tastes, about 1000 varieties of wine are produced in France, and cider is not an alcoholic drink.

France is one of the most agricultural countries in the world. In terms of production volume, it ranks 1st in Europe and 3rd in the world.

In France, social assistance is very developed for sections of the population below the poverty line and the poor. They are given coupons, according to which they receive food several times a month: vegetables, cheese, milk, dairy products, chocolate. All products are of high quality and are provided by stores and farms.

Help for people suffering from bad habits, alcoholics anonymous, drug addicts, helpline, etc. is absolutely free.

Inventions and personalities

One of the most common instruments of capital punishment in the Middle Ages, the guillotine, was invented in France. The last act of capital punishment involving its use was committed in 1977. Every year on September 10, France celebrates the day of mourning for the guillotine.

In 1783, the Montgolfier brothers invented the first hot air balloon in France.
France is the birthplace of cinema. It was in Paris in 1895 that the first showing of the “Cinematograph of the Lumière Brothers” took place.

Gothic architecture and the Baroque style appeared in France and were originally called “French art.”
There is a lot of debate about who invented the bicycle. Similar designs were presented by the German professor Karl von Dres and Kirkpatrick MacMillan, but the Frenchman Pierre Lallement officially patented his invention in 1866. It is he who is considered the creator of the bicycle, and France is the birthplace of this transport.

France gave the world such famous people as Joan of Arc, Alphonse Daudet, Paul Cezanne, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, Jean-Baptiste Moliere, Francois-Marie Voltaire, Alexandre Dumas, Victor Hugo, Jules Verne, Joe Dassin, Brigitte Bardot, Jacques -Yves Cousteau, Jean-Paul Sartre, Roland Barthes, Yves Saint Laurent and others. There are the graves of representatives of the Russian nobility, the great ballerina Matilda Kshesinskaya, Ivan Bunin.

Gastronomy

The most expensive mushrooms - truffles - grow in France. Their cost has no limit. During the season, from November to March, they ask for about $600 per kilogram of unpeeled mushrooms along with soil.

It is believed that frog legs can be ordered at every turn in France. In fact, this dish is considered a rare delicacy and is served only in the most sophisticated restaurants.
Grape snails, used to prepare one of the most delicious dishes - escargot - are called Bourgogne snails, and it does not matter where they were collected. This is a kind of marketing ploy, since it is Burgonian snails that are considered the most delicious, largest and are in high demand.

In France, depending on the region, there are about 22 national cuisines. The same dish can have a completely different taste, depending on whether it is prepared in the south or north of the country. The French are great lovers of culinary art. They can prepare almost two hundred different dishes from potatoes alone.

Buckwheat flour, used for baking French pancakes, is a fairly common product. But the locals practically do not consume the cereal itself. You have to look for it in pet stores, in Arab and Turkish shops, as well as in Russian stores at fabulous prices.
The French do not recognize McDonalds at all, considering their menu completely unsuitable for food. However, every parent knows that if you lose sight of a teenager, this is the first place to go to look for him.

Eating is a sacred ritual for the French. And the word “food” can only compete with “rugby” or “bicycle”. Good manners prohibit calling during a meal, and being late from lunch is a more valid reason than being stuck in traffic.

Wine

About 250 different vintage wines are produced in France. Each wine is produced only in one place, strictly from the grapes that grow in that area. The most famous wine regions are Bordeaux, Burgundy, Rhone, Loire, Alsace, and Champagne.

The French themselves say this about wine: “There are only two types of wine - the one you like and the one you don’t like!”
The French do not understand such concepts as “dry” wine and “brut” and understand this division only in champagne. All fortified wines in France are classified as liqueurs. And for the French there is only red, white and rose wine.

A useful fact for drinkers - French red wine never gives you a headache.

Despite the abundant consumption of wine and fatty foods, France has one of the lowest rates of cardiovascular diseases. Doctors even established the recommended amount of wine consumption: 3 glasses of red for men and 2 for women. After two glasses you are even allowed to drive.

The only corkscrew museum in the world is located in Provence.

French

From 1066 to the beginning of the 14th century, French was considered the official language of England.
The longest sentence in French contains 823 characters and was written by Victor Hugo in the novel Les Misérables.

French is the official language of France and 30 other countries around the world. However, more than a third of the country's population speaks English fluently.
In French, there are two spellings for the word "vodka": "vodka" for Russian and "wodka" for Polish.

In 2012, a hundred train stations in France installed pianos. Anyone can play them at any time, and during all this time not a single instrument has been damaged.

In France, there is still a ban in force, according to which it is forbidden to kiss on trains and stations. It was installed back in 1910 to prevent constant train delays due to couples kissing as they parted. Today this ban is expressed in the presence of special signs on the platforms, reminding that long goodbyes are not welcome.

As a greeting in France, a kiss on the cheek is the norm, among both men and women. It is believed that the most “loving” in this regard are the residents of Paris, the north of France, as well as Corsicans.

The first restaurant staffed by blind people opened in 2014 in Paris - Dans le Noir. According to the concept of the establishment, all visitors dine in complete darkness, which allows them to more clearly experience the taste and smell of food without being distracted by the visuals. Over time, similar restaurants began to open in many countries and large cities.

50 interesting facts about France for your attention! We hope that these notes will be of interest to you.

France: 50 interesting facts

Welcome to France, the land of romance, aesthetic beauty, art and culture. 50 interesting facts about this beautiful country:

1. France is the largest country in Western Europe, it stretches from the Mediterranean Sea to the English Channel.
2. France is the third largest country in Europe after Russia and Ukraine.
3. Paris - the capital of France - is considered the fashion capital of the world.
4. The Statue of Liberty was gifted by France to America in honor of Independence on October 28, 1886.
5. France is the most famous wine-producing country in the world. Wine has been made here since the time of the Roman invasion. By the way, 72% of the French have difficulty understanding the numerous wine producers, because Bordeaux alone has more than 9,000 varieties. But the world’s most famous liqueurs are also produced in France, not to mention Calvados cognac and so on.
6. It is believed that April Fool's Day - April 1 - originated in France.
7. The Eiffel Tower in Paris received the title of the tallest man-made structure in the world, and it remained in first place for 40 years.
8. France is in second place in the production of electricity using nuclear energy after the United States, while in Europe it is in first place. The amount of electricity produced in France is higher than in Germany, Great Britain, and Spain combined.
9. France is home to the first mass producer of ballpoint pens in the world.
10. France has the highest wealth tax in Europe.
11. France is considered the birthplace of Gothic art. It is also the birthplace of Baroque architecture. An interesting fact is that Gothic art was originally known as French art.
12. Mont Blanc is the highest point in France. It is also the highest mountain not only in the Alps, but throughout Western Europe. Mont Blanc is located on the border of France and Italy, and its height is 4,810 meters. A huge number of different mountaineering competitions are held annually. The most famous ski resort in France, Chamonix, is also located here. Most experts have repeatedly recognized Mont Blanc as the best place in Europe for mountaineering and skiing.
13. The national flower of France is the iris.
14. French was the official language of England for more than 300 years from 1066 until the beginning of the 15th century.
15. Gavarni waterfall is the highest in the country. Its height is 422 meters.
16. The Gallic rooster is the national animal of France.
17. One of the most important national holidays in France is July 14th. This day is known as Bastille Day. On this date, the most important event in the history of France took place: the storming of the Paris prison - Bastille on July 14, 1789. It was then that angry peasants attacked the prison fortress, released the prisoners and seized the weapons stored there. This event became the beginning of the Great French Revolution.
18. France ranks third in the European Union in terms of life expectancy for men.
19. Every day 2 new cookbooks are published in France.
20. France produces over 400 different types of cheese.
21. Contrary to popular misconceptions, the most visited attraction in France is neither the Eiffel Tower nor the Louvre, but Disneyland Paris.
22. In France, it is allowed to marry dead people, however, only with the personal permission of the president.
23. France is the world's largest importer of frogs. But the French don't eat frogs. This is a delicacy for tourists. Frog meat is low in calories and tastes like chicken.
24. Police officers in Paris roller skate.
25. The largest flood in Paris was in 1910.
26. Over 10% of the French population are immigrants. Most of them are Muslims.
27. The tradition of decorating the Christmas tree for the New Year came from France.
28. In France, the smelliest and most expensive mushrooms in the world grow - truffles. There is even a truffle auction. This is the only product for which there is no official price. Truffle sellers only accept cash. They cost an average of 600 euros per kilogram, and this includes the soil and is unrefined. Season: November to March.
29. It was in Burgundy that people began to eat grape snails more than two and a half thousand years ago.
30. All French people hate McDonald's, but if their teenage or young adult child has disappeared from sight or hasn't called or texted about where it is for the last 20 minutes, then they should look for it there.
31. Leonardo da Vinci was invited by King Francis the First to develop the Renaissance in the art of France. The Louvre houses the largest collection of works by Leonardo da Vinci. Also in the Louvre is the famous work of Leonardo da Vinci “Mona Lisa” or “La Gioconda”.
32. Champs Elysees is considered the most beautiful street in France.
33. The Millau Viaduct, located in the south of France, is the highest road bridge in the world.
34. Charles the Eighth had 6 toes on one of his feet. The king was very embarrassed about this and introduced into fashion shoes with a square toe, hiding the foot defect.
35. The number of kisses a Frenchman greets each other with varies depending on the region. For example, in Corsica people kiss 5 times when they meet.
36. France has set the largest number of records in skiing.
37. France has won the largest number of Nobel Prizes in literature.
38. Napoleon's height was 168 cm.
39. Croissants are not a French invention. In fact, they were first baked in Austria.
40. The Ministry of Health once tried to elevate milk to the rank of the national drink of France.
41. France is known as the perfume capital of the world.
42. Getting married in a white dress is a French tradition that dates back to 1499.
43. In Paris, cycling is popular among the population. For convenience and safety, a huge number of special bicycle paths, as well as bicycle rental points, have been built in the French capital.
44. In Parisian parks you can see bee apiaries. And many Parisians, after attending beekeeping courses, install hives on their balconies.
45. The three lines on the coat of arms of France symbolize compassion, justice and mercy.
46. ​​Local Saint Michel in northwestern France, due to the ebb and flow of tides in this part of the Atlantic Ocean, is an island twice a day and a peninsula twice a day.
47. The French call an ordinary pigeon a flying rat.
48. The building of the National Paris Opera was erected above an underground river, which flows into an artificial lake located directly below the Opera.
49. The French consume 67 kilograms of bread per year per capita - the highest figure in Europe.
50. In France, in the area of ​​Grasse - the capital of world perfumery - a unique rose of the Centifolia variety is grown. This rose is famous primarily for the number of petals. She has a hundred of them.

The City of Love and the Eiffel Tower are probably the first things that come to mind when thinking about France. But besides this, there are many other things in this place that deserve attention. There are too many of them), so it is difficult to briefly list what France is famous for. This is a country with rich literature, ancient heritage and beautiful landscapes. It is considered the country of Voltaire; in this place they speak the language of Moliere. Everyone who comes here can tour the famous sights of France that are connected with its history. This is a country of grace and elegance that never ceases to amaze.

Why is France famous? This will be briefly discussed in the article.

City on the banks of the Seine

This is perhaps the most famous city in France and Wotan is one of the most visited by tourists. The population of Paris is close to two and a half million people. More than 12 million people live in the city itself and its suburbs. There are a large number of attractions here, and in addition, various interesting events take place. The number of tourists in Paris is so large that it is a priori recommended for tourists to book hotels and plan visits to museums and, in general, what France and its capital are famous for.

Marseilles

Marseille is the second largest and most famous city in terms of population. The population is about 850,000 people (about one and a half million people including the suburbs). It is located in the southeastern part of the country, on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. Next to it on the seashore there are a number of beaches and resort villages. The city itself has numerous museums and art galleries. (absolute attractions of Marseille (as well as shopping centers) are located in districts 1, 2, 6 and 7. For what France is famous for, it is worth seeing In the coffin (see the port or Vieux Port; Hôtel de ville de Marseille (town hall) - baroque pantry built in the 17th century.

Lille

Lille ranks fourth in the country in terms of population. The city is located in the north of France, near the border with Belgium. It is the center of the textile industry. Yanacona city has a population of approximately 227,000 people (with the suburbs - more than 1 million people). There's a lot here that France is famous for: a clear path worth seeing is Lille Cathedral (Notre Dame de la Treille), a Roman Catholic kirk and national monument; Palais des Beaux-Arts de Lille - magistrate's museum dedicated to fine arts, modern and ancient; Jardin botanique de la Faculté de Pharmacie is an undeveloped garden.

Bordeaux

The city is located in the southwest of France, near the Atlantic coast, on the banks of the Garonne River. It is sometimes called the “city of art and history.” There are 362 monuments and buildings dating back to Roman times. The historical part of the city is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List as an outstanding urban and architectural ensemble of the 18th century.

Bordeaux is a (much) significant world center for the wine industry. One of the most famous wine exhibitions, Vinexpo, is held here.

Lyon

The city is third in size and number of inhabitants. Its population is about 506,000 souls. It is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. There are historical sites in the city (Roman amphitheater and monuments of medieval architecture). Lyon, in turn, is famous for the fact that it was here that the Lumière brothers invented the art of cinema.

The Museum of Fine Arts is the main museum of the city and one of the largest art galleries in the country.

Strasbourg

This is one of the most famous cities in France, it is considered special. In a certain sense, it can be considered the center of Europe. For example, the European Parliament, the Council of Europe, and the European Court of Human Rights are located here. The stack with it is located near the border between France and Germany.

In the city (carriage of medieval architectural monuments. The central part of Strasbourg is included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List. Strasbourg Cathedral is a masterpiece of Gothic art and one of the architectural landmarks of the city.

Nice

This is Vaudan, one of the most visited towns on the French Riviera. Nekto is the second most popular tourist city in France. Nice was founded in the middle of the 4th century until our era.

Promenade des Anglais (La Prom) is a promenade along the Mediterranean Sea in Nice. It can be considered the main street of the city (especially for tourists).

The local festival is one of the largest events of its kind in the world (along with the Brazilian and Venice). It is held annually in February. Its highlights are the Flower Parades (“Bloodshed of Flowers”) and the Parade of Lights (on Saturdays and Tuesdays).

Cannes

Until this hour, one very popular city on the French Riviera. Its mess dates back more than two thousand years. The city became famous at the end of the 19th century; sometimes aristocrats from Great Britain began to build their own homes here. Rich and famous people from other European countries began to reach here later. The population of the city is just over seventy thousand of (people.

World famous events take place in Cannes:

France and the French

Every domain in the world has its own history and heritage, rich and filled with many legends and stories. And each annals, in turn, has its own long list of individuals who helped turn an ordinary event into an important historical episode for the country. The list of famous personalities of France is very large, from the monarchs who ruled the French throne to influential philosophers, scientists and literary figures who left their own indelible mark on the history of France. The country has been home to some of the world's leaders and pioneers who became pioneers in their respective fields. Louis Pasteur, Blaise Pascal, René Descartes, Divine Grace d'Arc, Louis XIV, Napoleon, Victor Hugo, Gustav Eiffel, the Cheremis Curies, Coco Chanel - they all called France their home. And the price list doesn't end here. There are many more historical figures who came from France. Moreover, their contributions have impacted not only the country, but also the world as a whole.

Love France

The country is the world's largest wine producer, with an ancient history of winemaking dating back over 2,500 years. Over the years, some estates have become legends.

70 percent of the most popular and famous French wines are elite Bordeaux varieties, mainly Grand Cru Classes from the Medoc region.

The most popular low-: illiterate only in the country, but also to some extent red varieties include:

• Château Mouton Rothschild Pauillac.
• Château Lafite Rothschild Pauillac.
• Chateau Margaux.
• Château Latour Pauillac.
• Château Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan.
• Pétrus Pomerol, Château Cheval Blanc Saint Émilion.
• Château d'Yquem Sauternes.

France's most famous chatterbox is champagne, which is adored by root of evil lovers around the world. But few people know that the French drink 53% of all the sparkling wine produced here themselves.

In 2014, the French drank more than 162 million bottles of champagne - almost three more bottles than a person. The remaining seven billion people on Earth had to break the remaining 145 million bottles for export.

Popular white varieties include the famous third wine Botrytis Château d'Yquem Sauternes, as well as the Rhone Valley sunflower E. Guigal Côtes Du Rhône Blanc.

Medoc is also on the list of what France is famous for. Many of its famous varieties are made in regions such as Loire, Burgundy, Alsace, Languedoc-Roussillon or Beaujolais.

Notre Dame Cathedral

This historical monument is, beyond doubt, one of the most beautiful buildings in Paris. Its organization began in 1163, but took more than two centuries. The current Gothic masterpiece is a symbol of Paris, one of the most famous places in France. The Devil, like the cathedral in Reims, is one of the most famous churches in this country. These walls saw French kings and Napoleon I; death ceremonies for French presidents Charles de Gaulle, George Pompidou and François Mitterrand were held here. This archbishop's cathedral is also famous for its appearance in Victor Hugo's novel Notre Dame of Paris, published in 1831.

Triumphal Arch

The Beloved is one of the city's many attractions.

Its formation under the leadership of Napoleon I in honor of the celebration of his military victories began in 1806 and ended in 1836. Sympathy is located in the center of Place Charles de Gaulle in the eighth quarter of Paris, three steps from the Champs Elysees.

Now here is the grave of an unknown soldier who died in the First Give All - Not Enough war, and the eternal flame burns. Every year on November 11th a commemorative ceremony takes place.

Pantheon

This architectural and historical monument is located in the Latin Quarter of Paris and is integral to more or less what France is famous for. In the 18th century, it was planned that the Pantheon would serve as a church, but now this fantastic monument is intended to honor the memory of those who left a close mark on the history of France. Jean Moulin, Voltaire, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Vic Hugo, Emile Zola and Jean Jaurès found their final home in the Pantheon.

Palace of Versailles

This symbol of glory, the most famous castle in France with 700 rooms is the largest in the world. Built in the early 17th century by order of King Louis XIV, better known as the Sun King, the Palace of Versailles was used as the dominant residence of the kings of France before the Revolution. Built in Baroque style, the spirit served as inspiration for further castle construction in the 17th and 18th centuries. Although since the 19th century it has been used as a museum, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Temple of Saint Denis

This is a Gothic church located in the center of Saint-Denis, five kilometers from Paris. Ever since its construction in the 12th century, the beloved acted as a necropolis for French crowned heads. Now it contains the forty-three kings, thirty-two queens and ten servants of the monarchs. At this place you can learn about all the royal families that have ever ruled France.

Chateau de Malmaison

This country estate in Ruel-Malmaison was the main residence of Napoleon I, "Emperor of the French", and his wife Josephine. Before the castle became their main residence, it was the residence and literary salon owned by Madame du Moly, and artists such as Friedrich Melchior Grimm and Bernardin Mol Saint-Pierre visited.

Since 1903, this historical monument has been the property of the French state, and in 1905 it was converted into a museum.

Chateau de Chambord

This castle actually tells the story of the Renaissance. It has a special architecture. The Chambord Palace was built in 1519 by order of King Francis I. Leonardo da Vinci worked on the design of the castle in 1517. The palace was erected on the site of an old fortification. In plan, the fortress has the shape of a cross, which has not been used in architecture since antiquity. Longer) (it had 440 rooms, most of which were equipped with fireplaces. This place has an ornamental garden and a hunting park, which is considered a historical monument.