Interesting information about France. – fair capital
Paris...You'll either love it or hate it. But don’t rush to form a general impression of France based only on Paris. This is a wonderful country with a lot to see and do.
If you love the City of Lights, then try to go beyond this metropolis. And if you are not a fan of Paris, then this is even better! We will tell you about sights of France things to visit to see best beaches and lush views.
1.Nice
Once upon a time, a long time ago, the entire aristocracy of Great Britain gathered on the Cote d'Azur of this city, turning it into a resort for the rich and famous. But now, these days, Nice is accessible to all travelers. The Mediterranean location provides ideal weather throughout the year and the opportunity to sample exquisite seafood. Incredibly delicious cuisine, nightlife, magical ancient city and picturesque beaches won't let you get bored.
2. Lyon
Gourmets! Lyon is considered the gastronomic capital of the world, so be sure to visit it! But besides the food, you will also find many museums, churches, Roman ruins, and most importantly, you can attend the incredible annual light festival.
3. Cannes
Apparently, you know Cannes for its annual film festival... but what else do you know??? All year round Cannes is the center of luxury and glamor. And even if you're not a big gamer, you can still enjoy a luxurious life. Visit a haute couture store, enjoy yachts in the port, in the company of celebrities.
4. Marseille
The next incredible one is Marseille. This place is so rich in history and culture that you will be shocked that you didn't think to visit it sooner. Marseille exudes a multicultural atmosphere. In fact, in 2013 the city was recognized as the European Capital of Culture. Therefore, artists and historians will enjoy wandering the ancient streets, viewing and visiting museums, while gourmets will be able to enjoy the local culinary diversity.
5. Biarritz
Biarritz is an elegant waterfront city located in southwest France. The city was the secret vacation spot of Napoleon III and Empress Eugenie, and the spirit of art deco and the Belle Époque of the Third Republic still reigns in it. Today it is a favorite destination for surfers from all over Europe. Here you can visit interesting museums and churches, or simply admire the beautiful waves on the seashore.
6. Champagne
The birthplace of sparkling wine. Champagne is an area of France famous for producing champagne. In fact, according to French law, only sparkling wines produced in a given region can be called "Champagne". In addition, the region offers a number of scenic spots such as Epernay (wine tasting area), Reims and Troyes.
7. Saint-Tropez
Sexy, quirky and luxurious, Saint-Tropez is a small, sophisticated waterfront town that gets crowded once summer arrives. It is worth visiting even out of season. Nowhere are there more representative yachts than in Saint-Tropez. Stroll along the cobblestone streets, wander from beach to beach and enjoy the magical landscape, and be sure to visit the magnificent Hotel La Ponche, where celebrities have stayed.
8. Chamonix-Mont-Blanc
The first ones took place in Chamonix in 1924. Since then, this place has been famous for its amazing mountain scenery and winter sports. From skiing to mountaineering, the Alpine town attracts serious athletes and is considered European capital winter extreme sports. Whether you're a downhill skier, a mountain climber, or just want to enjoy the mountains from a cable car ride, Chamonix is fascinating!
9. Normandy
On the northern coast of France is Normandy, which combines two worlds. The vibrant green landscape stretches along the entire coastline and meets the stormy waters of the English Channel. There is a lot to see, feel and explore in Normandy. and D-Day beaches (landing of the Allied forces on June 6, 1944), try Norman Camembert and Neufchâtel cheeses, visit the Gothic churches in Rouen and the Channel Islands (to be precise, these islands belong to the British Crown and are technically not located in France).
10. Avignon
An ancient town that is surrounded by 800-year-old stone ramparts (ramparts). Romantic Avignon is located on the banks of the beautiful Rhone River and awaits you. Be sure to visit the Palais des Papes, which is the largest Gothic palace in all of Europe. And in the summer, the Avignon Theater Festival takes place here, which attracts art lovers from all over the world.
11. Loire Valley
Vineyards, orchards, and attractive architecture. all this is the Loire Valley. Here you can take part in wine tours or ride a bike along the entire valley. Relax as you travel through the countryside and enjoy the beauty of stunning and impressive castles, such as the Chateau de Chambord (pictured).
12. Carcassonne
This town looks like it just came out of a fairy tale. Within the strikingly fortified city walls lies the Ile de la Cité. The lower town (Ville Basse) is considered more modern, here you can do a large number of shopping. These two cities are connected by the Pont-Neuf and Pont-Vieux bridges.
13. Sep - Malo
This port city, completely surrounded by a wall, is located on the English Channel (La Manche). It's a miracle ancient architecture, the local ports are crowded with boats. Characteristic features of Saint Malo include yacht racing, historical forts, museums and cozy restaurants. The Gulf of Saint Malo experiences the highest tides in Europe, resulting in crazy waves and hurricanes.
14. Dijon
Dijon is the perfect escape! This is original and historical city, filled with medieval and Renaissance architecture. Here you can see monuments, really old churches and art museums, and in addition there is the opportunity to visit delicious restaurants, a variety of shops and taste great wines. Dijon is located in Burgundy, which puts it closer to the region's best wineries.
Even the most fastidious tourist will be satisfied with their holiday in France. The Côte d'Azur and the English Channel are ideal places For beach holiday with breaks for tasting French wines and cheeses. For lovers winter species Holidays will appeal to the French Alps, where many ski resorts are located. But that’s not all, France is a state with many attractions and interesting places, so you should definitely visit its capital, the amazing city of Paris. In France, the direction is unusually developed children's recreation. There are many playgrounds and parks here. But the most famous is Disneyland, where every child will be delighted to visit it.
About France
It is very difficult to describe France. Even a few thick volumes will not be enough for this, but short review from a few paragraphs it will not be able to convey the atmosphere that reigns in this amazing country.
Interesting! Charles de Gaulle once shouted out a short, entertaining phrase: “Nothing better than France has yet been invented.”
Perhaps this statement can be rebutted on a global scale, but on the European continent it will not be so easy. Everything is here! You don't need to go to Germany to see half-timbered houses, they are in French Alsace. Belgium is famous for its wine beer, French fries and well-kept villages, but Nord-Pas-de-Calais has it all.
Holidays on the French Riviera
Many can point to unique English red telephone booths, fog, village houses made of large stones and other attractions of Great Britain that certainly cannot be found in France. But any Frenchman will point to Brittany - a region where you can find famous telephone booths, heather moors, roses climbing the walls of village houses, and even traditional English fog.
A piece of Italy can be found by visiting sunny Provence, while the Spaniards will feel at home on the plains of Languedoc and the mountains of the Pyrenees. Yes, the geography of France is interesting, and cultural heritage extensively. The country waged constant wars with its neighbors, and the Anglo-French wars almost led to complete enslavement. All this led to settling on modern territory France of other peoples who made its culture and history richer.
Eiffel Tower
Note! France was a former great colonial empire, and the French language was spoken on the 10% of the earth's landmass that the country owned. Currently, this has turned into a nuisance; now there are entire neighborhoods of Arabs, Africans and other peoples who were imperial subjects on the territory of the country. Tourists should not go there because high level crime.
But in tourist areas there is practically no crime, so you can safely hit the road, because there really is something to see here - the Eiffel Tower and the castles of the Loire, the stained glass windows of Sainte-Chapelle and the gargoyles of Notre Dame, the alleys of Montmartre and the halls of the Louvre. And, of course, the tides at Mount Saint-Michel, often called the eighth wonder of the world. No, for all the audacity of de Gaulle’s statement, it is worth admitting that in many respects he is right. Especially if you consider all the interesting facts about France, which will be discussed below.
The most interesting facts about France
Before moving on to the most interesting part, a number of the following facts should be noted. For example, a French student in the 11th grade takes a 2nd year program at a Russian university, and the French language is more widespread in Africa than in Europe. You can list interesting facts about France endlessly, and in the end you will get not a top, but a whole report. But it is possible to single out the most interesting ones.
France is a country where marriage with a dead person is legal
It's really true. The country's legislation provides for such a possibility, but to hold the ceremony you will have to obtain permission directly from the president. The beginning of such a “tradition” was laid at the height of the First World War, when girls married by proxy to grooms who had already been killed. This is how the practice of posthumous marriages arose. But later it was forgotten, reviving only in the second half of the twentieth century. The impetus for this was the disaster in the city of Fréjus, which occurred as a result of a dam failure. Among the 400 people who died was the fiancé of a girl named Irene Jodart. She for a long time begged President Charles de Gaulle to give permission to marry the deceased, the incident attracted the attention of the media, which supported the grief-stricken bride. The head of state surrendered. This is how the law allowing posthumous marriages came into being.
Note! To date, 1,500 posthumous marriages have been recorded in France. But only 5% of applications came from men.
Until the beginning of the 21st century, Parisian women were forbidden to go outside in pants
As the world welcomed the new millennium, Paris had a 200-year-old law prohibiting women from wearing trousers. True, others have long stopped looking disapprovingly at women who do not wear skirts, so in 2012 the law was abolished.
Thus, the law, first announced in 1799, lost its force. But in the 18th–19th centuries it was strictly observed, and to obtain the right to wear “ men's clothing“It was possible only by filing a petition with the police, justifying it with a sufficiently compelling reason.
Additional Information! The ban itself is associated with the sans-culottes movement, which played a significant role in the history of France.
In France, beauty pageants for children are illegal.
Since 2013, a decree has come into force prohibiting the holding of beauty contests among minor children. The reason for this step was the excessive emphasis on the sexuality of the participants, who were specially painted, dressed in revealing dresses and lace underwear. In view of this, Chantal Jouanneau put forward a bill to ban such competitions, considering such hypersexualization of children to be contrary to the moral norms of a civilized society.
It is worth noting that not everyone accepted the innovation with enthusiasm. For example, Michel Le Parmentier made a request to review the law, because in many competitions there is no sexualization of the child. As an example, he cited one of the competitions held in Paris, where swimsuit competitions were canceled, and fashion shows in heels and makeup were prohibited.
Alexander the Third Bridge
The motto of Paris is strange to the Russian ear.
The Latin phrase “fluctuat nec mergitur” is translated into Russian as “floats, but does not drown,” although a closer meaning would be “he is beaten by the waves, but he does not drown.” This motto appeared in the 16th century, but was officially established by Baron Haussmann three centuries later. Over the centuries of its existence, it has lost its relevance and was perceived by Parisians as a certain attribute of the city. But after the terrorist attacks of 2015, he helped the townspeople unite, despise danger and turn Paris into an island of calm amid the ocean of panic that reigned in the country.
Other interesting facts about France
When preparing a presentation about a country like France, it is quite difficult to fit everything into one article. Over its long history, it has been able to accumulate a lot of interesting and surprising, often unique things. France is a country on whose lands Muslims and Jews can forget about centuries of mutual enmity. Proof of this was the horrors of World War II, when Muslim passports were issued to Jews in the main mosque of Paris.
France is a country where humor is valued. For those who do not believe, confirmation will be the April Fool's Day holiday, which originated in France. It is also hospitable and receives 80 million tourists a year. According to this indicator, she is a leader. If we take into account all the dependent territories, the country is located in 12 time zones, and no other state in the world can boast of such an indicator.
Triumphal Arch
Children are loved and cared for here. And parents with many children who have raised their sons and daughters with dignity are awarded government medals.
Yes, there were some curious cases here, such as, for example, the adoption of a law banning potatoes, which was in effect from 1748 to 1772, or the previously mentioned ban on trousers for women in Paris. The French also changed the national flag, deciding that white would be more relevant.
But there was also a place for individual feats of ordinary Frenchmen. For example, employees of the Eiffel Tower cut the elevator cables so that Hitler, who was in Paris at that time, could not climb the tower. The trip to France itself is comparable to its content. There will be a place for romance and sadness, heroism and love. That is why tourists love it so much.
I was puzzled by the question - how do the French differ from the inhabitants of other countries, and also collected the most interesting facts about France.
1. To the question “Ca va?” (how are you?) The answer is always “Ca va”, only the intonation changes.
2. The French are proud of their past and their culture.
3. The French do not like to speak languages other than French.
4. When the French speak English, they have a very funny accent because of the soft consonants.
5. French English is called franglais (frangle) - a mixture of both languages.
6. The French always seem arrogant, even if deep down they are not.
7. On radio and television there are limits on English-language, especially American songs, films and other products of foreign cultures.
8. Since June 2011, France has passed a law prohibiting mention of Twitter and Facebook on television and radio.
9. The French are very polite.
10. In France, it is customary to say hello and goodbye even in line.
11. Most French people only drive Peugeot, Renault or Citroen.
12. The French do not stay late at work.
13. The French sometimes like to spend a day or two of the working week on strikes.
14. Work week in France 35 hours.
15. France has one of the lowest number of working hours per year in Europe (1554, compared to 1810 in the USA)
16. On Sunday all shops are closed.
17. All banks are closed on Sunday and Monday.
18. The French are always dissatisfied with the current government.
19. Many French people want to go to Canada.
20. Those who once studied/lived in Canada are preparing for their final move there.
21. A bottle of table wine costs 3-4 euros.
22. A glass of tea in a cafe costs 4-6 euros.
23. The French love meat.
24. The Louvre is the most visited museum in the world (8.5 million people in 2010).
25. There is always a long line at the ticket office at the foot of the Eiffel Tower.
26. Many French women consider it an insult if a man pays for them.
27. French women take good care of their hair and skin.
28. French women prefer classics in clothes, but at the same time they are always looking for their own unique image.
29. French women love to wear jewelry and accessories, skillfully combining colors and shapes.
30. In France you can drink tap water.
31. Utilities are very expensive in France.
32. Calling a plumber can cost 500 euros.
33. In France, paper document management is actively used.
34. All French companies whose services the French use regularly send them various letters.
35. All bills, letters and other papers should NEVER be thrown away.
36. They need to be stored. Preferably for life.
37. Carefully filled out papers are the key to success in almost 100% of cases.
38. Higher education V state universities Free in France.
39. Education in private universities is paid and more prestigious.
40. Private universities are higher schools(Grandes Ecoles), which exist only in France.
41. In France, university exams are written and anonymous.
42. Cinemas show films in French and in the original language with French subtitles.
43. There are many villages in France - they are centers of winemaking.
44. French villages are amazing Beautiful places where people live with happy smiles on their faces.
45. France is the largest agricultural producer in the EU.
46. Agriculture accounts for approximately 4% of GDP; French agricultural products account for 25% of EU production
47. Agricultural lands occupy 82% of the territory - 48 million hectares.
48. France annually produces 7-8 billion bottles of wine per year, the share of world exports is about 18%.
49. Most French people prefer red wine (about 70%).
50. Cognac is the name of one of the French provinces Where does this drink come from?
51. For a decent Frenchman, “to drink” means to drink good wine with a meal.
52. Wine – required element lunch.
53. The French often eat a baguette for lunch.
54. France is the world's largest importer of frogs.
55. But the French don’t eat frogs; it’s a delicacy for tourists.
56. Frog meat is low in calories and tastes like chicken.
57. France is the founder of the EU.
58. The main ideologist of a united Europe is Robert Schumann, Minister of Foreign Affairs of France in 1948-1953.
59. In France, the sales period in stores is set in each region by local authorities.
60. Sales 2 times a year - January-February and July-August.
61. Police officers in Paris roller skate.
62. The largest flood in Paris was in 1910.
63. In 1898, the first 6 metro lines were launched in Paris.
64. The Louvre became a museum only in 1793 (it was built in the 12th century)
65. Renting a car from the Europcar agency in France will cost about 2 times more than from the same agency in Germany.
66. What is sold in Germany for 1 euro will cost 2 euros in France.
67. French students usually do not answer in class.
68. They don’t answer because they are afraid of making a mistake, even if they know the answer.
69. In France, artists are not given flowers after concerts (at the theater, opera, etc.).
70. The tricolor flag has existed in France since 1794.
71. The 12-star European Union flag was created by Strasbourg resident Arsène Heitz in 1955.
72. The 12 stars on the flag never indicated the number of countries, it is a religious symbol of unification, solidarity and harmony.
73. The anthem of France, La Marseillaise, was used as the anthem of Russia for some time after the 1917 revolution.
74. The author of La Marseillaise is Roger de Lisle, he wrote the future anthem of France in Strasbourg, and performed it there for the first time.
75. In France, the state even pays benefits for the maintenance of dogs.
76. In general, the less money you have, the more the state gives you in the form of subsidies, financial assistance, benefits, etc.
77. A student can buy a monthly public transport pass for 10 (!) cents.
78. France is the second country after the United States in terms of the volume of nuclear electricity produced.
79. There are 59 nuclear power plants in France.
80. This is approximately 0.9 power plants per 1 million people, in the USA - about 0.3 per 1 million inhabitants.
81. The French spend the most time sleeping and eating among residents of OECD countries.
82. On average, the French sleep about 9 hours a day (OECD study).
83. As the French themselves say, “we do not live to work, but quite the opposite.”
84. Lunch break in many companies is from 12 to 14 o'clock.
85. The French are ALWAYS late.
86. Being 15 minutes late is the norm in communication and doing business.
87. France gave the world a device called the guillotine.
88. The guillotine was first proposed to be used in 1792 (French Revolution).
89. In 1793, Louis XVI was executed by guillotine.
90. Diplomatic relations between Russia and France were first established in 1717, when the first Russian ambassador to France presented his credentials signed by Peter I.
91. Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel, built in 1806-1808. to commemorate Napoleon's victories.
92. Bugatti cars are produced in the Alsace region of France, near Strasbourg.
93. The largest national holiday is Bastille Day (July 14, 1789).
94. The Bastille was built in Paris in 1370 as a fortification, and in the 17th century it was turned into a prison for dissidents.
95. But at the time of its capture there were only a few prisoners there; the main purpose of the capture was weapons.
96. France has one of the highest tax burdens among EU countries.
97. Income tax – 34.3%
98. VAT rates – 2.1, 5.5 and 19.6%.
99. In 2006, a law was issued limiting a citizen’s tax burden to 50% of his income.
100. France ranks 26th out of 183 countries in the World Bank's Doing Business rankings.
Each country has its own stereotypes and traditions, but France is capable of surpassing many in this regard. This country is well known throughout the world for its strange quirks and traditions. However, some of them are significantly inflated and exaggerated, while others are completely fictional. For example, wine is really very important to French culture. And although the French do enjoy long lunch breaks, they are not quite as lazy as some people think. Along with the UK, it is one of the fastest growing and most culturally diverse European countries. It is also the most visited country in the world with over 83 million tourists annually. From the Côte d'Azur in the south to the icy peaks of the Alps and green rolling hills with thriving viticulture, France is definitely worth a visit any time of year. This article presents 25 unique facts about France that are worth learning about.
There is only one STOP sign in all of Paris 
In France you are allowed to marry dead man. To do this, you must send a request to the president. 
French toast isn't actually French. IN modern form it was created by Joseph French (hence the misconception). 
Louis XIX was King of France... for 20 minutes. 
At the Petite Café Syrah in Paris, coffee will cost you much more if you don't say "please". 
License plates for cars were first introduced in France. 
In France, it is illegal to call a pig Napoleon.
The oldest bridge in Paris is called the "new bridge". 
Together with its foreign territories, France covers 12 different time zones. This is more than any other country in the world! 
For more than 200 years, until 2012, women did not have official law wear pants in Paris. This law was ignored by everyone, and no one monitored its observance. That is why the decision was made to abolish it. 
More people speak French in Africa than in Europe. 
Parisian taxi drivers pay almost 200,000 euros for their licenses. 
All champagne is produced in the French Champagne region. If it is produced elsewhere, then it is simply a local version of sparkling wine. 
The average Frenchman sleeps almost 9 hours a day (8.83). This is the highest rate in the developed world. 
With over 80 million tourists every year, France is the most visited country on Earth. The United States is in second place with 73 million. This is not surprising, because the list of attractions in France can be expanded endlessly. 
France once controlled almost 10% of the world's territories. 
One in five French people suffers from depression, making France the most depressed country on Earth. 
The French government awards medals to large families who "raise their children successfully and with dignity." 
During World War II, when Hitler visited Paris, the French cut the elevator cables to the Eiffel Tower. If Hitler wanted to visit the top of the most popular landmark in Paris, he would have to climb on foot. 
A Paris mosque helped Jews escape during World War II by giving them Muslim passports. 
Between 1748 and 1772, potatoes were illegal in France. 
King John I was declared king five months before his birth. After birth, he lived only 5 days. 
Between 1814 and 1830, the flag of France was simply white. 
Beauty pageants for children are banned in France 
The official motto of Paris is "fluctuat nec mergitur". This Latin phrase translates to "floats but does not sink."
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 several 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 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 High Quality and are provided by shops and farms.
Helping people suffering from bad habits, Alcoholics Anonymous, drug addicts, helpline, etc. - 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 balloon, operating in hot air.
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 like, Joan of Arc, Alphonse Daudet, Paul Cézanne, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, Jean-Baptiste Moliere, François-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”. The rules of good manners prohibit calling during a meal, and being late from lunch is more good reason than “stuck in a traffic jam.”
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 copious consumption of wine and fatty foods, France has one of the most low indicators by the number of diseases of the cardiovascular system. 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
French was considered the official language of England from 1066 to the beginning of the 14th century.
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 at 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.