Bonjour mes amis and welcome to France…the most visited country in the world!
Officially the French Republic (République française) is one of the oldest nations on
Earth, and with Paris, the city of light, as its capital, the most famous.
Over 90 million international visitors traveled to the country in 2019, that’s almost a
third more than its own population, approximately 65 million, ooh la la!
France is the largest country in Western Europe, extending from the Mediterranean to the North
Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.
It borders Germany, Spain, Belgium, Switzerland, Italy, Monaco, Luxembourg and Andorra within
Europe, and has 13 overseas territories spanning every corner of the globe.
Due to its convenient and neighbourly location, France has long been an economic and geographic
bridge between nations and has played a significant role in international affairs.
It is Europe’s most important agricultural producer, where 50% of its territory is farmland
or countryside, and it is one of the world’s leading industrial powers, the third biggest
manufacturing country in Europe.
Financial services, banking and insurance play a major role in the economy’s success.
Of course, tourism is up there too.
People are drawn to France for the fine cuisine, the culture, the fashion, the art, the diversity,
and the beauty.
France and the French are known for their elegance but also, maybe rightfully so, for
their snobbery.
Tourism makes up 8% of the country’s GDP.
From the beautiful beaches on the French Riviera to the snow-capped mountains of the Alps & Pyrenees
and, of course, its most treasured and iconic Eiffel Tower in the heart of Paris, it’s
no wonder the country attracts so many tourists.
Around 7 million people head to the Eiffel Tower every year, 75% of which are foreigners,
making it the most visited monument (that you have to pay to enter) in the world.
It’s not all about the tower though, Paris has a wealth of famous landmarks that draw
tourists - L’Arc de Triomphe & the Champs-Élysées, often cited as the world’s most beautiful
avenue, Notre-Dame Cathedral, which is presently under renovation following a huge fire in
2019 and the Louvre Museum which houses the most famous painting in the world, the Mona
Lisa.
But the list is endless….
On another, lighter, crisper, tastier note, wine and cheese are big business in France!
Second, only to Italy, France produces around 14% of the world’s wine and consumes over
11 million glasses per year.
Its most famous vineyards include Burgundy, Bordeaux, and, of course, Champagne!
As for cheese, it is estimated that the average consumption per person per year is around
26.7kg….mon Dieu, that is some dairy intake!
Football is the most popular sport in the country; the national team has won the World
Cup two times and has produced some of the most famous names in footballing history.
The world’s most famous cycling race, “Tour de France”, has also put France on the world’s
sporting stage annually since 1903.
Well, I guess they do have to work off all that wine, bread & cheese somehow, right?
That’s all for now mes amis….au revoir!