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France
City Guide
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France Travel Guide
France is the most popular international tourist destination in the world, receiving over 75 million foreign tourists annually. The name France originates from the Franks, a Germanic tribe that occupied northern Europe after the fall of the Western Roman Empire.
With an estimated population of 64 million people, France is the 23rd most populous country in the world. France's largest cities are Paris, Marseille, Lyon, Nice, Toulouse and Nantes.
Practical Information
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Official name: French Republic
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Capital: Paris
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Language: French. There are other regional languages such as Flemish, Breton and Basque.
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Religion: Approximately 86% of the French population is Catholic, 8% is Muslim, and a small proportion of the population is Jewish or Protestant.
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Visa: Citizens of the European Union do not need visas to enter France. Citizens of countries such as the Untied States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina and Japan can stay in the country up to 6 months without a visa.
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Currency : Euro
France Sights and Museums
Paris: Places to see in Paris include the Eiffel Tower, the Champs Elysees for its shops and cafes, the Louvre Art Gallery and the Arc de Triomphe, commissioned by Napoleon in 1806.
Mont St Michel: In Brittany, this rocky tidal island is a popular attraction with tourists.
Loire Valley: This area is beautiful and has many very impressive chateaux.
Chateau de Versailles: Visit this historic chateau and watch the fireworks in the summer.
Biarritz: If you are keen on surfing go to the small town of Biarritz in the South-West of France.
France Entertainment
February-March, depends of Lunar calendar.The Nice Carnival, the first international carnival celebration in France, is the top winter event on the French Riviera. The city of Nice comes alive in a fortnight of festivities : carnival processions, elegant flower parades, prestige soiries, rock and techno concerts, entertainment and fireworks will attract over 1.200.000 spectators!
The Carnival processions will display some twenty decorated floats, 300 "big heads" - pasteboard caricatures - and a hundred troupes of entertainers.
May: Labour Day (Fate du Travail). People offer "muguets" (Lily-of-the-Valley flowers) to each other.
May: In the 2nd and 3rd week the International film festival at Cannes takes place.
End May/Beginning June: The French Tennis Open at Roland Garros begins.
July: Tour de France.
14th July: Bastille Day commemorates the storming of the Bastille in 1789 and marks the beginning of the French Revolution. These days it is celebrated with fireworks displays and dancing parties.
November: An International Food Festival takes place in Dijon. It is internationally renowned and attracts hundreds of tourists each year.
France Transports
How to get there by Air: Paris, Bordeaux, Lyon, Marseille, Nice, Strasbourg and Toulouse all have international airports with flights that operate to European and International destinations.
By Train: France has a comprehensive train system. The TGV (high speed trains) goes to 150 destinations in France and Europe. The Channel Tunnel makes travel by train to France from England very easy.
By Bus: Buses go to Paris and other cities in France from many European cities. Bus companies such as Busabout and Eurolines have services that go through France.
Buses aren't the best way to travel round France as they are generally slower and less comfortable than trains, although they are cheaper.
Trains are a great way to get round France as they are efficient and have a comprehensive network.
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