France is split into regions. The regions of France are:
Alsace region
Aquitaine region
Auvergne region
Brittany region
Burgundy region
Centre region
Champagne-Ardenne region
Franche-Comte region
Ile-de-France region
Languedoc-Roussillon region
Limousin region
Lorraine region
Lower Normandy region
Midi-Pyrenees region
Nord Pas-de-Calais region
Picardy region
Poitou-Charentes region
Provence region
Rhone-Alpes region
Upper Normandy region
Western Loire region
Then each region is split into departments – here are some of the more famous ones: Dordogne, Cotes d’Armor, and Lot. Gascony and Cote d’Azur are not departments but older names for historical areas of France. Departments are further divided for administrative purposes.
So how to make friends and alienate so many? Yes, by listing my top 10 places in France ….. Some you will instantly recognise and others are off the beaten track?
Photo by Leucate Méditerranée
Top 10
1) Collioure
2) La Franqui
3) La Rochelle
4) Luberon
5) Yellow Train (Villefranche)
6) Avignon
7) Giverny
Rennes
9) Saintes
10) OK – Paris gets a mention!
Your Top 10 Places in France
Of course, you will disagree but add your Top 10 Places in France favourites in the comments below.
If you want the latest France Info – then a great source is the CIA – The World Facts. There is a section about every country including France.
It covers:
Background Information
Geography
People
Government
Economy
Communications
Transportation
Military
Transnational Issues
Did you know?
French Population
65,312,249 (July 2011 est.)
Country comparison to the world: 21
NB: the above figure is for metropolitan France and five overseas regions; the metropolitan France population is 62,814,233
Religions in France
Roman Catholic 83%-88%, Protestant 2%, Jewish 1%, Muslim 5%-10%, unaffiliated 4%
France GDP
(purchasing power parity):
$2.16 trillion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 10
$2.126 trillion (2009 est.)
$2.18 trillion (2008 est.)
NB: data are in 2010 US dollars
With over 130 5* star hotels in France luxury is well provided! But there is more for discerning clients … Palace Hotels
If five-star hotels don’t quite cut it for you, then why not try staying in a palace? French tourist authorities today announced a new class of top-end accommodation, so far limited to just eight hotels countrywide. The venues will now be designated as “Palaces français”, judged to show the best of French excellence, and, France hopes, soon to attract some big-spending tourists.
Enjoy these facts about France whilst listening to Mike Oldfield ..
Top 20 Facts about France
1. Nearly 20% of France lies outside Europe. These regions are known as “DOM-TOM”, where 2.5 million French citizens live
2. The Statue of Liberty was made in France, and given to the United States as a gift. The statue’s face is carved keeping in mind the face of Isabella Eugenie Boyer, who is the Parisian sewing machine manufacturer Isaac Singer’s wife
3. The April fool’s day (April Fish to the French) is believed to have originated in France when the nation switched to the Gregorian calendar. Those who were not aware about the change in calendar thought April 1st was New Year’s Day. Since then fools day originated to make fun of them
4. Eiffel Tower is the Symbol of France and it is the tallest building
5. The Cathedral of Notre Dame is one of the beautiful churches in France. It is also a classic example of the church that is built in the ancient Gothic style
6. France is considered to be the birthplace of Gothic art as well as Baroque architectural style. The Gothic art was initially known as French Art
7. French cuisine is considered to be the best in the world
8. The farms in France occupy 10% of the land area
9. Mount Blanc is the highest Mountain in the Alps and Western Europe
10. The Gavarnie Falls is the tallest waterfall in France that ranges up to 422 meters
11. The largest urban population is recorded in Paris
12. Loire is the longest river with a length of 1,013 kilometers
13. La Marseillaise is the National Anthem of France
14. Iris is the national flower of France
15. Gallic Rooster is the national animal of France
16. The National Day is celebrated on the 14 July
17. Mona Lisa, world known painting hails from France
18. French was the official language of England for over 300 years
19. France produces more nuclear electricity when compared to Germany, Spain, Russia and the UK
20. Marianne is the national emblem of the French Republic
France is in the Top 10 countries for life expectancy. List by the United Nations (2005-2010):
Rank
Country (State/territory)
Life expectancy at birth (years)
Overall
Life expectancy at birth (years)
Male
Life expectancy at birth (years)
Female
1
Japan
82.6
78.0
86.1
2
Hong Kong
82.2
79.4
85.1
3
Iceland
81.8
80.2
83.3
4
Switzerland
81.7
79.0
84.2
5
Australia
81.2
78.9
83.6
6
Spain
80.9
77.7
84.2
7
Sweden
80.9
78.7
83.0
8
Israel
80.7
78.5
82.8
9
Macau
80.7
78.5
82.8
10
France
80.7
77.1
84.1
List by the CIA World Factbook (2011 estimates)
Rank by
UN member
state
Rank by
entity
Entity
Overall life expectancy at birth
Male life expectancy at birth
Female life expectancy at birth
1
1
Monaco
89.73
85.77
93.84
2
Macau
84.41
81.45
87.52
2
3
San Marino
83.01
80.5
85.74
3
4
Andorra
82.43
80.35
84.64
4
5
Japan
82.25
78.96
85.72
5
6
Singapore
82.14
79.53
84.96
-
7
Hong Kong
82.04
79.32
84.97
6
8
Australia
81.81
79.4
84.35
7
9
Canada
81.38
78.81
84.1
8
10
France
81.19
78.02
84.54
Update March 2011: By passing the 80 year mark for the first time ever, France now has the second highest life expectancy in the world after Japan – according to a study released by World Health Organisation – but the steady ageing of the population will have huge repercussions in the future.
With the Spanish property market in crisis, France is the number 1 destination for Expat Buyers. Why France? Traditionally a stable market, with many landscapes, cultures, style, wine and climate. France has survived the financial crisis and is emerging in good shape from the recession. Although property prices dipped last year during the global crisis, the French real estate market has picked up and investors are looking for holiday homes.
Easy access with many airports distributed across the country, rapid train travel from North to South and a network of motorways, France is attractive for property buyers.
France Property on a budget
If you have a minimal budget, then there are a multitude of renovation projects in the North and rural areas of France. Bargains from 20,000 euros can still be picked up but do expect more expense on the renovation work! So France property on a budget is still possible.
Plots of land abound throughout France, so with building costs at about 80,000 euros for a 3 bed property you can choose your location! Land prices are cost more in the South.
At the more expensive end there are luxury Mas in Provence (where you can still negotiate a good discount but act early before the market takes off), and chateaux. If you lust after a bit of luxury, then consider a chateau. Chateau from 200,000 euros can be discovered – chateaux are found all around France.
Midi-Pyrenees and Languedoc-Roussillon
In general terms, property prices increase from North to South. So expect to fork out in Provence especially on the coast – but even rural Provence can throw up bargain prices. The Languedoc-Roussillon still offers the Med Coast at attractive prices. Further inland you can still enjoy the south’s climate in the Midi-Pyrenees. Spectacular scenery at modest prices.
Rennes
Japan
Hong Kong
Iceland
Switzerland
Australia
Spain
Sweden
Israel
Macau
France
Monaco
San Marino
Andorra
Singapore
Canada
