Amazing Facts » Facts And Trivia About Countries – France

Amazing Facts about France

Part of the joy of traveling to another country is learning about the destination you are going to. Getting to know the culture, language, and history of a country is a great way to have an idea on what to expect and what to prepare for when you take the trip. More information can be useful if you want to immigrate and then obtain citizenship in France.

Here is a look at France, the world’s favorite travel destination and one of the most fashionable countries in the world. As a bustling country rich with culture, history and artistic inspiration, France is sure to delight the senses.

France, as it is one of the most highly visited countries in the world. French culture is a blend of Spanish, German and Italian flavors, resulting in a French attitude that is uniquely their own. The standard of living is high in France, as the French are known to enjoy the finer things that the world has to offer.

The French capital is filled with exciting things to see that are sure to inspire and enthrall all travelers. The most visited landmark in Paris is the Eiffel Tower. Here, travelers have the option of going up to the first, second or third level or even enjoy one of the two restaurants built on the structure. No trip to Paris is complete without having your picture taken at the most iconic landmark of Paris. If possible, purchase your tickets before hand, as the lines in front of the ticket booth are long. Also, be aware that the lines to go up will be long and crowded. At night, sit by one of the many cafés around the Eiffel Tower and enjoy the 5-minute light show.

The Louvre, which is located on the right bank of the Seine, is another top tourist drawer of Paris. This is the home of over 35,000 works of art by some of the greatest artists from all over the world. This is where you can find the Mona Lisa, the sculpture of Cupid and Psyche, plus a host of other paintings and artworks by Rembrandt, Monet, and all the masters of the art world.

Children can also enjoy a trip to Euro Disney.

Those who wish to see more modern art will appreciate the display at the Musée d’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris. Those who wish to see works from specific artists can go to Musée d’Orsay for a vast collection of works by impressionist painters like Renoir, Seurat, Gauguin, Monet, Manet, Degas, Van Gogh, Sisley and Cézanne. Musée Picasso at the Hôtel Salé has more than 3,000 works of art by the famed artist. They also have his personal collection of works by fellow artists such as Matisse, Degas and de Chirico or go to the Musée Rodin at the Hotel Biron. One can see the original of famous works of Rodin, such as The Thinker, The Gates of Hell, and The Kiss.

To the north of the Louvre, travelers can find the Opera Garnier. Built during the time of Napoleon III and designed by Charles Garnier, the concert hall is a jewel masterpiece featuring gilded mosaics, a Marc Chagal ceiling and a six-ton chandelier.

The Arc de Triomphe is another Parisian landmark not to be missed and is located at Place Charles de Gaulle. It was constructed in 1806 and completed in 1836 under Napoleon’s rule. The 50-meter monument is a tribute to all the soldiers who fought during the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars. The tomb of the Unknown Soldier rests here. It holds the distinction of being the largest triumphal arc in the world. The road to the Arc is always heavy with vehicular traffic that it will be next to impossible to cross it, as it is too dangerous. Use the underground passage to reach the Arc.

The Notre Dame Cathedral is a 12th century medieval gothic architectural masterpiece. The flying buttresses, the stained glass windows, and gargoyles are just some of the notable pieces of architecture to be admired.

The Pantheon is another important site to see in Paris and is located at the highest point of the Seine’s left bank. This religious site is the burial place of Victor Hugo, Voltaire, Rousseau, Pierre and Marie Curie and Louis Braille, to name a few. This is also the location of the famous Foucault’s Pendulum, which is scientifically significant as it proved that the earth rotated. The Pantheon is open to tourists daily from 10:30 am to 6 pm.

The Place de la Concorde is a public square located on the Champs-Élysées, which was completed in 1777 as a tribute to Louis X. There is an obelisk in the front called Obélisque de Luxor, a 75-foot (23 meters) high Egyptian obelisk, which is the oldest monument in Paris. It used to stand in front of the Luxor Temple in Egypt. Its twin remained in their original site. It was presented to King Louie-Philippe of France in 1826 by the Muhammad Ali, the ruler of Sudan and Egypt and erected at its site in 1833.

France has much to offer travelers looking for art, history, culture, good food, relaxation, excitement, adventure and a memorable trip. It also serves as an excellent base point to journey around Europe, given its central location. It is no surprise that France is the top tourist destination of the world and one of the most exciting and interesting countries to visit.