Quick Facts About France
- Official name: The French Republic
- Independence date (or national day): July 14, 1789 – “Bastille Day”. This day is celebrated throughout France as a representation of the ideals of the French Revolution and the abolition of the French Monarchy
- Member of the EU?: Yes
- Capital: Paris
- Currency: The Euro
- Power Adapter: Type C or Type F
- Population: 67 million (2024 est.)
- Yearly tourist visits: 100 million (2023 est.)
- Best known for: Beautiful cities, romance, food, wine, culture, beaches, history
A very short history of France:
Modern day France is part of the ancient region of Gaul, and initially Gaul was able to resist Roman influence and rule. While some provinces of Gaul were gradually annexed by the Roman Republic, it retained autonomy from Rome until Julius Caesar conquered the entire region in 52BC. Gaul would remain part of the Roman Empire until it’s collapse in the 5th Century, by which point the north had become dominated by a new people group known as the Franks.
The Frankish Kingdom dominated the region for the next several centuries, ultimately peaking during the reign of Charlemagne around 800AD. Charlemagne was so revered, in fact, that Pope Leo III declared him “Emperor of the Romans”, though his empire would be split between his grandsons in 843. From this point on the monarchy gained more authority and centrality in daily life, especially after the Hundred Year’s War ended in 1453. By 1700, France had grown to the largest country in Europe with a population of roughly 20 million.
The subsequent centuries featured a growing rivalry with Britain for world domination, culminating in several wars during the 18th Century. After the American Revolution, the French rose up to overthrow their own king, however the new French Republic was short-lived as Napoleon seized power in 1799, ushering in the Napoleonic Era. For 16 years (with a brief interlude) Napoleon waged war across Europe, getting as far as Russia before being decisively defeated at Waterloo in 1815. After he was defeated the monarchy was restored, though many of of the revolutionary reforms stayed in place.
World War I was especially difficult for France, slogging out 4 years of brutal trench warfare on the Western Front. Though emerging on the victorious side, France was badly broken by the war. Just 20 years later in May of 1940 the German Army stormed across the border and quickly defeated France, who then spent the next 5 years under a brutal Nazi occupation. The Resistance was a bright spot during the bleak war years, as the French fought back as best they could. After liberation, France united under Charles de Gaulle, reestablished it’s cultural and national identity and achieved stability once again. Today, France is recognized as a premier travel destination not only for Paris, but also for the wine regions, beaches, and history.
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