Exploring the World: France

We’re celebrating the football by exploring some of the beautiful countries from across the globe that are participating.

The next country we’re looking at is France, and we’ve put together a fact guide you can share with your little ones below.

Where is France?

France is one of the world’s oldest nations and can be found in Europe. It’s also the largest country in Western Europe. The capital city is Paris, known as the “city of light (ville lumière)” and is a major hub for business, fashion, and tourism.

What Language is Spoken?

French is their official language and is one of the Romance languages that originate from Latin. Other widely spoken Romance languages include Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and Romanian. France also has multiple regional languages spoken such as Breton, Flemish, Alsatian and Occitan. French is the second most studied language in the world, and it is recognised as an official language of 29 countries.

Food

French food is known for its high quality and is one of the most prestigious cuisines in the world. In fact, many people travel to France to study the culinary arts. Cheese and wine are major elements of their cuisine, and there are over 300 varieties of cheese.

The regions of France each have their own distinctive cuisine. However, some of the most well-known dishes include Quiche Lorraine, a pastry tart filled with eggs, cream and ham or bacon from the region of Lorraine. Escargots (snails) are a typical recipe from Burgundy and usually cooked in a buttery parsley sauce. Ratatouille from Provence is a vegetable stew that was traditionally considered a peasant dish but is now found on restaurant menus across the country.

Additionally, breads and pastries such as baguettes, croissants, crepes, and colourful macarons are also popular foods that can be found in France.

Culture and Traditions

France is the most visited country in the world by tourists. Most notably, Paris is the first thought when people think of French culture.  For example, famous landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and the Notre-Dame can all be found in the heart of Paris. It’s also known as the fashion capital of the world with legendary fashion houses including Chanel, Dior and YSL (Yves Saint Laurent) located in the city.

The French national holiday Bastille Day (also called French National Day in France) is celebrated on the 14th of July. It is the anniversary of the storming of the medieval fortress Bastille and the start of the French Revolution. People celebrate by attending parades in their local towns and watching firework displays.

The most popular sport in France is football and they have won the World Cup twice, first in 1998 and then in 2018. France also hosts the largest annual bicycle race the Tour de France. Cyclists from around the world come together to compete in this difficult race which was established over 100 years ago. It’s incredibly popular and is watched by millions across the globe on television and on the roadsides.

We’ve included a simple activity to do with your little ones! Download and print out the blank flag below and see if your children can colour it in the colours of the French flag.