Area Total | 643,801 sq km |
Climate | metropolitan France: generally cool winters and mild summers, but mild winters and hot summers along the Mediterranean |
Natural Resources | coal, iron ore, bauxite, zinc uranium, antimony, arsenic, potash, feldspar, fluorspar, gypsum, timber, arable land, fish |
Imports | Germany 18.5%, Belgium 10.2%, Netherlands 8.3%, Italy 7.9%, Spain 7.1%, UK 5.3%, US 5.2%, China 5.1% (2017) – machinery and equipment, vehicles, crude oil, aircraft, plastics, chemicals |
Government | semi-presidential republic |
Capital | Paris |
Population | 49.3 million (July 2018 est.) |
Ethnicity | Celtic and Latin with Teutonic, Slavic, North African, Indochinese, Basque minorities |
Language | French (official) 100%, declining regional dialects and languages (Provencal, Breton, Alsatian, Corsican, Catalan, Basque, Flemish, Occitan, Picard) |
Exports | Germany 14.8%, Spain 7.7%, Italy 7.5%, US 7.2%, Belgium 7%, UK 6.7% (2017) – machinery and transportation equipment, aircraft, plastics, chemicals, pharmaceutical products, iron and steel, beverages |
News about France
- Tips for setting yourself up as an English tutor in Franceby The Local France on April 3, 2025
Teaching English can be a great side job for anglophones looking to make some extra money in France, but there are a few things - including legal and tax rules - to consider before starting.
- UK government set to enforce major travel change for British dual nationalsby The Local France on April 3, 2025
The UK government appears to be planning a major change for British dual nationals - with the introduction of new rules that would force dual nationals to either use their UK passport when travelling into the UK (or spend £550 on a Certificate of Entitlement), according to a Home Office fact sheet.
- Saint Pierre et Miquelon: Why does France have two islands off the Canadian coast?by The Local France on April 3, 2025
The usually obscure French territory of Saint Pierre et Miquelon found itself the centre of global attention on Thursday when Donald Trump slapped the highest rate of 50 percent tariffs on it - here's what you need to know about these two tiny islands.
- French Phrase of the Day: Bouche à l’oreilleby The Local France on April 3, 2025
This French phrase might come up when filling out a customer satisfaction survey.
- Tutoring, Etsy and Airbnb: When do I need to register as self-employed in France?by The Local France on April 3, 2025
In France, if you want a side hustle, then there's a very high chance you will need to either register as a business or set yourself up as 'self-employed'. Here are some common situations you might need to do so.
- France says EU to target US online services after Trump tariffsby The Local France on April 3, 2025
The European Union is "ready for a trade war" with the United States and plans to "attack online services" in response to Donald Trump's new tariffs, the French government spokeswoman said on Thursday.
- Teachers and civil servants strike across France on Thursdayby The Local France on April 3, 2025
French unions have called for strikes and protests for both teachers and civil service workers on Thursday.
- 'Chaos is being created': Europe hits out at Trump's tariffsby The Local France on April 3, 2025
European leaders hit out against sweeping new US tariffs on Thursday, with the EU saying it was ready to respond with countermeasures while opening the door for last-ditch negotiations.
- PODCAST: What now for Le Pen after bombshell verdict and France's favourite dishes revealedby The Local France on April 3, 2025
The Talking France podcast is back with all the latest news from France, from verdict on Marine Le Pen and what it means for French politics to why people are arguing about the size of beer glasses and the best French dishes, according to the French.
- How to get an estimate of your 2025 French tax billby The Local France on April 2, 2025
The French government has set up an online simulator allowing people to estimate the amount of income tax they are likely to pay.
- France's Zemmour fined €10,000 over claim WWII leader 'saved' Jewsby The Local France on April 2, 2025
French far-right politician Eric Zemmour was ordered on Wednesday to pay a fine of €10,000 for contesting crimes against humanity by saying Nazi collaborator Philippe Petain had "saved" French Jews during World War II.
- EXPLAINED: The rules for cutting your hedge in Franceby The Local France on April 2, 2025
If you have a hedge in your garden in France, local rules may mean that you have missed an early deadline for trimming it this year.
- EU to outline response to Trump tariffs by end of April: French governmentby The Local France on April 2, 2025
The European Union will respond to the new tariffs set to be announced by the United States Wednesday ‘before the end of April’, a French government spokeswoman said after a cabinet meeting.
- Egg shortages reported in French supermarketsby The Local France on April 2, 2025
Shoppers in French supermarkets may have reported shortages of eggs in some areas, but experts insist there’s no chance of US-style ‘eggflation’ panic here.
- Explained: France's 'consent-based' changes to rape lawsby The Local France on April 2, 2025
France's current rape laws specify that prosecutors must prove that "violence, coercion, threats or surprise" took place - but now the country's politicians are debating a new law that enshrines the notion of consent.
- Americans in France: Executive orders, tax returns and voting from abroadby The Local France on April 2, 2025
From how to decide which tax declaration to file first to how Trump's latest executive order might affect voting from abroad, here's our latest newsletter for Americans who either live in France, visit frequently or plan to move here some day.
- French Word of the Day: Boui-bouiby The Local France on April 2, 2025
This French word might come up if you’re hungry and trying to find a spot to sit down.
- Famed Michelin culinary guide awards new stars to 68 French restaurantsby Amanda ALEXANDER (Latest news reports on FRANCE, French politics and culture - France 24) on April 1, 2025
On Monday, France's famous Michelin guide awarded 68 new stars, including a prized third star to two French chefs. That brings the number of three-starred restaurants in France to 31. The 2025 Michelin edition also includes nine new two-star eateries, including one in Bordeaux. France is currently home to the highest number of Michelin-starred restaurants […]
- Confusion surrounds ETA visa waiver process for some dual national Britsby The Local France on April 1, 2025
After weeks of confusion and contradictory advice over the workings of the UK's ETA visa waiver for British dual nationals, the British government has told The Local that British dual nationals do not need an ETA - even if they are not travelling on their UK passport.
- 'Guilty', 'ineligible': What future for Le Pen's far right after corruption conviction?by Dheepthika LAURENT (Latest news reports on FRANCE, French politics and culture - France 24) on April 1, 2025
PRESS REVIEW – Tuesday, April 1: We bring you all the reactions from the French and international press after French far-right leader Marine Le Pen was found guilty of embezzlement and banned from running for public office. The immediate ban means she'll likely be ineligible for the 2027 French presidential elections. The international press, meanwhile, […]
- Appeals and rallies: What next for Marine Le Pen and the French far right?by The Local France on March 31, 2025
Marine Le Pen has been convicted of embezzlement and barred from running for office for the next five years - from appeals, constitutional questions and political rallies, here's what's next for her and her party.
- Controversial West African activist Kemi Seba detained in Parisby FRANCE 24 (Latest news reports on FRANCE, French politics and culture - France 24) on October 15, 2024
Kemi Seba, a controversial African activist known for his virulent anti-Western stance, has been arrested in Paris, a source close to the case told AFP Tuesday.
- UK rolls out ETA travel authorisation on Europeansby The Local France on September 12, 2024
On Wednesday, April 2nd the UK's new ETA travel authorisation system became obligatory for European travellers. Here's how it will impact residents of European countries.
- Top contemporary French artist Christian Boltanski dies aged 76by NEWS WIRES (Latest news reports on FRANCE, French politics and culture - France 24) on July 14, 2021
Christian Boltanski, one of France's top contemporary artists whose multimedia works probed the meaning of mortality and memory, has died aged 76, a former museum director told AFP on Sunday.
- France’s new health pass rules raise questions as many scramble to adaptby Romain BRUNET (Latest news reports on FRANCE, French politics and culture - France 24) on July 14, 2021
While the extension of France’s health pass and other new anti-Covid 19 measures announced by President Emmanuel Macron Monday night are yet to be hammered out in detail, what’s certain is that a full-throttled return to a normal life of frequenting café terraces, restaurants, cinemas, theatres and other culture and leisure activities will now hinge on […]