| 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
- Brits now fifth largest immigrant group in Franceby The Local France on January 27, 2026
New data from the French government shows that British nationals now make up the fifth largest group of foreign residency-permit holders in France.
- Ryanair pulls out of another French airport, citing taxesby The Local France on January 27, 2026
The budget airline Ryanair has announced its intention to leave another French regional airport, claiming that the country's 'eco tax' is the reason.
- Are children born to Brits in Europe now required to have a UK passport?by The Local France on January 27, 2026
Children who are born outside the UK to at least one British parent are, in many cases, automatically entitled to British citizenship - but changes to the UK travel rules means that these children may now be required to get a UK passport to travel to Britain.
- French parliament considering bill to allow UK-trained doctors to practice in Franceby The Local France on January 27, 2026
Five years on from the end of the Brexit transition period and hundreds of UK-trained doctors are still "in limbo", waiting for their professional qualifications to be recognised, the French parliament has heard.
- French word of the day: Engagéby The Local France on January 27, 2026
Not about marriage plans, but an important word - especially in the political sense.
- Macron to meet leaders of Denmark and Greenland in Parisby The Local France on January 27, 2026
France's president will receive the leaders of Denmark and Greenland in Paris on Wednesday for "a working lunch", according to the Elysée.
- French lawmakers pass bill banning social media for under-15sby The Local France on January 27, 2026
French lawmakers have passed a bill that would ban social media use by under-15s, a move championed by President Emmanuel Macron as a way to protect children from excessive screen time.
- Stricken games giant Ubisoft seeks rare French job cutsby The Local France on January 26, 2026
French video games giant Ubisoft said Monday it aims to shed up to 200 staff at its Paris headquarters, days after investors gave a frosty reception to a drastic restructuring plan.
- Americans in Paris to hold 'anti ICE' protestby The Local France on January 26, 2026
Americans in Paris are organising a demo in solidarity with the American people, and against the ICE agency.
- France, Germany and Nordic countries back North Sea wind power at summitby The Local France on January 26, 2026
Nine European nations including France, Germany, Denmark, Norway and the UK vowed on Monday to build up North Sea offshore wind power with the aim of boosting climate-friendly energy while reducing dependence on foreign powers.
- Explained: Brittany and the tradition of French crêpesby The Local France on January 26, 2026
France's annual 'pancake' festival is coming up, but what is the history of the French crêpe and how did it end up so associated with the north-western region of Brittany?
- France-UK services suspended after Channel Tunnel power outageby The Local France on January 26, 2026
Following an electrical outage, services on Le Shuttle were suspended on Monday, with the operator saying that they hoped to resume crossings later in the afternoon.
- Two British activists detained in France over anti-migrant campaigningby The Local France on January 26, 2026
Two British nationals suspected of being far-right activists who came to France to take part in a banned protest against migrants were arrested and taken into custody, local authorities told AFP on Monday.
- French word of the day: Envieby The Local France on January 26, 2026
Because they look similar, people often assume they mean the same thing... but that's not entirely true.
- France to select 'united left' candidate to face far-right in 2027 electionsby The Local France on January 26, 2026
A selection of parties on the French left have announced their intention to hold primaries to field a candidate of the 'united left' in the 2027 presidential elections, to better face the challenge of the far-right candidate.
- Almost half of French real estate agents enable racism, study showsby The Local France on January 26, 2026
Almost half of real estate agencies in France accept or enable racial discrimination in access to housing, according to a survey published on Sunday.
- French minister backs reform after court ruling on 'cold case' murderby The Local France on January 26, 2026
France's justice minister says that he backs scrapping the statute of limitations on "crimes of blood", after the country's top court blocked further court action in a famous cold case.
- Everything that changes in France in February 2026by The Local France on January 19, 2026
From decreasing electricity and gas prices to the famous French crêpes day and the country's biggest farm show, here is what is on the agenda for February 2026 in France.
- ANALYSIS: Who's who in France's 2027 presidential election raceby The Local France on April 11, 2025
It's still more than a year away but it's already shaping up to be a seismic race for France - in April and May 2027, French people will go to the polls and pick their next president. Here's how the race is shaping up so far.
- EXPLAINED: The bureaucratic boxes to tick if you plan to leave France permanentlyby The Local France on January 7, 2022
Reader question: I’ve made the difficult decision to leave France and move back home. Are there any official bodies I have to tell?






















