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
- OPINION: Tour de France remains a great French festival (even if the French no longer win)by The Local France on July 9, 2025
As he prepares to welcome the Tour de France to his Normandy village, John Lichfield reflects on why the world's greatest cycle race remains as popular as ever with the French, despite their 40-year losing streak.
- New ‘entente amicale’ lauded on first day of French President’s UK state visitby The Local France on July 9, 2025
King Charles III and French President Emmanuel Macron both hailed a new era in UK-France relations as the French president began a formal three-day visit to Britain, the first by an EU head of state since Brexit.
- Climate change made recent European heatwave 'up to 4C hotter'by The Local France on July 9, 2025
Human-caused climate change made recent European heatwaves up to 4C hotter in many cities, pushing temperatures into deadly territory for thousands of vulnerable people, scientists have said.
- Five things you should know about the Bayeux Tapestryby The Local France on July 9, 2025
The priceless 11th-century Bayeux Tapestry will be loaned to Britain in 2026-2027, French President Emmanuel Macron announced. Here are some facts about the remarkable work.
- EES update: Phased launch of Europe's new border system approved by MEPsby The Local France on July 8, 2025
The European Parliament gave final approval on Tuesday to a phased rollout of a new border check system for non-EU nationals which will do away with passport stamps.
- What are the 'easiest' French visas to get?by The Local France on July 8, 2025
Getting any type of French visa requires a certain amount of effort and paperwork, but some are more straightforward than others.
- French phrase of the day: Salle de shootby The Local France on July 8, 2025
Don’t let this Franglais phrase fool you - these rooms have nothing to do with sports.
- Top tips for installing air conditioning in your French homeby The Local France on July 8, 2025
Air conditioning is not standard in French homes, so if you want to install something to help you get through France's increasingly-severe heatwaves, journalist and AC-convert John Walton has some tips on size, price, installation and the rules for historic buildings.
- UPDATE: Firefighters still battling uncontrolled wildfire outside Marseilleby The Local France on July 8, 2025
Firefighters are on Wednesday morning still battling an uncontrolled wildfire on the outskirts of Marseille that saw hundreds evacuated and the airport, rail line and roads closed.
- 5 things to know about France's €1 homesby The Local France on July 8, 2025
Even once you've factored in hefty renovation costs, the idea of buying a home in France for just €1 is an attractive one - so here's a look at how to find them, who qualifies and what you need to do first.
- 7 reasons to watch the Tour de France (even if you have no interest in cycling)by The Local France on July 7, 2025
Over the next three weeks, 184 riders from 26 countries are cycling around France with the dream of winning the world’s most famous cycle race - here's why you should watch the Tour de France, even if you have no interest in bikes.
- 'I'm famous thanks to c**ks': Meet the Tour de France penis eraserby The Local France on July 7, 2025
Thousands of people work on the annual sporting spectacle that is the Tour de France cycle race - but 65-year-old Patrick Dancoisne has something of a unique role.
- French court dismisses government Covid response probeby The Local France on July 7, 2025
A French court on Monday dropped a case investigating the handling of the Covid-19 pandemic by three former government officials, including former prime minister and 2027 presidential hopeful Edouard Philippe.
- London's St Pancras station signs deal to increase Eurostar capacityby The Local France on July 7, 2025
Bosses at Eurostar and London's St Pancras station have signed a deal to increase capacity for the Eurostar - potentially removing one of the biggest obstacles to increases in UK-France train services.
- Are French language exchange holidays worth it?by The Local France on July 7, 2025
They're expensive, but for some people full immersion French language exchanges are the best way to learn the language - Gabrielle Nadler examines the advantages and disadvantages of these programmes.
- OPINION: The French are right to shun air conditioning - even during heatwavesby The Local France on July 7, 2025
France's most recent heatwave brought with it a fierce debate on air conditioning - which much of the country remains deeply resistant to. Some argue that warming temperatures make widespread AC inevitable, but The Local's editor Emma Pearson explains why she thinks the French are right to resist.
- 14 of the best villages in France - according to the Frenchby The Local France on July 7, 2025
The results are out for the 2025 poll to find France's favourite village - from fortified hilltop settlements in wine country to quaint fishing villages and the birthplace of musketeer d'Artagnan, here are some of the country's hidden gems.
- French word of the Day: Le Mistralby The Local France on July 7, 2025
If you're in southern France, you'll hear this blamed for a lot of things.
- Parisians take their first plunge into the Seine in more than a centuryby Vitoria BARRETO (Latest news reports on FRANCE, French politics and culture - France 24) on July 5, 2025
For the first time in more than 100 years, Parisians and tourists alike took a dive into the Seine on Saturday as three new swimming sites opened to the public. The long-forbidden waters are now officially open to the public, following a €1.4-billion cleanup project that paved the way for the open-water events at the Paris Olympics last year.
- 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.
- MAP: How to check for wildfire alerts in Franceby The Local France on April 18, 2023
With forest fires becoming more common and more extensive due to hot, dry summers, the French government has an alert system that allows you to check the risk in your area.
- The essential app for keeping track of wildfires in Franceby The Local France on July 21, 2022
If you're worried about wildfires in France, there is an app you can use to track in real-time which areas are affected.
- 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 […]
- In search for French heroes, Macron blunders – againby Benjamin DODMAN (Latest news reports on FRANCE, French politics and culture - France 24) on November 8, 2018
France’s embattled leader saw a week of World War I commemorations as a chance to reconnect with the French and highlight the danger of nationalism. Instead, his comments about Marshal Pétain gave further evidence of his tendency to shock and dismay.