Population: 67.2 million people live in the country (2018)
Capital: Paris, with 2.2 million inhabitants
Name: République Française (French Republic)
Motto: 'Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité' (Liberty, Equality, Fraternity)
Government: Democracy
Language: French
Religion: mainly Christians (Roman Catholics 64%)
Currency: 1 Euro=100cents, until 2002 French Franc
History: In 700-500BC the Celtic Gauls arrive in France. In 58-50BC Roman Emperor Julius Caesar defeats the Gauls and France becomes part of the Roman Empire until 476AD. French was ruled by kings for many centuries until the storming of the Bastille during the French Revolution in 1789. Then Napoleon becomes Emperor of the French Republic until he is sent to exile.
Flag: blue, white and red. The French refer to the flag as 'Tricolore' (French for 'three colours')
Try these five useful expressions in French:
bonjour - good day
salut - hello
merci - thank you
je m'appelle... - my name is....
bon appétit! - enjoy your meal!
The French have been making long thin bread since the mid 18th century and before that long and wide loaves were made since Louis XIV.
The 'baguette' (means stick or baton) become the iconic symbol of French bread and France in the 20th century when a law was passed in 1920 banning bakers from starting work before 4am (and no later than 10pm), which made it difficult for them to have fresh bread for the morning, so they made the fast-baking baguette as a solution.
The shape of the baguette allows the maximum amount of dough to be exposed directly to heat during the baking process, which produces the thick crust.
A standard baguette has a diameter of about 5-6 cm and its length is 55-65 cm. There are strict guidelines for baking baguettes e.g. they need to weight 250-300g.
Ten million baguettes are sold in France every year.
The march acquired its name when it was sung by troops from Marseille marching to Paris. Although it was adopted as the national anthem in 1795, Napoleon later banned it. Under Napoleon III, the anthem was "Partant pour la Syrie," or "Leaving for Syria." Pretty sure they're glad that one didn't stick.
Allons, enfants de la patrie,
Le jour de gloire est arrivé.
Contre nous, de la tyrannie,
L’étendard sanglant est levé; l’étendard
sanglant est levé.
Entendez-vous, dans les campagnes
Mugir ces féroces soldats?
Ils viennent jusque dans nos bras
Égorger nos fils, nos compagnes.
Aux armes, citoyens!
Formez vos bataillons,
Marchons, marchons!
Qu’un sang impur
Abreuve nos sillons.
Amour sacré de la Patrie,
Conduis, soutiens nos bras vengeurs.
Liberté, liberté chérie,
Combats avec tes défenseurs; combats
avec tes défenseurs.
Sous nos drapeaux, que la victoire
Accoure à tes mâles accents;
Que tes ennemis expirants
Voient ton triomphe et notre gloire!
Aux armes, citoyens!