Land

France lies near the western end of the great Eurasian landmass, largely between latitudes 42° and 51° N. Roughly hexagonal in outline, its continental territory is bordered on the northeast by Belgium and Luxembourg, on the east by Germany, Switzerland, and Italy, on the south by the Mediterranean Sea, Spain, and Andorra, on the west by the Bay of Biscay, and on the northwest by the English Channel (La Manche).
To the north, France faces southeastern England across the narrow Strait of Dover (Pas de Calais). Monaco is an independent enclave on the south coast, while the island of Corsica in the Mediterranean is treated as an integral part of the country. Metropolitan France covers 551,500 square kilometres (212,935 sq mi),[90] the largest among European Union members.

Relief

The French landscape, for the most part, is composed of relatively low-lying plains, plateaus, and older mountain blocks, or massifs. This pattern clearly predominates over that of the younger, high ranges, such as the Alps and the Pyrenees. The diversity of the land is typical of Continental Europe.

Metropolitan France has a wide variety of topographical sets and natural landscapes. Large parts of the current territory of France were raised during several tectonic episodes like the Hercynian uplift in the Paleozoic Era, during which the Armorican Massif, the Massif Central, the Morvan, the Vosges and Ardennes ranges and the island of Corsica were formed.
These massifs delineate several sedimentary basins such as the Aquitaine basin in the southwest and the Paris basin in the north, the latter including several areas of particularly fertile ground such as the silt beds of Beauce and Brie. Various routes of natural passage, such as the Rhône valley, allow easy communications. The Alpine, Pyrenean and Jura mountains are much younger and have less eroded forms. At 4,810.45 metres (15,782 ft)[91] above sea level, Mont Blanc, located in the Alps on the French and Italian border, is the highest point in Western Europe.

Drainage

The coastlines offer contrasting landscapes: mountain ranges along the French Riviera, coastal cliffs such as the Côte d'Albâtre, and wide sandy plains in the Languedoc. Corsica lies off the Mediterranean coast. France has an extensive river system consisting of the four major rivers Seine, the Loire, the Garonne, the Rhône and their tributaries, whose combined catchment includes over 62% of the metropolitan territory.
The Rhône divides the Massif Central from the Alps and flows into the Mediterranean Sea at the Camargue. Other water courses drain towards the Meuse and Rhine along the north-eastern borders. France has 11 million square kilometres (4.2×106 sq mi) of marine waters within three oceans under its jurisdiction, of which 97% are overseas.
The river systems of France are determined by a major divide in the far eastern part of the country, running from the southern end of the Vosges down the eastern and southeastern edge of the Massif Central to the Noire Mountains, the southwestern promontory of the massif. This divide is broken by occasional cols (depressions) and lowland corridors, notably the Langres Plateau, across the Jurassic outer rim of the Paris Basin. Along the divide originate most of the rivers of the larger, western part of the country, including the Seine and the Loire. Other major rivers include the Garonne, originating in the Pyrenees, and the Rhône and the Rhine, originating in the Alps.

Climate

Most of France lies in the southern part of the temperate zone, although the subtropical zone encompasses its southern fringe. All of France is considered to be under the effect of oceanic influences, moderated by the North Atlantic Drift on the west and the Mediterranean Sea on the south.

The pure oceanic climate prevails in the northwest, especially in Brittany. It is characterized by its low annual temperature variation, with Brest having an average temperature in January of 43 °F (6 °C) and in July of 61 °F (16 °C); by its extreme humidity and moderate rainfall (35 inches [890 mm] of rain falling through the year), accompanied by cloudiness and haze; by the frequency and sometimes the violence of the west winds that blow almost constantly; and by large variations in the weather, which can change several times a day.

The plains of the northeast are particularly affected by a continental climate. The city of Strasbourg has the greatest temperature range in France. Winter is cold, with an average of 83 days of frost and with snow cover for several weeks, although the weather is often sunny. In summer, storms cause maximum precipitation in the region in June and July, although total rainfall is comparatively light.

In the southeast the Mediterranean climate extends over the coastal plains and penetrates the valley of the lower Rhône River as far as the Montélimar area. It affects the southern Alps, the southeastern slopes of the Cévennes and the Noire Mountains (in the Massif Central), and the eastern Pyrenees. The latitude and the proximity of the warm Mediterranean Sea contribute to mild winters, with an average temperature of 47 °F (8 °C) in January at Nice and with only a few days of frost.

The climate of the Paris Basin is somewhere between the oceanic and the continental. The average yearly temperature is 53 °F (11 °C) in Paris.

Business

France is one of the most richly endowed countries of Europe. The favorable climate, extensive areas of rich soil, and long-established tradition of skilled agriculture have created ideal conditions for a thriving farm economy. Agriculture and the agro-food industries account for a larger share of economic activity than in many other west European nations. Large deposits of iron ore, a wellintegrated network of power plants, important domestic reserves of natural gas, good transport, and high standards of industrial workmanship have made the French industrial complex one of the most modern in Europe.

France is one of the major economic powers of the world, ranking along with such countries as the United States, Japan, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom. A member of the Group of Seven (formerly Group of Eight) leading industrialised countries, as of 2014, it is ranked as the world's ninth largest and the EU's second largest economy by purchasing power parity. With 31 of the 500 biggest companies in the world in 2015, France ranks fourth in the Fortune Global 500, ahead of Germany and the UK. France joined 11 other EU members to launch the euro in 1999, with euro coins and banknotes completely replacing the French franc (₣) in 2002.

Agriculture

France’s extensive land area—of which more than half is arable or pastoral land and another quarter is wooded—presents broad opportunities for agriculture and forestry. The country’s varied relief and soils and contrasting climatic zones further enhance this potential. Rainfall is plentiful throughout most of France, so water supply is not generally a problem. An ample fish supply in the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea provides an additional resource.
Vines, fruits, and vegetables cover only a limited area but represent more than one-fourth of the total value of agricultural output. France is probably more famous for its wines than any other country in the world. Viticulture and wine making are concentrated principally in Languedoc-Roussillon and in the Bordeaux area, but production also occurs in Provence, Alsace, the Rhône and Loire valleys, Poitou-Charentes, and the Champagne region.

Industry

Industry has expanded considerably since World War II, with particularly significant progress in the electronics, transport, processing, and construction industries. France is the world's fourth-leading industrial power, after the United States, Japan, and Germany (although France was surpassed by the United Kingdom in 2002 as the world's fourth-largest economy). Manufacturing accounted for almost 80% of total exports of goods and services in 2005, and exports represent about 27% of French GDP.

Tourism

With 83 million foreign tourists in 2012, France is ranked as the first tourist destination in the world, ahead of the United States (67 million) and China (58 million). This 83 million figure excludes people staying less than 24 hours, such as North Europeans crossing France on their way to Spain or Italy. It is third in income from tourism due to shorter duration of visits. The most popular tourist sites include: Eiffel Tower, Château de Versailles, Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, Pont du Gard, Arc de Triomphe, Mont Saint-Michel, Sainte-Chapelle, Château du Haut-Kœnigsbourg, Puy de Dôme, Musée Picasso, Carcassonne. With more than 10 millions tourists a year, the French Riviera (French: Côte d'Azur), in Southeast France, is the second leading tourist destination in the country, after the Paris region. It benefits from 300 days of sunshine per year, 115 kilometres (71 mi) of coastline and beaches, 18 golf courses, 14 ski resorts and 3,000 restaurants.
Each year the Côte d'Azur hosts 50% of the world's superyacht fleet.

With more than 10 millions tourists a year, the French Riviera (French: Côte d'Azur), in Southeast France, is the second leading tourist destination in the country, after the Paris region. It benefits from 300 days of sunshine per year, 115 kilometres (71 mi) of coastline and beaches, 18 golf courses, 14 ski resorts and 3,000 restaurants. Each year the Côte d'Azur hosts 50% of the world's superyacht fleet.

With 6 millions tourists a year, the castles of the Loire Valley (French: châteaux) and the Loire Valley itself are the third leading tourist destination in France; this World Heritage Site is noteworthy for its architectural heritage, in its historic towns but in particular its castles, such as the Châteaux d'Amboise, de Chambord, d'Ussé, de Villandry, Chenonceau and Montsoreau. The Château de Chantilly, Versailles and Vaux-le-Vicomte, all three located near Paris, are also visitor attractions.


France has 44 sites inscribed in UNESCO's World Heritage List and features cities of high cultural interest, beaches and seaside resorts, ski resorts, and rural regions that many enjoy for their beauty and tranquillity (green tourism). Small and picturesque French villages are promoted through the association Les Plus Beaux Villages de France (literally "The Most Beautiful Villages of France"). The "Remarkable Gardens" label is a list of the over 200 gardens classified by the French Ministry of Culture. This label is intended to protect and promote remarkable gardens and parks. France attracts many religious pilgrims on their way to St. James, or to Lourdes, a town in the Hautes-Pyrénées that hosts several million visitors a year.

Taxation

As with most industrialized democratic systems, France's tax system is complex and nuanced, though also subject to recent movements to reductions and simplifications.

Once a resident in France, you are liable to pay taxes in France on your income worldwide. The French social security system is one of the most generous in the world but it’s paid for by high social charges and French taxes. There are three main types of personal taxes in France: French income tax (impôt sur le revenu); social security contributions (charges sociales/cotisations sociales); and tax on goods and services (taxe sur la valeur ajoutée TVA, or VAT in France). You will also have to pay occupier’s tax (taxe d’habitation) or French property tax (taxe foncière), and if you’re selling land or property or have assets more than €1.3 million, there may be capital gains tax to consider, too.

You’re liable to pay taxes in France if:

• France is your main place of residence or home – if your spouse and children live in France and you work abroad, you may still be considered a French tax resident.
• You are resident in France for more than 183 days in a calendar year – not necessarily consecutively.
• Your main occupation is in France.
• Your most substantial assets are in France.

Value-Added Tax (VAT) The current standard rate is at 20%. Two reduced rates exist: a 10% rate for books, hotel stays, local public transportation, and restaurant meals; and 5.5% for most groceries.[1] A specific rate of 2.1% applies only to prescription drugs covered by Social Security. The net revenue of VAT in 2013 was €141.2 bn.

Calculating your taxes in France Official residents pay French taxes on worldwide income, which includes earnings from employment, investments, dividends, bank interest, pensions and property. In 2019, France introduced a PAYE income tax system, which means tax is now deducted at source from the employee’s wage. While PAYE is commonly used elsewhere, the new French system will work slightly differently in 2019. The amount of PAYE tax deducted each month in 2019 will be based on your income from 2017 (that you will have declared in May 2018). Then, any outstanding tax (or refunds) must be settled by the end of the year. Income subject to PAYE also includes retirement income (such as pensions or annuities), relevant overseas income and rental income. French tax rates 2019

The income tax rates in France in 2019 are as follows:

• Up to €9,964: 0%
• €9,964–27,519: 14%
• €27,519–73,779: 30%
• €73,779–156,244: 41%
• €156,244+: 45%

Security and safety

The police are responsible primarily for maintaining public law and order. Under the authority of the minister of interior, they are responsible to the prefects in the départements and to the prefect of police in Paris and adjacent suburban communes.
The police force is divided into public security forces and specialized police forces, such as the vice squad.
The security police include the State Security Police (Compagnies Républicaines de Sécurité; CRS), responsible for public order; the judicial police, who carry out criminal investigations and hunt down suspects; and the complex internal intelligence and antiespionage units. The municipal forces are responsible to the mayor. There is also the national gendarmerie, a kind of state police, which is responsible to the minister of defense, combats terrorism, and is of particular importance in the rural areas.

All foreign visitors, including European Union (EU) nationals, must carry identification in the form of a passport or national identity card. French police may require visitors to show identification at any time, including when entering or leaving the country. The increased security checks have little effect on waiting times at airports, or at train stations serving international lines such as Thalys and Eurostar.

Be vigilant in public places and follow the advice of local French authorities.

For assistance in any emergency situation, dial 112.

Education and Academies

Education

Education is free and compulsory between the ages of 6 and 16. Children under the age of 6 can attend écoles maternelles (nursery schools). Primary schools provide elementary education for those between the ages of 6 and 11. Secondary education begins in the collèges from the ages of 11 to 15 with further secondary education offered in general or technical lycées, leading to the national baccalauréat examination.

Courses of study lasting for two or three years can lead to professional certificates or diplomas. School councils allow teachers and representatives of parents (and pupils at the secondary level) to gather to discuss the operation of schools.

University

The state grants funds to the universities, which they divide among their departments. The degrees awarded are the licence (roughly comparable to the British-American bachelor’s degree), maîtrise (master’s degree), and doctorate.
There are also special teaching qualifications, one of which is the agrégation, a rigorous competitive examination. Traditional university courses were considerably diversified by the creation of specialized technological sections (Instituts Universitaires de Technologies; IUT) in 1966 and by the establishment in 1991 of vocational units (Instituts Universitaires Professionnalisés; IUP), which work closely with businesses.
Students may also apply to a number of prestigious grandes écoles, which are even more highly regarded than the universities, especially in the engineering and technical fields. The best-known among these is the École Polytechnique (“Polytechnic School”); founded in 1794 to recruit and train technicians for the army, it has become the most important technical school in both the public and private sectors.

Private education is mostly Roman Catholic.

Health

The French health care system is one of universal health care largely financed by government national health insurance.
In its 2000 assessment of world health care systems, the World Health Organization found that France provided the "close to best overall health care" in the world. The French healthcare system was ranked first worldwide by the World Health Organization in 1997. In 2011, France spent 11.6% of GDP on health care, or US$4,086 per capita, a figure much higher than the average spent by countries in Europe but less than in the United States. Approximately 77% of health expenditures are covered by government funded agencies.

Under the French system of health care, both public and private health care providers operate through centralized funding. Patients have the option of seeing a private doctor on a fee basis or going to a state-operated facility. Nearly all private doctors are affiliated with the social security system and the patients' expenses are reimbursed in part. Many have private health insurance to cover the difference.

In order to be eligible for coverage under the state French health care system (PUMA), you need to be either employed or living in France on a stable and an ongoing basis for more than three months with the intention to spend more than 183 days a year in France. Previously you were also required to hold a valid French residence permit and pay French social security contributions via paid employment for a set period, which excluded certain categories of residents such as retirees and EU citizens that can now claim healthcare under PUMA.

If you have lived in France longer than three months (and applying under PUMA), you can register for French healthcare via your local CPAM (Caisse Primaire Assurance Maladie) office. You can find your local CPAM office via the Ameli website (in French). The French healthcare system is very complex and can be daunting, especially when you are a newcomer. It takes time to absorb and you are slowly getting au fait with the new language, not to mention the mounds of paperwork. You probably ask yourself ‘how I am I ever going to understand and come to grips with it all?’ Especially all those terms used….. Carte/Attestation Vitale, Le ticket modérateur, La Franchise médicale, Tiers payant, Télétransmission, prise en charge and Dépassement…

Live permanently in France

To live permanently in France you need some form of cover through health insurance. If you are paying contributions through working in France or hold an S1 form, you qualify for state insurance. Otherwise you will be required to take out private health insurance. Either way, given that in France patients are expected to pay upfront for medical treatment, it is worth seeing whether international insurance may be a good choice for you.

Medical care for short stay in France

Take an EHIC card (European Health Insurance Card) with you when in France. This replaced the E111 form in 2005. It is available from most post offices and will cover the cost of any emergency medical care at French state hospitals during your visit, through a reciprocal EU agreement. It’s best to travel with an EHIC in conjunction with a comprehensive travel insurance plan, as the card does not cover all medical fees, repatriation or treatment of a non-urgent, ongoing medical condition.

Daily life and social customs

Life in France may be full of joie de vivre, but it is best to come prepared. The French are very proud of their culture, so get informed before starting your new life to avoid any faux-pas! Our expat guide to France will equip you with essential info on the locals, the language, and healthcare, and more.

A key issue for many workers in France is flexible working time, in order to achieve a work-life balance. Negotiating a work/life balance can enable parents to reconcile their work with their family life and, women in particular, to participate in the labour market. It can also allow workers to take leave to participate in education or training or to take up an interest, hobby or leisure pursuit. This means that workers can reorganise their working lives and working hours around shorter days, weeks, months, or even years.

Working hours are generally Monday to Friday from 8am or 9am to 12:00/12:30 and then from 14:00/14:30 to 18:00. However, as always, it depends where the organisation is located, for example the long lunch break is unusual in Paris and other bigger cities. As mentioned previously in this guide, because of employment legislation the working of overtime is very rare.


Banks tend to follow a similar working pattern and are closed on Sundays. On Saturdays they tend to have shorter opening hours starting later and closing earlier.

Food and drink

A typical French lunch will consist of: a starter (une entrée), such as a mixed salad, soup, some terrine or paté. A main course, (le plat principal), typically a choice of meat or fish, with potatoes, rice, pasta and/or vegetables; a cheese course (often a selection of local cheeses) and/or a dessert.

Although French cuisine has a reputation as a grand national feature, regional differences are marked. Some local dishes have achieved international fame, even if they are often poorly imitated. Among these are the seafood soup, bouillabaisse, from Marseille; andouillette, a form of sausage from Lyon; choucroute, pickled cabbage from Alsace; and magret de canard, slices of breast of duck from Bordeaux. France is also renowned for the range and quality of its cheeses. More than 300 varieties are recognized. The majority are produced from cow’s milk, including Camembert (Normandy), Brie (Île-de-France), Comté (Franche-Comté), Saint-Nectaire (Auvergne), and Reblochon (Savoy). Cheese is also made from ewe’s milk, as in the case of Roquefort (Aveyron), as well as from goat’s milk. Perhaps the best-known exports of France are the wines from some of the world’s great vineyards in Burgundy, Bordeaux, and the Rhône valley.

Buying fresh bread is essential to daily life in France. Everyone, and I mean everyone, buys ‘du pain’ every day. Whether they have it with butter and jam in the morning for breakfast or buy it to accompany lunch or dinner, the French eat lots of bread.

The outdoor food markets in France are an impossibly beautiful combination of great culinary ingredients, stunning colors and textures, amazing arrays of choices, dazzling displays, and soul-satisfying camaraderie among shoppers and vendors. And ‘les marchés’ happen day in and day out, week after week, month after month, year after year. It’s a daily food ‘festival’ that turns ho-hum grocery shopping into a sensory extravaganza. And it’s a French social experience as people from all walks of life rub elbows in search of the next good meal.



As France would not be France without its outdoor food markets, the country would not be the same without its cafés. It’s the daily French gathering place par excellence where you can have a coffee or a glass of wine or a (usually) simple meal. You can sit for as long as you like – people watching is a great French café pastime. And the table is your ‘real estate’ in Paris or wherever you happen to be, as long as you’re a paying customer of course.

In France, the traditional Apéritif is a real friendly ritual. French people like to sip some cocktail, fruit juice or alcohol drink, especially before dinner, when inviting relatives or friends. The very word of "Aperitif" actually designates both the drink and the convivial moment before a meal.

Sports and recreation

France like many countries has a taste for popular sports such as Rugby, Football and basketball. Cycling is also a very well followed sport, with many people in France cycling as a hobby. Horse racing is very popular especially "trotting".

Lest you get the wrong idea about the French, they're not all sitting in cafes all day, nibbling croissants and discussing the theory of life. There is also a varied and active sporting culture.

First off, French people do enjoy a stroll. Grand randonnees (or long distance trails around France) provide both urban and rural paths for walking and sightseeing. And leisurely jaunts around parks in cities also give the French the dose of sunshine they worship. (Just don't get off the path; it's not unusual to see signs warning visitors to keep off the grass in parks. The aesthetics of the outdoors is highly valued in France.)

If you do find a scrap of unwatched lawn, you might be interested in a game of boules, also known as Petanque. Two teams attempt to roll or throw balls closest to a jack in the middle, knocking their opponent's ball out of the way. You may know it in by its Italian name, bocce.

While organized rugby and soccer (le foot, en francais) are extremely popular national pastimes, the sporting event most decidedly "French" is the Tour de France. More than a hundred years old, the cycling race covers 2,235 miles (3,600 kilometers) over the course of three weeks. The grueling ride combines both flat, time-trial intervals with steep mountain climbs. But even though the race has become a proud French tradition, its beginnings were less exalted: A journalist started the race simply to draw attention and circulation to his newspaper, which sponsored the event.

One very recent tradition invented by the French deserves a mention. Parkour is a form of running (sometimes called "free running"), in which obstacles in the landscape are not avoided but quickly navigated with jumping, leaping, quick crawling and climbing. This non-competitive sport was invented by a French teenager in the late 80s [source: Lawrence]. Clearly, the sport requires serious skill, and you won't find the streets of Paris filled with Parkour practitioners on lunch break.

But Parkour does speak to the creativity and individualism embraced in French culture. Let's take a look at the next page to see how these traits have been regulated to keep French tradition "pure."

Water sports in France

From the Riviera to the Emerald Coast, France’s seaside destinations and the many activities they offer are sure to win you over.
Kitesurfing has taken France (and the rest of the world) by storm and has only continued to grow in popularity.
Land-sailing, also known as sand yachting, is an easily accessible sport that allows for some incredible sensations and a new way to navigate the beach.
Want to explore under the sea among coral and schools of colorful fish? France has many breathtaking spots to practice diving. Equipped with your wetsuit, fins, gloves and oxygen tank, you’re ready to explore down below! After your first dive, it is advisable to obtain your diving certificate in order to familiarize yourself with basic techniques and safety, offered by many diving federations. However, French regulations do not require you to do this before scuba-diving.
Sea-kayaking: this sport has become increasingly popular, as it combines the advantages of both hiking and water navigation, providing plenty of fun a new approach to seaside attractions.

Lake and river activities in France: Canoe-kayaking, Rafting and Canyoning.

Horse Riding in France

France is ideally suited for a horseback riding.
The countryside in many parts of France is unspoiled and beautiful with many rights-of-way kept open which makes riding through it on horseback a real pleasure. Riding trails in France usually avoid paved roads. Spectacular castles, walled towns and ancient monasteries are everywhere. It is a thrill to ride into a castle courtyard on horseback like a traveler of old.
Each region has a unique character with its own history, cuisine, wine, architecture and topography. French food and wine are justly famous and you will have every opportunity to savor them with an appetite made keener by an active day of horseback riding.

Skiing in France

France boasts a wide variety of excellent ski resorts which can cater the demands of anybody. Whether your wishes are for a variety of blue slopes or for an outdoor swimming pool, France is unlikely to leave you disappointed. Ski resorts in France are some of the best in the world and skiers and snowboarders will revel in the wide range of excellent pistes on offer. Ranging from traditional alpine villages to modern ski-in ski-out resorts, France almost certainly appeals to all.

Ski areas in France
The Three Valleys is a world-famous ski area that merges 8 main ski resorts including Courchevel, Méribel and Val Thorens. In the heart of the French Alps the Paradiski area offers uninterrupted skiing between La Plagne and Les Arcs. Espace Killy is one of the most popular ski areas in France linking Tignes and Val d'Isère. Other noteworthy ski areas in France include the Portes du Soleil and the Domaine de la Foret Blanche.

Snow conditions in France
The quality of snow in French ski resorts can vary from one resort to another, but on the whole, snow conditions in winter are excellent. Ski areas in France generally sit higher than any other ski country so ski resorts have superior snow conditions and longer seasons. Val Thorens is the highest ski resort in Europe and Avoriaz repeatedly gets the most snowfall in France.