- France is the largest nation in Western Europe and is bordered by six countries.
- There are 29 UNESCO World heritage sites in France.
- The Loire Valley has more than 1,000 historic chateaux; most of them are privately owned.
- Channel: The underwater tunnel linking France to England consists of two rail tunnels and one service tunnel. It’s 31 miles long of which 23 miles are under water and the average depth is 150 ft below seabed.
- France boasts over 500 different cheeses.
- There are 17 distinct wine regions in France .
- France is a leading exporter of luxury items from crystal to couture, perfumes & wines.
- Frederic August Bartholdi (1834-1904)-- The sculptor of the Statue of Liberty was born in Colmar, Alsace. It arrived in New York Harbor on June 19, 1885 as a gift of friendship from the people of France to the people of the United States to commemorate the centennial of the American Declaration of Independence. Lady Liberty stands more than 300 feet high and is said to resemble Bartholdi's mother
- Jacques Cartier (1491-1557)-- On March 19 1534 Cartier set sails from his native Saint Malo, Brittany on a mission to discover riches in new lands for the King of France. In the process he explored the North American coast and the St. Lawrence River which laid to France's claims on Canada.
- Paul Cezanne: (1839-1906). -- A native of Aix en Provence, Paul Cezanne is regarded as the "father of modern painting".
- Jean Francois Champollion (1790-1832)--The French Egyptologist gained renown for his work on deciphering the Rosetta Stone in 1822.
- Jean Eugene Robert Houdin--(1805-1871) was a gifted magician born in Blois, in the heart of the Loire Valley. Often considered to be the father of "modern Magic", Harry Houdini, in tribute, took his stage name after him. Along with playing tricks, Houdin was a watchmaker and inventor. He is credited for inventing the filament bulb 15 years before Edison.
- Michel de Nostre Dame (Nostradamus) (1503-1566) was born in St. Remy de Provence into a well - educated Jewish family. His parents converted to Catholicism in the face of the raging Inquisition movement of the days. He is famous for the prophecies
- Jules Verne (1828-1905).-- The father of modern science fiction was born and raised in the port city of Nantes. His famous works include "A Thousand Leagues under the Sea"; "Around the World in Eighty Days"; "A Journey in the Center of the Earth" and "From the Earth to the Moon" . In all he wrote 65 novels and assorted plays, essays and even opera librettos in a career that span 40 years.
- William the Conqueror: (1027-1087). Born in Falaise, Normandy this future King of England was the illegitimate son of the Duke of Normandy. He received the duchy of Normandy at the tender age of 8 upon his father's death in 1035. He undertook his conquest of England in 1066.
- Sadism: "the sexual pleasure or gratification in the infliction of pain and suffering upon another person” is derived from the Marquis de Sade, an 18th century nobleman who led a dissolute life and wrote sadistic novels.
