15 Interesting and fun facts about France
Mar 17,2025 | Milo
Table of contents
1. France Led the Way in Banning Food Waste
2. Calling All Cheese Enthusiasts—France Boasts Over 1,000 Varieties
3. In France, Saying "I Do" Doesn’t Require a Living Partner
4. France Gave the World the Hot Air Balloon
5. Never Put Baguettes Upside Down in France – It’s Bad Luck
6. Carrier Pigeons Remain Part of the French Military
7. The Eiffel Tower Was Originally a Temporary Structure
8. The Louvre Holds the Title of the World’s Most Visited Museum
9. The Longest-Lived Person in History Was French
10. Kissing on Train Platforms Is Illegal in France
11. French Radio Stations Must Play a Set Percentage of French Songs
12. A Legendary French Leader Once Owned One of the Most Expensive Weapons Ever Sold
13. France Was Home to the World’s First True Department Store
14. France Pioneered the Mass Production of Ballpoint Pens
15. France Is Home to Approximately 40,000 Châteaux
Stay Connected During Your Franch Trip
Home to UNESCO-listed wonders and legendary sites like the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and the breathtaking French Alps, France holds the title of the world’s most-visited country. In 2024, it set a new record, welcoming over 100 million travelers.
Yet, there's more to L'Hexagone (From its shape, France is often referred to in French as l'Hexagone) than just its global appeal. Here are 15 fascinating facts about one of Europe’s most beloved destinations.
1. France Led the Way in Banning Food Waste
Back in February 2016, France took a groundbreaking step by prohibiting supermarkets from discarding or deliberately ruining unsold but edible food. Instead, they were mandated to collaborate with food aid organizations, ensuring surplus food reached those in need rather than going to waste.
Fast forward to today, and the French government remains dedicated to cutting food waste in half by the close of 2025.
2. Calling All Cheese Enthusiasts—France Boasts Over 1,000 Varieties
With an astonishing selection of over 1,000 types, you could sample a different variety every day for more than two years. Among the most popular choices are Emmental, Camembert, and Raclette.
Former French President Charles de Gaulle once humorously questioned, "How can you govern a country that has 258 kinds of cheese?" While his words may bring a smile, they also highlight the deep cultural significance of cheese in France. On average, a French citizen consumes over 27 kilograms of cheese annually, contributing to the sale of more than 860,000 tonnes each year.
3. In France, Saying "I Do" Doesn’t Require a Living Partner
France actually allows posthumous marriages under certain circumstances. While the concept may sound unsettling, French law, dating back to 1803, permits a person to wed their deceased partner, provided there is legitimate justification.
However, this unique union isn’t granted lightly. Only the President of France has the authority to approve such requests, and there must be clear proof that the deceased intended to marry while they were still alive.
4. France Gave the World the Hot Air Balloon
The Montgolfier brothers, pioneers of balloon aviation, introduced their remarkable invention to none other than King Louis XVI at the Palace of Versailles.
On September 19, 1783, history was made as they conducted the first public demonstration before the royal family and an astonished crowd. Without their ingenuity, modern hot-air balloon rides wouldn’t exist today.
5. Never Put Baguettes Upside Down in France – It’s Bad Luck
In France, placing a loaf of bread upside down is thought to bring misfortune, a superstition with roots in the medieval era. But why this belief? Back in the day, bakers would intentionally place loaves upside down to set them aside for executioners, who would collect them later.
Over time, this act became associated with death, and to this day, people in France avoid flipping their bread, fearing it could lead to bad luck or even curses of hunger.
6. Carrier Pigeons Remain Part of the French Military
During both World Wars, carrier pigeons played a crucial role, bravely flying through intense gunfire to deliver messages. Remarkably, the French military remains the only European force that still includes these feathered messengers in its ranks. Based at Mont Valérien near Paris, these pigeons are kept in care and are ready to be deployed for communication purposes during a large-scale emergency.
7. The Eiffel Tower Was Originally a Temporary Structure
One of France’s most famous landmarks, the Eiffel Tower, was never intended to be a permanent fixture. Constructed to commemorate the centennial of the French Revolution, it was supposed to be dismantled after just 20 years due to the expiration of its permit. However, its creator, Gustave Eiffel, secured its survival by promoting its value for scientific research, including meteorological and astronomical studies.
8. The Louvre Holds the Title of the World’s Most Visited Museum
Every year, nearly 9 million people walk through the doors of the Louvre, making it the most-visited museum on the planet. As a cultural treasure trove, this Parisian landmark houses an unparalleled collection of impressionist and post-impressionist masterpieces, along with countless works that have shaped artistic movements worldwide.
Among its most famous exhibits is Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, displayed securely behind bulletproof glass in one of the museum’s grand galleries.
9. The Longest-Lived Person in History Was French
With an average life expectancy of 82–83 years, France is home to some of the longest-living people. But one woman, Jeanne Calment, defied all odds—she holds the world record for the longest confirmed lifespan, reaching an astonishing 122 years.
According to longevity researcher Jean-Marie Robine, who personally knew Calment, three key factors contributed to her extraordinary lifespan:
- She came from a wealthy background.
- She only started smoking later in life.
- She maintained a vibrant social life, staying engaged with those around her.
10. Kissing on Train Platforms Is Illegal in France
During the early 20th century, France’s train stations became so crowded with emotional farewells that authorities had to step in.
In 1910, a law was passed prohibiting kissing on train platforms. While rarely enforced today, this regulation was initially introduced to prevent long, tearful goodbyes from delaying train departures—especially as soldiers bid farewell to their loved ones before heading off to war.
11. French Radio Stations Must Play a Set Percentage of French Songs
To preserve national culture and support local artists, a 1994 law mandated that at least 40% of all music broadcast on French radio stations be in the French language.
However, many stations resisted the rule, with some favoring only the most popular French hits to meet the requirement—leaving emerging artists in the shadows. In response to concerns over artistic diversity and freedom, the regulation was later adjusted, reducing the quota to 35%.
12. A Legendary French Leader Once Owned One of the Most Expensive Weapons Ever Sold
During the Napoleonic era, sabers were a weapon of choice, but one stood out for its extraordinary value.
Napoleon Bonaparte wielded a lavish, gold-plated saber in the 1800 Battle of Marengo against Austria. Recognized as a national treasure in 1978, this historic artifact later fetched an astounding $6.6 million at an auction in France.
13. France Was Home to the World’s First True Department Store
Planning a visit to Paris? Here's a fun fact you'll want to know! In 1852, Aristide Boucicaut and his wife Marguerite opened Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche in Paris, creating a department store designed to "delight every sense."
The couple introduced innovative business strategies, focusing on customer behavior and enhancing the working conditions for their employees. Today, this iconic department store is still in operation.
14. France Pioneered the Mass Production of Ballpoint Pens
The French brand Bic revolutionized the writing industry by shifting from fountain pens to ballpoint pens. In 2005, they sold their 100 billionth ballpoint pen.
Marcel Bich, the founder, saw the potential of the ballpoint pen and introduced his version in France under the iconic BIC® brand — a catchy, shortened form of his name. With its reliable quality and affordable price, mass production quickly took off.
15. France Is Home to Approximately 40,000 Châteaux
Wrapping up our list of interesting facts about France, the country boasts an impressive collection of over 40,000 châteaux and fortresses, dating from the 9th to the 21st century. During your travels in France, you'll likely stumble upon many of these historic structures, with some becoming renowned tourist attractions, like those in the Loire Valley and the majestic Palace of Versailles.
Stay Connected During Your Franch Trip
From the ability to marry a deceased person to the superstition surrounding an upside-down baguette, France is full of unusual and fascinating facts. If you're planning a trip to France, make sure to explore these quirky pieces of local culture—who knows what you'll discover!
Moreover, staying connected while traveling will make your experience even more enjoyable. With ByteSIM's France eSIM, you can easily look up local curiosities and share your findings right away—without the hassle of changing SIM cards, dealing with local registrations, or complicated sign-up procedures.
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