10 interesting fact about France – Dpto. de Inglés

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT FRANCE…

1. France is the most visited country in the world

Approximately 89 million people visit France each year. Paris is also one of the most visited cities in the world. It consistently ranks in the top ten most visited cities year after year.

3. France has the largest art museum 2. France is smaller than Texas

Even if it is the biggest country in the UE and twice than big as the UK, France is slightly smaller than the state of Texas.

Le musée du Louvre said in French, The Louvre museum in Paris is the largest in the world. This museum is so big that if you wanted to spend 30 seconds looking at every piece of art, it would take approximately 100 days to get through the entire museum. The most famous painting of the world is in this museum, The Mona Lisa.

4. The French eat 25,000 tons of snails each year

On average, French eat 500 snails per year. In French snail is referred as “escargot”. The common way to eat snails is cooked with butter and garlic.

5. France produces over 1,500 types of cheeses

More than 95% of the French population eats cheese. Here is a list of different cheese: Camembert from Normandie, Brie from Meaux, Reblochon , Roquefort , St Félicien… You’d better like cheese if you want to go to France.

6. Supermarkets aren’t allowed to throw food away

They are not allowed to throw food near the best by date. Instead they must donate it to a charity or food bank. They donate 45,000 pounds of food annually

7. France had a king for only 20 minutes

Louis XIX was the king for 20 minutes after his father had renounced his throne. Ironically Louis XIX did the same 20 minutes after.

8. The French army invented camouflage

The French army invented camouflage during World War I in 1915. They hired painters to cover their guns and vehicles.

9. It’s unlucky to turn a baguette upside down

In the Middle Ages, the town executioner would often not have time to pick up their bread in the morning. The baker would hang a loaf upside down for the executioner to pick up later on in the day. Because of this practice in the Middle ages, over time, upside-down bread became a symbol of fear and death. People would avoid any upside-down bread to avoid misfortune.

10. The French drink over 11 million glasses of wine every year

France is the second country in the world regarding wine consumption. The French consume 25 hectoliters of wine just behind the USA.

Abraham Cámara Moreau, 3º C