As a globetrotter, you must be familiar with the beautiful country of France. Every tourist dreams of having the ultimate vacation in France. It is, after all, one of the most popular tourist destinations and romantic countries on Earth, thanks to a city of love and lights like Paris. It also has some of the top Airbnbs in Europe as well as the best holiday villas. France is home to several significant figures in history, including René Descartes, and Charles de Gaulle. It also has surprises stored for you at every corner, be it French dishes, the culture, their language (which is of course very sweet), a rich history, and beautiful cities. If you’re wondering, “What is France known for?” then keep reading to gain some interesting insights into some of the things that France is famous for.
1. Arc de Triomphe (from USD 40.0)
A symbol that honors the various brave souls who fought and died during the French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars, the Arc de Triomphe is one of the most famous iconic places in France. Construction of Arc de Triomphe began on August 15, 1806, after Napoleon’s victory at Austerlitz, and 30 years later, the construction would be completed.
Ever since its completion, this famous landmark has been the starting point of many French military parades including the Allied victory parade shortly after the Liberation of Paris on August 29, 1944.
Arc de Triomphe and Seine River Cruise
Duration: 1 to 3 hours
2. French Pastries
One of the many famous things in France, apart from French dishes, is its wide variety of delectable pastries that are sure to leave a lasting impression on your taste buds. Among the well-known pastries is the flaky, golden-colored, crescent-shaped croissant which is made up of butter and sweet yeast dough. Another is eclair, a choux dough filled with cream inside and then topped with chocolate icing.
And the most famous of them all is the crepe which is now consumed all over the world and has been a staple in Japanese anime. This pasty is a thin pancake that can be filled with a variety of sweet sauces and fruits.
3. Provence Lavender Fields (from USD 108.0)
The name speaks for itself. Provence Lavender Fields is a beautiful and picturesque field of sweet-smelling, purple lavender found throughout the French region of Provence. If you come during the early summer, these fields of lavender transform the landscape’s color after the spring poppies have gone.
This famous thing of France offers a relaxing and even romantic place where you can simply sit back, relax, and enjoy the beautiful landscape as, according to the Provence website, “lavender means something special to everyone”.
Provence Villages and Lavender Fields Tour from Avignon
Duration: 10 hours
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4. The Eiffel Tower (from USD 47.1)
The Eiffel Tower tops the list because this monument is super duper famous. No one visits France without making a stop to admire The Eiffel Tower. Indeed, many tourists come to the capital city of Paris only to take pictures of this French landmark. The Eiffel Tower is an icon, it is a landmark, and it is a symbol of France. Built in 1887, The Eiffel Tower is 324 meters (1,063 feet) tall and is the tallest building in Paris. It is named after the French engineer, Gustave Eiffel. Head to its observation deck for the most fantastic views of Paris.
Eiffel Tower Ticket, Tours and Experiences
Duration: 2hrsDuration
5. Culture
It will take the whole day to talk about French culture, but if it has to be short and interesting, it is worth knowing the culture of France. It was primarily influenced by the Celtic and Gallo-Roman cultures, which can be seen in the artworks and architecture across various regions in the country. Another unique thing about France is its traditional dress. It may vary from one region to another, but obvious patterns that can be seen in all of the traditional dresses include aprons with flower motifs, white bonnets, and lace-trimmed blouses.
6. Gourmet food (from USD 96.44)
If you think just from the top of your head something that France is famous for, food may be one of the first things that come to mind. France is a food paradise. While in France, the two things that you must completely forget are calories and diet. Indulge in a delightful French culinary journey by trying as many varieties of gourmet food as possible. Look at the image of the cake above, it looks delectable, right? That is a French opera cake, one of the most popular foods in the country. Other French foods that will please your body include mousse au chocolat, croissants, baguette sandwiches, and escargots.
Paris: Medieval Marais Sightseeing Tour & Local Food Tasting
Duration: 2.0 hour
7. Tour de France
When you turned on your TV, did you ever accidentally see a bicycle race where riders with their bikes competed with one another while cycling through scenic routes? That bicycle race is a sports event called Tour de France which is held annually and is one of the things associated with France. Primarily held in France the race is 21 days long and covers approximately 3,500 kilometers (2,200 miles) of routes.
8. Mont Blanc
Another famous thing in France is Mont Blanc. It undoubtedly makes the list of things that France is famous for. Mont Blanc, also known by its English name the White Mountain, is the highest mountain range in the Alps. It can be seen from the three nearby towns that are blessed enough to be surrounded by this classic beauty, namely Courmayeur in Italy, Saint-Gervais-Les-Bains in France, and Chamonix, which is also in France. Some outdoor activities you can do include climbing the mountain or skiing on the mountain. It takes around two days to get to the top of the mountain. For a truly memorable experience, however, it is best to ski or snowboard.
9. Fashion (from USD 100.0)
As Jean-Baptiste Colbert once claimed, “Fashion is to France what the gold mines of Peru are to Spain.” For the French, fashion is a commodity. It has famous cities that served as the world’s silk capital since the 17th century, and it has an important textile industry and strong fashion culture. The country’s major streets and districts hold houses of high fashion. Today, you can take a glimpse and a broader perspective of French fashion in a private, three-hour tour of the city’s most prestigious retail and design districts while learning the history of Parisian fashion. Get expert lessons about the hottest brands from a private guide with professional industry experience. Since this is a walking tour, you will have more time to admire handcrafted jewelry and explore local streets and find out where the locals shop.
Paris City of Fashion History Private Guided Walking Tour
Duration: 2 hours
10. Perfume (from USD 103.01)
France is one of the countries in the world that is well known for the perfume it produces. Some of the names in its perfume industry that became highly popular globally include Chanel, Christian Dior, Estée Lauder, Yves Saint Laurent, Guerlain, and Givenchy. In terms of international perfume sales, France takes the lead, garnering about 30% of the world market. Do you want to learn more about perfumes during your visit to France? In a Paris perfume walking tour, you will the chance to discover the history of world-famous French fragrance houses while being accompanied by a knowledgeable tour guide. You will also visit three iconic perfume shops where you’ll learn how the different fragrances are made. Within two hours, you will be led through Paris, and learn to describe the ingredients of eau de cologne, and the characteristics of different families of perfumes.
Paris 1h30-Hour Perfume Walking Tour
Duration: 2.0 hour
11. Pont des Arts
Regularly being featured in famous Hollywood films like The Bourne Identity, Amélie Poulain, The Truth About Charlie, The Lovers on the Bridge, and more, Pont des Arts or Passerelle des Arts maintains its long-standing reputation as one of the most iconic tourist spots in France. This lovely pedestrian bridge in Paris crosses the River Seine and is most famous for all the love locks placed on it by thousands of visitors over time as a symbol of their love. Sadly, the weight of the locks took its toll and became unbearable for the bridge and dangerous to pedestrians, that’s why all the locks were removed. However, the views from the bridge are still a sight to behold and well worth your visit.
12. Escargot
If you have watched films and TV shows featuring French fine cuisine, you might have come across a platter of shells in a bed of light sauce or vegetables. This dish is called escargot. Often served as an appetizer, escargot is a dish consisting of edible land snails, the meat of which is removed from its shell, cleaned, and cooked. Usually, it is paired with herb-infused butter to complement its smooth texture and woody flavor. The cooked snail meat can be served over pieces of baguette or can be placed back in its shell.
Escargots are such a popular delicacy in France to the point that there exists a line of eating utensils specially designed for consuming these snails. When eating escargot, you use a snail tong with one hand to hold the shell and extract the meat using a two-pronged fork with the other. French consume escargots because of their flavor and the satiety it brings.
13. Vintage wines (from USD 265.67)
It does not stop at gourmet and traditional food. Still related to something that will satisfy your appetite, the next thing France is famous for is its vintage wines. Depending on the year the grapes are harvested, French wines are classified into different categories. The older a wine is, the better it tastes. The best quality grapes can be found in vintage wines. Among the most loved and popular French vintage wines are red Bordeaux, dry white Bordeaux, and red burgundy.
From Beaune: Burgundy Day Trip with 12 Wine Tastings
Duration: 8.0 hour
14. Claud Monet (from USD 119.28)
Oscar-Claude Monet was a French painter most commonly known as the founder of French Impressionist painting. A revered painter, he was known for documenting the passing of time in the French countryside by painting the same scene many times over. During this experience, get a chance to visit Giverny, a village where Monet bought a house and property and began a vast landscaping project which included lily ponds that would later become the subjects of his best-known works. The five-hour tour of the artist’s garden will make you discover the inspiration behind his divine works. You will be able to take a stroll through the Flower Garden, see his famous water lilies in the Japanese Garden, learn more about his life and art, visit the modest grave where he is buried, and visit rooms where the artist lived with his family.
From Paris: Guided Day Trip to Monet's Garden in Giverny
Duration: 5.0 hour
15. The Louvre (from USD 71.0)
Lies on the right bank of the Seine is the biggest art museum in the world and one of the most popular historic monuments called The Louvre. Also known as the Louvre Museum, the museum displays some finest pieces of art from around the globe, which are divided into eight areas. The most notable masterpieces of this museum include the Vinos de Milo and the Mona Lisa.
Ultimate Louvre: Fast-Track Guided Tour With Ticket
Duration: 2 hour
16. French cheese (from USD 30.36)
What comes to your mind when you hear the word cheese? The word cheese itself is enough to make you drool. But do you know that French cheeses are the most delicious in the world? When in France, you should definitely buy some. Cheese is one of the most popular things in France, dating back to the 13th century. It is so popular that every region has its own typical cheeses. Throughout the country, you can find almost 1,000 types of cheese. These cheeses generally belong to three main categories: blue cheese, soft cheese, and pressed cheese. For blue cheese, you should look for Bleu des Causses and Bleu d'Auvergne. Brie and Camembert are the most popular cheeses that are labeled soft cheeses, whereas Cantal and Comte are the must-try ones from pressed cheeses.
Paris: Introductory French Cheese and Wine Tasting
Duration: 45 minute
17. The French Riviera (from USD 119.03)
Beach and nature lovers, you do not want to miss The French Riviera. The southeast coast is heaven on Earth as it boasts splendid, sandy beaches that cannot be found elsewhere in this world. Beautiful villages and towns stand side by side and you will always be stunned at the beautiful scenery presented to you at any time of the day. The French Riviera offers nothing but pure beauty and pure charm.
Best of the French Riviera Full-Day Tour from Nice
Duration: 9 hour
18. Napoleon Bonaparte (from USD 50.0)
One of the most prominent military leaders is French and his name is Napoleon Bonaparte. The statesman played a significant role during the French Revolution, which is why his name will forever be written in French history. And, did you know that throughout Paris, you can find over 200 places that are related to Napoleon and his soldiers, victories, or accomplishments? Avenue de la Grande Armee (for his army) and Avenue Marceau (during Napoleon’s wars the serving French General’s name was Francois Severin Marceau) are some examples.
Ajaccio E-Bike tour in the Footsteps of Napoleon Bonaparte
Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes
France is exceptional, France is a must visit!
Everything about France is exceptional. If you’re still wondering what is France famous for, then just discover this gorgeous country for yourself and you’ll know that there is nothing ordinary about it, be it the culture, cuisine, or places to visit. Visit France at least once in your lifetime and witness the everlasting beauty the country offers.
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