On the days of official arrival (July 17) and departure (on the afternoon of July 24 or July 25), delegations will be picked up from and to all the official hubs :
At the last census on January 1, 2021, the French population stood at 67.7 million.
France's official language is French.
Paris is the capital of France at the heart of region "Île-de-France". It is crossed by a river: the Seine. It covers an area of 105 km² and had a population of 2.16 million on January 1, 2019.
Near Paris are forests and castles, including the famous Château de Versailles.
The population of the Île-de-France region is 12.2 million, making it a world center for art, culture, gastronomy and luxury. The city is famous for its monuments (Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral, Arc de Triomphe de l'Etoile, etc.), museums (Louvre, Orsay, etc.), gardens and numerous outdoor cafés.
France's climate is temperate overall, with four distinct seasons. However, there are four slightly different climatic zones :
- the oceanic zone along the Atlantic coast
- the Mediterranean zone along the Mediterranean Sea
- the continental zone in central and eastern France
- the mountain zone in the Massif Central, the Pyrenees and the Alps
The French flag consists of three vertical stripes with the national colors, blue, white and red (blue and red are the colors of the city of Paris and white used to be the color of the king).
The national motto is "Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité" (Liberty, Equality, Fraternity).
In France, culture is known for its diversity and richness, with each region contributing its own particularities. Literature, philosophy, gastronomy, fine art and haute-couture from all over the world have been or are still influenced by what is done in France.
Since the law on the separation of Church and State of December 9, 1905, "The Republic guarantees freedom of conscience. It guarantees the free exercise of worship, subject only to the restrictions hereinafter laid down in the interests of public order".
France is a secular republic.
Paris is not only France's capital, but also its most populated city.
The largest cities aside Paris include Lyon, Marseille, Lille, Toulouse, Nice and Bordeaux.
Time in mainland France is UTC+1 in winter (Central European Standard Time, HNEC) and UTC +2 in summer (Central European Daylight Time, HAEC).
The area code for metropolitan France is +33
From France, 00 is the prefix for international calls.
The euro has been France's currency since January 1, 2002.
In 2024, the euro is the common currency of the twenty member states of the European Union that make up the euro zone.
In France, electricity is 220 volts, 50 Hertz alternating current.
Sockets are type E, F and C.
Tap water in France is highly controlled and good for your health.
