France
French Republic
People: French
France is the world's most-visited country, famed for Paris, its cuisine, wine regions and landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower. France is located in Western Europe and has a population of around 66.4 million. Its capital city is Paris, and the most widely spoken official language is French.
By the numbers, France is the 22nd most populous of the 196 countries covered on this site, home to 0.83% of the world's population. By land area it ranks 48th out of 196, with a population density of roughly 122 people per km².
Facts last checked 31 August 2026.
France — key facts at a glance
| Official Name | French Republic |
|---|---|
| Capital City | Paris |
| Continent | Europe |
| Region | Western Europe |
| Population | 66,351,959 |
| Area | 543,908 km² |
| Currency | Euro (EUR) € |
| Official Language | French |
| Dialling Code | +33 |
| Internet TLD | .fr |
| Timezones | UTC-10:00, UTC-09:30, UTC-09:00, UTC-08:00, UTC-04:00, UTC-03:00, UTC+01:00, UTC+02:00, UTC+03:00, UTC+04:00, UTC+05:00, UTC+10:00, UTC+11:00, UTC+12:00 |
| Drives on the | Right side |
| Emergency Number | 112 |
| ISO Code | FR / FRA |
| Borders | Andorra, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Monaco, Spain, Switzerland |
Travelling to France?
Before you fly, run through a free packing checklist for France. Pack a universal travel adapter for your devices. You can also check clothing and shoe sizes in France before you shop, and look up popular foods from France if you want to know what's on the menu.
Leaving your car at a UK airport? Compare off-airport parking with Airparks before you fly to France. US: Want to learn a few phrases before you go? Try a 1-on-1 lesson with a real teacher on italki.
Getting to and around France
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Planning a trip to France?
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Frequently Asked Questions about France
What is the capital and currency of France?
The capital of France is Paris and the currency is the Euro (EUR), symbol €.
What is the capital of France?
The capital of France is Paris.
What currency does France use?
France uses the Euro (EUR, symbol: €).
What language do they speak in France?
The official language of France is French.
What is the dialling code for France?
The international dialling code for France is +33.
What side of the road does France drive on?
France drives on the right-hand side of the road.
Countries bordering France
Andorra
Belgium
Germany
Italy
Luxembourg
Monaco
Spain
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