3. • WINES
• CHEESE
• FOOD
• MONUMENTS
• ART AND ART MONUMENTS
• PERFUME AND SKINCARE PRODUCTS
• FASHION
• LITERATURE
• CARS
• TOUR DE FRANCE
FAMOUS THINGS OF FRANCE
4. 1. Wines - Which country dominates a list
of 50 of the world’s most expensive
wines? France of course. Ask anyone
what France is most famous for and fine
wines will most likely be top of the list (or
at least close to it). There are vineyards
all over the country so wherever you
settle, you will find plenty of places to go
wine tasting. Among the best known
French wine regions are Champagne,
Bordeaux, Burgundy and the Loire Valley.
5. Did you know that just as there are professional wine
tasters, there are also professional cheese tasters? And just
like wines, every region has its own speciality cheeses.
From soft cheeses such as Brie, to goat’s cheeses, blue
cheeses and cheeses made from cow’s milk, there are well
over 350 cheeses in France. You will have plenty of chance
to sample the local produce and buy fresh local cheeses
from the market.
6. Traditional French culture places a high priority
on the enjoyment of food.
Ingredients and dishes vary by region .
There are many significant regional dishes that
have become both national regional.
Many dishes that were once regional, however,
have proliferated in different variations across the
country in present day.
Cheese and wine are also a major part of the
cuisine, playing different roles both regional and
nationally with their many variations.
7. • The Parisian landmark is the
tallest structure in Paris and
one of the most recognized
structures in the world and is
named after its designer,
engineer Gustave Eiffel. The
tower is the most visited paid
monument in the world.
Including the 24 m (79 ft)
antenna, the structure is 325
m (1,063 ft) high.
8. Paris is considered by many to be the art capital of the world
and artists past and present have come here to seek
inspiration. The impressionist movement originated from Paris
in the 19th century and this helped change the way art was
viewed, inspiring generations of artists. If you are moving to
France to settle here, some of the finest art galleries are based
in the capital and these are well worth a visit. They include the
Musee D’Orsay, the Pompidou Centre and of course the
Louvre, which is one of the biggest art museums in the world
and home to probably the most famous painting in the world,
the Mona Lisa.
9. France is well known for its perfume and skincare
products. Many big name brands such as PRECISION
(House of Chanel’s Skincare line), Clarins, and L’Oreal -
the world’s largest cosmetics and beauty company - are
based here. In fact one of L’Oreal’s main shareholders,
Liliane Bettencourt, is one of the richest women in the
world.
10. French Fashion
Since the 16th century, France
has been the fashion capital of
the world.
famous top designer
Chanel Christian Dior,
Hermes, Jean-Paul Gaultier,
Yves saint Laurent
Fashion week is held in late
January to reveal what is ‘in’
for the following spring and
summer months.
11. France has produced many big names in literature including Alexandre
Dumas who is one of the most widely read French authors worldwide.
Among his most famous books are The Three Musketeers and the Count
of Monte Cristo. Another world renowned French author is Victor Hugo,
who penned The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Les Miserables
12. Peugeot, Citroen and Renault are all French car makers. Citroen
was founded almost a century ago (in 1919) and was the first
company in Europe to make mass produced cars. The Peugeot
family came from Sochaux where there is now a large
manufacturing plant and museum. Renault was established in
1899 and has a major market in Europe. It is also known for its
successes in rallying and Formula 1 racing.
13. - A list of things France is best known for would not be
complete without a mention of the Tour de France.
The race was founded in 1903 and draws competitors
from all over the world. The 2012 race made history as
it was won for the first time ever by a British cyclist,
Bradley Wiggins.
