Are you wondering what France is famous for? You’ve come to the right place!
As a French person myself, I can assure you that I know all things French and there are a lot of them!
France is famous for many things, including for being home to some of the most iconic landmarks in the world but that’s not all!
Food, art, actors… there are a lot of things associated with France and we shall discover them all today!
In this article, we compiled all the things France is famous for. So, are you ready to discover them all? Let’s get started!
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Table of Contents
French Cuisine
Let’s start with an obvious one: French Food!
The French are known for their amazing cuisine, it’s fact!
So, what makes our country so great when it comes to cooking? The answer is simple: centuries of tradition and a deep love for good food.
Traditional dishes have been passed down from generation to generation throughout France’s history which help us understand why they remain authentic today.
The French love food and everything that goes with it. Eating in France is not just a necessity, it’s an art!
In addition, many different regions produce distinctive flavours as each region has its own speciality whether it be seafood or cheese.
What more can you ask for? A fantastic meal at every corner of the street!
The list of famous French dishes is endless and we will get into more details further down below but here are a few examples of French food you must try:
- Beef Bourguignon
- Onion Soup
- Soufflé
- Macarons
- Cassoulet
- Choux
France also boasted some of the best chefs in the world including Paul Bocuse and Joël Robuchon.
The Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower is one of the most famous landmarks in the world and that’s definitely the most iconic French landmark of all time.
Located in Paris, the Eiffel Tower was built by Gustave Eiffel for the 1889 World’s Fair.
Funnily enough, it wasn’t meant to stay. It was supposed to be dismantled after the fair but in the end, it was decided otherwise and that’s something we can all be thankful for.
After all, what would be Paris without it?
It’s also important to note that it is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The tower is 324 metres high (1,063 feet) and it has three levels. Visitors can go up to the second one but if you really want to go to the 3rd floor, you can book a table at the fantastic Michelin-starred restaurant there.
It’s also one of the most visited tourist attractions in the world, with around 7 million visitors each year.
The Eiffel Tower is an amazing piece of architecture and it’s incredibly famous and unique.
For this reason, it’s been featured in many movies and TV shows including Emily in Paris.
How to visit: You can buy your tickets on-site however the queue can be insanely long so to save some time (and hassle), make sure to book online and in advance.
French Cheese
As we all know, France is famous for its cheese. In fact, former President Charles De Gaulle famously said “How can you govern a country which has 246 varieties of cheese?”.
That gives you an idea of what to expect!
Cheese has been a pillar of French cuisine for centuries and you will find loads of it. Many recipes include cheese but what the French like the most is to eat it with a delicious piece of bread.
Traditional French meals always include a cheese platter before dessert. That’s an option you will also find in most restaurants.
It’s important to note though that each region has its own specialities. You won’t find the same cheeses everywhere in France.
Some places such as Auvergne are known for their blue and cow-milk cheese while overs like the Pyrenees use ewe milk more.
Goat cheese is also big in France.
Pro tip: If you visit Rocamadour, which is one of the most beautiful villages in South West France, you’ll find delicious goat cheeses named cabécou.
Some of the most famous French cheeses include Camembert, Brie, Roquefort and Reblochon.
You might also have heard of famous French dishes made with cheese such as Fondue Savoyarde, raclette or tartiflette.
French Fashion Designers
France is famous for its fashion designers.
Paris is one of the fashion capitals of the world and home to many fashion houses (maisons de couture).
Amongst them, you’ll find Chanel, Jean-Paul Gauthier, Dior, Yves Saint-Laurent, Lacroix and many more!
So, what makes French fashion so special and why are they so famous? Well, there are a few reasons.
Firstly, France has a long history with fashion. French Kings and Queens were particularly known for their extravagant style and love of clothing.
Louis XIV (known as the Sun King) definitely started the movement but it’s Marie Antoinette who later became what could be considered as one of the first fashion icons.
French fashion has been known for its elegance and sophistication for centuries.
Secondly, French designers often use high-quality materials in their designs. They also have a unique sense of style that is often copied by other designers.
Finally, French people love Fashion. They absolutely adore everything that has to do with clothing. They want to look their best while still staying au naturel.
French Riviera
France is the most popular tourist destination in the world and while most people head to Paris first, there is another place that France is particularly known for: la côte d’Azur (French Riviera)
Located on the Mediterranean coast, it’s known for its beautiful beaches, luxury hotels and restaurants, and glamorous nightlife.
Some of the best places to visit on the French Riviera include Cannes, Nice, Monaco, Fréjus, St Tropez and Antibes.
While the French Riviera is stunning, it is also quite an expensive place to visit hence being so popular with movie stars and other millionaires.
Finally, another thing that truly put this bit of coast on the map is the Festival de Cannes which is one of the largest and most famous movie festivals in the world!
Le Louvre
Located in Paris, The Louvre Museum is one of the most famous museums in the world.
It used to be a royal palace (hence why it’s so pretty) but once Louis XIV moved the residence of the French kings to Versailles, it started to become a place where the royal collections would be displayed.
It officially became a museum in 1793 and it’s now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Louvre Museum is famous for its art collection, which is the largest in the world. The museum has a total of around 380,000 works of art, including paintings, sculptures, drawings and prints.
Some of the best pieces of art to see in the Louvre Museum include the Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo and the Winged Victory of Samothrace.
Pro tip: if you are interested in learning more about French history, don’t forget to check out the ‘Liberty leading the People’ by Eugène Delacroix. While this painting is not as popular amongst international tourists, it is actually one of the most famous and iconic French paintings.
How to visit: Le Louvre is open every day except Tuesdays. You will need an entrance ticket to visit.
It’s better to book your ticket online since the queue can be insanely long.
Please note that this is a huge museum and even one day won’t be enough to see it all so it’s better to be prepared and have a good idea of what you want to see.
Alternatively, you can join a guided tour. Prices here.
Wine
Ah, French wine… if there is one thing that France is famous for, that’s probably it!
France is considered to be one of the best wine-producing countries in the world.
The French wine industry dates back to the 6th century BC so needless to say there is a lot of knowledge here.
You will find hundreds of different types of wine here including white, red, rosé and the famous Champagne.
Fun fact: Did you know that only Champagne produced in the French region of Champagne can be named as such?
If you are visiting France soon and would like to do some wine tastings, you will be for a treat.
Some of the best French wine regions to visit include Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne, Loire Valley and Provence.
Crêpes
Who says France, saying crêpes! These are the ultimate treat here.
But what are they? Crêpes are basically a thin version of a pancake. Although a lot of people would compare them to American pancakes, they are actually very different. They are much thinner, airier and lighter.
They are usually made from wheat flour, milk and eggs and can be either sweet or savoury.
The best way to eat them is with Nutella, jam or sugar and lemon juice (this is called a crêpe Suzette).
In Normandy, savoury crepes are very popular. The most famous one is the galette complète which is made with a savoury crêpe, cheese, ham and an egg.
French people make crêpes at home very often, especially for the kids but you will also find loads of restaurants that specialise in crêpes dishes. They are called crêperies.
Versailles Palace
The Palace of Versailles is a royal palace located in the town of Versailles, west of Paris.
It was originally built by Louis XIII in 1623 as a hunting lodge but it was later expanded by his son, Louis XIV, into one of the largest palaces in the world.
The Palace of Versailles is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most popular tourist destinations in France.
The palace is famous for its beautiful gardens, grandiose architecture and impressive art collection.
Some of the best rooms to see in the Palace of Versailles include the Hall of Mirrors, the King’s Bedchamber and Marie Antoinette’s Bedroom.
How to visit: The Palace of Versailles is open every day except Mondays. You will need an entrance ticket to visit. This can be booked online here.
Baguettes
What list of famous things in France would be complete without baguettes?
Baguettes are a type of bread that is iconic in France. They are usually long and thin and have a crispy crust and soft interior.
They are most commonly eaten as ‘tartines’ which butter and jam, to accompany food, which cheese or as a sandwich.
Baguettes are a staple in French cuisine and can be found in every bakery. They usually cost €1 to €1.50.
French Cars
France is one of the leading countries in automobile manufacturing.
Many French car manufacturers are pretty well known including Citroën, Peugeot and Renault.
French cars are known for their unique style and some of them are particularly iconic.
Here are some models that you should know: DS, 208, 2CV, 4L, Clio, Twingo…
Want to know more about French cars? Watch the episode 4 of the 4th season of Grand Tour on Amazon Prime. You’ll get to see Richard Hammond, Jeremy Clarkson and James May explaining everything you need to know about French cars and the French behaviour towards their cars.
French Singers & Musicians
While we all mostly listen to music in English, French music has also a lot to be known for.
People in France mainly listen to music in French. This is mainly due to the fact that radio stations in France must play at least 60% of songs in French.
Also, let’s be honest, who doesn’t like to understand the lyrics?
That having been said, some singers in France made it big time internationally as well.
Some of the most iconic French singers and musicians include Edith Piaf, Serge Gainsbourg, Dalida and Charles Aznavour.
Some more pop icons are Johnny Hallyday (the Elvis Presley of France), Mireille Mathieu and Claude François (known as the French Beatles).
French music is very diverse and covers a range of genres from chanson, pop, rock and rap.
More recently, people such as Daft Punk, Phoenix or David Guetta also got very famous internationally.
Cannes Film Festival
The Cannes Film Festival is an annual film festival that takes place in Cannes, on the French Riviera.
It is one of the most prestigious and famous film festivals in the world and is held every year in May.
The festival is attended by celebrities, filmmakers and journalists from around the world.
Some of the most famous films to have premiered at the Cannes Film Festival include Shrek and Pulp Fiction.
The highest prize awarded is called a ‘Palme d’or’.
French Authors
Did you know that France is the country that won the most Nobel Prizes for literature? Then that gives an idea of how important French literature is.
Many famous authors come from France and wrote their masterpieces in the French language.
Here are some examples:
- Victor Hugo is known for his novels such as Les Misérables and The Hunchback of Notre Dame.
- Alexandre Dumas is best known for his historical novels such as The Three Musketeers and The Count of Monte Cristo.
- Émile Zola is famous for his naturalist novels such as Nana, Germinal and Thérèse Raquin.
- Jules Verne was an adventure novelist who wrote about topics such as science fiction or the future in books like 20 000 Leagues under the Sea or Around the World in Eighty Days.
Croissants
Let’s go back for food for a moment. I know I already mentioned loads of dishes and treats but this is another important one: the croissant!
Croissants are a type of viennoiserie in the shape of a crescent. It’s very flaky and buttery and basically the ultimate pastry here in France.
They can be found in bakeries and cafes all over the country.
Croissants are often served with coffee or chocolate as a breakfast item. They can also be used as an ingredient in other dishes such as croissants au jambon (with ham).
Fun fact: Croissants may be associated with France but it’s important to note that they actually come from Austria and were brought to France by Marie Antoinette (who was Austrian and married King Louis XVI of France). This is also why we call this type of pastry viennoiserie. Because they originated in Vienna.
Moulin Rouge
The Moulin Rouge is a world-famous cabaret in Paris. It is located on the Boulevard de Clichy in the 18th arrondissement. The Moulin Rouge was founded in 1889 and is considered to be the first modern cabaret.
The Moulin Rouge is famous for its risqué shows and the French can-can.
The cabaret has been featured in numerous films, including Baz Luhrmann’s 2001 film Moulin Rouge!
The Moulin Rouge is a tourist attraction and receives over one million visitors each year.
How to visit: The best way to experience the Moulin Rouge is simply to go see a show.
Please note that this is not the cheapest activity in Paris however, it’s well worth the money.
Make sure to book in advance as they can sell out pretty quickly and it’s unlikely you’ll get a last-minute ticket.
There are two types of tickets you can get: show ticket only or dinner show. Prices are available here.
Disneyland Paris
Disneyland Paris is the most famous amusement park in France. It is located in Marne-la-Vallée, which is about an hour from Paris city centre.
The park opened in 1992 and is the second Disney park to open outside the United States, after Tokyo Disneyland. It was originally called Euro Disney Resort and is the most visited theme park in Europe.
Disneyland Paris is made of two parks, Disneyland and Walt Disney Studios.
Disneyland is pretty much the equivalent of Magic Kingdom in Orlando while Walt Disney Studios is similar to Hollywood Studios.
Here are some of the best rides:
- Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for Buccaneer Gold
- Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril
- Space Mountain
- Ratatouille : L’Aventure Totalement Toquée de Rémy
How to visit: You will need to book your ticket online to visit Disneyland. If you choose to stay in one of the Disney resorts, you will get early access so it’s always worth considering.
Here are a couple of tips to enjoy your time at Disney:
- Spend one day per park. You can get a ticket that will give you access to both parks in the same day but honestly, it’s not worth it. They are too big to be both covered in one day so it’s best to do 1 day, 1 park.
- If you are travelling by train, you’ll be happy to know that there is a TGV station right at the entrance of Disney so you can get to ticket to Disney directly and won’t have to change in Paris.
French Painters
Another thing France is well known for is art.
Not only are a lot of famous artist French but you will also find many museums, home to some of the most fantastic pieces of art in the world.
The country has produced some of the world’s most famous painters, such as Claude Monet, Henri Matisse and Auguste Renoir.
Claude Monet is perhaps one of the most well-known French painters. He was a founder of the Impressionist movement and is known for his paintings of nature, particularly water lilies.
Travel tip: If you are interested in learning more about Monet while travelling to Paris, make sure to visit the Marmottan Monet Museum. You’ll find the largest collection of Monet paintings in the world here.
Fun fact: Vincent van Gogh painted Starry Night while staying in an asylum in the south of France. The painting itself is at the Museum of Modern Art in New York however, if you’d like to see the real-life landscape, you can head to Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. That’s where Van Gogh was when he painted it.
The Alps
We’ve talked about history, art and food but there is another thing France is particularly well known for mountains and winter sports!
The Alps are the highest mountain range in Europe and part of it is located in France.
More importantly, it’s home to the most famous European mountain: the Mont Blanc (4,809 metres tall).
You will also find some of Europe’s best ski resorts in the Alps. If you are into skiing and snowboarding, you’ll be in for a treat.
Chamonix, Les Deux Alpes, l’Alpe D’Huez and Les Arcs are particularly famous.
The Alps are also a great destination in summer as there are plenty of hiking trails and lakes to enjoy.
Fun Fact: France has hosted the Winter Olympics three times! It was in Chamonix, Grenoble and Albertville.
French Actors and Actresses
As previously mentioned, French cinema is quite a big industry and there are loads of actors and actresses who became very famous internationally (and yes, we have a few James Bond girls here!)
Here are some examples of famous French actresses:
- Audrey Tautou who had the lead role in “Amelie”
- Marion Cotillard who is both “La Vie en Rose”, and more recently, in the 2012 Oscar-winning film, “Rust & Bone”.
- Léa Seydoux who was Bond girl Madeleine Swann in the 2021 James Bond No Time To Die
Famous French actors include:
- Gerard Depardieu, who is a well-known French actor. You might have seen him in Green Card, Cyrano de Bergerac, 102 Dalmatians or in the Netflix TV show Marseille.
- Alain Delon , who is a French actor and singer. You might have seen him in The Leopard, Rocco and His Brothers, The Yellow Rolls-Royce or Purple Noon
- Jean Reno, who you will probably recognise from his roles in Ronin, Godzilla, Léon or Mission: Impossible.
French Revolution
The French Revolution is one of the most important events in the history of the world.
It started in 1789 and had a major impact on France and the rest of Europe. It completely changed the way people saw politics and who their leader should be.
Here is a quick summary of what happened:
- Storming of the Bastille: This was one of the first major events to happen in July 1789. It marked the start of a revolution and led to an uprising against prison conditions. The 14th of July is now known as Bastille day and is the national day of France.
- The end of the French monarchy: The King Louis XVI was overthrown and executed (so was Marie Antoinette).
- France becomes a Republic: A new glag, currency and anthem were created. France became a democratic country where all men had equal rights.
There are many books and TV series that depict this period of time.
French Open (Roland Garros)
Let’s talk about sport for a minute since we are also known for our annual tennis tournament in Paris: Roland Garros.
It’s one of the four Grand Slam tournaments, alongside Wimbledon, the Australian and US Opens.
What makes it unique? It’s played on clay and not grass!
This is one of the reasons why Rafael Nadal won it 13 times. This is a record for any Tennis player (female or male) but as you may know, Nadal is known to master clay surfaces.
Thanks for following our series on what makes France so special – be sure to check out some of our other posts about this amazing country!