This page is useful to anyone interested in the geography of France; whether you're planning a trip, or just curious.

In General...

France is the largest country in western Europe. It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the west and the Mediterranean Sea to the south-east. Many countries share a border with France as well. Among them are Belgium, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, and a few others. France is known for its diversity when it comes to geography. Not only does it have huge mountain ranges, such as the Alps and the Jura, but France's northern and western areas have rolling hills or are mostly flat. France's major rivers include the Seine, Loire, and Rhône.

The Cities...

Many people consider Paris to be the "capital of the world." Paris, one of the world's largest cities, is situated on Seine River, near the heart of France. Paris is known for its fashion, art, education, and famous landmarks. The Eiffel Tower, Cathedral of Notre Dame, Arc de Triomphe, and the Louvre-one of the largest art museums in the world, can all be found in Paris.

However, France has many other famous cities. Marseille is second in population to Paris. It is situated on the Mediterranean Coast and is known for its beaches. Marseille is a popular vacation spot for French families, and is a must for tourists!

Lyon has a beautiful setting near the French Alps. This is a great place to go during the winter months. It is near the River Rhône.

Bordeaux is located in Southern France and attracts tourists with its delightful and delicious wines.

Other popular cities include Strasbourg and Lille. These diverse cities have all given individually to strengthen the famous reputation of France!

France is divided up into many different regions such as Brittany, Normandy, Alsace, and Centre. There are many more regions, but these few are all well known. Normandy is divided up into the regions of Upper Normandy and Lower Normandy. These, along with Brittany, are located in the North of France. The city of Strasbourg is located in the region of Alsace, which borders West Germany. Centre, meaning "center", is located in the middle of France.

How about the Nature?

France is famous for its delicious seafood, usually served in appetizers. Some 750,000 tons of seafood are caught in France yearly. Fishing crews sometimes sail to Iceland or Newfoundland when they are not working in the waters off of Brittany or Normandy. Restaurants serve anything from monkfish to scallops. To learn more about French food, visit our French Food Page!