France is a country that effortlessly blends sophistication and quirk. It’s where elegance meets eccentricity, and where ancient traditions live on in the most unexpected ways. Whether you’re dreaming of sipping wine in a quiet Provencal village or marveling at the Mona Lisa in Paris, there’s no denying France knows how to charm. But beyond its famous landmarks and fine cuisine lies a treasure trove of fun, fascinating, and sometimes downright bizarre facts.
So, grab your croissant, settle in, and let’s explore 15 interesting things you probably didn’t know about France — the land of cheese, châteaux, and… posthumous marriage?
1. France Banned Supermarket Food Waste
Back in 2016, France became one of the first countries in the world to ban supermarkets from tossing edible food into the trash. Instead of destroying unsold goods, stores must donate them to food aid charities. Talk about setting a delicious example!
🇫🇷 Goal: Cut national food waste by 50% by 2025.
🇺🇸 Meanwhile in the U.S.: Over 50 million tons of edible food is wasted annually.
2. Cheese Heaven: 1,000+ Types
In France, cheese isn’t just food — it’s culture. With over 1,000 varieties, you could try a new one every day for nearly three years.
Favorites include Emmental, Camembert, and Raclette, but that’s just the beginning.
And if you’re a cheese-lover planning your next vacation, consider staying somewhere like this hotel all inclusive gruissan, where fine food and French hospitality go hand in hand.
3. Yes, You Can Marry a Dead Person
It sounds like something from Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride, but posthumous marriage is legal in France.
The law, dating back to 1803, allows living individuals to marry their deceased partners with presidential approval — provided there’s clear proof of the couple’s intent before death. Romantic or eerie? You decide.
4. France Gave Us the Hot Air Balloon
Before your next scenic balloon ride, thank the Montgolfier brothers.
On September 19, 1783, they launched the first-ever hot air balloon demonstration at Versailles, right in front of King Louis XVI. The rest is history — or rather, altitude.
5. Never Place a Baguette Upside Down
In France, bread is practically sacred. And superstition runs deep.
Placing a baguette upside down on the table is considered bad luck, a custom dating back to medieval times. Why? Bakers marked executioners’ bread by turning it upside down — and the ominous habit stuck.
6. Pigeons Still Serve in the French Army
While most armies now rely on high-tech communication, France still maintains a unit of carrier pigeons — the only one in Europe.
They’re housed at Mont Valérien, just outside Paris, and are kept for use in the event of a major emergency.
A low-tech Plan B, but a charmingly reliable one.
7. The Eiffel Tower Was Never Meant to Last
The Eiffel Tower, built for the 1889 World’s Fair, had a 20-year construction permit and was originally meant to be dismantled.
Luckily, designer Gustave Eiffel convinced authorities to keep it by pitching its value for meteorological and astronomical observations.
Today, it’s one of the world’s most iconic monuments.
8. The Louvre: The Most Visited Museum on Earth
Home to the Mona Lisa, the Louvre Museum in Paris sees around 9 million visitors a year.
It boasts the largest collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art in the world — and enough masterpieces to keep art lovers in awe for days.
Don’t forget, the Mona Lisa is displayed behind bulletproof glass — just in case.
9. The Oldest Human Ever Was French
Jeanne Calment holds the record for the longest verified human lifespan: 122 years.
Experts credit her longevity to three key things:
- Financial stability
- A vibrant social life
- She only smoked late in life (not recommended!)
Today, the average French lifespan is a respectable 82–83 years — but Jeanne clearly went above and beyond.
10. No Kissing on the Platform
A little-known but real French law bans kissing on train platforms.
Introduced in 1910 to prevent delays, it addressed the emotional goodbyes of WWI-bound soldiers and their families.
While it’s no longer enforced, the law technically still exists. So if you’re saying goodbye in France, keep the PDA brief — or at least off the tracks.
11. 35% of Radio Music Must Be in French
To protect local culture, French radio stations are required to play at least 35% French-language music.
Originally 40% when passed in 1994, the quota was reduced after stations complained they had to play the same few popular songs on repeat just to meet the requirement.
12. Napoleon’s $6.6 Million Saber
One of France’s most famous weapons — Napoleon Bonaparte’s gold-encrusted saber — sold at auction for a whopping $6.6 million USD.
He used it during the Battle of Marengo in 1800, and in 1978, it was declared a national treasure.
13. France Invented the Department Store
The world’s first modern department store was opened in Paris in 1852 by Aristide and Marguerite Boucicaut.
Their store, Le Bon Marché, transformed retail with fixed pricing, home delivery, and even employee profit-sharing. It’s still operating today — and still fabulously French.
14. BIC Made Pens Popular
We all know the classic BIC® pen, but did you know it’s a French invention?
Marcel Bich believed in the future of ballpoint pens and launched his version in post-war France.
By 2005, BIC had sold over 100 billion pens globally. Affordable, durable, and now part of everyday life.
15. France Has Over 40,000 Châteaux
Want to visit a castle a day? France’s your place. With around 40,000 châteaux, ranging from medieval fortresses to Renaissance manors, it’s a history lover’s dream.
Highlights include the Loire Valley castles and the extravagant Palace of Versailles.
