Motto: Liberté, égalité, fraternité (Liberty, Equality, Fraternity)

Capital : ParisOfficial languages : French

Area Total : 674,843 km2 Population Total : 65,350,00

France

France is the largest country in Western Europe and the third-largest in Europe as a whole. It possesses the second-largest exclusive economic zone in the world. France has been a major power with strong cultural, economic, military, and political influence in Europe and around the world.France has its main ideals expressed in the 18th-century Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. From the 17th to the early 20th century, France built the second-largest colonial empire of the time, ruling large portions of first North America and India and then Northwest and Central Africa; Madagascar; Indochina and southeast China; and many Caribbean and Pacific Islands.

France is a developed country, possessing the world's fifth-largest and Europe's second-largest economy by nominal GDP. It is also the world's ninth-largest by GDP at purchasing power parity.France is the wealthiest nation in Europe – and the fourth-wealthiest in the world – in aggregate household wealth. French citizens enjoy a high standard of living, high public education level, and one of the world's longest life expectancies.France has been listed as the world's "best overall health care" provider by the World Health Organization.It is the most-visited country in the world, receiving 79.5 million foreign tourists annually.

Paris

Located in northern France, in the middle of the Île-de-France, Paris is the most elegant capital of the world. Paris is the most visited city in the world, annually attracting over 45 million tourists from around the world. Paris is divided into 20 districts, which are arranged in a spiral, starting from the city center. Paris is the most populated metropolitan area in Europe, reaching over 12 million people. In Paris the headquarters of many international organizations including: UNESCO, International Chamber of Commerce, the International Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.

Louvre Museum

("Musée du Louvre") in Paris is one of the largest museums in the world, the most visited art museum in the world and an important historical monument. Located in central Paris, in a historic building, a former royal palace (Louvre Palace), the Louvre Museum attracts over 8 million tourists annually. The most famous pieces from the Louvre Museum are housed: Mona Lisa (La Gioconda) by Leonardo da Vinci, Venus de Milo, the Code of Hammurabi and "Liberty leading the People" by Eugène Delacroix. Main access point is the famous pyramid in the Louvre museum - a huge modern glass and metal pyramid, built in the middle of the main court (Court Napoleon) and surrounded by three smaller pyramids - Pyramid which has become a symbol of Paris.

Notre-Dame

Notre-Dame de Rouen Notre began in 1200, was rebuilt after a fire, for this process to be repeated a little later in the XV and XVI centuries. Today, Notre-Dame is a landmark checked the map. It is a Roman Catholic cathedral, built in Gothic style and situated in the eastern half of the island's natural "Ile de la Cite" on the Seine, in the 4th arrondissement of Paris. A look at the west entrance and you will be overwhelmed by the sight of the two towers. A sculpture by Richard the Lionheart in 1199, the tower on the left, is a reminder of the history of how close they were England and France in the Middle Ages. Facade may look familiar, even if you have not been there since Claude Monet used a series of 28 paintings to show the different effects of light at different times of the day.

Castle of Versailles

Versailles is one of the largest and most opulent castles in the world. With over 2,100 windows, 1,250 fireplaces, and 67 staircases, Versailles castle is one of the most visited tourist attractions in France. Is a perfect example of French art of the 18th century, this historic building is on the UNESCO World Heritage list for more than 30 years.Castle was the official residence until 1789, and has since been regarded as an unofficial residence. Known as the "Cradle of Liberty" was Versailles and Paris where the population has expressed dissatisfaction with King Louis the 14th century, forcing the royal family to leave behind her life of decadence and move in real capital France, Paris.

Montmartre

Officially designated a historic district Monmartre is one of the most colorful neighborhoods in Paris so not surprising that this area is extremely popular among tourists.

As the historic, very little modernization and development projects are allowed in Montmartre so fortunately has retained much of the charm and character of the village. A simple walk around the neighborhood can be reached but if you want to enjoy a cultural visit, you can go to Montmartre Museum, where the artist Maurice Utrillo lived and painted once. Behind the museum there is a house that was once occupied by Renoir.

A simple visit to Montmartre Cemetery can be revealing in terms of the large number of artists who lived here. Montmartre still has a rich nightlife and so many tourists choose to come to dinner and a show at the Moulin Rouge or one of the other nightclubs in the area.

To reach the top of Montmartre hill, visitors can use the funicular that goes up to the Sacre Coeur Basilica. There is a special bus called Montmartre bus station which is near the most notable attractions in the area.

Certainly foremost tourist attraction is the Basilica Sacre Coeur in Montmartre which was built between 1876 and 1912. White dome of the Roman Catholic basilica is located on the highest point of the city, Montmartre hill and the church is visited by millions of tourists every year as a symbol of Paris.

Place Stanislas (Nancy, Lorraine)

Bazilica Sacré-Cœur

Pure Basilica Hearts", which is at the top of Montmartre hill well known, was built in contibutiile Catholics gathered in Paris, in memory of victims of the Franco-Prussian War 1870-1871. Construction began in 1873, but only basilica was consecrated in 1919.  If you climb the 234 steps to the dome of the basilica you can admire a beautiful view of Paris.

This is France! A country worth visiting!

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