10 interesting facts about France
(Baonghean.vn) - France is famous for its long-standing culture and unique culinary art. But that's not all; France also has many other interesting things about its people, habits, and customs. Let's explore this special culture.
1. The largest country in Western Europe
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| With a total area of 551,000 km².2Occupying one-fifth of the total area of the European Union (EU), France is the largest country in Western Europe. On a map, its territory resembles a hexagon, hence France is also known as "l'Hexagone". |
2. The king only reigned for 20 minutes.
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| Louis XIX was the King of France who reigned for only a brief 20 minutes. He ascended the throne in July 1830 and abdicated after just 20 minutes, transferring ultimate power to his nephew, the Duke of Bordeaux. |
3. Mobile phone cameras were invented in France.
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| Smartphone photography was invented in France by Philippe Khan in 1997, and since then it has been developed and become extremely popular. Many smartphones can give us photos as sharp as those taken with a camera. |
4. Marrying a deceased person.
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| According to French law, you can marry a deceased person. The necessary and sufficient conditions for this special case include: proving that the deceased intended to marry you while alive, and obtaining the approval of the French President. |
5. French used to be an official language of England.
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| From 1066 to 1362, French was the official language of England. However, in reality, only the English aristocracy spoke French, while the majority of the population continued to use English as a common language. |
6. Uneaten food must not be disposed of.
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| France was the first country in the world to ban supermarkets from throwing away or destroying unsold food. Starting in February 2016, stores were required to donate surplus food to food banks or charities. |
7. Kissing is prohibited at train stations.
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| In 1910, France enacted a law prohibiting kissing at train stations to prevent delays and cancellations of trains. |
8. Snails - A favorite dish
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| Snails are a favorite dish in France, with consumption reaching approximately 30,000 tons annually. Snail eggs are considered a luxury food, costing around $100 for just 50g. However, in 2015, only 100 snail farms were officially registered in France. Therefore, if you have the opportunity to enjoy snail dishes in France, it's highly likely that the ingredients were harvested from the wild. |
9. The world's first animal cemetery.
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| In 1899, after the French government enacted a law prohibiting the indiscriminate burial and disposal of animal carcasses, journalist Marguerite Durant and lawyer Georges Harmois decided to establish a separate burial ground for animals. This final resting place for dogs, cats, lions, and other animals in the beautiful suburbs of Paris became the world's first animal cemetery. |
10. France has the highest mountain in Europe.
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| At 4,810 meters high, Mont Blanc (part of the Alps) in France is considered the "roof of Europe." Reaching the summit requires a challenging 10 to 12-hour trek for adventurous tourists. For those who prefer a more leisurely experience, a 20-minute ride on Europe's highest cable car, which runs directly to the Aiguille du Midi peak within the same mountain range, offers a more relaxed experience. |
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