France is the third largest country in Europe. As per its shape, its territory resembles a hexagon, and that is why it is often referred to as “the Hexagon”.

In addition, several islands also belong to France. One of them is Corsica, the fourth largest island in the Mediterranean and the birth place of Napoleon Bonaparte.

The coastline of the hilly Bretagne peninsula is heavily indented by small coves and rocky promontories. The most expressive of them is the Saint-Malo bay, where the highest tides in Europe are observed (12-15 m). The first power station using the energy of high and low tides was built here.

The majestic Mont Saint-Michelle hill is a small rocky island in the Saint-Malo bay, connected with the mainland through a narrow sandy dike with length of 900 m. On the islands there is a monastery, built in 966, and a church on the top of the hill, which was erected in 11th c.
Picturesque is the northern “Emerald coast” of Normandy facing the La Manche strait. In 1994 the Euro channel was opened here, which runs under the strait bottom and provides a railway connection between France and England. The high-speed trains cover the distance between Paris and London for 3 hours.

Between Lake Geneva and the Maritime Alps are spread the beautiful French Alps, with sparkling snowy peaks, bare cliffs and big glaciers, lush Alpine pastures and venerable coniferous forests. Mont Blanc (4,810 m) – the highest peak in the Alps and second highest in Europe after Elbrus (5,642 m) in the Caucasus – rises at the Italian border.

Temperate climate predominates in France. There are a number of rivers that are deep and navigable throughout the year. The largest is the Rhone.

Agriculture forms approximately 10% of France’s national revenue. The lavender fields in Provence and at many other places are grown for the aromatic oil used in perfumery and cosmetics.
Sericulture is widely spread. Moreover, France is “Europe’s granary”. Traditional branches for France are viticulture and the production of wine and alcoholic drinks, which are named after the region where they are produced – Burgundy, Bordeaux, Champagne, etc.

France is a country with highly-developed infrastructure. Every year millions of tourists visit France, attracted by the numerous historical monuments natural landmarks and wonderful resorts, among which are the French Riviera and the modern centres for winter sports in the Alps.

Paris is the most visited capital in the world. It was founded in 307 BC on the island of Сите, situated between the two arms of the Seine. The biggest attraction in Paris and symbol of France is the Eiffel Tower, built between 1887 and 1889 of 7,300 t wrought iron. The magnificent view of Paris impresses everyone who dares to climb on the top of the 300-metre high Tower. No less famous are the Louvre, the Picasso museum, the cathedrals Sacre-Coeure and Notre Dame, Montmartre (the artists’ hill), the Versailles palace, to name but a few.

Also imposing is the building of the European parliament in Strasbourg (Northeastern France).