France is the largest country in Europe in terms of area (apart from Russia). It borders Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Monaco, Spain, Andorra, the North Sea, the Atlantic with the English Channel and the Mediterranean. With its countless attractions, France is one of the most popular travel destinations on theEuropean Continent, including the fact that a flight to France is often quite cheap).
The landscape of France is extremely rich: in the impressive mountains of the Pyrenees and Alps, the river valleys of the Rhône, Dordogne and Loire as well as on the coasts of the Atlantic and the Mediterranean (e.g. the Côte d’Azur) you will find many opportunities to spend your holiday in France to design. On a city trip in Paris you have to visit the world-famous sights such as the Louvre, the Champs-Élysées or the Eiffel Tower.
The Mediterranean is ideal for a beach holiday, the best known and most popular beaches can be found in St. Tropez, Cannes and Nice. Brittany, on the other hand, attracts holidaymakers who take it easy. This region is still relatively original and particularly suitable for a nature, hiking or family vacation. Overall, France is very popular with holidaymakers, this is of course also due to the fact that the international transport connections are very good, a flight to Paris, for example, is comparatively cheap.
France also includes overseas territories such as the Caribbean Martinique or La Reunion in the Indian Ocean. These islands are mainly visited by beach holidaymakers and water sports enthusiasts.
In France, environmental protection was a secondary issue for a very long time. But it was finally realized that in order to preserve the natural beauties of the landscapes, flora and fauna, it was necessary to protect them.
Today there are many nature reserves in France, not only in Europe, but also in the overseas departments that make up France.
A total of 9 national parks, 45 regional nature parks and numerous nature and biosphere reserves have been created in France so far. Further nature reserves are in the planning stage.
Collège de France
Collège de France [k ɔ lε ː ʒ də Frà ː s], a scientific institute in Paris with a faculty of (2017) 47 scholars from all disciplines. An appointment that does not require any academic degrees is considered the highest academic distinction. The Collège de France owes its origins to the appointment of readers by the king (“lecteurs royaux”), begun by Francis I. for Hebrew, Greek, Mathematics (1529). The range of subjects at the “Collège du Roi” has been constantly expanded; since 1669 the motto has been: “Docet omnia” (everything should be taught). The task of the Collège de France is free research without examination or regular teaching obligations; Self-government (Conseil d’administration) with powers over appointments and budget. It is not possible to hold a professorship at a university at the same time. Attending the courses is open to everyone.
Institut de France
Institut de France [ε sti ty də Frà ː s], since 1795, the highest body for science and art in France, seat: Paris. It replaced the associations for the care of language and literature (“poet academies”) and the sciences (scientific academies), which were dissolved under royal patronage in the 17th century, and was divided into three departments (“classes”). After various reorganizations, it comprises four academies since 1816 and five academies since 1832, revisiting the traditional name of the academy: The Académie française, founded in 1635 under Louis XIII. and Richelieu, has the task of observing the literature, purifying, defining and explaining the language. It publishes an authoritative dictionary of the French language (“Dictionnaire de l’Académie française”, 1694, 8 1932–35, 2 volumes, 9 1986 ff., Calculated on 2 volumes) and awards various literary prizes. Its 40 members are called “The Immortals”. The Académie des inscriptions et belles-lettres was founded in 1663 with the task of defining the inscriptions and key words for monumental buildings and honorary coins. She edits sources and inscriptions and inventories art monuments. The Académie des Sciences was founded in 1666 by J.-B. Colbertfounded; it promotes the natural sciences in eleven sections. Since 1918 it has also had members with special status in the field of applied sciences. From the class of artists and writers created in 1795, the Académie des beaux-arts emerged in 1816; it includes the sections painting, sculpture, architecture, graphics, music and the “free section” for art writers and critics, among others. The Académie des sciences morales et politiques, founded in 1795 as a class of the Institut de France and founded in 1832 as an academy, includes the five sections history and geography, philosophy, political science, law and economics.
Nice
Nice (French Nice), French seaside resort and, with 342,300 residents, largest city on the Côte d’Azur. The city, famous for its mild climate, charming location and festivals (carnival, flower festivals), is a center of tourism.
Lyon
Lyon [ lj ɔ̃ ], city in France, with 500 700 residents, located at the confluence of the Saône into the Rhone.
Lyon, an important trade fair and trade city, has been a center of silk production (today synthetic fiber production) since the 15th century; the textile museum is famous.
