State on the border of France and Spain. Who borders France on the European continent. Restaurants and cafes

If you are lucky and you lived in Paris in your youth, then wherever you are later, he will remain with you until the end of your days, because Paris is a holiday that is always with you.
Ernest Hemingway

France is a piquant, refined and romantic country of lovers, a country that never ceases to attract and delight us. Anyone who has visited this country at least once, got in touch with its culture, felt the breath of time and history, plunged into French carelessness and “savoir vivre”, will come back here again and again, discovering something new each time.

France- a country where you can enjoy the amazing natural landscapes, the fruits of the historical past and rich cultural heritage, the best wines and cuisine in numerous restaurants, bars and cafes.

Geographic location of France

France (French Republic, Republique Française) is located in the western part of Europe, belongs to the Western European states and ranks first among the Western European countries in terms of area. total area countries 551,500 km 2 (land area - 545,630 km 2). France owns the island Corsica V mediterranean sea.

The territory of the country is almost a regular hexagon. Even ancient historians and geographers noted an unusually convenient geographical position France. Strabo wrote that "providence itself erected mountains, brought the seas closer, laid the channels of the rivers in order to create here the most flourishing place on earth."

From UK France separated by a narrow strait pas de calais. France in the south it borders with Spain (the length of the border is 623 km) and Andorra (60 km), in the southeast with Monaco(4.4 km), in the northeast with Belgium (620 km) and Luxembourg(73 km), in the east with Switzerland (573 km) and Italy (488 km), with Germany (451 km) - in the east and northeast.

Western and northern regions France- plains ( paris basin etc.) and low mountains; in the center and in the east - medium-altitude mountains ( Central French Massif, Vosges, Yura). In the South-West - Pyrenees, in the southeast - Alps(highest point France And Western Europe - mountain Mont Blanc, 4807 m).

Climate

Climate France temperate maritime, in the east transitional to continental, in the Mediterranean - subtropical. Summers are quite hot (in July-August from +20°С to +25°С), winters are mild (in January from 0 to +3°С) and rather damp, although it rarely snows. Best time to visit Paris- May and September-October, Riviera- September. Mountainous areas have their own microclimate inherent in regions of altitudinal zonation.

On Corsica long and hot summer - from May to October + 21-27 ° С. Winters are quite cold (from +6 to 14°C in the valleys and down to -6°C in the mountains), snow lies on the mountain slopes until June. The influence of the winds is very great, each of which has its own name - "libecchio", "mistral" (northern and western), "sirocco" (southwest), "levante" (east), "grecale" (northeast) and "tramontane" (northern) and in its own way affects the weather. Best months to rest on Corsica- May-June and September-October.

Population of France

France predominantly French. However, due to the strong flow of migration, ethnic composition country has changed significantly. The country is home to many Portuguese, Italians, Spaniards, Moroccans, Turks, Algerians, people from other African countries. The vast majority of the population (more than 80%) professes Catholicism. Official language- French, which is spoken by most of the population. French is spoken by the population of many countries Africa, Haiti, french guiana. English is also used (widely only in paris), if you speak English in the suburbs or in the outback, you may not be understood.

Features of France

Major centers of tourism: is the capital of the country - Paris, with its many museums and monuments; valley Loire where magnificent medieval castles and palaces ( Blois, Cheverny, Chambord, Chaumont-sur-Loire, Amboise, Chenonceau, Langeais, Azay-le-Rideau, Villandry, Usse, Valençais, Chinon And Angers); Cote d'Azur with his worldwide famous resorts (Cannes, Nice and etc.); Alpine and Pyrenean mountain and ski resorts; island Corsica with his warm sea and almost untouched landscapes; the Basque country with its original culture and Atlantic resorts ( Biarritz and etc.); regions Normandy, Brittany, Burgundy, Languedoc, Provence and picturesque valley Rhone. Of particular interest for tourism and recreation are also balneological resorts based on medicinal mineral waters, which are especially abundant in the southern and central parts of the country.

Paris- the capital of France, since the X century. ad. Along with the suburbs Versailles, Saint Denis, Ivry etc.) forms " Greater Paris". There is hardly a person in the world who would not like to visit Louvre And Versailles; climb on Eiffel Tower, wander through the halls of the station d'Orsay and center Pompidou. Nothing compares to the French capital! A special spirit dominates here, here you are surrounded by history itself, associations with once read novels Dumas, With latin quarter described Hemingway and other writers. Paris- this is a "holiday that is always with you"!

The main attractions of Paris stretch to the city center, to Seine. Not far from the island sieve, often referred to as the "heart of Paris", is located Louvre- one of the greatest museums peace. If you go from the Louvre to Champs Elysees then in the garden Tuileries you can see the small buildings of the Museum of Impressionism and the Orangerie. Large museums are also located on the left bank Seine- This is the Gare d'Orsay Museum of Impressionism, Museum of Medieval Art Cluny, Museum Rodin and Atelier Bourdelle. The architecture of Paris is diverse in centuries and styles. Main architectural ensembles: Cathedral of Notre Dame, eiffel tower, Champs Elysees, Triumphal Arch , Sorbonne, Louvre.

For many decades France- most popular tourist facility. Every year there are as many tourists in the country as there are French people. According to the French themselves, here are the most exquisite wines, the best cuisine in the world, beautiful architecture - Notre Dame Cathedral, the Eiffel Tower, royal castles, Versailles and Disneyland, great story, the Louvre Museum and the Musée d'Orsay, the famous Cannes Festival and glitter high society... France is a trendsetter, the birthplace of champagne and cognac, the best perfumes in the world and the most delicious cheeses are made here.

National cuisine of France

French national cuisine is distinguished by its diversity, which is due to the wide range of products used and the different ways of preparing them. It should be taken into account that in different areas France has its own favorite foods that have original technology. So, in the southern regions of the country, food is spicy, using wine and spices for its preparation, especially garlic and onions. Inhabitants Alsace consume more pork and cabbage, residents coastal areas- seafood, etc. These differences can also be seen in the consumption of one or another type of fat used for cooking. For example, in northern and central regions butter is used more, in the south - olive oil.

Despite regional differences, French national cuisine has characteristic features. This is, first of all, the widespread use of vegetables and root crops. Potatoes, various varieties of onions (including shallots, which give food a specific taste), green beans, spinach, cabbage of various varieties, tomatoes, eggplants, celery, parsley, salads are used for preparing snacks, first and second courses, and also as side dishes . Vitamin-rich vegetables such as asparagus, artichokes, leeks, and lettuce are especially popular. A prominent place is given to vegetable salads - both fresh and canned. As a rule, green salad and coleslaw are served with the second meat dishes.

Compared to other countries Western Europe French cooking uses less milk and dairy products. The exception is cheese. They are used to prepare various dishes, including the first. Cheese is always served before dessert. Cheese with bread and wine is a typical French worker's breakfast. Dozens of varieties of cheese are produced in France. Among them are such well-known ones as Roquefort, Gruyere, Camembert, etc.

Another feature french cuisine- a wide variety of sauces. There are over three thousand of them. Sauces are widely used in cooking meat dishes, salads, various cold appetizers; they have a wide variety of food.

For French national cuisine the use of wine, cognac and liquor in the preparation of many dishes is also characteristic. In this case, the wine, as a rule, undergoes significant digestion, as a result of which the wine alcohol evaporates, and the remaining composition gives the food a specific flavor and pleasant aroma. Only natural red and white dry and semi-dry wines are used. In order to reduce acidity, very acidic wines are boiled down before drinking.

french customs

The French are proud of their democratic traditions, so they react painfully to emphasizing, as it seems to them, social and racial inequality. The contempt of a Frenchman can be aroused by a hint of skin color or by calling a waiter "garcon". The French are traditionally friendly to the Russians.

The usual tip is 5-10% (of course, at your discretion). It is customary to tip waiters, maids, hotel porters, and taxi drivers. Sometimes the restaurant bill says "service compris", which means "tips are included in the price."

Transport system of France

France has an extensive network railways and the fastest in Europe system high speed trains TGV. The fare depends on the distance, train class, travel time and age of the passenger. At the entrance to the platform you need to compost Railway tickets, the trains themselves also have controllers. Public transport in France is the subway (in paris, Lille, Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse And Rouen), buses and, in some cities, trams. The Paris metro consists of 16 lines and runs from 5:30 to 00:30. Travel tickets can be purchased at all stations, as well as at some tobacconists. Buses usually run from 06:30 to 00:30 major cities and until 20:30 in the province. Tickets can be purchased at tobacconists, special ticket sales points, as well as on the bus itself. Taxis can usually be found at special parking lots or ordered by phone. It is almost impossible to hail a taxi on the street. Outside, at the front window of each taxi, there is a counter with a flag: raised - the taxi is free, lowered - busy. There are two payment rates: weekdays and tariff for weekends, holidays and nights. There is an additional charge for taxis and luggage. To rent a car, you need to have an international driving license, a passport and credit card. The driver must be at least 21 years old and have at least a year of driving experience. Car rental offices are located in hotels, airports, railway stations and city centers.

Time in France

The entire territory of the country is in a single time zone - GMT + 1. France practices the transition to "summer time", so the time difference with Moscow is minus 3 hours, and from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October - minus 2 hours.

Customs regulations in France

The number of imported and exported means of payment is not limited. Cash and securities in excess of 7.5 thousand euros (or other currency equivalent) are subject to declaration. Foreign currency converted into euros can only be re-translated into foreign currencies up to the equivalent of 800 euros.

In addition to personal items, you can import duty-free up to 1 liter of spirits, drinks with a strength of less than 22 ° - up to 2 liters, 2 liters of wine, 200 pcs. cigarettes, 500 g coffee (or 200 g coffee extracts), up to 50 g perfume ( toilet water- up to 250 g), tea - 100 g (or 40 g of tea extracts), as well as food (fish - up to 2 kg, caviar - 250 g, animal products - up to 1 kg) and other goods (for persons over 15 years) in the amount of 15 euros (for children - 10 euros).

Attention! Labeling of food expiration dates is mandatory.

The import and export of drugs, objects of historical value, weapons and ammunition, as well as animals and plants listed as endangered species are prohibited. When importing medicines for personal use, no permit is required, but you must have a prescription issued by a doctor or lawyer with you.

Plants, animals and plant products must be presented to quarantine officials. Animals must have a certificate of vaccination, as well as a medical certificate for French issued no earlier than five days before departure.

Export discount in France

You will be able to benefit from the exemption from French VAT - "TVA", provided that 1) the value of your purchases in the same store is 300 € (in some stores starting from 250 €); 2) upon purchase, you will issue a "bordereau" - an inventory for export; 3) you will leave European Community within 3 months. On the day of departure, you need to present the bordereau received in the store to the customs service (along with the purchased goods - for a possible inspection). You will receive the refund upon your return to your country by check by mail or by transfer to a credit card, either at the airport at a specially authorized bank, or at a special Tax Free for Tourists kiosk. This system does not apply to food, alcoholic beverages and tobacco

Telephone codes, internet, electricity in France

France - 33, city codes: Paris - 1, Bordeaux - 56, Cannes - 93, Strasbourg - 88, Marseille - 91, Lyon - 78, Nice - 93. You can call from pay phones that work with phone cards that are sold in post offices or tobacconists. There are discounts for calls: from 22.30 to 08.00 on weekdays and from 14.00 on weekends.
Police - tel: 17
Ambulance - tel.: 15, in Paris - 48-87-27-50
Fire brigade - 18
Information in Russian: 01-40-07-01-65

International roaming is provided by all major mobile operators.

The Internet is available everywhere - at airports, train stations, hotels, shopping malls, ordinary cafes and Internet cafes.

Mains voltage 220 V, 50 Hz, European type sockets.

Sights of France

Embassy and Consulate of Russia in France

Address: Paris, Boulevard Lannes, m. "Avenue Foch", tel.: 01-45-04-05-50.

Photo galleries

• Club Med Arcs Altitude Ski Town (now Club mmv Altitude Hotel)
• Club Med Cargese, Corsica
• Club Med Opio en Provence, France
• Ski town Club Med Valmorel (France)
• Plaza Athenee Hotel Paris
• Ski resort Club Med Chamonix Mont-Blanc
• Club Med Valmorel
• Township renovation Club Med Opio en Provence
• Club Med Grand Massif Samoëns Morillon
• Club Med Les Arcs Panorama

GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION OF FRANCE. France borders

Everyone knows that France is one of the largest and world-famous European countries, it is a trendsetter, it is a country of love, it is the birthplace of intoxicating fragrances, beautiful mademoiselles and elegant monsieurs. But no one seriously thinks why this country is so popular and attractive to many people on the planet.

Geographical position

She has a very favorable position on the continent and relative to other countries. It is approximately equidistant from the pole and equator between 42.5 degrees and 51 degrees north latitude, climate zone- moderate. In Europe, it serves as a "crossroads" for many trade routes which were formed in ancient times. Perhaps that is why its history has many rich events.

In the European Union, France is the most big country, if we consider its area with departments and territories outside this continent, then it will be 643.4 thousand square meters. km, and without overseas lands - 547 thousand square meters. km. Occupied by the state western part Europe.

Borders

France has borders in the southwest with Spain and Andorra, in the east it borders on Germany and Switzerland, in the southeast the borders are in contact with Monaco and Italy, in the northeast France has again a border with Germany, as well as with Luxembourg and Belgium. The border of France with Spain is 623 km long, with Andorra - 60 km, with Monaco - 4.4 km, with Belgium - 620 km, with Luxembourg - 73 km, with Switzerland - 573 km, with Italy - 488 km, with Germany – 451km.

There is also a border between France and Great Britain, which runs along the English Channel and Pas d'Calais, it is the only maritime border. All the rest of the above are by land. Most of land borders are "natural" or, in other words, natural.

The mountains of the Pyrenees, the Alps, the Jura massif serve as natural boundaries. The Alps in the southeast separate France from Italy, the Pyrenees from Spain, the Jura massif borders Switzerland. Mount Blanc, located in Northern Alps- the pride of the country, it attracts numerous tourists and connoisseurs of winter beauty, which you can admire at any time. It is also attractive to adherents of extreme sports. winter views sports - skiers, snowboarders and other athletes.

Composition of France

The central part of France includes 22 regions and four island territories:

• Guadeloupe
• Guyana
• Martinique,
• Reunion.

On island territories France is home to about 2 million people, a third of whom are settled in DOM TOM, otherwise known as French departments and island territories.

The French state also includes the island of Corsica, and territories with a special status:

• Miquelon Islands,
• Saint Pierre and Mayotte
• French Guiana,
• Futuna and Wallis Islands,
• French polynesia,
• New Caledonia.

Relief

In France, there are almost all possible incarnations of the relief:

• Plains - in the western and eastern parts of the country: these are the Aquitaine and Paris basins.
• Low mountains - also in the east and west.
• Mountains medium height located in the center of the country and in the east. These include the Central French Massif, Jura, Vosges.
• Actually mountain ranges are characteristic of the southwest and southeast. The Pyrenees and the Alps are located here, and the most high point France is a landmark mountain Mont Blanc, reaching a height of 4807 meters.

Almost all Mountain peaks located on the border that separate France from other states. The relief of the country is intersected by rivers in sufficient quantities. most popular and big rivers France is, of course, the Seine, also the Rhone and the Loire, there is also such a river as the Garonne, in the east of the country the relief is crossed by part of the course of the famous Rhine.

The Seine begins high in the mountains and, crossing the flat territories, flows into the English Channel. The Loire originated in the Massif Central and flows into the Atlantic Ocean. It is the Loire that is most popular due to the indescribable beauty along its banks, on which complex and beautiful architectural structures began to be erected many centuries ago, which now attract visiting tourists - this famous castles Loire.

The origins of the Garonne begin in the Pyrenees, but it also flows into the Atlantic Ocean like the Loire. The Rhone originates in the Alps, after which it flows, having made a short journey overland, into the Mediterranean Sea.

If the larger and more famous rivers are located closer to the south of the country, in the west the flat territory is practically untouched by the channels of the rivers, with the exception of some small ones, the most famous of them is the Seine. In addition to it, the Oise, Marne and Iona flow here. They flow either into the English Channel or into the Atlantic Ocean. The Rhine River flows to the north, and the Rhone and Sonne rivers flow into the Mediterranean Sea.

France has direct access to water sources such as the English Channel, Bay of Biscay as well as the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.

Climatic conditions

There are 4 different climate types in France.

1. Moderate maritime prevails in the west of France, on the coasts, for example, a pleasant and mild winter pleases the inhabitants of Brest, where in January the temperature remains 7 degrees above zero on average. In summer it is cool there, on average 16 degrees above zero falls on the month of July. Significant amount of precipitation is typical.
2. The continental climate is characteristic of the central regions of France, where summers are quite warm, averaging 18 degrees above zero in July, but winters are more severe than in the temperate maritime zone - about 2 degrees above zero in January. Moderate rainfall.
3. The mountain climate speaks of its location in its name, that is, on the hills and in the mountains. Here, precipitation depends on the height of the location, the higher the region, the more precipitation. These areas are characterized by beautiful snowy winters, sometimes snow falls in large quantities and lies until spring, and high in the mountains, does not melt at all. So average temperature for the Alps - 17 degrees above zero in July, and in January it drops to 2 degrees below zero. All temperatures are in Celsius.
4. Mediterranean climate. It captures a small area only along the Mediterranean coast, that is, several tens of kilometers. It is hot, very dry in summer, but winters are mild and quite humid, although there is not much rain in winter. A striking example such a climate is the city of Marseille, where in winter the temperature drops to 7 degrees Celsius above zero, these are data for January. In July, the average temperature is 23 degrees above zero.

The climate of France as a whole is diverse and favorable for the population. In Normandy, and throughout the western part of the country, a maritime climate is common, a milder and damper climate in Brenaty, the difference between winter and summer temperatures averages 10 degrees. Cool and cloudy summers, but mild and pleasant winters. The continental climate in the east has an annual amplitude of as much as 20 degrees. Away from the mountain ranges, the temperature of the winter months is positive, warm and pleasant summers, while the subtropics on the Mediterranean coast give hot summers and warm winter, therefore, it is characterized by rains, which from autumn begin their dull song. In Nice, for example, it is very warm and good in summer, up to 23 above zero in summer and about 8 degrees above zero in winter.

France and Italy are two countries that are perhaps the most colorful among other European neighbors. Each of them evokes many associations among Russians. So, if France, especially Paris, immediately evokes thoughts of love, French romances and hot croissants for breakfast in a hotel overlooking Champs Elysees, then Italy is pizza, leaning tower of pisa, lively gestures and endless beaches of the most famous Mediterranean resorts. However, everyone who has visited these x will be able to bring his own list.

Border between France and Italy

However, the physical border between countries still exists. Its total length is 488 kilometers, and all of it runs on land, starting from mediterranean sea and ending where Switzerland “weds” between countries. In addition to France, Italy also borders on Switzerland, Austria, Slovenia, as well as the states of San Marino and the Vatican. At the same time, the border with France is one of the longest for Italy, yielding in this indicator only to the border with Switzerland, which is 740 kilometers.

France, in turn, also has borders with countries other than Italy: these include Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Monaco, Spain and Andorra. At the same time, for France, Italy is only the fourth country in terms of the length of the common border: it is ahead of Spain, the border with which is 623 kilometers, Belgium (620 kilometers) and Switzerland (573 kilometers).

The nature of the border

This part of the Alps is rich in various ski resorts. So, directly on the Montgenevre pass on the French side there is a resort of the same name, which is connected by lifts to the neighboring ski complex Clavier, already in Italy.

The geographical position of France makes it a neighbor of eight states at once. Some French frontiers are on land, while others run across seas and oceans.

Land frontiers of France

The French state has common boundaries with the following countries:

• With Spain;
• Belgium;
• Switzerland;
• Germany;
• Andorra;
• Italy;
• Luxembourg;
• And Monaco.

France has its tiniest border with Monaco. Its length is only 4.4 kilometers. The largest and longest border of France is in contact with Spain, and is equal to 623 kilometers.

The borders with Germany and Switzerland in this country are also impressive, and amount to 451 and 573 kilometers. The French also have their own border with Italy - 488 kilometers long.

The borders of France cover almost all directions of the world, excluding the north, but after all, we are talking here only about the land borders of the country.

Maritime frontiers of France

France has direct access to the sea. The North Sea, the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea wash it coastline, the length of which is 3427 kilometers.

On one of its borders is the English Channel. He then connects the country with the kingdom of Great Britain.

The borders of the overseas regions are also part of the borders of France. There the country is connected with Antilles, with Suriname and Brazil.

A large number of boundaries leaves its mark on international politics France. After all, the government has to take into account many diverse interests.

Natural borders of the state

In France, many frontiers are of natural origin. For example, the main borders run through the Alps, the Jura, as well as the Rhine and the Pyrenees.

The total length of the land borders of this country is 4082 kilometers.

Relations between the French and Spaniards are severely limited due to mountain range Pyrenees. The Alps separate France from Italy and Switzerland, but Lake Geneva helps these countries to establish transport links.

The Jura mountain range divides the territories of the French and the inhabitants of Switzerland by a relatively low natural obstacle. The climate of the French state is so favorable due to the fact that on many sides the country is protected by mountain ranges.

France - legal and European country, which for many years successfully coexists with other states. This location of France allows her to regularly conclude profitable economic agreements on international level. The French are very loyal to the culture of any other country. Perhaps this state of affairs is partly due to their numerous and extended borders.