Croissants: The French Treat with an Austrian Twist,

Croissants might be the most French breakfast ever – golden, flaky, and perfect with hot chocolate. But surprise! They were inspired by an Austrian bread called the kipferl, and only became truly French in the 1800s when Austrian baker August Zang opened a shop in Paris. The French made the croissant their own, using pure butter and perfecting the famous flakiness. Today, they’re part of “le petit déjeuner” (little breakfast), and in France, there are laws that say proper croissants must be made with real butter – no sneaky margarine allowed.

The Eiffel Tower Was Only Meant to Last 20 Years.

When Gustave Eiffel built his mighty tower for the 1889 World’s Fair, Parisians weren’t sure about it. Some even called it an eyesore. And guess what? It was only meant to stand for 20 years before being taken down. But it became super useful as a radio and telegraph tower, so it stayed – lucky for us! Now it’s one of the most famous landmarks in the world, standing 330 metres tall, sparkling some nights with 20,000 lights, and visited by millions each year.

France Has Over 350 Cheeses (and Some Say Over 1,000)

France is cheese heaven! From Camembert to Roquefort, they produce at least 350 official types, but some say there are over 1,000 varieties when you include regional versions.

The Louvre is the World’s Biggest Art Museum

The Louvre Museum in Paris is enormous – so big you could spend 100 days and still not see it all. It’s home to over 35,000 works of art, including the super-famous Mona Lisa, who’s known for her mysterious smile. Originally a royal palace, the Louvre became a public museum after the French Revolution, showing that art should be for everyone. And on Bastille Day, admission is free.

The Tour de France is the Toughest Bike Race Ever.

The Tour de France is a super-speedy cycling race that zooms through the mountains, countryside, and cities of France (and sometimes other countries too). It takes place every July, and lasts three whole weeks. Cyclists cover about 3,500 km – that’s like riding from London to Istanbul! The race started in 1903, and it’s now watched by millions around the world. There’s even a yellow jersey (maillot jaune) for the leader – but it’s no fashion show. It’s seriously sweaty work.

France Invented Hot Air Balloons

Long before planes, the Montgolfier brothers were lifting off in hot air balloons! In 1783, they launched the first manned flight in Paris – with passengers including a sheep, a duck, and a rooster (just to test it was safe). Powered by fire-heated air, their balloon floated 9 km across the sky. The invention amazed the world and sparked a sky-high obsession with flying. Today, balloon festivals across France still honour the brothers’ amazing airborne adventure.

France Invented the Metric System

Ever measured something in centimetres, metres or litres? You can thank France! After the French Revolution, the country wanted a system based on logic and science instead of old royal rules. So in 1795, they introduced the metric system – and now most of the world uses it too. It makes measuring easy because everything is based on tens. Though the UK still uses inches and pints sometimes, metres and kilograms rule in science and schools.

France is Called “L’Hexagone” – the Hexagon.

Take a look at a map of France – what shape does it remind you of? That’s right… a hexagon! Because France has (sort of) six sides, it’s often nicknamed “L’Hexagone” by locals. It helps people picture the country’s shape easily, and you’ll even hear kids at school use it when learning about their homeland.

French Fries Aren’t French.

Hold the ketchup – French fries didn’t come from France! Despite the name, they were likely invented in Belgium. American soldiers in World War I nicknamed them “French fries” because French was the language spoken in Belgium. But France does have a love for fries – especially when served with moules (mussels).

The French Flag Stands for Freedom

France’s flag is called the Tricolore, with three vertical stripes: blue, white, and red. But those colours aren’t just for show – they stand for liberty, equality, and fraternity, the core values of the French Revolution. Blue and red were the colours of Paris, and white was the royal colour- together, they tell the story of people and power joining to create a new nation. You’ll see the Tricolore waving proudly on Bastille Day, across government buildings, and even on planes and postboxes.