Travel Guide to France, the World’s Most Visited Country
France, the world’s most visited country, is renowned for its cuisine, fashion and culture. A leader on the global stage, it paid a high price in human and economic terms in two world wars. In the decades that followed, it was an architect of Europe’s enlargement and integration into the international economy.
Located in Western Europe, metropolitan France borders the Bay of Biscay, the English Channel and Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg and Switzerland. The country has a mixed economic system that blends private freedom with centralized planning and regulation. France is a member of the European Union (EU).
The capital, Paris, is famous for its art galleries and restaurants. Nearby, the cathedral of Notre-Dame de Chartres is widely considered one of the highest achievements of French Gothic architecture.
In May 2017, Emmanuel Macron won the presidential election in a run-off against far-right challenger Marine Le Pen with support from across the political spectrum. His centrist movement, En Marche!, had launched its campaign only a year earlier.
In recent years, terrorist attacks in France have killed more than 130 people, including staff at the offices of satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo. Travelers are urged to stay alert in public places and report any suspicious activities immediately to police. Valuables left unattended in rental cars overnight or for extended periods are particularly susceptible to theft. The police are professional and proactive in fighting crime, resolving incidents of violence and maintaining overall state security.
