About France

Every person has their own story, but many of us are united by the circumstances of fate that brought us to a new country, where we need to quickly build a new life. We hope that our portal Expaterra can help you!

So, France: a country of opportunities and warm hospitality, where everyone will find their home among picturesque landscapes and rich cultural heritage.

Culture and Lifestyle

France is a country with a rich history, diverse culture, and a unique lifestyle that attracts millions of tourists and immigrants from around the world. 

The French are known for their hospitality and openness. They love spending time with friends and family, enjoying good food and conversations. Lunches and dinners often last several hours and include multiple courses. Family plays an important role in the lives of the French. Traditional family lunches on Sundays are an important part of the culture, gathering the whole family together.

French cuisine is renowned for its variety and high quality. Each region has its unique dishes and products. France is famous for its cheeses and wines, baguettes and croissants, which are an important part of national culture. Traditional dishes include coq au vin, Marseille fish soup, ratatouille.

France is home to many famous museums, such as the Louvre, Musée d'Orsay, and Centre Pompidou. Here you can see the works of world masters and learn about the history of art. Theaters, operas, and ballet theaters also play an important role in the country's cultural life.

France offers many opportunities for active recreation and cultural leisure. City parks and sports complexes allow for outdoor sports, and numerous festivals and cultural events attract both locals and tourists.

France ranks high in various global rankings, showcasing its achievements in different fields:

French universities consistently hold high positions in global rankings. The university Paris Sciences et Lettres (PSL) ranks 45th in the Times Higher Education (THE) ranking and 52nd in the QS ranking. The university Paris-Saclay is in 14th place in the Shanghai ranking.

Air France regularly makes the list of the best airlines in the world. In 2024, it was recognized as the best airline in Europe by AirlineRatings, thanks to its high level of safety, quality of service, and positive passenger reviews.

In the Travel Atlas gastronomic guide ranking, French cuisine took 9th place. This is due to the recognition of such classic dishes as croissants, onion soup, duck confit, and beef bourguignon. In the ranking of the world's best restaurants, French restaurants regularly rank among the leaders. For example, the restaurant Mirazur in Menton took 1st place in 2019. In 2022, French restaurants also entered the top 50, demonstrating high standards in gastronomy and innovation in culinary arts.

France, and particularly Paris, continues to play a key role in global fashion rankings, shaping and promoting the main trends that are then adopted worldwide. Paris Fashion Week is one of the most significant events in the fashion world. In 2024, this event once again gathered leading designers and brands such as Chanel, Dior, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Saint Laurent, and Hermès, who showcased their latest collections and set trends for upcoming seasons. Paris is considered the capital of high fashion.

France also ranks low in some global rankings, reflecting existing challenges and problems in various fields:

In the PISA ranking, which assesses the skills of 15-year-old students in mathematics, reading, and science, France ranks 72nd. This indicates a lack of preparation among students compared to other countries.

In the sustainable development ranking, France ranks 25th. Despite a fairly high overall result, the country faces difficulties in achieving some sustainable development goals, indicating the need for improvement in economic development, social welfare, environmental and institutional sustainability, infrastructure, and access to resources.

These rankings highlight areas where France needs to improve performance and enhance its standings on the international stage.

Local language

Learning French can be exciting, but it also comes with a number of challenges. The French language is rich in sounds that are absent in other languages. There are many "silent" letters in French that are not pronounced. Words may be spelled the same but pronounced differently. French grammar has many rules, exceptions, and complex tenses. Additionally, nouns have gender (masculine or feminine), which is not always obvious. French has many words that sound similar but have different meanings, as well as a large number of borrowings from Latin that may be unfamiliar. The French speak quickly, often shortening words and linking them in sentences, which makes speech difficult to understand. French is full of idiomatic expressions and informal slang that are challenging to understand without deep immersion in the culture.

Learning the language requires time, patience, and regularity. With the right methods and regular practice, these challenges become surmountable. The key is to enjoy the process and not be afraid of making mistakes!