Your guide to being an expatriate in France

Demographics of France:

Religion Overview

France is a secular country, and the demographics comprise of Catholics, Protestants, and Muslims. The Catholic Church is significantly popular in France, claims around 64% of the population, followed by Protestants (2.5%) and Muslims (5%).

Major Religions

Climate

France experiences a variety of climates due to its different regions. Its maritime climate with mild winters and cool summers is found in the west, while the south features a Mediterranean climate with hot summers and mild winters. The mountainous regions such as the Alps and Pyrenees experience cold winters with heavy snowfall.

Economy Overview

France has one of the world's largest economies and is a member of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). France prioritizes its economy across various sectors, including services, agriculture, manufacturing, finance, and tourism. France is home to several fortune 500 companies, including Accor, Danone, Sanofi, and Peugeot.

Key Industries

• Tourism
• Manufacturing (Automotive, Aerospace, Defense, Electronics, and Design)
• Finance (Banking, Insurance, Asset Management)
• Services (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology, IT and Innovative Technology)
• Retail and Consumer Goods
• Energy (Renewables)
• Agriculture (Wine, Cheese, Luxury Food
• Traditional Industries (Hermès, LVMH)

Major Companies

• Accor
• Danone
• Sanofi
• Peugeot
• TotalEnergies
• L'Oréal
• Airbus
• Renault Group
• Orano
• Eiffage
• Ingenico
• CREDABANK
• Electricité de France (EDF)
• Bouygues Construction
• Thales
• L'Occitane en Provence
• Alstom
• Saint-Gobain
• Prométour

Culture and Language Overview

France esteemed for its language, art, and cuisine. French is an official language spoken widely across the country, and its literature has contributed greatly to world literature. Its art and heritage, blending old and new, branch out into fashion, design, and arts and crafts, leaving a magnetic impact on people worldwide. Festivals, including the noteworthy Cannes Film Festival, the renowned Paris Fashion Week, the traditional Bastille Day, and the most cherished New Year's Eve, are a part of the French culture. The Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, the Palace of Versailles, and the Notre-Dame Cathedral are a few of the notable landmarks.

Cultural Highlights

• Cannes Film Festival
• Paris Fashion Week
• Bastille Day
• New Year's Eve
• Les Beaux-Arts del Montmartre
• Musee d'Orsay
• The Palais de Chaillot
• Disneyland Paris
• La Fête des Vignerons (Fête de la Grappe) in Macon

Geography and Landmarks Overview

France's lively culture, sprawling landscapes, and varied geographical features make it a popular tourist destination. From the sandy beaches of Brittany and Normandy to the prestigious vineyards in Burgundy and Bordeaux, and from the gothic Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris to the lavish Versailles Palace, France is illustrious for its archaeological riches.

Notable Landmarks

• Eiffel Tower
• Louvre Museum
• Notre-Dame Cathedral
• Montmartre
• Palace of Versailles
• Gothic Quarter, Strasbourg
• Gorges du Verdon
• French Alps
• Rouen Cathedral
• Mont Saint-Michel
• Place des Vosges in Paris
• Chateau de Chambord
• Beaches in Brittany and Normandy

National Holidays

• New Year's Day (January 1)
• Epiphany (January 6)
• Ascension Day (Variably)
• Whit Monday (Variably)
• Bastille Day (July 14)
• Assumption Day (August 15)
• All Saints' Day (November 1)
• Armistice Day (November 11)
• Christmas Day (December 25)
• Stephen's Day (December 26)

Political Stability

As an EU member and part of NATO, France has a stable parliamentary democracy, ensuring peaceful and just governance. Its constitution provides a six-year presidential term with no term limits, while parliamentary elections are held every five years. The current President is Emmanuel Macron.