France by the Numbers

Get a rapid-fire snapshot of France’s scale, diversity and global impact. From its sweeping landscapes to its record-breaking visitor attractions, these essential stats will give you the big-picture view before you dive into our France Travel Guide.

Geography & Administrative Divisions

• Total Land Area: 551 695 km² (Metropolitan); 643 801 km² including overseas regions

• Coastline Length: 3 427 km (Mediterranean, Atlantic & English Channel)

• Border Length: 5 500 km shared with 8 countries (Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Monaco, Spain, Andorra)

• Regions: 13 metropolitan + 5 overseas regions

• Departments: 101

• Highest Point: Mont Blanc at 4 810 m above sea level

Population & Demographics

• Total Population: 67.4 million (2024 estimate)

• Population Density: 122 people/km²

• Urbanization: 82 % of residents live in urban areas

• Largest Metro Area: Paris metropolitan area with 12.6 million inhabitants

• Median Age: 41.7 years

• Life Expectancy: 82.9 years (women 85.3, men 80.4)

• Official Language: French; regional languages include Breton, Occitan, Corsican, Basque, Alsatian

Economy & Industry

• GDP (Nominal): US $3.0 trillion (7ᵗʰ largest globally)

• GDP per Capita: ≈ US $45 000

• Unemployment Rate: 7.1 % (2024)

• Top Sectors: Automotive, aerospace, luxury goods, agriculture, energy, tourism

• Annual Exports: €620 billion (2023) – leading exports: aircraft, pharmaceuticals, wine

Tourism Highlights

• International Arrivals: 85 million visitors (2023)

• Tourism Revenue: €169 billion (2019)

• Top Source Markets:

  1. United Kingdom (13 %)

  2. Germany (11 %)

  3. United States (8 %)

  4. Spain (8 %)

  5. Italy (5 %)

• Most-Visited Sites:

  • Louvre Museum – 9.6 million admissions/year

  • Eiffel Tower – 7 million visitors/year

  • Palace of Versailles – 8.2 million visitors/year

Transportation & Infrastructure

• Rail Network: 29 000 km total; 2 800 km dedicated high-speed TGV lines

• Major Airports: 464 total; top hubs – Charles de Gaulle (76 million pax), Orly, Nice Côte d’Azur, Lyon–Saint Exupéry

• Motorways: 11 882 km tolled autoroutes

• Navigable Waterways: 8 500 km canals and rivers (Canal du Midi, Seine)

• Urban Bike-Share Fleets: Paris’s Vélib’ (20 000 bikes), Lyon’s Vélov’ (4 000 bikes)

UNESCO World Heritage & Culture

• Total UNESCO Sites: 46 (39 cultural, 7 natural)

• Notable Listings:

  • Mont-Saint-Michel and its Bay

  • Historic Site of Lyons

  • Palace and Park of Versailles

  • Prehistoric Sites and Decorated Caves of the Vézère Valley

Cuisine & Wine Production

• Annual Wine Output: 45 million hectoliters (2ᵈ largest global producer)

• Appellations d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC): 360+ distinct wine regions

• Cheese Varieties: Over 1 200 documented; 368 PDO/PGI certified

• Gastronomy GDP Impact: €70 billion annually from hospitality and food exports

Climate & Environment

• Average Annual Temperature: 13 °C

• Mean Annual Rainfall: 867 mm

• Forest Cover: 31 % of land area (17 million hectares)

• Protected Natural Areas: 52 national parks and reserves

Digital & Communication

• Internet Penetration: 92 % of households

• Mobile Subscriptions: 120 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

• Highway Traffic Cameras: > 4 500 fixed radars enforcing speed limits

Currency & Time Zone

• Currency: Euro (€), 1 € = 100 cents

• Time Zone: CET (UTC+1) / CEST (UTC+2 in summer)

Quick Facts at a Glance

France’s remarkable statistics—from population and GDP to world-renowned museums and scenic railways—reflect its global influence and regional diversity. For detailed insights on how these numbers translate into experiences, from Top Destinations to Travel Tips and beyond, return to our France Travel Guide homepage.