Did you know

Did you know? Strasbourg was France’s first Christmas market

Strasbourg has been known as 'The Christmas Capital' for nearly thirty years and for many years after its debut in the early 16th century, it was the only one of its kind

Did you know? A decoy Paris was planned in WW1 to trick German bombers

The elaborate plan was to use lights to recreate famous landmarks a safe distance from the capital and lure away German aircraft

Did you know?: VAT was invented in France

For people in France, May is associated with declaring taxes so in that spirit we look into the history of one of the world’s most-known taxes

There is a replica of Colmar... in Malaysia

Did you know?

Why is French flag, blue, white and red?

Argentine town created by Aveyron adventurers

Did you know? Pigüé is a town in Argentina, south-west of Buenos Aires which would never have existed had it not been for a group of 180 people from the Aveyron who decided to set up home there in 1884.

America got its name from a French town

Did you know?

Did you know? Why the ‘0’ in Peugeot?

The names of Peugeot cars are distinctive by the 0 in the middle of the name of nearly every car they produce; so we have the Peugeot 104, the Peugeot 202, the Peugeot 305, the Peugeot 908...

Did you know: why is the rentrée in September?

The beginning of the school year logically follows the longest break from the classroom.

First ever wrist watch was French invention

Did you know? The wristwatch was most likely invented in France, though there are several contenders for the title.

Did you know: First French woman to get a degree

Julie Victoire Daubié was the first woman to be awarded a degree in France.

Why is illegal work called ‘travail au noir’?

There are different theories explaining why non-declared work is called working “ au noir” or even “ travail au black” in France

Belfort remained French thanks to heroic locals

A look at the cultural history of a French region bordering on Switzerland and Germany

UK Trade unions have more members than France

Data from the European Trade Union Confederation shows the UK has more trade union members than France

How a Paris brain drain ban boosted Oxford Uni

A ban on British scholars going to study in Paris helped shape the history of Oxford University.

Did you know: A string vest by any other name...

The Marcel is an iconic piece of French clothing with a name which is far more evocative than the English term, string vest or singlet.

The Stan Smith tennis shoe had a French name

The French Grand Slam Roland Garros takes place this month, but DID YOU KNOW — that Adidas’ Stan Smith trainer actually started life in 1964 as a ‘Robert Haillet’?

Military thinking behind yellow headlights

For nearly 50 years, vehicles in France were obliged by law to have yellow headlights - but no one appears to know why

French navy ship flies pirate Jolly Roger flag

One of the French navy’s ships flies the Jolly Roger...

France honours parents who raise large families

Did you know that France awards medals to parents who have raised large families?

Fleet-footed ambassador advised five US presidents

Being able to keep up with Theodore Roosevelt on a country walk cemented American-French relations at the start of the 20th century

Camera phone was invented by a Parisian

Did you know the the first camera phone was invented by the Parisian Phillipe Kahn?

'Mayday' emergency call originated from m'aidez

English may be the international language of travel and aviation but did you know that the key emergency words are French in origin?