Country Name |
French Republic |
Continent |
Europe |
Surface area |
543,965 km2 |
Capital |
Paris |
Population |
67,186,000 |
Language |
French |
Currency |
Euro (EUR) |
Time zone |
The same as Italy |
Area code for Italy |
0039 |
Area code from Italy |
0033 |
Yellow fever vaccination is not required.
This viral disease is transmitted by the bite of infected ticks. Vaccination is recommended when staying in areas with a higher risk of infection. The risk decreases in the winter months.
Infection typically occurs through contact with the saliva of an infected animal, usually caused by bites, scratches or licks near open wounds or mucous membranes (e.g. mouth, nose, eyes). The most common vectors are dogs and bats, but cases of infection in other domestic animals have also been reported.
Caused by toxins released by the bacterium Clostridium tetani, the risk of tetanus infection is present throughout the country.
This disease is spread by the bites of infected mosquitos and there is currently no vaccine. Consequently, it is important to adopt careful behavioural and preventive measures. Outbreaks have been reported in southern France since 2010.
Diseases such as West Nile virus are present in Western Europe. As this disease is transmitted by insect bites and there is no vaccine, it is important to adopt careful behavioural and preventive measures.
The following vaccinations are strongly recommended as these diseases can be contracted anywhere in the world. Experts advise that you protect yourself and other travellers by making sure you are up-to-date with all of the recommended vaccinations. This will allow you to travel safely, while minimising the risk of exposure to infection.
France is the largest country in Western Europe. It is bordered by the sea on three sides: the Mediterranean Sea to the south, the Atlantic Ocean to the west, and the English Channel to the north. In the southern and south-eastern region it shares the mountain ranges with its neighbouring countries: to the south, the Pyrenees with Spain, and to the southeast, the Alps with Italy and Switzerland. Finally, the Rhine valley extends to the north-east.
In such a vast and varied geographical territory, there are naturally many different climatic influences:
oceanic on the west and north coast, which is characterised by average rainfall, mild winters, a late spring, cool summers, and minimal temperature excursions;
continental in eastern regions, with substantial rainfall (including snow in winter months), harsh winters, and hot summers with frequent showers;
mediterranean in the southern coastal regions, which are distinctive for their typical warm winters, rainy spring seasons and hot, dry summers;
mountainous, due to the mountain ranges close to the Central Massif and the Alps, with cold, rainy winters and heavy snowfall, especially in the Savoy area.
The best times to visit the capital are spring (mid-May to late June) and early autumn (September), when the weather is more stable and temperatures are not as pronounced as the rest of the year.