France made history in 2016 by banning supermarkets from throwing out unsold food items. These stores are now required to donate the food to charities and food banks. In some French towns, there are strange local laws, such as in Sarpourenx, where it is illegal to die without prior approval from the town hall. Yes, residents technically need permission to pass away! Metropolitan France (the European part) is larger than Texas, and including its overseas territories, it spans five continents, from the Caribbean to the Indian Ocean and the Pacific.
France even has an official phobia dictionary—the French take psychology seriously! Some of the weirdest phobias, like fear of long words. Okay, not in France itself, but French-influenced territories sometimes have unusual names, reflecting the quirks of local history. France also has towns with funny names like Montcuq (pronounced “Mon-Kook”), which often provokes giggles among visitors.
