The commune of Saint-Remy-en-Bouzemont-Saint-Genest-et-Isson in northeastern France has the longest official place name in the country—perfect for tongue-twisting challenges! France is a country full of tradition, elegance, and history—but it also has a delightful collection of quirks, odd laws, and unusual facts that make it endlessly fascinating. From banning kissing at train stations to tiny towns with hilarious names, the country never ceases to surprise.
While most people associate France with vineyards and mountains, the Dune of Pilat in southwestern France is the largest sand dune in Europe, standing at over 100 meters tall and stretching more than 2.7 kilometers along the coast. In Paris, there’s a tradition called “chat libre” (free cat), where stray cats are cared for and protected by local municipalities. Some cats even have ID cards and are considered “official residents” of their neighborhoods.
