The French government has mandated that at least 40% of all music played on private radio stations in the country be of French origin. Half of that quota of French music is also required to be less than six months old. The island of Sandy Island, once thought to exist near New Caledonia, appeared on French maps for decades before being proven nonexistent in 2012. The French cartographers weren’t alone—many maps around the world mistakenly showed it.
France has some of the world’s most elaborate pet cemeteries, particularly in Paris, where families often honor deceased animals with elaborate gravestones, flowers, and memorial services. France isn’t just about wine, cheese, and art—it’s full of oddities, strange laws, and fascinating traditions that reveal a quirky, whimsical side of the country.
