France, officially French Republic, French France or République Française, country of northwestern Europe. Historically and culturally among the most important nations in the Western world, France has also played a highly significant role in international affairs, with former colonies in every corner of the globe. Paris is often described as the most beautiful city on Earth. The French know how to make anything and everything beautiful. French culture has always been about craftsmanship and making things pleasant aesthetically. No matter where you are in France, you will find lots of gardens, parks, and forests in addition to beautiful architecture.
Bounded by the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, the Alps and the Pyrenees, France has long provided a geographic, economic, and linguistic bridge joining northern and southern Europe. It is Europe’s most important agricultural producer and one of the world’s leading industrial powers. The French people look to the state as the primary guardian of liberty, and the state in turn provides a generous program of amenities for its citizens, from free education to health care and pension plans. France is nothing short of historical. This world power has had its hand in every facet of life and industry which is on display in a multitude of museums all over the country. From world renowned art museums, to palaces and châteaux preserving French opulence and royal history, to plaques placed on common everyday buildings which mark historical events, France is a great place to discover not only French history but world history.
When many students think of studying abroad in France, Paris is the first city that comes to mind. Paris is home to many great schools but cities such as Tours and Aix-en-Provence are renowned college cities for international students. Aix-en-Provence, located in the south of France, not only boasts sunny and warm weather, it is also home to some of the finest and oldest universities in France. Its history as a college town has drawn in thousands of foreign exchange students for hundreds of years.
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