France
Location
Loading map...
Phone Code
+33
Domain
.fr
Driving Side
right
License Plates
White with black text, blue EU band
Road Signs
Blue direction signs, red circles for prohibitions
Power Lines
Concrete poles in rural areas
Architecture
Haussmannian in Paris, varied regional styles
Street View
Google car is white/black with camera on top
Additional Identifiers
Distinctive road markers, Tabac signs, French text
Language & Text Examples
Latin-based alphabet with accents: é, è, ê, ë, à, â, ù, û, ç, î, ï, ô, œ. Look for words with these characters.
Regional Characteristics
Paris and Île-de-France Region of France
Landscape
Dense urban area, Seine river, flat terrain
Vegetation
Manicured parks, plane trees along boulevards
Architecture
Haussmannian buildings, zinc rooftops, historic monuments
Climate
Moderate, mild winters and warm summers
Distinctive Features
Metro entrances, café terraces, wide boulevards, Parisian street furniture
Tip: Look for these characteristics to identify if you're in the Paris and Île-de-France region of France.
Provence and Mediterranean Coast Region of France
Landscape
Coastal areas, lavender fields, rocky hills
Vegetation
Olive trees, cypress trees, lavender, vineyards, Mediterranean scrub
Architecture
Terracotta roof tiles, shuttered windows, stone houses
Climate
Hot dry summers, mild winters, strong mistral wind
Distinctive Features
Lavender fields, outdoor markets, stone villages, Mediterranean influence
Tip: Look for these characteristics to identify if you're in the Provence and Mediterranean Coast region of France.
Alps and Eastern France Region of France
Landscape
Mountains, valleys, lakes, ski resorts
Vegetation
Alpine forests, meadows, pine trees
Architecture
Chalet-style buildings, wooden balconies, stone bases
Climate
Cold snowy winters, cool summers, mountain weather
Distinctive Features
Ski infrastructure, mountain passes, Alpine lakes, fondue restaurants
Tip: Look for these characteristics to identify if you're in the Alps and Eastern France region of France.
Normandy and Brittany Region of France
Landscape
Coastal cliffs, rolling countryside, hedgerows
Vegetation
Apple orchards, hedgerows (bocage landscape)
Architecture
Half-timbered houses, granite buildings in Brittany
Climate
Rainy, mild, maritime influence
Distinctive Features
Cider production signs, coastal fishing villages, D-Day beaches in Normandy
Tip: Look for these characteristics to identify if you're in the Normandy and Brittany region of France.
Loire Valley Region of France
Landscape
River valleys, gentle hills, vineyards
Vegetation
Vineyards, formal gardens, deciduous forests
Architecture
Renaissance châteaux, limestone buildings
Climate
Mild, ideal for viticulture
Distinctive Features
Châteaux, vineyards, limestone caves, wine tourism
Tip: Look for these characteristics to identify if you're in the Loire Valley region of France.
Southwest (Aquitaine/Occitanie) Region of France
Landscape
Varied from Atlantic coast to Pyrenees mountains
Vegetation
Pine forests near coast, vineyards, sunflower fields
Architecture
Bastide towns, half-timbered houses, stone villages
Climate
Warm summers, mild winters, Atlantic influence
Distinctive Features
Basque architecture near Spain, wine regions, surf culture on coast
Tip: Look for these characteristics to identify if you're in the Southwest (Aquitaine/Occitanie) region of France.