France is often called the Hexagon because of its six-sided shape. Fancy, right? It’s a country that gave us the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and croissants so buttery they should be illegal in at least three states. If you’ve ever seen a romantic movie set in Paris, you’ve already visited France—minus the jet lag and the overpriced espresso.
Now, here’s the kicker: France isn’t just in Europe. It’s also in South America, the Caribbean, and the Indian Ocean. Wait, what? Yes, French Guiana is an overseas department of France, sitting right on the Amazon. So technically, France is a country in Europe that also moonlights as a tropical paradise. Talk about having your cake and eating it too—preferably with a side of macarons.
But Is It Really European?
Look, if you stand in the middle of Paris and spin around, you’ll see Gothic cathedrals, cobblestone streets, and people arguing over the proper way to bake a loaf of bread. That’s peak European energy. France helped invent the European Union, hosts the headquarters of countless global institutions, and has a flag that’s basically the color scheme of freedom—blue, white, and red. It’s so European that even its snails are considered gourmet.
Some people confuse France with other places. “Oh, is France near Africa?” Well, it’s close to Spain, which is close to Gibraltar, which is close to Morocco. So technically, you could throw a baguette and hit two continents. But no, France’s mainland is firmly in Europe, hugging the Mediterranean like a sun-kissed grandparent.
France on world map: surrounding countries and location on Europe map
If you still have doubts, just look at a map. See that big country shaped like a kite right above the Mediterranean? That’s France. It shares borders with eight countries—Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Monaco, Spain, and Andorra. Andorra is so small it’s basically a postage stamp, but France loves it anyway.
