France, located in western Europe, is bordered by many countries and bodies of water. To the north lie the English Channel, the Strait of Dover and the North Sea; northeast lie Belgium, Luxemburg and Germany, east lie Germany, Switzerland and Italy, south is Spain, southeast is the Mediterranean Sea and west lies the Atlantic Ocean. Several mountain ranges rise along its borders (including the Alps).

Since the Middle Ages, France has been and still remains a leader in the world of fashion, art, architect and culture. And with past giants such as Monet and Renoir and one of the biggest art collections on display at the Louvre in Paris, France continues to draw painters, poets and romantics to its shore.