3. FRANCE Population: 65,586,000 Capital: Paris Area: 547,000 sq km Language: French Currency: Euro Motto: "Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite" meaning Freedom, Equality, Fraternity. National Anthem: La Merseillaise

4. Facts about France France is situated in Western Europe. It takes 1 hour and 25 minutes to get to Paris from Dublin. The highest mountain in France is the Mont Blanc at 4,810m high. Bordered by Begium, Germany, Italy, Spain and Luxembourg.

5. Main Attractions The Eiffel Tower Notre Dame The Louvre Arc de Triomphe Disneyland Paris

6. Climate in France France has a temperate climate. It has generally cool Winters and mild Summers. The coast of France has mild Winters and very hot Summers.

7. Food in France France is famous for many different foods like cheese and crepes. The French like to eat snails and frogs' legs. The French enjoy their main meal of the day in the evening and this usually consists of three courses. The French are well known for their bread sticks called baguettes.

8. Similar to Ireland, The French education system is divided into 3 sections; Primary, Secondary and Higher education. In Primary school, children attend school Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 8.30 to 4.30 with a 2 hour break for lunch in the middle. Children in France do not have school on Wednesdays but they do attend school from 8.30 to 11.30 on Saturdays. School in France

9. Sport in France The French love sport and keeping fit. The most popular sports are football, rugby, cycling, skiing, tennis, and golf. A popular traditional game in France is boules. In 1998 the football World Cup was held in France, and the French team won the trophy for the first time. Car racing is also popular in France. The Le Mans 24-hour rally and the Monaco Grand Prix are big sporting events which attract many spectators. Skiing is a favourite activity in mountainous regions of France such as the Alps, the Pyrénées, and the Massif Central. Many French children learn to ski almost as soon as they are able to walk!

10. The 'Tour de France' A popular cycling race that takes place in France every year. The cyclists travel over 4,000 km. The leader of the race wears a yellow jersey.

11. Comparison Pierre's home Home city School Weather Sport Food Currency Language National Anthem Your home

12. Paris Capital of France Situated on the River Seine One of the most densely populated cities in the world Population of 12 million people Famous for fashion and culture Over 45 million tourists visit Paris each year The metro is the city's rail system

13. The Eiffel Tower Erected for the Paris Exposition of 1889. Named after its creator Alexandre Eiffel, who also designed the Statue of Liberty in New York. It cost over €300,000 to construct. An immense structure of exposed latticework made of puddle iron. There are 1671 steps to the top.

14. Disneyland Paris One of the main sights in Paris Opened in March 1992 2 Theme parks, 7 hotels, and a shopping, dining and entertainment complex.

15. The Louvre One of the largest and most important museums in the world. The most recent addition to the Louvre was the Louvre pyramid which functions as the entrance for the museum.

16. Arc de Triomphe The most monumental of arches. Built between 1806 and 1836. Even though many changes have been made to the original plans, the Arch still retains the essence of the original concept: Powerful and unified.

17. Notre Dame Famous Cathedral Montmartre Hill in the North of Paris