10 facts about France that will surprise you

1. The French flag inspired many European flags. It became what it is now in 1794, but before that, it changed frequently. For example, under the first Frankish king, the flag was blue, symbolizing the kindness of Saint Martin of Tours. According to legend, he shared his blue cloak with a beggar so that he wouldn't freeze. Under the Bourbon kings, a white flag covered with golden lilies (a symbol of royal power) was used, with two angels holding a blue shield with three lilies in the center.

2. The French live in 12 different time zones. This may be hard to believe, as the country is small and located in one time zone. However, if you consider the overseas departments and other territories, it turns out to be true. France also maintains the switch to daylight saving time.

3. The French invented the parachute, bicycle, chandelier, and Braille. The most amusing origin story is that of mayonnaise — the French were under siege at a port, and all they had left were eggs and oil. A chef came up with the idea of whisking eggs with oil and adding spices to diversify the daily diet. Everyone liked the sauce, and it was named “mayonnaise” (meaning “Mahon’s” after the port’s name).

4. French politeness is a unique trait. People will look at you oddly if you ask, "Excuse me, where is the restroom?" without saying "Hello!" first, or if you ask for help without saying “please” countless times. Children are taught to greet people: "Hello, Bernard" and employees are forbidden to raise their voices at their bosses.

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5. More people speak French in Africa than in Europe. This is because France once had large colonial holdings in Africa. These African countries later gained independence, but French remained the official language in most of them. Examples include the Central African Republic, Burkina Faso, Gabon, and many others.

6. In 2013, France successfully performed the world’s first artificial heart transplant. They saved a 75-year-old patient suffering from severe heart failure. This procedure cost $120,000, with $80,000 for the autonomous heart.

7. Since 1920, France has awarded medals to mothers of large families for good child-rearing on Mother's Day. Nowadays, the main condition is that the youngest child in the large family must be at least 16 years old.

8. In 2016, France fined grocery stores en masse for throwing away excess food. The philosophy is that all food should be used to the maximum, for example, donated to charity. It’s encouraging that some countries followed this example.

9. It is forbidden to kiss on train platforms in France. Why? The conductor had to wait a long time while lovers finished kissing, causing train delays.

10. Believe it or not, you can marry a deceased person in France. In 2014, 48-year-old Pascale Liard wrote a letter to the president asking to marry her beloved, who had died of a heart attack. François Hollande personally signed the marriage permission. And this isn’t an isolated case!