With its 551,000 sq. km  (342,375 sq. miles) France is the largest state in the European Union (almost one fifth of the total area of the European Union), by area and the third largest in Europe behind Russia and Ukraine. It would be second if its extra-European territories like French Guiana were included. It is surrounded by Andorra, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Monaco, Spain, and Switzerland.

France possesses a wide variety of landscapes, from coastal plains in the north and west to mountain ranges of the Alps in the south-east, the Massif Central in the south-central and Pyrenees in the south-west. At 4,807 metres (15,771 ft) above sea-level, the highest point in Western Europe, Mont Blanc, is situated in the Alps on the border between France and Italy. Metropolitan France enjoys extensive river systems such as the Loire, the Garonne, the Seine (the river that passes through Paris) and the Rhône, which divides the Massif Central from the Alps and flows into the Mediterranean Sea at the Camargue, the lowest point in France (2 m/6.56 ft below sea level). Corsica is part of France, a small island that lies off the Mediterranean coast and the birthplace of one of the most famous French Emperors: Napoleon Bonaparte.

France is divided into 26 administrative regions. 22 are in metropolitan France (21 are on the continental part of metropolitan France; one is the territorial collectivity of Corsica), and four are overseas regions. The regions are further subdivided into 100 departments which are numbered (mainly alphabetically). This number is used in postal codes and vehicle number plates amongst others. The 100 departments are subdivided into 341 arrondissements which are, in turn, subdivided into 4,032 cantons. These cantons are then divided into 36,680 communes, which are municipalities with an elected municipal council. There also exist 2,588 intercommunal entities grouping 33,414 of the 36,680 communes (i.e. 91.1% of all the communes). Three communes, the largest cities in the country - Paris, Lyon and Marseille - are also subdivided into 45 municipal arrondissements.

• Farms and forests cover 48 million hectares, i.e. 82% of the total area of France.
• Some 26% of French territory is covered by forests, ranking France third in the European Union for the amount of forestland, behind Sweden and Finland.
• France possesses 136 different kinds of trees - an exceptional diversity for a European country - and the wildlife population is on the rise: in 20 years, the deer population has doubled and the number of roe deer has tripled. In order to conserve and develop France’s natural heritage, the government has established: 
  

Cultural Crossroads Tours of France at a Glance

• Gardens and Gastronomy in France
  

  This “colorful and tasty” program has been designed especially for Cultural Crossroads travelers who are particularly interested in discovering the secrets of French cuisine and some of the most interesting gardens including many private gardens not normally opened to the public. Cultural Crossroads travelers will enjoy a cooking demonstration by a well-known Chef, wine and olive oil tastings, and a private visit to a Renaissance castle which is now a private residence. We also visit a workshop that creates Provencal fabrics, a glass blowing museum, the impressive estate and winery of Val Joanis, and a class with a perfume expert in her laboratory in one of the most famous perfume factories of Grasse. Of course, every day will include local French cuisine.

• Treasures of Art in the Loire Chateaux Country
  

  Amboise will be our home for 6 nights, a perfect location in the heart of the Loire Valley, which is often referred to as the center of the French “Art de Vivre” because of its long tradition of elegant chateaux and delicious food. Cultural Crossroads travelers will follow our expert study leader, from castle to castle from the Middle Ages through the Renaissance to the 18th and 19th century, we will discover treasures of art, exceptional parks and gardens, arts and crafts of the region and enter the fascinating history of the châteaux country.