People
Joan of Arc
Domrémy, France
A peasant girl from Domrémy who said she was guided by visions, she helped lift the siege of Orléans in 1429 and was executed two years later.
Lived: c. 1412–1431 · Known for: French military leader and saint
France: leaders, famous people, culture and history
12 places on the atlas covering people, history, architecture, language and culture. Highlights include Joan of Arc, Lascaux, Mont-Saint-Michel and French.
See France on the map Etiquette guide
What is on the atlas
- People Joan of Arc, Zinedine Zidane and Kylian Mbappé
- History Lascaux, Normandy Landing Beaches and Place de la Bastille
- Architecture Mont-Saint-Michel, Eiffel Tower and Notre-Dame de Paris
- Language French
- Culture Baguette bakeries and Wine culture
Who leads France?
| President | Emmanuel Macron |
|---|---|
| Prime Minister | Sebastien Lecornu |
Office-holders as of July 2026. Governments change, so check France’s official government website for the latest. Full list of heads of state and government.
Famous people from France
- Napoleon Bonaparte emperor
- Marie Curie (Polish-born, worked in Paris) physicist and chemist
- Victor Hugo novelist
- Claude Monet painter
- Joan of Arc national heroine
- Louis Pasteur microbiologist
- Simone de Beauvoir philosopher
A short, well-known selection rather than a ranking. People pinned on the map appear in the cards below.
Etiquette tips for France
- Greeting Say 'Bonjour' when entering shops and restaurants. Friends greet with cheek kisses (la bise).
- Dining Meals are unhurried. Keep your hands visible on the table and do not ask for the bill until you are ready to leave.
- Talk Try a few words of French first, which is much appreciated.
People in France
People
Zinedine Zidane
Marseille, France
A playmaker who led France to the 1998 World Cup, and later coached Real Madrid to three straight Champions League titles.
Born: 1972 · Known for: Footballer and coach
People
Kylian Mbappé
Paris, France
A forward whose speed made him a World Cup winner as a teenager in 2018, and who scored a hat-trick in the 2022 final.
Born: 1998 · Known for: Footballer
History in France
History
Lascaux
Dordogne, France
A cave decorated with hundreds of painted and engraved animals by Paleolithic people. The original is closed to protect it, and replicas are open to visitors.
Period: About 17,000 years ago
History
Normandy Landing Beaches
Normandy, France
Allied forces landed on these beaches on D-Day, opening a western front against Nazi Germany. Cemeteries and museums now line the coast.
Date: 6 June 1944
History
Place de la Bastille
Paris, France
A crowd stormed the medieval prison that stood here at the start of the French Revolution. Bastille Day is France's national holiday.
Date: 14 July 1789
Architecture in France
Architecture
Mont-Saint-Michel
Normandy, France
A tidal island crowned by a medieval abbey, where the sea retreats far away at low tide.
Built: Abbey from the 11th century · Style: Romanesque and Gothic
Architecture
Eiffel Tower
Paris, France
Built for the 1889 World's Fair, the iron lattice tower was meant to stand temporarily but became the symbol of Paris.
Built: 1889 · Style: Wrought-iron lattice
Architecture
Notre-Dame de Paris
Paris, France
A cathedral on the Île de la Cité with flying buttresses and rose windows. A major fire in 2019 destroyed the roof and spire, and the cathedral reopened in December 2024 after restoration.
Built: 1163–c. 1345 · Style: French Gothic
Language in France
Language
French
Paris, France
A Romance language that spread to the Americas, Africa and Asia, and is an official language in dozens of countries.
Say hello: Bonjour · Script: Latin
Culture in France
Culture
Baguette bakeries
Paris, France
The artisanal know-how and culture of the baguette were added to UNESCO's intangible heritage list in 2022. Many French people still buy a loaf fresh from the neighbourhood boulangerie each day.
Tradition: Daily fresh bread
Culture
Wine culture
Bordeaux, France
The region around Bordeaux has produced wine for about two thousand years. Estates, classifications and vintages are part of a long regional tradition.
Tradition: Vineyards and tasting
How to use this page
This page brings together the people who lead France today, a short selection of well-known people from France, and the 12 places pinned for France on the atlas. Use the buttons at the top to see France on the map, where you can filter by theme, read a short summary of each pin and follow the link to Wikipedia for the full article. To browse the same themes across the whole world, see the people page, history page, architecture page, language page and culture page.
Questions about France
Who is the leader of France?
As of July 2026: President: Emmanuel Macron; Prime Minister: Sebastien Lecornu. Office-holders change, so check the official government site for the latest.
Who are some famous people from France?
Well-known people connected with France include Napoleon Bonaparte (emperor), Marie Curie (Polish-born, worked in Paris) (physicist and chemist), Victor Hugo (novelist), Claude Monet (painter) and Joan of Arc (national heroine).
Which famous people from France are pinned on the atlas?
People pinned for France include Joan of Arc, Zinedine Zidane and Kylian Mbappé. Open the map to read a short summary of each.
What are famous landmarks and buildings in France?
Notable buildings and sites in France on the atlas include Mont-Saint-Michel, Eiffel Tower and Notre-Dame de Paris. Open the map for photos and links to read more.
What are important historical places in France?
Historical places in France on the atlas include Lascaux, Normandy Landing Beaches and Place de la Bastille. Open the map for photos and links to read more.
What languages and scripts is France known for?
Language entries for France on the atlas include French. Open the map for photos and links to read more.
What food and customs is France known for?
Food and customs from France on the atlas include Baguette bakeries and Wine culture. Open the map for photos and links to read more.
How can I explore France on the map?
Choose See France on the map above, or search for France on the atlas. You can filter by theme, drag the Time travel slider to see who was alive and what was standing in different centuries, and open any pin for a short summary and a link to the full Wikipedia article.
What etiquette should visitors know in France?
Greeting: Say 'Bonjour' when entering shops and restaurants. Friends greet with cheek kisses (la bise). Dining: Meals are unhurried. Keep your hands visible on the table and do not ask for the bill until you are ready to leave. These are general customs, not legal advice.