France is a nation in Western Europe. Straddling the Mediterranean Sea and the English Channel, France is well-known for both its art museums and its beaches. France is a member of both the EU and the Euro zone, which means that the official currency is the euro. France borders both Germany and Spain, two other major countries which also use the euro. This makes travel between countries easy and convenient for those staying in holiday homes in France.
France is the most popular tourist country in the entire world, receiving over 80 million visitors each year, each of whom stays longer than a day. The capital of France is Paris and it is here that some of the world's most famous art museums can be found. The Louvre alone takes many days to see in full; in fact, the collection is so vast that only portions of it are open on any given day. Outside of Paris, small French villages offer a picturesque view of life in the countryside, and many regions feature winemaking, with the Champagne area the only region legally allowed to market sparkling wine under that name. The French Ministry of Culture maintains a list of over 200 formal gardens known as the "Remarkable Gardens," many of which draw city tourists out into the countryside as well.
France and the United Kingdom are linked by means of the Channel Tunnel, a rail line dug underneath the English Channel.
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