Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Offi cial Name
France
Capital
Paris
Major Cities
Paris (ten times the next largest in population), Lyon,
Marseille, Lille, Toulouse and Bordeaux
Administrative Centre
Paris (the centre of everything in France)
Flag
Three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), white, and
red; known as the 'Le drapeau tricolore' (French Tricolour)
The tricolour l ag was established as the symbol of liberty
during the Revolution in 1794 and adopted as the ofi cial l ag
in 1812. It has three equal vertical bands, in a height/length
ratio of 2:3. But the origins are all royal. It was used since
the time of Henry IV (1589-1610). The hoist side is blue,
representing St Martin since the time of Clovis, France's i rst
king (reigning from 481-511). White represented royalty for a
long time before the Revolution as well as the higher power
of God. The red comes from the Capetians, who reigned in
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