France is known to be the land of love and wine. But behind all the clichés there are many incredible and funny facts that you do not yet know. Did you know for instance that in France you can’t name your pig after Napoleon? This is definitely not the only bizarre law in France. Here are some of the craziest and funniest facts about the land of love.
Bizarre Facts About France
Legal To Marry A Dead Person
French law makes marriage possible posthumously but requires a presidential decree, which is also signed by the head of government and the minister of justice. In 2008 a French man married his dead partner. The sentence “Until death parts us” apparently doesn’t play a role for this 68-year-old. The couple had originally planned to get married at retirement age, but a serious illness destroyed their plans. President Sarkozy permitted the wedding.
No Driver’s License
At least 600,000 driver drivers drive without a driver’s license. And that is carefully estimated; According to some sources, there are even 1 million drivers. In addition, there are 700,000 uninsured cars on the streets of France.
Eiffel Tower Shrinks
As some of you might know already, the Eiffel Tower is exactly 324 meters high. But that’s only true in the summer months. In the winter the Eiffel Tower shrinks by approx. 5 cm because the iron contracts in the cold.
90 Million Tourists A Year
With 90 million tourists in 2019, France is still the most popular tourist destination in the world. 2019 was an absolute top year for the French tourism industry, which could look forward to the highest number of visitors since 2011. The most popular sights and attractions were Disneyland Paris, Louvre, Versailles, and the Eiffel Tower.
Marry Objects
Did you know that in France you can marry objects? A 37-year-old woman from San Francisco married the Eiffel Tower in 2007. Her name is Erika La Tour Eiffel.
Pianos In Train Stations
In 2011, after a concert, a piano stood for a few days in the train station in Montparnasse, waiting to be packed up. Passers-by suddenly began to play on it. The whole thing became so popular that the French railways decided to place pianos in other stations as well.
Carrier Pigeons
The French army is the only army in Europe that still uses carrier pigeons. They are housed in Mont Valérien near Paris and are intended to be used for communication during a major disaster.
Cities Without Residents
In France, there are six villages that have a mayor even though they have no residents. The villages were destroyed in World War II, but the mayors are responsible for ensuring their restoration.
Buy Train Ticket For Snails
Did you know that in France, it is illegal to carry a snail on a train, unless you buy a ticket for them. It turns out that any animal under five kilos counts like a passenger and therefore must pay. This is probably one of the most bizarre laws in France.