The Story of France

Hello there. I have a special shape, like a big star with six points. Some parts of me are covered in snowy mountains where you can play, and other parts have sunny beaches where you can build sandcastles. My cities sparkle with lights at night. In the morning, you can smell yummy, fresh bread and sweet pastries baking in my bakeries. It is a wonderful smell that makes everyone happy. I am the country of France.

My story is very, very long. A long, long time ago, people lived in my cozy caves. They were artists. On the walls, they painted amazing pictures of running horses and big, strong animals. It was their special way of telling stories. Later, friends from a place called Rome came to visit. They built strong roads for walking and riding, and they made beautiful towns. Many years later, in the 1400s and 1500s, kings and queens built fairytale castles with tall, pointy towers. I loved watching children pretend to be knights and princesses in the gardens.

I have a very special birthday that we celebrate. On a sunny day, July 14th, 1789, my people shared a big, wonderful idea. They decided that everyone should be kind, fair, and friends with each other. It was a happy thought that I still remember. Much later, a very clever man named Gustave Eiffel built a super tall iron tower for a big party in 1889. Today, that tower still stands. Friends from all over the world come to see my beautiful art, eat my delicious food, and say 'Bonjour.'. That means 'hello.'. I love when you visit and let me share my stories with you.

Roman Conquest of Gaul Completed c. 50 BCE
Charlemagne Crowned Holy Roman Emperor 800
Construction of Notre Dame Cathedral Begins c. 1163