France country guide France

France is the largest country in the EU, stretching from the North Sea to the Mediterranean with a diverse landscape. The Mont Blanc in the Alps is the highest point (4809m) of Western Europe. France is the most important tourist destination in the world and one of the most modern countries. France is an important member of the European Union and a member of the G-8 and an important trading partner for the Netherlands.

Japan, the United States and China are important trading partners for France, but more than half of the trade takes place with other members of the European Union. The most important export products are food, agricultural products, machines and transport equipment, chemical products, steel and iron products and clothing.

In the French road network, péage (toll) is levied on major roads. France has an extensive rail network, including the TGV. There is also a rail link with Great Britain via the Channel Tunnel. Airports are in or near Paris, Lyon, Nice and Marseille.

• The image of the Dutch businessman in France is reasonable to good. He is seen as reliable, punctual, expert and (too) entitled to his goal.
• French companies often have a tighter hierarchical structure than Dutch ones. French people like to get an organization chart of the company during a meeting.
• The younger generations speak more and more English. Yet it is still absolutely an advantage to master French
• Business lunch takes an important place in the French business community. Conversations are not primarily about matters, but about topics such as family and culture.

• €62 billion in the Netherlands was exported (2022)
• €28 billion was imported to the Netherlands (2022)
• €30 million digital buyers
• World's sixth-largest economy
• EU's third largest economy