Did you know that French was not only spoken in France, but 28 other countries are actually French-speaking countries?! How amazing is that ? It means that you can not only learn more about France and speak with French people, but you can also discover other lands and other people thanks to this language 🙂 Let’s meet them right now !
Africa
Benin
Benin (le Bénin) is an Western African country situated in the Gulf of Guinea. Its capital city is Porto-Novo. The Royal Palaces of Abomey and the Dantokpa Market are not to be missed! French is the official language there but about 56 languages/dialects are spoken! What a diversity!
Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso (same name in French), situated in West Africa, has for capital city Ouagadougou. The most famous sites there are Bobo Dioulasso, the second biggest town if the country, the Karfiguela Falls and the Fabedougou Domes. I discovered those sites while writing this article, and it really makes me want to visit the country!
Burundi
Burundi (same name in French) is located in the Eastern part of Africa. Its capital city is Gitega. Most touristic activities are safaris there, like the Rusizi National park, to see the hippopotamuses, and the Kibira National park to observe the chimpanzees. Kirundi is the first official language while French is the second one.
Cameroon
Cameroon (spelt Cameroun in French) is in Central Africa. Yaoundé is the capital city. Its nature is lush and if you go there, you have to see the Ekom Falls, sunbathe in Kribi (seaside resort) and climb the volcano Mount Cameroon. For your information, English and French are both official languages there, so you should have no problem understanding and talking with people 🙂
Central African Republic
La République Centrafricaine in French or Central African Republic as we call it in English is located in Central Africa and Bangui is its capital city. The Manovo-Gounda St Floris National Park is home to rhinoceroses, leopards and elephants among other species. Two languages are official : French and Sango.
Chad
N’Djamena is the capital city of Chad (Tchad in French). This country is located in Central Africa. The Ennedi Plateau, in the south of the Sahara and the Zakouma Park are among the most famous sites to visit in Chad. Honestly it seems amazing!!! English and Arabic are the official languages.
Comoros
Comores, or les Comores, in French, are an African Island located in the Indian ocean. Its capital city is Moroni. If you enjoy hiking, you should go to Mount Karthala, which is the highest volcano of the country. Comorian, French and Arabic are the three official languages.
The Ivory Coast
The Ivory Coast (called la Côte d’Ivoire in French) is situated in the Gulf of Guinea. Its capital city is Abidjan. What is not to be missed there : The Basilica of our Lady of Peace and the Taï National Park, that is one of the oldest primary forests in Africa.
Republic of the Congo
The Republic of the Congo (Congo in French) is a Central African country, which capital city is Brazzaville. Odzala-Kokoua National Park is home to the second biggest rainforest in the world. French is the official language of the country.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo
The Democratic Repubic of the Congo (translated as La République démocratique du Congo in French) is the biggest French-speaking country in the world (in terms of inhabitants). Located in Africa, its capital city is Kinshasa. If you want to see gorillas, you must go to the Virunga National Park.
Djibouti
Djibouti (same is a small country in the Eastern part of Africa. Its capital city is Djibouti. Lake Assal, that is considered the most salted lake in the world, is one of the wonders of this country. For your information, French and Arabic are the two official languages.
Equatorial Guinea
Equatorial Guinea (Guinée Equatoriale in French) is on the sea side, in Central Africa. Its capital city is Malabo. Hiking on the Mount Pico Basilé or visiting the Monté Alen National Park are the outdoor activities you can do there. The official languages of Equatorial Guinea are Spanish, French and Portuguese.
Gabon
The Gabon is in Central Africa, and its capital city is Libreville. If you want to meet elephants or buffalos, you should visit the Loango National Park. French is the only official language there.
Guinea
Conakry is the capital city of this West African country. Soumba Falls and Kassa Island seem to be fantastic places, where the heat won’t be an issue anymore! French is the official language.
Madagascar
Antananarivo is the capital city of Madagascar, island situated in the Indian ocean, close to Africa. The avenue of the Baobabs and the Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve, as well as the island of Nosy Be, if you enjoy the beach, crystal-clear waters and sunbathing are not to be missed. French and Malagasy are the official languages.
Mali
Mali is located in West Africa, and its capital city is Bamako. If you are there on vacation, you absolutely need to visit the Great Mosque of Djenné and the Tumb of Askia. Mali counts five official languages : French, Arabic, English, Fulani and Mandinka.
Niger
Located in West Africa, Niger has for capital city Niamey. The Historic Center of Agadez and its Mosque, made of clay, are the most famous places of Niger. French is the only official language there.
Rwanda
Rwanda, which capital city is Kigali, is in Eastern Africa. This country is nicknamed “the land of thousand hills”, as mountains, lakes and savanna are all over the countries. The Volcanoes National Park is a park you want to visit if you are there. The official languages are French, Kinyarwanda, English and Swahili.
Senegal
Senegal is in the Western part of Africa. Its capital city is Dakar. Lake Retba, that is slightly pink (!!!) and the Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary are wonders you will see if you visit Senegal. French is the only official language.
Seychelles
Seychelles is an African Island located in the Indian ocean. Its capital city is Victoria. Many French couples actually go there on their honeymoon : Gorgeous beaches, coconut trees and fine sands… How nice does that seem ?! And if your French is still not good enough to have a conversation with local people, no worries as English is the second official language, and Seychellois Creole is the third one.
Togo
Togo is a country located in the Gulf of Guinea, in West Africa. Its capital city is Lomé. Koutammakou, the Land of the Batammariba is to visit absolutely if you are around. French is the only official language in Togo.
America
Canada
Canada (same name in French) is situated in North America and its capital city is Ottawa. The Château Frontenac and the Montmorency Falls are among the places to visit if you are in the French-speaking part of Canada, as there are two parts there : The French-speaking region and the English-speaking ones.
Haiti
Port-au-Prince is the capital city of this Caribbean island, that is split into two countries : Haiti on the Western side of the island and Dominican Republic on the Eastern side of the island. If you enjoy monuments and history, you will for sure enjoy Haiti as it is full of castles, fortresses and palaces, such as the Citadelle Laferrière for example. Haitian Creole and French are the official languages of the country.
Europe
Belgium
Belgium (la Belgique), which capital city is Brussels (Bruxelles) shares a border with France. The most famous emblems of Belgium, from a French lady’s point of view, that is to say, me (!), are French fries, beer, the Manneken-Pis and the city of Bruges, nicknamed the Venice of the North. Only the South of the country speaks French. The northern part speaks Flemish.
Luxembourg
Luxembourg is ont of the smallest European countries. Its capital city is Luxembourg. Even though, it is a tiny country, there are places to visit and you probably won’t get bored in Luxembourg. If you are there, don’t miss the Vianden Castle. There are three official languages there : Luxembourgish, French and German.
Read also : What to visit when it’s my first time in Paris
Monaco
Monaco is a microstate, located on the French Riviera. Its capital city is Monaco. This state is very famous for its wealth. So what to do there : Gambling at the casino, eating at nice restaurants and showing off in the streets. Living the Monegasque life! Only French is the official language (even though you can hear hundreds of languages while in Monaco!).
Switzerland
Switzerland (la Suisse in French) is a country located in Europe. Its capital city is Bern. In this country, you can do a lot of outdoor activities : Skiing, climbing or lake-swimming. If you enjoy history and architecture, you will also be able to entertain yourself and visit the Château de Chillon for example. This country counts 4 official languages : French, German, Italian, Romansh.
Oceania
Vanuatu
Port Vila is the capital city of this archipelago, located in the South Pacific Ocean. Outdoor activity is king there : snorkeling, hiking, swimming. Just looking at the pictures will make you want to go there so bad! The official languages are English, French and Bislama.
French language really will enable you to travel the world, as it is one of the five most spoken languages in the world. I bet this makes you want to improve your French even more! So don’t give up and soon you will be able to have a conversation with people from all around the world! Have you ever visited one of these countries? Or is one of those French-speaking countries your dream destination? Let me know in the comments!
