Which countries border France?
Quick answer
Mainland France borders eight countries: Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Monaco, Spain and Andorra. That makes France the European country that shares a land border with both Spain and Germany. Through its overseas region of French Guiana, France also borders Brazil and Suriname in South America.
France’s land borders
| Neighbor | Approx. border length | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Brazil | ~730 km | Via French Guiana; France’s longest land border |
| Spain | ~620 km | Along the Pyrenees mountains |
| Belgium | ~620 km | Mostly flat, open land |
| Switzerland | ~570 km | Along the Jura Mountains and Lake Geneva |
| Italy | ~480 km | Through the Alps, including Mont Blanc |
| Germany | ~450 km | Much of it along the Rhine |
| Suriname | ~510 km | Via French Guiana, along the Maroni River |
| Luxembourg | ~70 km | |
| Andorra | ~55 km | A small country in the Pyrenees |
| Monaco | ~6 km | Surrounded by France on land |
It’s often said, as a fun fact, that France’s longest land border is with Brazil.
Natural borders
Much of mainland France is shaped by natural boundaries, which is why it’s nicknamed “l’Hexagone” for its six-sided shape:
- The Pyrenees separate it from Spain.
- The Alps separate it from Italy and Switzerland.
- The Rhine marks part of the German border.
- The English Channel, Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea form its coasts.
The UK connection
France has no land border with the UK, but the Channel Tunnel, opened in 1994, links them by rail under the sea.
France has more time zones than any country, thanks to its overseas territories; see which country has the most time zones. Its neighbor Switzerland uses its own money: the Swiss franc.
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