The Best Country in the World: France

Previously we discussed the best cities in the world. Now the time has come to discuss what country has the highest quality of life. Where, all things considered, is the best place to live in the world? One strong candidate is Australia – it's sunny, it's rich, it's safe, it's friendly, it’s beautiful, everything works, it's optimistic, the cost of living is not outrageous, the restaurants are good, healthcare is good. If you like beach life and outdoor activities you are sorted. One disadvantage is that it's very far away from everywhere. Also, it doesn't have much in the way of history or culture. Because of this, Australia is the admirable runner-up.

The winner is France.

If you like architecture, France has the best selection of cathedrals, palaces and castles in the world.
If you like urban life, Paris is (when all joking is put aside) the best city in the world.
If you prefer rural life, France has the most beautiful villages in the world.
If you like skiing or hiking and wilderness, there are the French Alps.
If you like sun and beaches, there is the Cote d'Azur.
France has the best food in the world and the best restaurants in the world.
France has the best cafes in the world. It's got the best wine in the world, and the best cheese in the world.
Family life is very strong, with low divorce rates and so forth. People tend to live near all their relatives, and be close to them. The whole country is designed to make parenting easy.
France has the best healthcare system in the world.
It has a brilliant infrastructure - flawless motorways. Or if you prefer trains, it's got the best trains in the world as well.
If culture is your thing then France has the best museums and art galleries in the world. They love ideas and debate and art.
French is the most beautiful language in the world. No question about it.
The people are stylish, and well-dressed.
The women are beautiful, and if you go to a beach, they aren't wearing anything.
France has the same smug, bourgeois prosperity as places like Belgium and Switzerland, but it also has an edge to it - it's not boring or predictable.
France is also near lots of places - if you want to pop over to Britain, Germany, Spain, Italy or wherever, you can be there in no time. You get good vacation time as well.

France combines all the virtues of Northern European countries (well-organised, productive, good social services) with all the virtues of Southern European countries (a passion for life, romantic, good weather, strong family ties, good food and wine).

France is the best country in the world. Scientists agree.

(Interesting fact about the above famous photograph of Paris: It was posed. It was a set up. But do you see the guy with the glasses to the left walking by in the background? He wasn’t part of the set up. He was just some Irish bloke who happened to be walking by at the time. He had never travelled out of Ireland before, but was going to Rome on a pilgrimage and had stopped over in Paris. I think he was from Killester.)