France–Switzerland relations

Swiss-French relations

France	Switzerland

Diplomatic relations between Switzerland and France have traditionally been close. France has been appointing ambassadors to Switzerland since the 16th century and Switzerland's first representation abroad, in 1798, was in French capital Paris (closely followed by a consulate in Bordeaux). By the end of the 19th century, the only country with a legation in the Swiss capital Berne was France.

Switzerland and France - which is part of the European Union (EU) - share a 600 km border (prompting strong cross-border cooperation) and a language (French is one of Switzerland's four official languages). Around 180,000 Swiss citizens live in France and 100,000 French citizens live in Switzerland. 122,000 French national cross the border to work in Switzerland; half of all foreign cross-border commuters.

France is Switzerland's third largest trading partner (after Germany and Italy) and the two are integrated economically via Swiss treaties with the EU. Switzerland is also part of the EU's Schengen Area which abolishes international borders between Schengen states.

See also

• Switzerland – European Union relations