France inspired the Pokémon X and Y region of Kalos.
Kalos is a fictional region whose geography, architecture, and cultural details draw heavily from France. Its central city, Lumiose City, is modeled after Paris and features a landmark resembling the Eiffel Tower. The region’s northern shape and countryside also echo the outline and landscapes of metropolitan France.
Pokémon X and Y were released for the Nintendo 3DS on October 12, 2013. They introduced the sixth generation, including 72 new Pokémon, the Fairy type, Mega Evolution, and fully polygonal 3D graphics in the main series. The games’ themes of beauty, bonds, and evolution fit the region’s artistic and cultural presentation.
Kalos is not the same as the setting of Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, which is based on Japan’s Hokkaido, or Unova, which draws on the New York City area. Those regional inspirations are a frequent source of mix-ups because Pokémon geography blends real-world references with invented towns, routes, and landmarks.