vrader/ French Culture trivia 2021
How many centimètres in un mètre
100
How many grammes in un kilo
1000
How many mètres in un kilomètre
1000
How tall is the Eiffel Tower
1000 feet/300 meters
How old was Marie Antoinette when she married Louis XVI
14
When did the country, Gaul get renamed France
1481
How tall is Mont Blanc, the tallest mountain in Europe
15,771 feet/4805 meters
At what age do children go to le lycée
15-16
When were the boundaries of modern France established
1500
During which century did the Renaissance take place
16th century
What year did the French revolution start ?
1789
When was Marie Antoinette executed by guillotine
1793
During which century did Louis XIV reign
17th
Who was Molière
17th century playwright
How old must you be to vote in France
18 yrs old
When was the Statue of Liberty shipped from France to NY
1885
When was the Eiffel Tower opened?
1889
For which occasion was the Eiffel Tower built
1889 World's Fair
When did le can-can enjoy popularity
1890s
How old was Joan of Arc when she was killed in May 1431
19
When was the first men's Tour de France held
1903
When did Joan of Arc become Saint Joan
1920
When did the Cannes Film Festival begin
1946
When did Algeria gain its independence from France
1962
When was the first women's Tour de France held
1984
When was Jacques Chirac elected president
1995
When did France end nuclear testing
1996
In what year did France win the Soccer World Cup for the first time
1998
When did France play host to the World Cup for soccer
1998
On average, how many children do married couples have in France
2
How much mustard does each person in France use per year
2 lbs per person - a total of 60,000 tons
How many French soldiers died in World War I
2 million
The French invented the coffee pot how many years ago
200 years ago
When was a bill approved giving Corsica limited autonomy
2001
What year did France switch from the French 'franc' to the European currency unit, the 'euro'
2002
During what century was Le Corbusier a famous architect?
20th century
During which century did Albert Camus write?
20th century
How long does the car race at Le Mans last
24 hrs (les 24 heures du Mans)
What percentage of France's total area is covered by woods and forests
26 percent
How long does it take to do this bicycle race?
3 weeks
How high is the Eiffel Tower?
300 mètres
How long is the presidential term in France
5 yrs
At what age did Louis XIV begin running France
5 yrs old
Which Republic is France under today
5th Republic
To what age was France's legal retirement age lowered in 1982 by Socialist President Mitterrand
60
What is the average life expectancy in France
81
How many departments are there in mainland France
95
what was Auguste Rodin ?
A 19th century sculptor who created the "thinker"
What happened for the first time in the history of the French Republic on October 19, 2011
A French first lady gave birth during her husband's presidency
Which of Ernest Hemingway's books portray life in Paris between the two world wars
A Moveable Feast
Who is Asterix ?
A famous cartoon character who fight the Romans and always wins
what is la bouillabaisse ?
A fish stew
What is le Camembert
A type of soft cheese
What is the name of the French space program
ARIANE
What is the total population of France
About 63 million people
From what origin are most Martiniquais and Guadeloupéens
African
What is the largest airline in France
Air France
Who wrote the three musqueteers or "les trois mousquetaires" ?
Alexandre Dumas
Which French writer wrote the Three Musketeers- Les Trois mousquetaires and le comte de Monte christo ?
Alexandre Dumas (père)
In which regions is beer really popular
Alsace and Lorraine
What did France get back at the end of World War I
Alsace and Lorraine
What did France lose in the Franco-German war of 1870-1871
Alsace and Lorraine
What was Grace Kelly's profession before she married Prince Rainier de Monaco?
American film star
Who married Louis XIII?
Anne d'Autriche
Who wrote Le Petit Prince
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Which holiday celebrated in the US began in France 450 yrs ago
April Fool's Day
What big body of water is West of France?
Atlantic Ocean
What French sculptor dominated the 19th century?
Auguste Rodin
Who sculpted Le Penseur?
Auguste Rodin
Marie Antoinette was not French. What nationality was she
Austrian
Where was a papal palace built in France
Avignon
What day in France is comparable to American Independence Day, July 4th
Bastille Day, July 14th
Near what country is Lille
Belgium
Colour of the Flag?
Blue/White/Red
Which family had the fleur de lis as a symbol
Bourbons
What did Louis Braille create in 1824?
Braille script to help the blind read
Who are the two most famous Cubist Artists
Braque and Picasso
Who did France beat in the 1998 World Cup to win it for the first time in the history of the competition
Brazil
Who did France join in declaring war on Germany, which began WWII
Britain
What opera did Georges Bizet write that is considered his masterpiece?
Carmen
The main religion of France?
Catholicism
Prior to the Roman invasion, what was the language of the French
Celtic
Who was made emperor in 800 AD
Charlemagne
Who was the first president of the 5th republic
Charles de Gaulle
Who designed the glass pyramid built in 1989 in the courtyard of the Louvre museum in Paris
Chinese-American architect, l.M. Pei
What is la France métropolitaine
Continental France
Where was Napoleon Bonaparte born
Corsica (la Corse)
What French island is located in the Mediterranean
Corsica, la Corse
When do the Christmas holiday celebrations begin in France
December 6th (Saint Nicolas)
Who is the president of France ?
Emmanuel Macron
Name of the country to the north-west of France?
England/U.K./Great Britain
What body of water separates France and the UK?
English Channel
Who wrote the absurdist plays Rhinoceros and La cantatrice chauve (the bald soprano)
Eugene Ionesco
What amusement park in Paris is the equivalent to Disneyland
Euro Disney
France is located in which continent?
Europe
What is the currency(money) of France?
Euros
What country does the World Health Organization frequently name as the world's best overall health care provider
France
What country is la Martinique part of
France
What founder member of the European Union (EU) has the third largest military in NATO, and the largest army in the EU
France
What is the largest country of Western Europe
France
What is an international organization of over 50 member states or countries where there is a notable affiliation with French language or culture
Francophonie
Who is the current Prime Minister of France, serving along with President Nicolas Sarkozy
François Fillon
Which king built le château de Chambord
François I
Who was the great king of the 16th century
François I
Who wrote Gargantua and Pantagruel?
François Rabelais
National Language of France?
French
Which French territory is in South America
French Guyana, la Guyane française
What is the official name for the country of France
French Republic
What is la Côte d' Azur
French Riviera
What is the name of the long beach in Southern France
French Riviera
What are MC Solaar, Assassins and NTM
French rap groups
Who designed the statue of liberty ?
Frédéric Bartholdi
What was the country of France named before Roman times
Gaul
Who led the underground resistance movement for those opposed to the Nazi takeover in France
General Charles de Gaulle
Who succeeded Charles de Gaulle as President
Georges Pompidou
What is the real name of the cartoonist Hergé, who created Tintin
Georges Rémi
By 1942 who had taken control over the entire country of France
Germans
On June 12, 1940, Paris surrendered to what country to save itself from destruction
Germany
Who invaded and occupied the northern and western parts of France in 1940
Germany
What countries border France to the East
Germany, Switzerland and Italy
What is the name of the baby that French President Nicolas Sarkozy and (Italian model and actress) wife Carla Bruni had in October 2011
Giulia
The cathedral of Chartres is an example of which type of art
Gothic art
What is more ornate Gothic or Romanesque architecture
Gothic art
Which French city has been the center of perfume production for centuries
Grasse
Who designed the Eiffel Tower?
Gustav Eiffel
What French actor, popular in the US, has starred in such movies as Green Card (1990) and Christopher Columbus (1992)
Gérard Depardieu
Who was the leading man in the 1990 film Cyrano de Bergerac
Gérard Depardieu
Which musicians were prominent the early 19th century
Hector Berlioz and Frédéric Chopin
Which artist painted scenes from the Moulin Rouge?
Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec
What cartoonist name sounds like the artist, Georges Rémi's initials pronounced backwards
Hergé
Protestantism came to France during the 1500s. Those who converted were called...
Huguenots
What were the series of wars between the French and English that began in 1337
Hundred Years War
Where is Napoleon's body today
Hôtel des Invalides
What would you do at a patinoire
Ice skate
What did the Popular Front governments enact
Important social and labor reforms
What kind of art is found at the Jeu de Paume
Impressionism
Which art movement do the painters Edgar Degas, Claude Monet, and Pierre-Auguste Renoir belong to
Impressionism
What was the nationality of the painter of the Mona Lisa?
Italian
Who brought high cooking into France in 1600
Italian princess, Marie de Médicis
The three countries east of France?
Italy and Switzerland and Germany
Who was the first French explorer of North America ?
Jacques Cartier
Who is France's most famous ecologist and underwater explorer ?
Jacques-Yves Cousteau
When do you eat une galette des rois
January 6th (Epiphany)
Who is considered the greatest writer of fables in France
Jean de la Fontaine
Who was the musician who collaborated with Molière
Jean-Baptiste Lully
What famous French-Swiss filmmaker, who headed the Nouvelle Vague movement, was awarded an Oscar by the American Academy Of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 2011
Jean-Luc Godard
Who has been the leader of le Front National since 1972
Jean-Marie Le Pen
Who led the armies of the French King Charles VII to victories against the English
Joan of Arc
Which American was known as the music-hall queen of Paris in 1920s?
Josephine Baker
What very famous writer was born in Nantes
Jules Verne
Who led the Romans into France in 52BC
Julius Caesar
In what month does The Tour the France happen?
July
In which month is the Tour de France held
July
On what day did the Storming of the Bastille prison occur
July 14, 1789
When did the allies land in Normandy
June 6th, 1944
Where is France's spacecraft launched
Kourou (French Guyana)
What nickname do the French give their country?
L'Hexagone
What is the name of the body of water that separates France form England ?
La "Manche" or English channel
What is Mona Lisa called in French
La Joconde
what is the name of the French national anthem ?
La Marseillaise
What palace in Paris serves as a meeting place for the 348-member French Sénat
Le Palais du Luxembourg
What river separates France form Germany ?
Le Rhin
What building is named after Georges Pompidou
Le centre Georges Pompidou (Beaubourg)
What do the French call their flag?
Le drapeau Tricolore
What world famous theatre festival was founded in Provence in 1947
Le festival d'Avignon
What mountain range separates France and Spain
Les Pyrénées
What flower is usually given on the 1st of May ?
Lilies of the Valley
What is further north - Lille or Bordeaux
Lille
What cheese is known as the oldest in France
Livarot
Name of the valley where you can find a lots of Renaissance castles?
Loire
Who invented the process of pasteurization?
Louis Pasteur
The Man in the Iron Mask was the supposed twin brother of which French king?
Louis XIV
Which king of France was known as the Sun King
Louis XIV
Who had Versailles built to its present day splendor
Louis XIV
Who said "L'État, c'est moi" (I am the state)
Louis XIV
Whose mistress was the Marquise de Pompadour?
Louis XV
Who was le roi soleil ?
Louis the XIVth
Which state was a French territory until sold to the US in 1803
Louisiana
France's North American Colony, Louisiana, was sold to the US. What was the sale called
Louisiana Purchase
What was the Roman (Latin) name for Paris
Lutetia
Who was the queen of France at the time of the Revolution
Marie Antoinette
Who was imprisoned at the Conciergerie
Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI
Whose work on radioactivity was the first step toward radiation treatment for cancer?
Marie Curie's
Who won the Nobel Prize for physics in 1903?
Marie and Pierre Curie
What is further east - Marseille or Toulouse
Marseille
What is the largest port of France
Marseille
Who composed Boléro
Maurice Ravel
When is the French labor day
May 1st
When was the French defeat at Dienbienphu
May,1954
What island in the Indian Ocean became the newest overseas territory (département d'outre-mer, or DOM) of France in 2012
Mayotte
What new département d'outre-mer's two main islands are called Grande-Terre and Petite Terre
Mayotte
Name the big body of water South of France?
Mediterranean Sea
Where was Maximilian sent by Napoleon III
Mexico
What was the stage name of Jean-Baptiste Poquelin?
Molière
Who wrote Tartuffe
Molière
What is the highest point in France
Mont Blanc
Where did la Goulue dance?
Moulin Rouge
What Museum in Paris is housed in an old train station
Musée d'Orsay
Why were the first hot air balloons known as montgolfières ?
Named after the inventors, the Montgolfier brothers
Where was the first biscuit factory
Nantes
What war leader was chief of the French army at age 26
Napoleon Bonaparte
Who brought order back to France
Napoleon Bonaparte
Who crowned himself emperor in 1804
Napoleon Bonaparte
Who married Josephine Beauharnais
Napoleon Bonaparte
Who ruled France when the metric system was established
Napoleon Bonaparte
Which of these countries does not border France ? Spain, Italy, Belgium, Germany , Netherlands
Netherlands?
What is le Jour de l'An ?
New year's day
Where is la promenade des Anglais
Nice
what city has the biggest carnival in France every year
Nice
What French president was elected in 2007, and is up for re-election in May 2012
Nicolas Sarkozy
Where in France is the Celtic influence still strong
Normandy and Brittany
what regions are famous for their butter
Normandy and Brittany
Couscous is a popular dish in France. Where did it come from
North Africa
When do the French celebrate la Toussaint
November 1st
Le musée d'Orsay
Old reconverted train station turned into the impressionist museum of Paris. one can find pieces of Monet, Renoir, Manet, degas and more
When do the French eat la galette des rois ?
On January 6th for Epiphany
How many kilometres do the cyclists ride?
Over 3,000
Who painted Guernica?
Pablo Picasso
What are the two most popular theme parks in France
Parc Astérix and Euro Disney
Near which large city is Versailles located
Paris
What city was the center of international art in the 20th century until after World War II
Paris
What is the capital of France?
Paris
What is the largest city in France
Paris
Where did the first ever, public film screening take place in 1895
Paris
What other painter did Van Gogh invite to share his studio in the South of France?
Paul Gauguin
From where does most of France's olive oil come from
Provence
Which came first, the Renaissance or the Classical period
Renaissance
Who was the cardinal who served as regent for Louis XIII
Richelieu
What are the two most popular French sporting events in summer
Roland Garros Tennis Tournament and the cycling Tour de France
What religion do most people in France belong to
Roman Catholic
Which came first, Romanesque or Gothic architecture
Romanesque
With which school of literature is Victor Hugo often associated?
Romanticism
The visual arts flourished in the mid-19th century. What were the three schools
Romanticism, Realism, and Impressionism
Who composed the French national anthem, or "La Marseillaise"?
Rouget de Lisle
Which French territory is off the coast of Canada
Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon
What day of the week do French children attend school while American children do not
Saturdays
When do the festivals for the harvesting of wine grapes take place
September
Where is Carcassonne
Southern France
Where is Nice
Southern France, on the Côte d'Azur
Near what country is Bayonne
Spain
What country is South of France on the other side of the Pyrenees ?
Spain
What great American landmark did Gustave Eiffel help design and build ?
Statue of Liberty
What day of the week are elections always held in France
Sundays
Which two French departments are located in the Pacific Ocean ?
Tahiti et la Nouvelle Caledonie
Mountains that separate France from Switzerland ?
The Alps
What helped rebuild France at the end of World War II
The Marshall Plan (US)
A new phenomenon called cohabitation appeared in French politics in the 1980's and 1990's. What does it mean
The President and Prime Minister belong to different political parties
Name of the amazing bicycle race in France?
The Tour de France
What event is celebrated every 14th of July ?
The beginning of the French revolution ?
The French helped create the world's fastest passenger airplane called
The/ (le) Concorde
What French cartoon detective is the subject of a new Steven Spielberg movie?
Tintin
Where is the Center for French Space Programs
Toulouse
Which city in southwestern France is called la ville rose
Toulouse
What country does more exporting of food than France
US
Who entered WWI in 1917 to help France defeat Germany
US
In what line of work was Jean Jacques Cousteau ?
Underwater exploration
Who succeeded Pompidou as president
Valéry Giscard d'Estaing
Who was the first national hero of France
Vercingétorix
Where is le grand Trianon
Versailles
Where is the hall of mirrors
Versailles
Who wrote "les Miserables"
Victor Hugo
Where did le croissant originate
Vienna, to celebrate the end of the siege of the city by the Turks
Which artist cut off his ear?
Vincent Van Gogh
Where was the final defeat of Napoleon
Waterloo
What famous conquest is depicted in the famous Bayeux tapestry
William the Conqueror invading England in 1066
What does the winner of each stage win?
Yellow Jersey
What is une bûche de Noël
a Christmas cake shaped like a log
What is une Citroën
a French car from the Citroën automaker
What is the principal use of Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon today
a French naval station
Where did Paris get its name from
a Gallic tribe, Parisii
What is the Sorbonne
a Paris university
What is hidden in une galette des Rois
a bean or a small porcelain figurine
What is the Tour de France
a bicycle race
What is a lycée-mixte
a co-ed high school
What is un petit beurre
a cookie
What is une langue de chat
a cookie
What is une madeleine
a cookie
What is un wagon-restaurant
a dining car
What is une douzaine d'huîtres
a dozen oysters
Who is Guignol
a famous French puppet
Who is Coco Chanel ?
a famous fashion designer
What is un mille-feuilles
a flaky pastry
What is un beignet
a fried pastry
What is the approximate geometrical shape of France
a hexagon
What type of game is boules
a kind of outdoor bowling game played with two large metal balls and one smaller one
To what type of bird refers the song "Allouette" ?
a lark
What is un homard
a lobster
What is longer, un kilomètre or a mile
a mile
What is le Jura
a mountain range
What is un clip
a music video
What is le Figaro
a newspaper
What is une maison de retraite
a nursing home
What is la zone bleue
a parking zone
What is pâté
a paste of ground meat, fish and/or liver
What is une religieuse
a pastry - also means a nun
What is un flipper
a pinball machine
What is une crêperie
a place where they make and sell crêpes
What is the plateau de fromages
a platter with a selection of cheeses
What is une pissoire
a public lavatory for men
What is the SNCF
a railroad company
What type of land transportation links France and England
a railway known as the Channel Tunnel or Chunnel
What is Maxim's
a restaurant in Paris
What is une coquille Saint-Jacques
a scallop (type of seafood)
What kind of school is called le collège in France
a secondary school (junior high or middle school)
What shape do the 20 major highways leading in and out of Paris form
a star
What is un ragoût
a stew
What does une baguette mean besides a loaf of bread
a stick
What is a dragée
a sugared almond
What is une résidence secondaire
a summer home or cottage
What is le Concorde
a supersonic commercial airplane
What is un croque-monsieur
a toasted ham and cheese sandwich
What is un bateau-mouche
a tourist boat on the Seine in Paris
What is a Michelin book
a tourist guide book
What is une langue de veau
a veal tongue
le Sacré Coeur
a white stone church built on the top of the Montmartre hill. It has been a famous place where artists used to gather and still do now to do your portrait.
How much do sponsors pay to participate in the Tour de France
about $7,500
How many paintings does the Louvre hold
about 300,000
How many different types of cheese does France produce
about 400
What is the profession of Catherine Deneuve
actress
At what age do French children attend preschool
ages 2-6
What is the flavor of un macaron
almond or coconut
How long did the construction of the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris take
almost 200 yrs
What is now found at La place de la Concorde
an Egyptian Obelisk
What type of transportation was invented in France by a French doctor 200 yrs ago
an ambulance
What is Orangina
an orange soft drink
What are les parcs zoologiques
animal parks (zoos)
What is Calvados
apple liquor
Cooking in France is considered a form of
art
What is the Musée d'Orsay
art museum including decorative arts from 1848 to 1914
What is considered rude to do in a restaurant in France at the end of a meal
ask for a doggy bag
In western Europe, what is France the largest producer of
beef, veal, poultry and cheese
When do you drink un apéritif
before lunch or dinner
What time do the French usually eat dinner
between 7:00 and 9:30pm
Les champs elysées
big and wide avenue leading to the arch of triumph. used for parades, demonstrations, and the arrival of the Tour de France
What colors are on the flag of France
blue, white and red
What is a famous French beef stew
boeuf bourguignon
What is the French term for bakery
boulangerie
What practice dating back to the 18th century, known as la tauromachie, or corrida, was granted official protection by the French Minister for Culture in 2011
bullfighting
What is found on the north side of the Seine River, called the right bank
business section with offices, shopping and small factories
What are marrons glacés
candied chestnuts
Peugeot, Renault, Citroen are brands of .........
cars
France produces over 400 different sorts of .....
cheese
What types of food is Normandy famous for
cheese, butter and apple brandy (Calvados)
What fruit is used in Kirsch
cherries
What nut is sold hot on the streets of Paris in winter
chestnuts
At which celebrations do you give dragées
christenings and weddings
What is fondue savoyarde
chunks of French bread that are dipped in hot, melted cheese
What is the difference between un château fort and un château
château fort - defense, château - beautiful residence
What kind of fruits are grown in Corsica
citrus
In France, what type of wedding is required by law, civil or religious
civil
What do French roosters say at the crack of dawn
cocorico
What do French ducks say
coin coin
What was the profession of Debussy?
composer
Le palais de Bercy
covered stadium for soccer games and concerts.
What do the French buy almost daily at the bakery
croissants and baguettes
What do you eat at the "Chandeleur" ?
crêpes
What is the French name for home cooking
cuisine bourgeoise
What type of political system rules France
democracy
What fabric dye originated in France, but is very much part of American culture
denim (de Nîmes)
Who developed the champagne making method
dom Perignon
What does défense de on a sign mean
don't do it
When did the Tour de France not occur during its history
during WWI and WWII
When did the first real school of French painting emerge
during the Baroque Period 16th to 18th century
As the US is divided into states, France is divided into...
départements
What kind of animal is Babar?
elephant
What do painters from the romantic period appeal to
emotions and imaginations
What type of land is more prevalent in France than in any other country in Western Europe
farmland
Which American trend has made its way to France and the French are very disapproving of it
fast food chains
What is the French delicacy foie gras
fattened liver of duck or goose
What is France's most important national resource
fertile soil
What is magret de canard
fillet of duck breast
What was the profession of Jean Renoir
film director
What was the occupation of Brigitte Bardot?
film star
What is the main ingredient of bouillabaisse
fish
What do you call a meal where guests cook chunks of prime beef in hot oil at the table
fondue bourguignonne
What other countries still use French as their official language
former colonies in Africa
What are des oeufs sur le plat
fried eggs
Name two delicacies of France
frog legs (les cuisses de grenouille) and snails (les escargots) Also goose liver pâté (pâté de foie gras)
Which ingredient is essential in Provençal cooking
garlic
At dinner time, what do French families do at the table
gather together and share events from their day
What is the main ingredient in pâté de foie gras
goose liver
What type of cooking is called haute cuisine
gourmet cooking
How did Saint-Exupéry die?
he disappeared in his plane on a mission during World War II
Which transportation system in France is among the most modern and efficient in the world
high speed train (TGV)
What type of shoes was invented in France 400 yrs ago
high-heeled shoes
What is a popular outdoor activity among the French
hiking
What is la viande chevaline
horsemeat
What is in café au lait
hot milk and coffee
What kind of composer was Debussy
impressionist
Where does the festival of the American film take place
in Deauville
Where is le Musée Picasso
in Paris
Where does a smaller Statue of Liberty stand in France
in Paris, on an islet in the middle of the Seine River, facing west toward the original statue
Where would you find un bidet
in a bathroom
Where would you find un chauffe-eau
in a bathroom or kitchen
In France, where would you find a concierge
in an apartment building
Where is la Guadeloupe located
in the Caribbean
When would one eat a goûter
in the afternoon (un goûter = afternoon snack for children)
Where is la Polynésie française
in the south Pacific
What type of sports do many of the French prefer
individual sports - such as tennis, cycling and sailing
In France, do windows usually swing inwards or outwards
inwards
What is a significant mineral of France
iron ore
La Defense et son arche
is a part of the business district. the big gigantic arch was built to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the French revolution. (1789)
Le parc de la Vilette
is a very modern science and entertainment complex with a geode, a science center , movie theaters
Le Louvre et la pyramide
is an ancient royal residence turned museum. it host the famous Mona Lisa. it is the most famous museum in France. The American built glass pyramid was build in the 80 and is sitting in the courtyard of the museum.
Notre Dame de Paris
is the cathedral located in the center of Paris, built between the 12th and 13th centuries
un bateau mouche
it is a glass ceiling boat used for tourists to cruise the Seine river but also as water taxi.
How does France's economy compare to the rest of the world
it is the 5th largest economy
le centre Pompidou
it is the most visited monument in Paris. it is also a modern art museum. There is a fountain with a moving sculpture and diverse artists displaying their talents. all the piping is exterior to the building.
Which type of American music has had the most influence on the French
jazz
What comes first: l'école primaire or l'école maternelle
l'école maternelle
What comes first - l'école primaire or le lycée
l'école primaire
What do the French call the English Channel
la Manche "the sleeve"
What is the French national anthem
la Marseillaise
Which two French departments are located in the Caribbean ?
la Martinique et la Guadeloupe
What river runs through Paris ?
la Seine
The university of Paris in the Latin Quarter on the left bank of the Seine is called...
la Sorbonne
What is a popular fish stew that is served as a soup in the south of France
la bouillabaisse
When was Impressionism at its height as a style
late 1800s
What fragrant purple flower is grown for the perfume industry in the south of France
lavender
What coalition group won the elections in 1936
le Front Populaire
Which museum was originated by Louis XIV
le Louvre
Who was the head of the Vichy government
le Maréchal Pétain
In which department would you find truffles
le Périgord
What is the name of the comprehensive exam students take at the end of high school
le baccalauréat
We call it baseball, the French call it...
le baseball
We call it football, the French call it...
le football américain
What is the French term for soccer
le football or le foot
What is the French for high school
le lycée
Who signed an armistice with Hitler that divided France into 2 parts
le maréchal Pétain
What mountain range is in central France
le massif central
What is the underground subway system called in Paris
le métro
What is the French term for the meal that is celebrated on Christmas Eve, Dec 24th
le réveillon de Noël
What is break-dancing called in France
le smurf
What is the nickname of the French flag
le tricolore
Where is le Quartier latin - right or left bank
left
In which hand do the French usually hold the fork while eating
left one
What are the divisions of Paris called
les arrondissements
Is un centimètre more or less than an inch
less
Is un litre more or less than a gallon
less
What is the French national motto that came as a result of the Revolution
liberté, égalité, fraternité
What is la Chartreuse
liquor
Which meal of the day is considered the main meal
lunch
At what meal are eggs eaten
lunch or dinner, almost never at breakfast
What do the French cows say
meuh
Evian, Badoit and Vichy are French cities famous for what
mineral water
What is the Pompidou Center
modern and contemporary art of the Western World
What was the profession of the man who invented Champagne
monk
Do the French have more or less leisure time than Americans
more
Is un mètre more or less than a yard
more
How many tourists visit the city of Paris each year
more than 2 million
How many rooms are in the Palace of Fontainebleau
more than a thousand
What are moules marinières
mussels steamed open in wine and seasonings
Where is Orly
near Paris
What time is the main meal served in France
noon
A movement in the 1970s featuring simpler foods, smaller portions and natural flavors called
nouvelle cuisine
Can a pâté be made with rabbit
of course
When do the French celebrate their national holiday ?
on July 14th
Where would you most likely find par avion written
on an envelope
Where is le pays basque
on the French and Spanish sides of the Western Pyrenees
On what side of the road do you drive in France
on the right
Where is Biarritz
on the southwest coast of France
What flavor is the liquor Cointreau
orange
What are crêpes Suzette
orange-flavored, sweet, thin pancakes
How many people live in metropolitan Paris
over 9 million
How many French speakers are there worldwide
over 90 million
What is la France d'outre-mer
overseas France
What was the profession of Toulouse-Lautrec
painter
What type of painting is Cubism
painting with geometric shapes
What was the original purpose of le Louvre
palace of the kings of France
What is a "pied-noir"
people of French ancestry who lived in French North Africa, namely French Algeria
For what is Grasse famous
perfume
What kind of animal is used to snuffle out wild mushrooms and truffles
pig
What is boudin noir (black pudding) made with
pig's blood
For what is Limoges famous
porcelain
What would you find at Lascaux
prehistoric cave paintings
What was la Bastille
prison
What is sold in une charcuterie
processed meats and sandwiches
What are the Auteuil, Longchamps, Chantilly and St. Cloud in Paris
racetracks
What are crudités
raw, fresh vegetables
How do you most often eat oysters in France
raw, on the half shell with a splash of lemon
What wine is used in boeuf bourguignon. Red or white
red
What did l'Édit de Nantes declare on April 13, 1598
religious freedom
What is une bûche de Noël
rich chocolate cake with vanilla or coffee icing in the shape of a log
What is le Front National
right wing, anti-immigration party
What do some people do before putting the lettuce in a salad bowl
rub the bowl with garlic
What are the main ingredients of une choucroute garnie
sauerkraut, meat and potatoes
What type of equipment did Emile Gagnon and Jacques Cousteau invent in 1942?
scuba gear
What are des fruits de mer
seafood
What is Brittany know for
seafood (fish, lobster) and crêpes
Why was Joan of Arc burned at the stake on May 30, 1431
she was accused of being a witch
What would you do at les Galeries Lafayette
shop
What is un centre commercial
shopping center
French children must attend school until what age
sixteen
What is un wagon-lit
sleeping car
What is le slow
slow dancing
What is France's favorite sport ?
soccer
What is the most popular sport in France
soccer
What is un potage
soup
What types of industry are most prominent in Toulouse, France
space, electronics and computer software
What event is considered the start of the French Revolution
storming of the Bastille
After a fancy dinner, what is the evening topped off with
strong black coffee
What happened in Paris in May 1968
student riots
le quartier Latin
students neighborhood. very animated with cafes and cinemas. It used to be the old university quarter where all spoke Latin thus the name.
What does tomates farcies mean
stuffed tomatoes
What types of business attire did the French create
suits and neckties
Olives grow in southern France during which season of the year
summer
ARIANE launchers are used mainly to send what into space
telecommunication satellites
Why is Sainte Hélène associated with Napoleon?
that is where he died
When did gothic architecture originate in France
the 12th century
When was the Sorbonne founded
the 13th century
What are Europe's tallest mountains bordering France and Italy
the Alps
Where do Parisians participate in skiing and other winter sports
the Alps and the Pyrenees
Who won the Tour de France a record 7 times 1999-2005
the American, Lance Armstrong
The Palace of Versailles is a monument to art of which period
the Baroque period
What is le TGV ?
the French fast train
Which river is known as the transportation corridor
the Loire at 626 miles
What is the longest river in France
the Loire, 634 miles/1020 kilometers
Who is responsible for the invention of the cinema in the late 19th century ?
the Lumière brothers - Louis and Auguste
What borders France to the south
the Mediterranean Sea and Spain
What music festival is Aix-en-Provence famous for
the Opera festival
Which river divides Paris into the right bank and left bank
the Seine river
What are the four major rivers in France
the Seine, the Garonne, the Rhône, and the Loire
What is la gastronomie
the art of preparing good food
What is Chartres famous for
the cathedral
Where were the kings of France crowned for hundreds of years
the cathedral in Reims
What is celebrated on the 11th of November every year ?
the commemoration of the end of WWI
What is le Code Napoléon
the first modern legal code of France
Who is Quasimodo
the hunchback in The Hunchback of Notre Dame
What is le cochonnet in the game of boules
the little ball the player tries to get closest to
Who was Louis Lumière
the name of the man who invented moving pictures
What industry produces most of France's electricity
the nuclear power industry
If you call en PCV, who pays
the party you are calling
What was the symbol of François I
the salamander
le Métro
the subway
What time period is the comic strip Astérix based on
the time of Gaul's invasion by the Romans
What is la mairie
the town hall
who was Marie Antoinette ?
the wife of Louis the XVIth
Michelin produces.......
their famous tires
How are students chosen to attend a university
they have to pass the baccalaureate exam (le bac) to get in
What do children learn in preschool
they learn to read
What did Monet, Manet, and Auguste Renoir have in common
they were all Impressionist painters
What does service compris mean
tip is included
What was the object of a controversial retirement bill passed through the Assemblée Nationale recently
to raise the retirement age
What type of cooking is called provincial
traditional, local cooking
What are des tripes à la mode de Caen
tripe cooked very slowly in sauce - up to 24 hours
What type of mushrooms are grown underground and are the size of golf balls
truffles
What is heavier, un kilo or 2 pounds
un kilo
What is un kilo the abbreviation of
un kilogramme
What has 4 legs, 2 long ears and tastes delicious in a stew
un lapin (a rabbit)
On what kind of bottle would you find the word brut
une bouteille de champagne
On what would you put une vinaigrette
une salade
What do you call a stage of the Tour de France in French
une étape
What is tutoiement
using the familiar tu when talking to somebody
What is vouvoiement
using the formal vous when talking to somebody
L'arc de triomphe
was built during the reign of Napoleon to celebrate his victories. it is at the end of the champs elysees. (18th -19th century)
La Tour Eiffel
was built in 1889 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the French revolution. it is the symbol of Paris and measures 300 meters high.
What would you do at la Comédie Française
watch a play
What is one of the largest crops in France
wheat
What are the main crops in France
wheat, corn, sugar beets and grapes
Is the wine le Muscadet red or white
white
How do French people greet each other
with a handshake or kiss on the cheek
What is une cervelle de veau
yes, some French people eat it : a veal brain
During World War II, what percentage of France's factories, machinery and transportation systems were lost
80%
Who was Jacques Cartier?
A French explorer/ship captain who sailed up the St Lawrence River, looking for the Northwest Passage. He reached the site of modern-day Montreal in 1534.
Where did Vincent Van Gogh settle in the late 19th century because he found inspiration for his paintings there?
Arles, France
What structure was built in Paris in 1889 by Alexandre Gustave Eiffel?
Eiffel Tower
What is the name of the dog in the comic strip Astérix
Idéfix
During which period were les châteaux de la Loire built
Renaissance
Who wrote Les Misérables
Victor Hugo
Who wrote Candide
Voltaire
What did Gustave Eiffel build before he built the Eiffel Tower
bridges, specifically the Bordeaux Bridge
Who launched the first hot air balloon in 1783?
brothers Jacques-Eugène and Joseph-Michel Montgolfier
Who is Astérix?
cartoon character
Why was Marie Antoinette disliked by the French
for not understanding the people and frivolously spending money
Who was Louis Renault?
founder of Renault automobiles
What happened to Charles VII on July 17, 1429
he was crowned King of France
What caused the French Revolution of 1789
high taxes and starvation
Of what school of philosophy was Jean-Paul Sartre a major representative
l'existentialisme
What did the brothers Louis and Auguste Lumière invent ?
movie camera and projector
What did Paul Verlaine write?
poetry
What was Louis Pasteur's most important vaccine ?
rabies vaccine
Who is Zinédine Zidane
soccer player of Algerian origin who brought the World Cup to the French in 1998
What did René Laennec create in 1816?
stethoscope