French Exam 1

The French Way

In Thomas Jefferson's opinion, "Every man has two countries: his own and France." The tension between nationalism and internationalism, for example, has erupted onto the world stage as France has adopted an independent position in political and economic debates in international forums Readers will acquire greater awareness of similarities and differences between their cultural traditions and those of the French The French continue to surprise, frustrate, amuse, and stimulate the world

PARIS

Since the celebration of the bicentenary of the French Revolution in 1989, France has attracted more tourists annually than any other country In 2004, more than sixteen million tourists visited Paris, which many claim to be the most beautiful city in the world La Tour Eiffel, built in 1889 on the left bank, is the international symbol of Paris The center of Paris is the Île de la Cité, originally a village established in 200 B.C. by the Parisii, a Gallic tribe, and conquered by the Romans in 52 B.C. The famous Gothic cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris on this island serves as a visual and cultural focal point of the city and is the scene of important national memorial ceremonies The boulevards interconnect the city's many places that act as neighborhood landmarks and sites of chaotic traffic The circular Boulevard Périphérique separates Paris, with its population of over two million inhabitants, from its suburbs The underground métro, with its numerous stations, makes travel around the city easy for residents as well as for the tourists who come to admire the treasure-filled museums like le Louvre, le Musée d'Orsay, and le Centre Georges-Pompidou; to wander the historical precincts of the Latin Quarter, la Bastille, Montmartre, and les Champs-Élysées;to drink coffee in the cafés of St-Germain-des-Prés; and to dine in the restaurants of Montparnasse or shop in the designer fashion boutiques of the right and left banks The new business center of Paris is outside the city limits in the western suburb of La Défense, whose Grande Arche, inaugurated for the bicentenary in 1989, stands at one end of a majestic perspective that passes through l'Arc de Triomphe and la Place de la Concorde to le Louvre at the other end By a change in its administrative status, Paris was allowed to elect a mayor in 1977 for the first time since 1871 The Commune de Paris, a worker's revolutionary movement, in that year tried to make Paris independent of French government control after the Prussians invaded the city during the Franco-Prussian War The Gaullist Jacques Chirac was the winner of the 1977 mayoral election, and his administration undertook to make the city cleaner and public services more efficient Paris was Chirac's power base until he was elected president of France in 1995 and resigned as mayor The Socialist Bertrand Delanoë was elected mayor in 2001 With the support of the Green Councillors, he pledged to improve the Parisian quality of life by, for example, increasing child-care facilities, improving traffic flow with separate bus lanes, bicycle lanes, and trams that circle Paris on the Boulevard Périphérique In summer, a section of the road along the right bank of the Seine is covered with sand and converted into Paris Plage for the enjoyment of Parisians French government has long been highly centralized, and, despite recent reforms encouraging decentralization, Paris remains the political, administrative, financial, and cultural center of the nation

CONVERSATION

The French attach special importance to conversation, which they consider a skill that can be learned and developed to the level of an art Modern French conversations center on general topics of social and cultural interest and offer the participants an opportunity to exchange ideas and opinions French people, even in a very relaxed gathering, rarely talk about the weather and even more rarely talk about money or events at work Food and politics are common topics in what is usually a general discussion in which everyone is expected to voice an opinion One reason for this is that from an early age, schoolchildren are taught to reason and to analyze a topic from different points of view Oral examinations are also an important part of their education This explains the enduring appeal of eloquent expression of ideas at all levels of French society Lengthy discussion of the abstract principles of a project is characteristic of a people whose ideals are intellectual rather than pragmatic

HEXAGON

The French often refer to their country as the Hexagon because France has roughly a six-sided shape Hexagonal behavior or attitudes are those that look inward nationalistically and exclude foreign points of view and influences

ANGLO-SAXON

The French often use the term Anglo-Saxon pejoratively as a collective description of all English speakers from countries historically influenced by British culture The centuries of rivalry between France and Great Britain that began with the Hundred Years' War (1337-1453) explain negative attitudes toward the British, as in the expressions filer à l'anglaise (literally, to take British leave, but expressed in English as "to take French leave") and la perfide Albion (treacherous Britain), apparently originally used by French sailors who were disoriented by the similarity between the English cliffs of Dover and the French cliffs of Calais on the English Channel (la Manche) The English say "Pardon my French" when they use crude language and call the French "Froggies" because they eat frogs The French retaliate by calling the English les Rosbeefs because they like eating roast beef Anglo-Saxons in general and the English in particular are seen by the French as cold and aloof, whereas their own Latin temperament is considered far superior. Americans are distinguished as a separate group among Anglo-Saxons, but both Americans and the English are often seen in a popular stereotype as plotting together against French influence in world affairs

FAMILY

The family unit is extremely important at all levels of French society In a 2003 survey asking French people what is most important for them, 48 percent answered "the family," 7 percent answered "perfect love," and 7 percent "sincere friendship." In another survey, 88 percent of women said that having children is essential for their happiness The traditional concept of the family as a married couple with children has evolved considerably since the 1970s The proportion of single-parent families increased from 3 percent in 1975 to 7.2 percent in 2000 Because their parents have divorced or separated, 12 percent of children live usually with their mother After declining in the 1990s, the birthrate has risen again and France had the highest birthrate in Europe in 2003 There are four children in 13 percent of families and six children in 3 percent of them In families where at least one parent is an immigrant, the average number of children is higher, and 15 percent of all French births are in such families At age sixteen, 95 percent of French children live with their parents; at age twenty, 60 percent of males and 45 percent of females do When children do leave home, they tend to live fairly close to their parents, and vacations usually include time with the extended family

foret diraty

a plateau of beech woods and moorland the foret diraty is faous for its cross country skiing and walking the tourist offive at st jean pied de port publishes maps of local walks the best begins at the chalet pedro parking lot south of the lake on the iraty plateau and takes you along the gr10 to 3000 year old standing stones on the western side of the sommet doccabe

franche comte

a region of woods and water franche comte offers exceptional natural beauty combined with opportunities for canoeing trekking and skiing in region des lacs the silent peaceful lakes are surrounded by mountain peaks and virgin forests

les landes

almost entirely covered by an immense pine forest the landes area extends over the two departments of gironde and landes the adour was fixed near bayonne by a canal in the 16th century at marqueze in the ecomusee marqueze a typical 19th century airial has been restored there are traditional auberges landasies as well as henhouses built on stilts because of foxes

alisace and lorraine

as border regions alsace and lorraine have been fought over for centuries by france austria and germany their beleaguered past recalled by many a military stronghold and cemetery today the region presents only a peaceful aspect with pastel painted villages fortified towns and sleepy vineyards at the northeast frontier of france bordered by the rhine alsace forms a fertile watershed between the mountains of vosges and the black forest in germany lorraine with its rolling landscape on the other side of the mountains is the poorer cousin but is more overtly french in character

explorig le nord and picardy

as the gateway to england and belgium this northern corner of france is buzzing with business and industries with the large euro orientated city of lille offering great culture as well as a modern high tech district farther south the grand chateaux at compienge and chantilly which has the fascinating musee conde are easily visited en route to or from paris

le nord and picardy

beneath the modern skin of frances northernmost region the sights and monuments bear witness to the triumphs and turbulence of its past soaring gothic cathedrals stately chateaux and the battlefields and memorials of world war 1 the channel ports of dunkerque calais and boulogne and the refined resort of le touquet are the focal points along a busy coastline that stretches from the somme estuary to the belgian frontier flemish culture holds sway along the border with the belgium an unfamiliar france of windmills and canals where the local taste is for beer hotpots and festivals with gallivanting giants cathedrals are the main appeal of picardy compiegne bordered by a large and inviting forest plays host to a lavish royal palace favored by french rulers from louis xv to napoleon III

exploring poitou and aquitaine

blessed with a seemingly endless atlantic coastline abundant navigable waterways excellent ports and the finest wine and brandy in the world the region is ideal for a relaxing vacation the vast manmade forest of les landes also adds to this greatly undervalued corner of france

burgandy and franche comte

burgandy considers itself the heart of france a prosperous region with world renowned wine earthly but excellent cuisine and magnificent architecture france comte to the east combines gentle farmland with lofty alpine forests under the dukes of valois burgandy was frances most powerful rival with territory extending well beyond its present boundaries burgandy now as in the past is a rich region a center of medieval religious faith which produced renowned romanesque masterpieces at vezelay fontenay and cluny franche comte has none of this opulence though its capital besancon is a fine 17th century city with a tradition of clockmaking this forest country of alpine torrents filled with trout is also the home of great cheeses notably vacherin and comte and of the characteristic yellow wine of a arbois

exploring burgandy and franche comte

burgandy is arguably frances richest province historically culturally gastronomically and economically franche comte is better suited for outdoor vacations such as trekking and canoeing in wild scenery and crystal clear rivers

embattled territory of alsace and lorraine

caught in the wars between france and germany alsace and part of lorraine have changed nationality four times since 1871 much of the attraction of this region lies in its cuisine there are also fine restaurants here

champagne

champagne is a name of great resonance conjuring up images of celebration and the world famous cathedral at reims yet beyond the glamor lies an unspoiled rural idyll of two strikingly contrasting landscapes the rolling plains of champagne giving way to lakes and water meadows to the south and the dense forests and hills of the ardennes in the north the so called sacred triangle of champagne linking epernay reims and chalons en champagne is like a magnet for wine lovers the signposted route touristique du champagne wends its way through vineyards toward endless cereal plains stretching southward to the lake district an area of oak forests water meadows and streams on the boarder between france and belgium lies the ardennes named after the celctic word for deep forest these feature vivid stained glass windows by famous school of troyes who subtle craftsmanship seems to typify the appeal of this quiet region

exploring champagne

champagnes fizz draws wine lovers to the sacred triangle between reims epernay and chalons en champagne but the region also attracts culture lovers to its great churches notably reims cathedral north of reims the ardennes canal can be explored by barge or pleasure boat from rethel to the south watersports are popular on the lakes to the east of troyes

clermont ferrand

clermont ferrand began as two distinct cities united only in 1630 clermonts more ancient origins are well illustrated at the musee bargoin with its remarkable collections of locally found roman domestic artifacts place st pierre is clermonts principal marketplace with daily food market especially good on saturdays the contrast with the black lava cathedrale notre dame de lassomption is startling from austere 12th century romanesque to high flying 13th century gothic the old section of montferrand thrived from the 13th to the 17th centuries and many fine houses known as hotels particuliers built by prosperous merchants have survived founded her in 1830 it dominates the town

corsica

corsica where the people speak their own language has all the attributes of a mini continent there are tropical palm trees vineyards olive and orange groves forests of chestnut and indigenous pine alpine lakes and cool mountain torrents filled with trout most distinctive of all is the parched maquis heavy with the scent of myrtle which napoleon swore he could smell from elba the fourth largest island in the mediterranean after sicily sardinia and cyprus corsica has been a problem and a bafflement to mainland france ever since 1769 when it was sold to louis xv by the genoese for 40 million francs for 200 years from the 11th to the 13th century corsica was a colony of the old tuscan republic of pisa whose builders founded beautifully proportioned romanesque churches for the rest the birthplace of napoleon is a place of wild seacoasts and mountain peaks one of the last unspoiled corners of the mediterranean poor depopulated beautiful old fashioned and doggedly aloof

exploring corsica

corsicas main appeal is its scenery a wildly beautiful landscape of mountains forests myrtle scented maquis and countless miles of sandy beaches downhill skiing is also possible in february and march

normandy sights

cotentin cherbourg coutances granville avranches mont st michel cote de narce bayeux caen suisse normande parc naturel regional de normaindie maine cote fleurie pays d auge honfleur le harve cote dalbatre dieppe basse seine rouen haute seine giverny evreux

culture and the arts

culture is taken seriously in france and writers intellectuals artists and fashion designers are held in high social esteem

gouffre de padirac

formed by the collapse of a cave this huge crater measures 115 ft wide and 337 feet deep take a jacket the cave is 55 degrees

aix en provence

founded by the romans on 103 bc aix was frequently attacked first by lombards franks and saracrens aix is still a center of art and learning and its man museums include the musee granet of fine arts and archeology in the palais de larcheveche aix has been called the city of a thousand fountains aixs most famous son is paul cezanne montagne ste victorie inspiration for many of his paintings is 9 miles east of aix

regional frace

france has a population of around 66 million and receives over 85 million visitors a year

putting france on the map

france one of the largest countries in europe has airline connections with most cities in the world

social customs and politics

french social life except between close friends has always been marked by formality hand-shaking the use of titles the preference for the formal vous rather than the intimate tu

cote vermeille

here the pyrenees meet the mediterranean the coast road twisting and turning around secluded pebbly coves and rocky outcrops the cote vermeille extends all the way to the costa brava in northern spain banyuls is also famous as the birthplace of aristide maillol the 19th century sculptor whose work can be seen all over the region port vendres with fortifications built by the indefatigable vauban is a fishing port renowned for its anchovies and sardines

exploring brittany

ideal for a beach holiday brittany offers enjoyable drives along the headlands and beaches of the northern cote demeraude and cote de granit rose while the south coast coats wooded valleys and the prehistoric sites of carnac and the golfe du morbihan be sure to visit the regional capital rennes and the great castle at fougeres and in summer take a boat trip to one of brittanys islands

the french alps

in any season the alps are one of the most spectacular regions of france a majestic mountain range stretching south from lake geneva almost to the mediterranean and climaxing in europes loftiest peak the 15,770 ft mont blanc they have prospered since alpine vacations and skiing became popular in the last century but are still very conscious of their distinct identity

bassin darcachon

in the middle of the cote dargent the straight coastline suddenly forms a lagoon the basin is dotted with smaller amorphous resorts beaches and fishing/oyster villages all worth exploring cap ferret the northern headland that protects the basin from stiff atlantic winds is a preserve of the wealthy whose luxurious villas stand among the pines between cap ferret and arcachon near gujan mestras the parc ornithologique du teich provides care and shelter for damaged birds and endangered species arcachon was created as a beach resort in 1845 the immerse dune du pilat is the largest sand dune in europe aside from the view the dune is great vantage point in the fall for viewing flocks of migratory birds as they pass overhead on their way to the sanctuary at le teich

the rhone valley and french alps

its two most important geographical features the alps and the river rhone give this region both its name and its dramatic character the east is dominated by majestic snowcapped peaks while the rhone provides a vital conduit between north and south the romans recognized this strategic route when they founded lyon over 2000 years ago the french alps are among the most popular year round resort areas in the world with internationally renowned ski stations such as chamonix megeve and courchevel and historic cities including chambery capital of savoy before it joined france to the south orchards and fields of sunflowers give way to brilliant rows of lavender interspersed with vineyards and olive groves mountains and pretty old fashioned spa towns characterize the rugged ardeche and the deeply scoured gorges along the river ardeche offer some of the wildest scenery in france

brittany

jutting defiantly into the atlantic frances northwest corner has long been culturally and geographically distinct from the main bulk of the country it was known to the celts as armorica the land of the sea and brittanys past swirls with the legends of drowned cities and arthurian forests prehistoric megaliths arise mysteriously from land and sea and the medieval is never far from the modern a long jagged coastline is the regions great attraction inland lies the argoat once the land of the forest now a patchwork of undulating fields woods and rolling moorland the walled port of st malo on the cote demeraude recalls the regions maritime prowess while the remarkably intact castles at fougeres and vitre are reminders of the mighty border fortresses that protected brittanys eastern frontier before its final union with france in 1532

exploring languedoc and roussillon

languedoc and rossillon combine miles of gentle coastline with rugged hinterland a rich architectural heritage ranges from roman to romanesque contrasting with the modern vibrant atmosphere of the main cities

iies dhyeres

locally known as the iils dor after the gold color of their cliffs this lovely trio of islands can be reached by boay from hyeres tour fondue le lavandou cavalaire la croix valmer and st tropez porquerolles the largest of the three measures 4 miles by 1.5 miles the islands main town also known as porquerolles looks more like a north african colonial settlement than a provencal village a stroll around lush port cros covering 1 sq mile takes the best part of the day both porquerorolles and port cros are national parks the wild virtually treeless iie du levant is reached by boat from port cros the eastern half of the island controlled by the french navu is permanently closed to the public

tournon sur rhone

located at the foot of impressive granite hills tournon is a lovely town with gracious tree lined promenades and an imposing 11th to 16th century chateau the adjacent collegiale st julien with its square bell tower and elaborate facade in an interesting example if the italian influence on the architecture in the region during the 14th century on quai charles de gaukke the lycee gabriel faure is the oldest high school in france dating from 1536 directly across the rhone from tounon the village of tain lhermitage is famous for its steep climbing vineyards which produce both red and white hermitage the finest of all rhone wines

exploring the rhone valley and french alps

lyon is the regions largest city famed for its historic buildings and gastronomic tradition spa devotees from around the world flock to evian les bains and aix les bains while the alps are a favorite destination for sports enthusiasts

exploring the massif central

nature is at its most magnificent in the volcanic mountain ranges and wild river gorges of the massif central there are hundreds of churches chateaux and museums to nourish lovers of history architecture and art and good hearty regional cooking and interesting local wines for lovers of good living

gorges du tarn

near the beginning of its journey to meet the rriver garonne the tarn flows through some of europes most spectacular gorges the surrounding plateaus or causses are eerily different forming an open austere landscape dry in summer and snow clad in winter where wandering sheep and isolated farms are sometimes the only signs of life

provence and the cote dazur

no other region of france fires the imagination as strongly as provence from its herb scented hills to its yacht filled harbors the vivd landscape and luminous light have inspired artists and writers from van gogh to picasso and f scott fitxgerald to pagnol the boarders of provence are defined by nature to the west the rhone south the mediterranean and north where the olive trees end past visitors have left their mark the image of provence bathed in sunshine is marred only when the bitter mistral wind scours the land it has shaped a people as hardy as the olive tree yet quick to embrace life to the full the moment the sun returns

exploring normandy

normandys rich historical sights and diverse landscape make it ideal for touring by car or bicycle inland follow the meanders of the seine valley passing cider orchards and half timbered houses along the way to visit historic rouen and monets garden at giverny

oloron ste marie

oloron a small town at the junction of the aspe and the ossau valleys has grown from a celtiberian settlement spain lies just on the other side of the somport pass at the head of the mountainous aspe valley and the influence of spanish stonemasons is evident in olorons eglise sainte croix with its moorish style vaulting

the ardeche

over the course of thousands of years wind and water have endowed this south central region of france with such a rugged landscape that it is more reminiscent of the american southwest than the verdure commonly associated with the french countryside for those who prefer to stay above ground the most arresting natural scenery in the region is the gorges de ladeche best seen from the d290 a two lane road that parallels the recessed river for 20 miles canoeing and whitewater rafting are the two most popular activities here the softer side of the region is found in its ancient and picturesque villages gracious spa towns vineyards and plantations of spanish chestnuts some 8 miles south of aubenas the 12th century village of balazuc is typical of the region its stone houses built on a clifftop overlooking a secluded groge of the river ardeche neighboring vogue is nestled between the ardeche and a limestone cliff rebuilt in the 17th century the building houses a museum featuring exhibitions about the region

champagne sites

reims epernay vallee de la meuse rocroi charleville-mezieres sedan argonne lepine chalons en champagne troyes chaumont langres

the loire valley

renowned for its sumptuous chateaux the glorious valley of the loire now classified a UNESCO world heritage site is rich in both in history and architecture like the river loire this vast region runs through the heart of french life its sophisticated cities luxuriant landscape and magnificent food and wine add up to a bourgeois paradise the lush loire valley is supremely regal due to its central location culture and fine cuisine tours is the natural visitors capital southward the windswept vendee is edged by a wild sandy coastline that is perfect for windsurfers and nature lovers alike overindulgence is no sin in this rich region

the climate of france

set on europes western edge france has a varied temperate climate

perigord quercy and gascony

southwest france is an archeologists heaven the region has been continuously inhabited by mankind for tens of thousands of years longer than any other area in europe the landscape of these historic regions seems to have an ancient familiarity derived from centuries of people living in harmony with the land the great cave sites around les eyzies and lascaux harbor the earliest evidence we possess of primitive art today nothing is left of these old struggles but crumbling ramparts keeps and bastides which are part of the regions cultural and artistic heritage attracting thousands of visitors every year since the mid 20th century the rural southwest has gone through a radial demographic shift a steady migration by the young to the cities has been matched by an influx of downsizers and commuters looking for a more relaxed way of life

The man who ate everything

step one: compose an annotated list -foods I wouldn't touch if I was starving on a desert island -foods I wouldn't touch if I was starving on a desert island until absolutely everything else runs out - foods I might eat if I were starving on a desert island but only if the refrigerator was filled with nothing but my least favorite foods step two: immerse into the scientific literature of human food selection step three: choose which way works best to fight your food phobia -brain surgery -starvation -rewards -drug dependence -exposure step four: try to eat the foods you may not enjoy step five: get to a point where there is not any food that is repulsive or favored step six: relearn humility

ceret

surrounded by a cloud of pink blossom in the early spring ceret produces the very first cherries of the year the towns catalan heritage is evident in regular bullfights held in the arena and in its sardana dance festivals in july

spring and summer in france

the alpine summer season starts in late june extending to early september most resorts close in october and november between the hiking and skiing seasons

st nectarie

the auvergne is noted for romanesque churches the lower village st nectarie le bas has more than 40 hot and cold springs

dole

the busy town of dole lies where dobus meets the rhine rhone canal there is a charming historic quarter in the center of the town full of winding alleys houses dating back to the 15th century and quiet inner courtyards place aux fleurs offers an excellent view of this part of town and the mossy roofed 16th century eglise notre dame

cathors

the capital of the lot department cahors is renowned for its dark heady wine which was produced as far back as roman times cathedrale de st etienne entrenched behind the narrow streets of cahors old town dates back to 1119 also worth seeking out in the cathedral quarter is the ornate 16th century maison de roaldes its north facade decorated with tree sun and rose of quercy motifs the towns landmark monument is the pont valentre a fortified bridge that spans the river an alternative way to enjoy the scenery is to take a leisurely 90 minute boat trip through the lock from a wharf near the bridge

grands causses

the causses are vast arid limestone plateaus alternating with green fertile canyon valleys the four grands causses sauveterre mejean noir and larzac stretch out east of the city millau which boasts the tallest vehicular bridge in the world among the sights in the causses are the chaos bizarre rock formations reputed to resemble ruined cities and named accordingly theres the chaos of montpellier le vieux nimes le vieux and roquessaltes aven armand and the dargilan grotto are vast deep natural underground grattoes a good place to head for the larzac causse is the strange rough hewn stone village of la couvertoirade a fully enclosed citadel of the knights templar in the 12th century the causse du larzacs best known village is probably roquefort sur soulzon a small gray town terraced on the side of a crumbled lime stone outcrop this is made from unpasterurized sheeps milk seeded with the distinctive blue mould grown on loaves of bread and aged in the warren of damp caves above town

massif des maures

the dense wilderness of pine oak and chestnut covering the maures mountains probably gave rise to its name meaning dark or gloomy northwest of cannet des maures lies the abbaye de thoronet with the abbeys at senanque in vaucluse and silvacane in the bouches du rhone it is known as one of the three sisters provence

corniche des cevennes

the dramatic corniche road from florac on the tarn to st jean du gard was cut in the early 18th century by the army of louis xiv in pursuit of the camisards at st laurent de treves where fossil remains suggest dinosaurs once roamed there is a view of the grands causses and the peaks of lozere and aigoual

a portrait of france

the french are convinced that their way of life is best and that their country is the most civilized on earth many million of visitors agree with them the food and wine are justly celebrated french culture literature art cinema and architecture can be both profound and proactive whether cerebral sensual or sportive france is a country where anyone might feel at home

introducing central france and the alps

the geological contrasts of this region reflect its enormous variety from the industrial and gastronomic metropolis of lyon to the largely argricultural landscape of burgandy the major sights of this richly rewarding area both natural and architectural are shown here

beaches of south france

the glamorous mediterranean coast is fances foremost vacation playground the beaches are sandy west of antibes eastward they are naturally shingly so any sand is imported private beaches are plentiful and pricey but are usually well equipped

parc naturel regional du haut languedoc

the high limestone plateaus and wooded slopes of upper languedoc are a world away from the coast you can enter the park at st pons de thomieres with access to forest and mountain trails for walking and horseback riding plus a wildfire research center where one can glimpse the mouflons eagles and wild boar that were once a common sight in the region if you take the d908 from st pons through the park you pass the village of olargues with its 12th century bridge over the river jaur outside the park boundaries to the northeast there are spectacular natural phenomena the grotte de clamouse is also an extraordinary experience the reflections from underground rivers and pools flickering on the cavern roofs the speleopark offers caving activities

arbois

the jolly town of arbois lies on the vine covered banks of the river cuisance on the north side of the twon is maison de pasteur the preserved house and laboratory of the great scientist louis pasteur the first to test vaccines on humans

la cote dargent

the long stretch of coast between pointe de grave on the gironde estuary and bayonne called laa cote dargent the silver coast the coast is dotted with surfing resorts such as soulacsur mer in the north followed by the big lacanau ocean and mimizan plage inland are lakes popular for fishing and boating boat trips are available

exploring the loire valley

the lush valley landscape studded with frances greatest chateaux is the main attraction the most charming bases are amboise beaugency blois and saumur but culture lovers are well provided for throughout the region

geology of the massif central

the massif central covers almost one fifth of france and is over 250 million years old massive granite farmhouses are a feature of limousin and le puy en velay is distinguished by its giant basalt pillars

the massif central

the massif central is a region of strange wild beauty one of frances best kept secrets it is surprisingly little known beyond its sprinkling of spas and the major cities of clermont ferrand vichy and limoges however the new autoroutes through the heart of its uplands have started to open up this previously remote region the huge central plateau of ancient granite and crystalline rock that makes up the massif central embraces the dramatic landscapes of the auvergne limousin aveyron and lozere with its crater lakes and hot springs the auvergne is the massif centrals lush volcanic core an outdoor paradise offering activities from hiking in summer to skiing in winter the aveyron spreads into the southwest from the aubrac mountains carrying with it the rivers lot aveyron and tarn through gorges and valleys wit their cliff hanging villages these barren okateaus give farmers a poor living but have been a favorite route with adventurous travelers across the centuries

the pyrenees

the mountains of the pyrenees form a conspicuous frontier across southwestern france over centuries this remote terrain has fostered tenacious people many descended from spanish emigrants and refugees today it is the last remaining wilderness in southern europe and a habitat for rare animal species heading east from the atlantic coast the hills are wonderfully lush after the plains of aquitaine historically the pyrenees are known as the birthplace of henri iv who put an end to the wars of religion in 1593 and united france though the region has been characterized more often by independent fiefdoms inland pau tarbes and foix rely on tourism and medium scale industry while lourdes receives five million pilgrims every year for the rest life has been regulated by argiculture though economic constraints today are causing an exodus from the land

introducing northeast france

the northern plains of northern france run from the english to the wooded ardennes hills and the vosges mountains of alsace

parc national des pyrenees

the pyrenees national park designated in 1967 extends 100 km along the french and spanish frontier one of the most enjoyable ways to see it is on foot within the park are 217 miles of well marked footpaths

normandy

the quintessential image of normandy is of a lush pastoral region of apple orchards contended cows cider and pungent cheeses but the region also spans the windswept beaches of the cotentin and the wooded banks of the seine valley highlights include the great abbey churches of caen the mighty island of mont st michel and monets garden at giverny normandy gets its name from the viking norsemen who sailed up the river seine in the 9th century north of rouen are the chalky cliffs of the cote dalbatre the modern city of caen is worth visiting for its two great 11th century abbey churches built by william the conqueror and his queen matilda at its western foot stands one of frances greatest attractions the monastery island of mont st. michel

the camargue

the rhone delta was responsible for the formation of more than 432 sq miles of wetlands pastures dunes and salt flats that make up the camargue but human efforts are needed to preserve it the pastures provide grazing for sheep cattle and small white arab type horses ridden by the gardians or cowboys a hardy community who traditionally loved in thatched huts and still play their part in keeping camargue traditions alive

winter in france

the ski season usually starts just before christmas and finishes at the end of april

vals les bains

the small spa town retains a hint of its past elegance discovered around 1600 vals les bain is one of the few spas in southern france to have been overlooked by the romans vals is a convenient first stop for an exploration of the ardeche with plenty of hotels and restaurants

introducing the south of france

the south is frances most popular holiday region drawing millions of visitors each year to the riviera resorts and modern beach cities to the west the map shows the major sights of this sun blessed region

languedoc and roussillon

the southern area of languedoc and roussillon stretches from the foothills of the pyrenees to the mouth of the rhone the flat beaches and lagoons of the coast form a popular sunbelt in between is a dry scorched land producing half of frances table wine an the seasons first peaches and cherries beyond such sensuous pleasures are many layers of history not least the amalgamation of languedoc and roussillon with the new region of occitaine created in 2016 this stretch of coastline was the first place in gaul to be settled by the romans their enduring legacy evident in the great amphitheater at nimes and the magnificent engineering of the pont du gard in parts the area remains wild and untamed from the high plateaus of the cerdagne to the wild hills of the corbieres or the remote uplands of haut languedoc the whole area is typified by an insouciant mixture of ancient and modern from roman temples and postmodern architecture in its cities to solar power and ancient abbeys in the mountains

introducing southwest france

the southwest is farming france a green and peaceful land nurturing produce from sunflowers to foie gras the major sights of this favored region are shown here and include some of frances most celebrated romanesque buildings

dax

the thermal spa of dax is second only to aix les bains in importance aside from the 13th century doorway of the otherwise 17th century cathedrale notre dame there isn't much of architectural interest in this peaceful town but the promenade along the river adour is charming and the bullring is world renowned

exploring the pyrenees

the towering pyrenees cut across southwest france from the mediterranean to the atlantic coast encompassing the craggy citadel of montsegur the pilgrimage center of lourdes pau capital of the hilly bearn country and the basque port of bayonne lovers of history and architecture will be richly rewarded by st bertrand de comminges and st jean de luz among the regions important sights

exploring perigord quercy and gascony

the towns of perigueux cahors and albi make good bases for exploring the region and are quieter alternatives to toulouse the only major urban center but if you want more than peace and good food this region offers some of frances finest medieval architecture and europes most important prehistoric caves notably lascaux

tour of the gorges du verdon

the verdon gorges constitute one of the most dramatic natural sights in europe a detour southwest of moutiers to quinsons musee de prehistorie is worthwhile

cascades du herisson

the village of doucier at the foot of pic de laigle is the starting point for the valley of the river herisson one of the finest natural settings in the jura the walk which takes about 2 hours there and back is steep at times and can be slippery so suitable footwear is essential

introducing western france

the western regions of france have played very different historical roles from the royal heartland of the lorie valley to separarist celtic brittany visitors come for the wonderful beaches quiet rural byways and the sumptuous lorie chateaux

autorie

this is one of the loveliest places in quercy the fertile area east of perigord outside autorie past a 100 ft waterfall a path climbs to a rock amphitheater giving panoramic views of the region

exploring provence

this sun drenched southeastern region is frances most popular holiday destination inland is a paradise for walkers and nature lovers with remote mountain plateaus perched villages and dramatic river gorges

poitou and aquitaine

this vast area of southwest france spans a quarter of the countrys windswept atlantic coastline a great expanse of fine sandy beaches the region stretches from the marshes of the marais poitevin to the great pine forests of the landes central to it is the celebrated wine region of bordeaux and its great chateaux the turbulent history of poitou and aquitaine fought over for centuries has left a rich architectual and cultural heritage present day poitiers is big thriving commercial center its wines complement the regions cuisine lampreys mussels and oysters from the coast and salty lamb and goats cheeses from the inland pastures

hyeres

toward the end of the 18th century hyeres became on of the first health resorts of the cote dazur the main sights are found in the vieille villes medieval streets which lead past the spacious flagstoned place massillon to a runied castle and views over the coast modern hyeres is imbued with a lightening belle epoque charm which has become popular with experimental movie makers it attracts a health conscious crowd and is a major center for aquatic sports

st guilhem le desert

tucked away in the celette mountains st guilhem le desert is no longer as remote as when guillaume of aquitaine retired here as a hermit in the 9th century vestiges of the first 10th century church have been discovered but most of the building is a superb example of 11th to 12th century roman esque architecture within the church is a sombre barrel vaulted central aisle leading to the sunlit central apse only two galleries of the cloisters remain the rest are in new york along with carvings from st michel de cuxa

valence

valence is a large thriving market town set on the east bank of the rhone and looking across to the cliffs of the ardeche alongside the cathedral in the former bishops palace the small musee de valence contains a collection of 18th century chalk drawings of rome by hubert robert a short walk from here are two renaissance mansions the parc jouvet south of avenue gambetta offers lovely pools and gardens with fine views across the river to the ruined chateau de crussol

modern life

while one half of the french were heralding the new millennium in true gallic style the others were plunged into darkness caused by some of the worst storms to ever hit europe

brittanys costal wildfire

with its granite cliffs sweeping bays rias and deep estuaries the brittany coastline contains a wealth of varied wildfire habitats above the sea towering cliffs offer a nursery for seabirds and a foothold for many kinds of wild flowers

OVERSEAS DEPARTMENTS AND TERRITORIES

Charles de Gaulle granted independence to France's last colonies when he returned to power in 1958 The French influence nevertheless remains in the former African colonies of le Cameroun, le Congo, la Côte d'Ivoire, le Gabon, la Guinée, le Niger, le Mali, la République Centrafricaine, la République démocratique du Congo, le Sénégal, le Tchad, and le Togo, and the French for their part maintain policies of cooperation and emotional attachment to those countries In 2004, it was estimated that one hundred thousand French nationals were in these countries France proper, which includes the Mediterranean island of Corsica, is distinguished from la France d'outre-mer, which is administratively divided into départements d'outre-mer and territoires d'outre-mer The DOM are la Guadeloupe, la Martinique, and la Guyane française in the Carribean, Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon off the coast of Newfoundland in Canada, and la Réunion in the Indian Ocean They have equal status with mainland French départements and elect representatives to the National Assembly in Paris The TOM are Mayotte in the Indian Ocean and la Polynésie française, la Nouvelle-Calédonie, and Wallis-et-Futuna in the Pacific Ocean, as well as other minor archipelagoes Some territories have growing independence movements

AMERICANIZATION

For a long time, the French have been fascinated by the skyscrapers of New York, Hollywood Westerns, and American business schools whose methods were seen as the key to new economic prosperity France has had historical links with America since the French explorer Samuel de Champlain founded the city of Québec in 1608 and the colony Nouvelle France (New France) was established When the British army defeated the French near Québec in 1759, many French settlers migrated south to "Acadia" (New Brunswick and parts of the other maritime provinces) and along the Mississippi to Louisiana, which had been named in honor of King Louis XIV In 2003, Louisiana, where part of the population still speaks French and Cajun, commemorated the bicentenary of the purchase of Louisiana by the United States from France The increasing domination of popular culture by American pop and rock music, television programs, and movies has provoked a hostile reaction from more traditional French people in the name of respect for national cultures and identities The opening of the Euro Disney theme park in 1992 at Marne-la-Vallée, 32 kilometers east of Paris, focused the debate on the survival of French cultural traditions A name change to Disneyland Paris and the opening of the Walt Disney Studios Park in addition to the Disneyland Park have made this the most popular theme park in Europe today, but only 40 percent of the visitors are French They are popular with young people as well as white-collar workers, who make up 43 percent of their customers They have also adapted to French customs by serving, in addition to hamburgers, a McDo version of the croque-monsieur (ham and cheese grilled on toast), Dannon yogurts for dessert, and, in addition to CocaCola, Orangina and Kronenbourg beer In 2002, he and a group of farmers destroyed a McDonald's restaurant in the French town of Millau as part of a campaign against American support for genetically modified food, which the farmers wanted banned in France The January 2004 opening of the first Starbucks in France (on the Avenue de l'Opéra in the heart of Paris) sparked another heated controversy about the clash of American and French cultures When the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York were destroyed by a terrorist attack on 11 September 2001, Jean-Marie Colombani, director of the influential Le Monde newspaper, wrote "We are all Americans now," and a large majority of French people agreed However, anti-Americanism became strident again in 2003 The United States is a popular French tourist destination and, in 2003, two hundred and sixty thousand French nationals became residents there

URBAN AND RURAL LIFE

France has a population of more than sixty-two million but is one of the least densely populated countries in Europe Because 90 percent of the French population lives in urban or semiurban areas and 20 percent in the Île de France region around Paris, large areas of the diverse country landscape offer unspoiled vistas of fields, forests, valleys, and mountains The French population has moved rapidly from the country to urban agglomerations since World War II In 1946, 38 percent of the total workforce was farmers; today only 3.5 percent of the French live on family farms Agriculture now accounts for just 2 percent of the gross domestic product, half the figure of twenty years ago The suburbs of major cities grew as the countryside emptied This also means that many of today's urban residents are within a generation of one rural area or another and its traditions, and many contemporary Parisiens identify themselves, for example, as Bretons or Normands rather than Parisiens—that is, they continue to identify themselves with the region from which their family came The influx of country dwellers to cities and towns needed housing, as did immigrant workers who arrived in large numbers, mainly from le Maghreb Government-financed, low-cost apartment buildings called HLM were erected in the suburbs Low-income workers from the city have increased the suburban population as rents rose in their old neighborhoods under the economic pressure of gentrification HLM buildings are now often socially deprived concentrations of people with high unemployment, especially among the young and immigrants They are called rurbains Since the 1980s, government reforms have given greater power to regional councils, and provincial cities have enjoyed a new growth cycle as a result The TGV network has reduced the isolation of provincial cities by making travel between them and Paris faster A French survey in 2005 to determine in which city life is best classified cities in terms of housing, leisure possibilities, employment, culture, educational institutions, and dynamism During the time agriculture made the greatest contribution to France's wealth, life in country villages was prosperous and conservative With the decline of the rural population, many of these villages are today virtually empty except for the houses bought by city dwellers as résidences secondaires for weekends and vacations or by Europeans attracted by the low cost of the houses and the French lifestyle Forty-five percent of the E.U. budget goes to agriculture and 25 percent of this goes to subsidies for France Farmers' demonstrations against changes to the generous subsidies of the PAC receive widespread popular support The administrative division of France into thirty-six thousand communes, each with an elected mayor and council, gives more importance to rural than urban communities and thus ensures the endurance of traditional rural values

REGIONALIZATION

France is a highly centralized country, where all major national decisions are made in Paris The administrative structures are very hierarchical and are organized at five levels: (1) la commune; (2) le département; (3) la région; (4) l'État; (5) l'Union Européenne At the local level, France is divided into thirty-six thousand communes Each commune has a municipal council, which elects a mayor The communes are grouped in ninety-five départements, whose head is un préfet or une préfète appointed by the national government The principal town of each département houses its administrative offices and the préfet/préfète The départements themselves are grouped into twenty-two régions whose administrative head is a préfet/préfète de région, also appointed from Paris The names of the régions correspond to those of the provinces that covered similar areas before the 1789 Revolution, for example, Picardie, Bourgogne, Auvergne, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur The French have strong emotional ties to the regions where they were born or, if they were born in Paris and its suburbs, to the regions where their ancestors lived The official residence of the president and the seat of the government and its ministries, which constitute the central power of the nation-state, are in Paris President Charles de Gaulle tried to give more autonomy to the regions, but the referendum of 1969 to approve administrative reforms lost, upon which de Gaulle resigned his presidency It was not until the election in 1981 of the Socialist president François Mitterrand that a program of decentralization was successfully put into effect The program provided for elected regional councils with power to make certain financial and local policy decisions without authorization from Paris or the government-appointed préfet/préfète In 2003, an amendment to the Constitution granted more autonomy to the regions, with the state giving the regional councils, which are elected every six years, greater control of regional economic policy Increased regional autonomy is opposed by the "Jacobins," who prefer a highly centralized state and who can point to the many national benefits that have resulted from state planning and control of grands projets, such as the Euro Tunnel under the English Channel, the nuclear power grid, the TGV, and the Airbus planes

ECOLOGY

France protects the flora, fauna, and ecological environment in the large state national parks, principally in the mountain regions of the Alpes, the Pyrénées, the Cévennes, and in the Camargue on the Mediterranean coast The Green movement did not develop a social base in France until the late 1980s It grew out of the Student Revolt of May 1968 as a protest movement, but the 1974 oil crisis and the resulting economic crisis of the late 1970s and 1980s relegated the movement to a minor role in the French political dialogue France gets more than 80 percent of its electricity from nuclear power Several events in the later 1980s galvanized French concern over environmental issues, and French attitudes shifted dramatically In 1986, the Chernobyl nuclear reactor disaster threatened all Europe with nuclear fallout French news media, like news media around the world, focused attention on the gap in the ozone layer, the greenhouse effect, acid rain, and the destruction of the Amazon rain forest The Green political party polled almost 7 percent of votes in the parliamentary elections in 1997 It joined with the Socialist and Communist parties to form la gauche plurielle that governed France from 1997 to 2002 The Socialist leader Lionel Jospin was prime minister and the leader of les Verts, a woman, Dominique Voynet, was minister for the environment A coalition of conservative parties swept this government from power in the 2002 elections Since then, the Green movement has split into quarreling factions and has lost its high profile In 2004, President Chirac proposed an Environment Charter that would enshrine the right of all French people to "live in an environment that is balanced and respects their health France was among the first countries to sign the international Kyoto Protocol, which was implemented in 2005 to reduce global warming by limiting carbon dioxide emissions

FRANCOPHONIE

French is spoken across all the world continents and is, after English, the most spoken world language It is estimated that there are 175 million French speakers French is the official language of twenty-nine countries and the major language of another twelve countries Accents and vocabulary in Québec, Haïti, and Sénégal, for example, vary greatly from one another and from what one hears in France, such as "jasette" in Québec for "causette" In the Caribbean DOM and la Réunion, French Creole is the everyday language Francophonie is the term used to describe the world community of countries in which French is the national language or is used for official or administrative purposes Since 1986, a Sommet de la Francophonie brings together every two years the heads of state or government of countries that "share the French language" to promote a dialogue between cultures and between developed and developing countries In 2004, the tenth Sommet was held in Ouagadougou in the African country of Burkina-Faso The former president of Sénégal,Abdou Diouf, is the Secretary General of the International Organization of Francophonie, which is made up of fifty-one member countries and five countries with observer status The French government allocates $1 billion annually to promote French internationally The International Day of Francophonie has been celebrated on 20 March every year since 1988 French has the same status as English in all official announcements at the Olympic Games, which were relaunched in 1894 by the Frenchman Pierre de Coubertin The Fifth Jeux de la Francophonie for francophone athletes took place in the Niger capital of Niamey in 2005

ACCENTS AND LANGUAGE

French is spoken with a different accent in different parts of France The rapid, taut Parisian accent is very different from the twangy, nasal accent in the Midi, which—if we are to believe the southerners—reflects their jovial personality and their sunny climate As with all languages, the spoken language evolves more rapidly than the written language Cardinal Richelieu established the Académie française in 1635 to stabilize and perfect the French language Today, you will hear many colloquial and slang expressions that the forty elected-for-life members of the Académie française refuse to include in their dictionary, which rules over the correctness of the French language Many words in French have a Greek or Latin origin Greek or Latin roots are frequently combined with Greek or Latin prefixes and suffixes to coin new French words, such as autoroute or télévision A hugely popular annual competition called Les Dicos d'Or, conducted by Bernard Pivot, a former host of France's top literary television show, selects the best national spellers in a dictation test The language spoken in the suburbs around major cities by the young generation of beurs is having a strong influence on nonstandard spoken French Verlan is another form of spoken French popular among young people They invert the syllables in a word so that Arabe becomes beur, femme becomes meuf, and laisse tomber becomes laisse béton The most spoken regional languages are Breton, Occitan, and Corsican New examples are le show business, les people, le management, le debriefing, la stock-option, and l'email The language of France has always been une affaire d'État Alarmed by the lack of precision in usage and the loss of the "purity" of the French language that resulted from borrowed Anglo-American words and syntax, the government in 1966 established the Haut Comité de la Langue Française, a commission under the prime minister's control Its mission was to defend French against the linguistic invasion of English by creating French words to replace English ones and to discourage the use of franglais Since 2005, English has been taught in French primary schools English is the language used on 52 percent of all websites; 4.6 percent are in French To increase the use of French on websites, the Bibliothèque Nationale de France or BNF did not accept the search engine Google's cost-free offer in 2005 to digitize the collections of the major world libraries Instead, the French government assumed the huge cost of financing a "French Google" to digitize the collections in the BNF

NUMBERS

French telephone numbers have ten digits, which are not recited singly but in pairs: 01-43-12-95-06, zéro-un, quarante-trois, douze, quatrevingt-quinze, zéro six The first two digits indicate one of the five zones into which France is divided by France Télécom: 01 is the Paris zone France is officially divided into ninety-five administrative districts called départements Each one has a number as well as a name The numbers correspond to the alphabetical order of the départements For example, the Ain département in the Rhône-Alpes region is 01, the city of Paris is 75, and the Val d'Oise département in the Paris region in 95 The numbers serve as the beginning of the département postal codes and terminate license plate numbers of cars registered in the département A comma is used to indicate decimals, as in the price ∊2,30 or 54,5 pour cent The street-level floor of a building is called le rez-de-chaussée, not the first floor, which is the floor above the street level The French defend their logic by saying that the street level is not a story A week is huit jours, and two weeks is quinze jours Therefore, a Eurail pass for huit jours is actually valid for only seven days

POPULATION

The population of France in the 2004 Census was 62 million: 60.2 million in mainland France and 1.8 million in the overseas departments In mainland France, 23.8 percent of the population was aged under twenty and 21.8 percent was over sixty It is predicted that the population of France will increase to seventy-five million in 2050 because of the high birthrate and because there are approximately two hundred thousand more births than deaths annually The average French birthrate of 1.9 children per woman is one of the highest in Europe In France, 47 percent of babies are born to unmarried parents, and half of the mothers are aged thirty or over when they give birth The high birthrate is encouraged by the government policy of granting working mothers twenty weeks of maternity leave for the first child with entitlements to 84 percent of salary, free child-care centers, subsidized camps during the school holidays, tax breaks and family allowances that increase to 300 euros in monthly allowances, and near-free public transport for families with three or more children Eighty-one percent of French women between ages twenty-four and forty-nine work, including 75 percent of those with two children and 51 percent of those with more than two children Almost 100 percent of children aged three go to school In the 2004 Census, 9.6 percent of the population were immigrants aged over eighteen The number of immigrants over age eighteen who took French nationality increased from 37 percent in 1999 to 41 percent in 2004 The significant proportion of immigrants in the population combined with the large population shift from the country to the city and the huge decline in church attendance has changed France from a rural, Christian society to a "black, blanc, beur" nation Since the end of the 1960s, the culture and fashions of the younger generation made up of adolescents and young people up to age twenty-five have had a strong influence on French society Obligatory military service for all young people ended in 2001 Les seniors is the term used for the older category of the population In 2003, one million French citizens became expatriates Fewer are going to live in French-speaking Africa, and 60 percent are going to live in European countries and North America The French population in Great Britain has doubled during the last decade but has declined by 40 percent in Germany

mont de marsan

a bullfighting mecca mont de marsan attracts all the great bullfighters of france and spain in summer the administrative capital of the landes is also known for its hippodrome poultry farming and fole gras production sculpture from the first half of the 20th century can be seen at musee despiau wlerik