France

Paris has long been known as the city of love, but one can also easily say that France is the country of love—love of good food, wine, fashion and fine art. From north to south, the landscape of this country is diverse; France has a lush countryside, one of the world’s most famous cities, the Alps and the glamorous French Riviera. France has long been one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations, and is renowned for its history, politics, gastronomy and fashion.

France is also a major player in Europe, as it is the second largest economy and often takes the lead in political matters involving the European Union. The people of France are proud and the country is one of the most diverse on the continent.

Language: French
Currency: Euro (EUR)
Government: Republic

DID YOU KNOW?

• The love for cheese in France is legendary—the country produces more than 400 types of cheese! Some of these include Camembert, Brie de Meaux, Roquefort, Chevre and Epoisses.
• There is a Victor Hugo street in every town in France. Victor Hugo was a prolific French author, best known for his 1862 novel, Les Miserables, which is widely recognized as one of the greatest works of the 19th century.
• France has a long history of academics. The country has won more Nobel Prizes for Literature than any other country in the world, and ranks second for most awards in mathematics.
• The region in and around Paris is home to 20 percent of France’s population. Anything outside the city of Paris is known as the countryside.
• France is home to 28 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Climate

France’s climate varies on location, but the country is noted for its temperate winters and mild summers in the north, and its mild winters and hot summers near the Mediterranean. In the northwest, in places such as Brittany, the climate is comparable to that of England: cool summers and mild, rainy winters. Cold, snowy winters characterize the mountainous areas of the Alps, the Auvergne and the Pyrenees. Truly, the country has every possible type of climate!

• Winter: October–April
• Summer: June–September
• Spring: April–May
• Autumn: October–early November

History

France’s history truly began with the entry of the Romans, who brought with them the written word, cultural change, government and infrastructure. Following the fall of Rome, France’s Gallo-Romans (previously known as the Gauls) integrated with the “barbaric” tribes of the east and the Franks.

The Franks populated and set up monarchies. Charlemagne is one of the most notable of the kings of this time; in 800 CE, he was crowned Holy Roman Emperor. His reign was characterized by expansion and constant wars in the north by Vikings and the south by the Spanish Muslim Saracens. Charlemagne’s reign also coincides with the start of feudalism and the Middle Ages. This period gave way to many years of strife between France and England; from 1337 to 1435, the Hundred Years’ War resulted in a one-third reduction in the French population.

By the end of the 15th century, France was an entirely different place—the political ideology of feudalism had disappeared and France was a modern nation state with borders akin to those existing today. The 16th century introduced the age of absolutism, during which time King Louis XIV created a prosperous France, with a strong economic and political system revered across the continent. The glory found in the age of absolutism was followed by another prosperous time period, known as the age of exploration and colonialism, where France grew its land holdings in other parts of the world, specifically in North America and the Caribbean.

Unfortunately, France’s fortune was not to be everlasting, as external wars with Spain and England led for a weakened internal state of affairs. In 1789, the French Revolution took place, sparked by poor leadership on the part of the monarchy, and the people rebelled against the oppressive ways of the government.

Sweeping in to mend the fractured France, Napoleon brought growth of the Empire, and amassed massive land holdings across Western Europe. Napoleon’s influential legacy came to an end when he was defeated in Waterloo, Belgium, and France returned to a monarchy. This was the industrialization era, which built the roots for the France we know today.

The 20th and 21st centuries have been tumultuous at best for France—losing their footing as they were ravaged by war after war. Both World Wars severely crippled France—economically, socially and politically. Issues of secularism, religious rights and marginalization due to colonialism and growth were at the forefront of social matters in the country.

However, after recovering from the losses of the World Wars, France and Germany became the most prosperous countries in Europe. Both have been influential in creating and implementing the euro, a financial currency that encompasses all the member states of the European Union.

MUST SEE

PARIS
Paris speaks for itself. The epicentre of fashion, art and politics, this city is a beautiful mélange of old and new. Home to the Louvre, the Musée d’Orsay and other fine institutions, Paris is a favourite of travellers around the globe. Culture dots every part of the city, from the gorgeous pubic works (Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame) to the array of brasseries, cafés and restaurants.

CHARTRES CATHEDRAL
The Notre Dame of the city Chartres is a gothic-style cathedral dating back to the 12th century. The cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and sits in the small city of Chartres, which is known as the “Capital of Light and Perfume.”

LE MONT-SAINTE-MICHEL
One of the most stunning sites in the world, this Abbey sits on a rock formation in Southern Normandy. The charm in this Abbey is that it is surrounded by rising tidal flows and boasts beautiful and mysterious architecture. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage site.

CANNES AND MONACO (THE FRENCH RIVIERA)
One of the biggest draw factors to France is the French Riviera. A favourite beach destination for the rich and famous, it is home to some of the world’s most luxurious hotels, restaurants and shopping facilities. Besides showcasing beautiful blue-watered beaches, the Riviera is also home to the famous Cannes Film Festival.