“FRANCE”
The country of the combination of art and revolution.
Official Name: French Republic.
Location: Western Europe.
Total Area: 06,43,801 km²
Total Population: 67 Million.
Capital City: Paris.
Famous Cities: Marseille, Strasbourg, Nantes & Paris.
Official Language: French.
Religion: Catholicism.
HISTORY
The borders of present-day France are associated with the Gauls state of the Celtic tribe from ancient times. The Gaul was conquered by the Romans in the first century BC. Slowly the Gaul people adopted Roman language and culture.
The preaching of Christianity began here in the second and third centuries BC. In the fourth century AD, on the eastern frontiers of Gaul, the German-speaking Frank tribe occupied the country, and on this basis, they named the country France. The existence of France as a separate state or territory began in the ninth century when the northern and southern sections of the King Empire of Charlemagne were divided.
The descendants of Charlemagne ruled France until 987 AD, After that Hugh Capet, Duke of France and Count of Paris subsequently became kings.
In 1792, there was a revolution against the monarchy in France and then it became a republic. But in 1799, Napoleon Bonaparte seized power and declared himself the Emperor of France. Napoleon had won many countries by waging war against most of the European states, but after the defeat from England in the 1815th, France was re-elected as a republic. The political revolution known as the ‘French revolution’ provided inspiration to many countries as well.
France fought alongside England in the First and Second World War. In 1958, a democratic system of democracy was established in this country. France is an important member of the European Union and is included in the five permanent members of the UN Security Council.
CULTURE
Paris, the French capital, has been known as the cultural capital of the world for almost 300 years. The culture of France is called very urban or cosmopolitan. Artists from all over the world are interested in art-education and art-activities in France.
In the fields of literature, painting, architecture and sculpture, as well as music and film, France has given the gift of many great artists to the world. Louvre Museum, located in Paris, is the world’s largest collection of paintings. One of the wonders of the world, Eiffel Tower is in Paris, France. In addition, Paris is also considered the capital of the fashion-world and most trends in the style of dresses and apparel are believed to start at the fashion shows held in Paris.
CUISINE
Like many French dishes, French cuisine is very popular in Europe and America. The French are very fond of eating and their dinners last very long. They first taste the variety of appetizers, sauces and soups in the meal and then begin to serve the main dishes. The taste of the sweet dish is also considered at the end of the meal. Mushroom recipes and pizza are also very popular in France.
Like eating, French people are fond of drinking, and French wines are popular in the world. And even champagne is a must in any celebration.
Large amounts of wines as well as other types of alcohol are produced and exported in different regions of France and in the world.
CUSTOMS
On the occasion of a French wedding, a strange custom is inevitably provided and is called ‘beheading of bottles of champagne’. Numerous bottles of champagne are cut through specially made sharp sword. It is also customary to hold a puppet game at midnight during the Christmas celebrations before people go to church to attend the Christmas.
During the festivities, it is customary that from the previous Thursday of the Good Friday, the temple bell is not played and it is resumed playing on Easter Sunday.
Celebrating the Bastille Day is one of France’s most colorful traditions. On this day during the French Revolution in France, people were attacked at the prison of the fort of Bastille, considered to be the symbol of the monarchy. French people are very proud of their cultural heritage and therefore believes it, their national identity.
Any artist, big or small, is highly respected in France. Generally the people of France are very peaceful and friendly and very talkative. Although they always address each other formally, as Monsieur (Dear sir) or Madame (Dear madam). They are known to be polite and transparent in nature, meaning they tell everything they have in their mind. The French people are known for their love as they have an international reputation. In terms of love and sex, French people are freer than their neighbors, Germans or Englishmen.
Before marriage, without marriage and same-sex relationships are quite common in France.
In short, the French people are the ones who love life. They follow the philosophy of eating, drinking and having fun. That’s it!
This is France, the land of royals and people full of love, Art and Passion.
