French Culture

The Flag The French flag is similar to the American Flag. Red, white, and blue. Red represents bravery and strength. White represents honesty and peace of the country. Blue represents the country’s truth and loyalty.

Major Cities France’s capital is Paris. It is famous for its attractions like the Eiffel Tower, and its cafes and also the scenery. There are two other well known major cities in France are Bordeaux, and Lions. In 2006 France was the most visited country by tourists. Today, millions of people go each year to see the Eiffel Tower and the other attractions.

The Countryside in France Besides the cities that all the tourists go to France to see, many people also go to the country side of France. Farms wind farms, dairy farms, etc organic farming.

Cuisine The basis of French cuisine comes from Italian food. When Catherine De Medicis (Florentine Princess) married Henry duc d ’ Orleans (King Henry II of France), Catherine brought in Italian chefs who introduced Italian dishes in France. Until then, France wasn ’ t known for food or culture

The Italians not only influenced French cuisine but also art during 15 th century when Charles VIII returned from his conquest of Naples accompanied by several Italian artists. This influenced Leonardo da Vinci in his later years as he lived in Chateau d ’ Amboise, which was made with Italian decorative elements.

French Food The French are also famous for their cuisine. French food known in the U.S. are chocolates, cheese and breakfasts like croissants.

France is a nation of food lovers and the food culture contains some interesting facts. Food is to be enjoyed and savored, for example, lunch time in France is usually two hours long just for this reason. Except for large cities, almost everything closes from noon until two pm when French restaurants are open for lunch.

There are many restaurants operating in France with over 5,000 restaurants in Paris alone. With so many restaurants, there are many food guides to assist. The most famous and successful restaurant guide in France is the Michelin Guide Rouge, which has approximately 50% market share. It has enormous influence; the award of a single star by the Guide Rouge to a restaurant can add 25% to its turnover and the loss of a star can mean financial ruin for a restaurant.

There are four approaches to French food: Classical French cuisine which is rich and filling, with many dishes using cream-based sauces. Haute cuisine is classical French cuisine taken to its most sophisticated and extreme. Food is elegant and elaborate with a strong emphasis on presentation. Only the finest ingredients are used and the meal is correspondingly expensive. Nouvelle Cuisine was developed in the 1970s, as a reaction against the classical school of cooking. The food is simpler and lighter. Portions are smaller and less rich; the heavy cream sauces of the classical approach are particularly avoided. Cooking is less elaborate and quicker, with more emphasis on seasonal ingredients. Cuisine du terroir focuses on regional specialities and is somewhat more rustic in nature. Local produce and food traditions are the main focus.

Louvre Museum This is one of the world’s most famous art museum. Here, they hold many famous art pieces including the Mona Lisa.

The Tour de France Every summer in France, thousands of professional bike riders enter in the Tour de France. This race is a 3,600 kilometer, or about 2,300 mile bike race. Many tourists come from all over to watch and participate in this race.

Notre Dame Notre-Dame de Paris, also known as Notre-Dame Cathedral or simply Notre-Dame, is a historic Catholic cathedral on the eastern half. one of the biggest churches in France.

The Seine River The Siene River is a very important river in France. It goes through Paris to the Paris Basin. transportation for the industries

Northern Vineyards in France The Northern part of France is also known for their vineyards. Many tourists come to see them and experience the work that goes on here

The Statue of Liberty The French have a statue of liberty right outside of Paris. It is just like the one they gave to us after the end of the civil war.

The statue, designed by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, a French sculptor and dedicated on October 28, 1886, was a gift to the United States from the people of France. The statue is of a robed female figure representing Libertas, the Roman goddess of freedom, who bears a torch and a tabula ansata (a tablet evoking the law) upon which is inscribed the date of the American Declaration of Independence, July 4, A broken chain lies at her feet. The statue is an icon of freedom and of the United States: a welcoming signal to immigrants arriving from abroad. Bartholdi was inspired by French law professor and politician commented in 1865 that any monument raised to American independence would properly be a joint project of the French and American peoples. honor the Union victory in the American Civil War and the end of slavery.

The French Alps Tourists also go to France to ski the French alps. These are a very big mountain range right near the border of Italy.