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The France List
1. The Buzz
The culture of the Franks is recognized and romanticized everywhere. France is the most visited country on the planet, the largest European Union member and has been a major world player since the late 17th century.
Although the French revolution has received lasting publicity there is more meat to the story… it goes like this:
The First Monarchy
Was at its height during Louis XIV's 17th century reign. This was the era of enlightenment with major scientific and cultural breakthroughs happening in France.
The First Empire
Napoleon Bonaparte (who by the way was actually taller than the average 1800 French man!) was the first leader of the Republic following the beheading of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette calling himself First Consul and later Emperor.
Napoleon led the First Empire while members of his family were ironically appointed as monarchs of newly established kingdoms throughout continental Europe.
The Second Monarchy
In 1815 following Bonaparte's defeat at Waterloo the French monarchy was reestablished until
The Second Empire
1848 when Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte proclaimed the Second Empire. This lasted for a decade when
The Third Republic
replaced it.
The Fourth Republic
Was established after World War II. Although France still has extensive overseas territories the First Indochina War ended in French defeat in 1954 and months later the conflict in Algeria crippled the country even more.
The Fifth (and current!)Republic
was instituted in 1958 and resulted in Algerian independence in 1962.
"France cannot be France without greatness." Said Charles de Gaulle
And modern France is all that. Home of the Modern Olympic Games and the metric system it is also host of the Tour de France and French Open. They have the worlds tallest road bridge (Millau Viaduct), here Europe builds the Airbus, it is the most energy independent Western country and its healthcare system is consistently ranked number one worldwide. It also has tourist attractions ranging from ultra religious Lourdes to the racy Moulin Rouge but the true marvel of France is the fact that it also wins the subjective vote.
The fables of France all centre on adventure and romance, Puss in boots, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, The Three Musketeers, The Count of Monte-Cristo, Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, The Hunchback of Notre-Dame and Little Prince. Hundreds of year later everyone still thinks of France as a place where one can find wonderful food, fabulous fashions, enthralling perfumes, daring adventure, unforgettable romance…
In fact in the words of François de la Rochefoucauld
"Anything may happen in France."
2. The Wonders
Know it
See it
Do it
Why?
Paris (the city of light)
Art Museums including the Louvre, Beautiful gardens, Wonderful restaurants and close proximity to great day trips and the best SHOPPING on the planet!!!
Arc de Triomph
Learn about France's famous leaders and enjoy a gorgeous view of the Champs Elysees
Eiffel Tower
It is the most visited attraction in the most visited country - do the math! Then go anyway…
Louvre
Even if you know nothing about art you WILL recognize something in one of the world's oldest museums!
Latin Quarter
History, architecture and cappuccino all vie for your attention
Moulin Rouge
Home to the Can Can they also serve a pretty good dinner!
Père Lachaise Cemetery
Marcel Proust, Oscar Wilde, Edith Piaf, Frederic Chopin, Sarah Bernhardt, Honoré de Balzac, George Bizet, Maria Callas, Eugene Delacroix, Jim Morrison - all rest here.
Versailles
The history, opulence and beauty of France taken to extremes
Normandy (Bayeux, Rouen and Mont. St. Michel)
Tour all the World War II Beaches and follow the Allied advance
Loire valley
Visit Chartres or Kayak the longest river in "The garden of France
Provence
The beauty the very LIFESTYLE of Provence is famous … easy lazy well fed and watered holidays in the sun!
Cote D'Azur
Your chance to go on a Sailing holiday
Monte Carlo
Eat, Gamble, Shop or simply stare!
Parfumerie Galimard's Le Studio de Frangrance
Mix your very own French perfume in Grasse
Corsica
The perfect climate for a picturesque beach holiday
3. The Worries
Natural dangers include treacherous swimming conditions on the Atlantic Coast and Storms and Avalanches in the Alp and Pyrenees
Hunting season starts as early as June for Roe deer and lasts until February. If you see any 'chasseurs' or 'chasse gardée' signs stay well clear.
The French medicine services can be found under a green cross. The pharmacist often speak only French and the most basic meds are purchased from behind the counter (they can also be heavily reliant on suppositories) - if you anticipate the need for medicine carry them with you.
Although smoking is banned everyone ignores this quite happily! As Ozzie Osbourne said: "Dogs smoke in France".
Failing to provide assistance to 'a person in danger' is illegal in France.
Where there are trees there are pigeons and where there are pigeons there is poop … Watch your 12 o'clock!
Oh and while we are on the subject .. They also have lots of DOGS in the cities!
4. The Quirks
What to eat...
Foie gras (if your conscience can bear it as it is fast becoming illegal almost everywhere else)
What to drink...
Champagne
What to listen to...
Non, je ne regrette rien by Edith Piaff
What to watch...
Chocolat
Which building to see...
Eiffel Tower
What to say...
Ooufff! (While throwing your hands dramatically to the sky)
5. The Idols & their Quotes (250)
Molière (Writer)
Le plus grand faible des hommes, c'est l'amour qu'ils ont de la vie.
Man's greatest weakness is his love of life.
René Descartes (Father of Modern Philosophy)
The greatest invention of all time is the grid system created by Frenchman Rene Descartes. For a fellow who stayed in bed until lunchtime all his life, Rene didn't do too badly." By Johnny Ball
Camille Saint-Saëns (French composer)
"There is nothing more difficult than talking about music"
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (Author)
"Well, I must endure the presence of two or three caterpillars if I wish to become acquainted with the butterflies. It seems that they are very beautiful." from "Le Petit Prince"
Napoléon Bonaparte (French general)
"I can no longer obey; I have tasted command, and I cannot give it up."
Juliette Binoche (Actor)
"My ambition is to have beautiful encounters, not to make money."
Catherine Deneuve (Actor)
"I don't see any reason for marriage when there is divorce."
Gerard Depardieu (Actor)
"I would never let myself knock out a journalist."
Olivier Martinez (Actor)
"If you compare me to an actor, I'm probably one of the best boxers in the profession. But if you compare me as a boxer, I'm probably one of the best actors."
Voltaire
Le travail éloigne de nous trois grands maux: l'ennui, le vice et le besoin.
Work delivers us from three great evils: boredom, vice and want.
Berlioz.
Le temps est un grand maître, dit-on, le malheur est qu'il tue ses élèves.
We say that time is a great teacher. It's too bad that it also kills all its students.
Claude Monet
"People discuss my art and pretend to understand as if it were necessary to understand, when it's simply necessary to love."
Louis Braille
Love wouldn't be blind if the Braille weren't so damned much fun" Anonymous
Louis Pasteur
"Louis Pasteur's theory of germs is ridiculous fiction"
Pierre Pachetzx
Marie and Pierre Curie
"Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood."
Gustave Eiffel
"The Eiffel Tower is the Empire State Building after taxes"
Carla Bruni
"I don't know what the fuss is about. There are 7,000 girls"
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