- Cultural Capital - There is only one Paris and France has it. For many visitors, the City of Light simply has no equal.
- Great Cuisine - Dining in France - in either a humble bistro or a three-star restaurant - is an experience not to be miseed. Especially delightful is the chance to try the many specialities of the various regions. Whether it is fresh oysters or orchard fruits, the French prize local ingredients in season and make magic with them.
- Fine Wine - The world's more renowned producer of wine, France offers many opportunities to sample varities that may not even be available in the United States. Region such as Bourgogne (Burgundy), Champagne-Ardenne, Centre Val de Loire (Loire Valley), and the Bordeaux area of Aquitaine are wonderful places to learn about and enjoy the fruits of the vine.
- Art - France not only spawned many of the great artists of the past several centuries, but it offers a wealth of superb museums in which to admire their work. Fine museums are not confined to Paris; they also abound in provincial cities and towns throughout the country. Visitors can also enjoy some of the actual sites, including Monet's gardens at Giverny, which inspired many famous artistic works.
- Architecture - France is a paradise for architecture enthusiasts, with everything from majestic Gothic cathedrals to the ultramodern structures designed by Le Corbusier. There is a period and style to intrigue just about everyone.
- Heavenly Treasures - The many great cathedrals, churches, abbeys, and basilicas of France are not only noteworthy for their external beauty, but they house some of the country's greatest works of art. Medieval sculpture, magnificent wall paintings, carved screens, and brilliant stained-glass windows make them veritable museums.
What's Special About France?
History of France
The history of human habitation in France stretches back for many millennia, with evidence of prehistoric culture sill vividly evident in such places as the Vézère River Valley of Southwest France. Here amazingly well-preserved cave paintings of animals drawn between 15,000 and 17,000 years ago are a testament to both the hunting and artistic skills of the Cro-Magnon people.
Words to Le Marseillaise
Only the first verse (and sometimes the fifth and sixth) and the chorus are sung today in France. This year the first and sixth verse of the French National Anthem were sung by the Choeur des Armées Françaises and the Choeur des jeunes sapeurs pompiers du Puy-du-Dôme (Puy-du-Dôme young fire-fighters). We've therefore placed the verse in the order they were sung if you'd like to listen to the video at the same time and follow the words. However, we have also given the complete anthem if you'd like to see it in its entirety. Click here if you'd like to browse the French Government's website.
First Verse
Allons enfants de la Patrie,
Le jour de gloire est arrivé !
Contre nous de la tyrannie,
L'étendard sanglant est levé. (bis)
Entendez-vous dans les campagnes
Mugir ces féroces soldats ?
Ils viennent jusque dans nos bras
Égorger nos fils, nos compagnes !
Cinema & Literature
The Cinematic tradition in France is a long one, starting with the Lumière brothers of Lyon who pioneered the art of moving pictures at the turn of the 20th century. The medium burst into full flower during the 1920s and 1930s through the efforts of such avant-garde directors as René Clair and Jean Renoir.
Music & Dance
The classical musical tradition in France burst into bloom in the 19th century with such composers as Hector Berlioz, Charles Gounod, Camille Saint-Saëns, and Georges Bizet, known for his opera Carmen.
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Video: Bastille Day 2008
From our archives
Villa Le Rêve
For the past ten years Villa Le Rêve has been used as an artists’ house where art, cultural and creative activities, health and well-being courses are held throughout the year. As part of our research on Matisse and his life here on the Côte d'Azur, we contacted Joëlle Audry, Villa Le Rêve’s charming caretaker, and asked if we could visit his old home. Much to our delight she accepted and we arranged our visit.
Notre Dame de la Garoupe
If you’ve ever visited the Grimaldi Museum in Antibes and strolled along the narrow Promenade Amiral de Grasse that hugs the contours of the coastline down to Saint-André bastion and its archaeological museum, it’s a safe bet you would have noticed the verdant Cap d’Antibes peninsula - and one of France’s most powerful lighthouses (with a range of 70 kms for boats and 200 kms for planes) perched on top of La Garoupe Hill: Phare de La Garoupe.
They really do say 'oh la la'
It is in the nature of neighbours to squabble, and notwithstanding the official cordiality of the past 100 years, Anglo-French relations have been known to suffer sporadic minor ruptures. These are rather stimulating occasions, traditionally marked by name-calling and foot-stamping on both sides of the channel.Icons of France
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