France Information

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More Information on France…

France is a nation of contrast. For several years, it was defined by differences between the urban and industrial north and the rural south, between the chic capital and the less sophisticated provincial cities and between the intellectual elite and the largely agricultural workforce. However in recent times, while this is still true to a certain extent, a lot has changed and the contrasts are not as clearly visible. The agricultural industry plays a less important role nowadays and industrial and high-tech centres have sprung up around the country. However despite the blurring of the edges of the French identity, France remains a splendid and individualist country that has much to offer visitors.

French history has been a constant quest for national identity: a conflict between strong regional loyalties and central authority. During the Middle Ages, William the Conqueror crossed the English Channel and for 400 years, English and French monarchs fought over sovereignty of various parts of France until Joan of Arc roused the French to resist the English at Orleans. Though burned at the stake, St. Joan remains today a symbol of French nationalism. Louis XIV established France’s borders as known today and shortly after his death, the French Revolution came and marked the end of the royal dynasty in France. Another undeniable symbol of nationalism is of course Napoleon Bonaparte who became Emperor in 1804. Napolean invoked nationalism in his conquest of Europe’s Ancien Regime and the layout of contemporary Paris owes much to Napolean III’s chief town planner. Today, France is a semi-presidential representative democratic republic, in which the President of France is head of state and the Prime Minister of France is the head of government.

France is a predominantly Roman Catholic country but only a minority of the population attends services. Protestant churches exist in most large towns and Muslims will find places to worship in much of the country. Going around France, plan your shopping as outside the major towns, a lot of places tend to shut for a long lunch break. Jeans and casual clothing are worn almost everywhere except in business situations. Skimpy clothing remains out of place except at resorts and in all but the most casual restaurants. When visiting places of worship, it is also polite to dress modestly.

Be sure to say Bonjour, monsieur or Bonjour, madame to anyone you meet, including when you go into a small shop or restaurant. It is also polite to say au revoir or bon appetit as appropriate. You’ll find that the French are much  more welcoming to tourists who try to speak French, even if it’s only the odd word. It might be useful to carry around a small phrase book although English is spoken in the major cities.

France’s unit of currency is the euro and most Paris banks are open from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday. In smaller places, they may close for an hour or two at lunchtime and may open on Saturdays for several hours and close on Mondays. In terms of tipping, a 15 percent service charge is generally automatically included in restaurant bills. Most people will elave another 2 or 3 percent if a meal or service has been particularly good. Rounding off the bill by a euro or two helps round off friendships with waiters too. It is also normal to hand porters, doormen and petrol station attendants two or three euros for their service.