There are two indigenous groups in France, the Gauls and Franks.
The Gauls
In the pre-Roman era, all of Gaul was inhabited by a variety of peoples who were known collectively as the Gaulish tribes. Their ancestors were Celtic immigrants who came from Central Europe in the 7th century BC, and dominated native peoples in Aquitaine. Some, particularly in the northern and eastern areas, had Germanic admixture. Many of these peoples had already spoken Celtic by the time of the Roman conquest, but others seem to have spoken a Celto-Germanic creole. The Gaulish language came to be supplanted by Vulgar Latin, which would later split into dialects that would develop into the French language. Today, the last redoubt of Celtic culture and language in France can be found in the northwestern region of Brittany. All Gaul is divided into three parts, one of which the Belgae inhabit, the Aquitani, and Gauls. All these differ from each other in language, customs and laws.
The Franks The name "Frank" is closely related to the word that means, "free" as opposed to slavery, in the Frankish language. The most direct descendants of the Franks are the Dutch and the Flemish-speakers of Belgium.
The Franks had been living for some time in northern Germany when the weakness of the Roman Empire tempted them to move into it in the 400's AD. At first they stayed in northern France and Belgium, but around 490 AD, under a new, young, and ambitious king named Clovis, the Franks converted to Catholicism and began to fight their way south. They came to inhabit the former wealthy Roman provinces of Gaul and became the most powerful of the Germanic tribes. It was the Franks who created the strongest and most stable barbarian kingdom in the days after the Western Roman Empire had collapsed.
French is the sole official language and is the most widely spoken. The Toubon law (1994) instructs that French is to be spoken in all official, public spheres of life. French is also the first language for 88% of the population. Due to immigration, several other languages are also being widely spoken in some parts of France. But, most of those who speak minority languages also speak French, as the minority languages are given no legal recognition. Some of the other minority languages being spoke are German dialects and Flemish.
Below is a greeting in French which reads "Hello, how are you? I am Samuel" Bonjour, n'est-ce pas Comment ? Je suis samuel
The French language in Foreign Countries French is an official language in about 30 other countries. It is spoken as a first language by around 136 million people worldwide. A total of 250 million speak it as either a first or as a second language. And, roughly 110 million people learn French as a second or third language. French speaking communities are present in 56 countries and territories. Most native speakers of the language live in France, the rest live in Canada, Belgium, Algeria, Switzerland, Monaco, Luxembourg, and certain places in the U.S.A French is also being spoke by a very small minority of Singaporeans. Learning French is also possible in many polytechnics, such as Temasek Polytechnic, where French is one of the CDS choices. However, there are also French classes being held outside of government schools.
With comparison to Singapore, primary school education starts from the age of 7 to 12 years old. This is followed by secondary school which consists of teens aged 13 to 16/17 depending on the stream they are placed in. However, in France, education is compulsory until the age of 16.
Above is a chart of the American school system VS French school system
In France, there are both public and private schools. Public schools are government funded and private schools are privately funded. This makes education almost free at all levels except for private schools and business schools. Most schools are public but there are also private schools throughout France (particularly in the very religious regions of Western and Eastern France). All professors in public schools and universities are employed and paid by the state.
During High school, students are required to sit for the The final exam, the "Baccalauréat" or "Bac". It is very important for French students because it gives them access to university studies. It is a rigorous exam with no multiple choice questions and it includes a written part and an oral part. The grading system for their High School goes from 0 to 20 with 20 being a perfect score. Getting a 8 or 9 pointer meant getting a score of about C- in Singapore's context.
French students in a lecture
Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development(OECD) currently ranks France's education as the 25th best in the world, being neither significantly higher nor lower than the OECD average. In 1995, a Trends in International Mathematics and Science study (TIMSS) ranked France as the 23th best country in the world, behind countries like Singapore (ranked 1), England (ranked 18) and Australia (ranked 13).
The term "French Traditions" signifies the customs or practices that have been passed on from many generations. There are several traditions during French holidays as well as important social events. Namely, * Beheading bottles of Champagne at weddings * Puppet shows on Christmas eve * Flying Bells leaving Easter Eggs * Parades and fireworks on Bastille Day
Beheading Bottles of Champagne
A tradition that is popular is "beheading" bottles of champagne using a custom-made saber. The tradition originated in the time of Napoleon when the Hussards under the famous general's command began celebrating victories by swinging a sabre and thus neatly slicing the top off a champagne bottle. According to legend, the Hussards, skilled cavalry, would ride up at full gallop to one of the ladies holding up the bottle and with one swipe, behead the bottle. This tradition is commonly practiced at weddings.
Christmas
Holding a puppet show on Christmas eve is very common and at midnight, people attend church for the traditional Christmas Mass.
After the mass, they have a Christmas Eve dinner called le Réveillon which means to wake up or revive, alluding to the birth of Christ. Menus for this occasion change according to the region you are in but will usually consist of dishes containing turkey, capon, goose, chicken, and boudin blanc.
Children wait for Père Noël (Santa Clause) and leave their shoes out in front of the fireplace, doping presents will fill them by morning. The tree is hung with nuts and candy. Children also believe in Père Fouettard who hands out spankings for anyone who's been naughty.
Easter
Easter is called Pâques in France. This is a very important time for the French, who have a strong Christian and Catholic background. According to tradition, no church bells are rung on the Thursday before Good Friday and remain silent for several days, until on Easter Sunday, they revive. As the bells toll, the custom is for people to hug and kiss each other on the cheek.
The French believe that the Flying Bells from Easter leave on the Thursday before Good Friday, taking with them all the grief and misery of mourners of Christ's crucifixion. During easter, many French visit Rome to see the Pope and then come back on Easter Sunday morning. Then parents buy chocolate easter eggs and hide then around the house for children to find.
Poison d'Avril
This is the name used for the French Easter Fish and also comes in a chocolate version. An age-old tradition however, that dates back several centuries, involving the Poison d'Avril, takes place on April 1st. The great joke is for children to make fish of paper and pin as many as possible to the backs of adults, then run gleefully away yelling “Poison d'Avril!!”, which is a little like saying “April Fools!”
Bastille Day
Bastille Day (La Fête Nationale) is the French national holiday which is celebrated on 14 July yearly. The day commemorates the day The Bastille, a prison in Paris that was regarded as the symbol of the much-hated French monarchy of the times, was stormed and pillaged by angry mobs of French citizens in 1789. Many fireworks are set of as the day goes by, well into the night. Parades are also to be seen with dancing in the streets.
A video of Bastille Day celebration held in Paris 2008
Mardi Gras Costumed musicians at a Mardi Gras celebration
Mardi Gras season refer to events of the Carnival celebrations, beginning on or after Epiphany and ending on the day before Ash Wednesday. Mardi Gras is French for "Fat Tuesday" referring to the practice of the last night of eating richer, fatty foods before the ritual fasting of the Lenten season, which started on Ash Wednesday.
On the Catholic calendar, Fat Tuesday is the day before Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent, a period when sobriety and frugality need to be respected. In some places, including French Guyana, the whole period leading up to Mardi Gras has become a big party called Carnaval.
Football Football is the most popular sport in France. The first football club was introduced to France in 1863 by British immigrants. Since then, France has been playing at various world cups and many French players are playing in top European football leagues and competitions. The Fédération Française de Football is the national governing body and is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the game of football in France. The French has internationally recognised leagues named "Ligue 1 and "Ligue 2".
Boules The game of boules, otherwise known as pétanque , is perhaps the sport that is closest to French hearts. It is traditionally played with metallic balls on a dirt surface beneath plane trees, with a glass of pastis at hand. The aim of the game is to get large, heavy balls as close to the elusive 'jack' as you can.
A demonstration on how to play Boules
Watersports France has over 3000km (1880 miles) of coastline, ranging from the rugged English Channel and Atlantic coasts in the north and west to the sunny shores of the French Riviera (Côte d’Azur) along the Mediterranean in the south. All types of watersports are available, although the warm climate of the Mediterranean provides obvious advantages, with swimming in the sea possible practically all year round. Diving and snorkeling are popular in Porquerolles and Corsica. The colder English Channel and Atlantic waters are popular with sailing enthusiasts, and Biarritz is renowned for good surfing. The Côte d’Azur offers the possibility of sailing to Corsica.
Canal cruises France is criss-crossed by some 8500km (5313 miles) of canals and rivers, and houseboats can be rented easily. Popular itineraries include the Lorient–Redon route (along the former route of the Brittany invasions); Marne–Strasbourg (through the vineyards of Champagne to the Alsace-Lorraine canals); the Burgundy Canal (a popular wine route); and Bordeaux–Sète (a 500km/313 mile-journey from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean along the Canal du Midi). Boats can be rented from numerous private operators who can also arrange the necessary permits. Most vessels sleep between two and 12 people. The return journey is usually via the same route; one-way trips are possible but involve extra costs.
Fishing Good fishing regions include Brittany (salmon and trout), Franche-Comté (which has many lakes), Languedoc-Roussillon (mountain fishing), and Midi-Pyrénées (famous for the fario trout). Trips with local fishermen are possible along the Atlantic coast. Popular catches include crayfish, lobster, scallops and, at low tide, crabs, shrimps and mussels. Deep-sea-fishing trips are widely available on the Côte d’Azur. Permits for river fishing can be obtained from local city halls.
Skiing The French Alps offer excellent skiing with some of the world’s best-known resorts. There are over 480km (300 miles) of ski pistes, over 150 ski lifts, innumerable ski schools and quality resort facilities. All the major resorts offer skiing package holidays. The season runs from early December to the end of April. The height of the season is during February and March, which is reflected in the higher prices. SNCF, in association with the French Association of Resorts and Sports Goods Retailers (AFMASS), organizes skiing holidays. Packages are only marketed in France; contact SNCF on arrival.
Hiking There are thousands of miles of carefully marked trails in France. These are known as Sentiers de Grande Randonnée, and are generally marked on maps as well as being recognizable by a red and white logo marked GR. The hiking routes are complemented by an extensive network of gîtes and mountain refuges providing inexpensive but comfortable accommodation. A Guide des Gîtes de France is available from bookshops.
Cycling French towns and cities are actively promoting the use of bicycles. There are some 28,000km (17,500 miles) of marked cycling paths throughout the country. Bicycles can be hired from many local tourist offices, and French Railways (SNCF) also offers bicycles for hire at some 30 stations. There is an extensive network of pistes cyclables (cycling paths) along the Atlantic coast, all the way down to the Spanish border. The Tour de France cycling race during summer is one of the world’s most prestigious cycling races and a favorite spectator event
Horse riding Although popular and available countrywide, one of France’s favorite destinations for horseriding is the Camargue where even inexperienced riders can gallop along sandy beaches and through the characteristic marshland. Horses can be hired from numerous stables. The highlight of the horse racing calendar is the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe held on the first Sunday in October each year. It takes place in Longchamp close to the Bois de Boulogne.
Wine tours Tailor-made tours to France’s numerous wine-producing regions and domaines (estates) are widely available. There are 10 principal wine regions, each with its own identity based on grape varieties and soil. Highlights on the wine calendar include the annual appearance of Beaujolais Nouveau the Vendanges festivals in Burgundy during autumn and champagne tasting in Champagne. The wines’ origins and quality are guaranteed by strict appellation contrôlée laws. In various regions, the most famous wine routes, as well as special sales and auctions, are signposted. Wine tours are frequently combined with cheese tasting. Like the wines, France’s 365 cheeses vary according to region and climate.
Architecture and Infrastructure Architecture ranges from the grand works of the powerful in the cities, such as the Versailles palace and the new National Library in Paris, to the vernacular architecture of rural areas. Buildings dating from the period of state building in the Third Republic are particularly symbolic of nationalism. The architecture of public primary schools built at the turn of the century in small towns and villages symbolizes the presence of the nation-state at the local level. These buildings also house the mayor's office. Churches symbolize the power of the Catholic Church, from Notre Dame in Paris to the village churches whose steeples once dominated the countryside. Vernacular rural architecture varies from region to region, reflecting climate, family forms, and cultural values. Just as each local region had a local dialect, it had its own style of barns and houses.
Food Food in Daily Life. Food plays a major role in the country's social life. Wine and cheese are sources of national pride and reflect regional differences. Meals are ritualized, and full of social and cultural meaning. There are also political aspects to the meaning of food. Although the midday meal had great importance in an agricultural economy and is still the main meal in rural areas, there is a tendency for families to eat the largest meal in the evening. Breakfast is a light meal of bread, cereal, yogurt, and coffee or hot chocolate. Lunch and dinner generally involve several courses, at minimum a first course ( l'entree ) and a main dish ( le plat ), followed by cheese and/or dessert. In restaurants, it is common to have a price that includes all these courses, with a choice of dishes. Children eat a snack after school, le goûter or quatre-heures, which usually includes cookies, bread and jam or chocolate, and a drink.
Meals involve a succession of courses eaten one at a time. A typical family meal starts with a soup, followed by vegetables and a meat dish and then a salad, cheese, and dessert. Wine is commonly served at meals. Children begin to drink wine during family dinners in their early teens, often drinking wine diluted with water. Most daily food preparation is done by wives and mothers in family settings even if both spouses work full-time. The need to prepare wholesome meals that reflect traditional values is an increasing source of stress for working women who feel pressed for time. Convenience foods are becoming more prevalent, and fast food is a growing trend.
Religion France has been dominated by the influence of the Catholic Church, yet the constitution declares it to be a "secular" country. Secularism does not reject religion but attempts to bar any single religion from gaining political control. The minister of the interior is also the minister of religions, an office established to ensure the representation of various creeds. About 80 percent of the population is Roman Catholic. The second largest religion in terms of adherents is Islam. There are about a million Protestants; 700,000 Jews; and 200,000 Orthodox (Russian and Greek) Christians. There is also a significant Buddhist population. About 15 percent of the population claims the status of a nonbeliever. Religious practice has diminished during the last fifty years, and less than 10 percent of the population attends religious services.
Paris is the home to French cuisine and upscale dining that has influenced the world. The French were also the original kings of wine, known for different regions (Burgundy, etc. and especially the king of wines, Champagne). France has the world's second-largest total vineyard area, behind Spain, and is one of the world's largest wine producer. French wines also accounted for more than 17% of world exports.
The French also gave the world denim, Limoges porcelain, and is a home to the fashion industry, including many famous designers (ex. Coco Chanel). They have been known for their perfumes and many signature culinary dishes, as well as for histories such as the guillotine, the French Revolution, Joan of Arc. Truffles (the mushroom kind, especially) are prized here. Brie and Camembert are two of the most well known offerings. Much of our legal language is derived from French, as well as many expressions commonly used today.
France is also home to many beautiful and famous castles, especially in the Loire Valley. Their beaches along the French Riviera are frequented by the vacationing rich and famous. The Cannes film festival is an annual event here. Monte Carlo and Monaco are independent nations tucked into the Riviera. Impressionist artists are quite famous here, such as Monet and Manet. The Palace of Versailles is supposedly the largest in the world. France is also known for feuding with England over the centuries. The famous Madame Tussaud is from France too. Many famous stories take place in France (Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, Beauty and the Beast, The Hunchback of Notre Dame).
The world famous Mona Lisa
The city of Paris itself is full of wonders, including the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, the Louvre art museum (home of daVinci's Mona Lisa), countless churches and museums, cafes and boutiques. The artists' quarter of Montmartre. The Moulin Rouge with its can can dancers. Lots of lovely vintage art posters come from early 20th century France and earlier. The hot air balloon was invented in France.
