Country Overview
France occupies an area slightly larger than California, making it the largest country in Europe after Russia and the Ukraine. It has a population of 58.1 million and ranks fourth among the world's economic powers.
The chief unit of French currency is the Euro, which officially replaced the French Franc on January 1, 2002.
France is a republic. It is lead by a president who serves for seven years. He nominates a prime minister who in turn elects a Council of Ministers. The Prime Minister will remain in power as long as his party holds the majority within L'Assemblèe National (National Assembly) and Le Sènat (Senate).
France is divided into 96 different regions or dèpartements, and they are as varied as the French landscape. For example, the Loire is known for its castles, wine, and agriculture; the Œle de France for technology and culture; Alsace for wine; Provence/ Cote d'Azur for tourism; and the Rhone/ Alps for skiing and beautiful mountains.
The official language is French, although there are many different dialects spoken within the various regions. Recently steps have been taken to preserve French heritage and language, including limiting the use of English in songs, movies, and on television.
France has left its mark on the diverse worlds of gastronomy, arts, politics, fashion, and science. Famous French people include fashion designers Coco Chanel and Yves St. Laurent, artists Matisse, Delacroix, and Gauguin, and the philosophers Descartes, Moliere, and Sartre.
France is the number one tourist destination in the world. Famous sites include the Eiffel Tower, Versailles, and the Louvre Museum.
A typical French diet consists of fresh vegetables, meat or fish, bread, cheese, wine, and fruit. Breakfast usually consists of a large cup of cafè au lait (coffee with steamed milk) and a croissant or fresh bread with butter and jam. Lunch and Dinner are much the same, usually an entrée with soup or salad, wine, and sometimes followed by a selection of cheese.
School
The French school system is quite rigorous. Children attend pre-school, and then primary school until they are 11. School is compulsory for students until they are 16. In France, students have a very formal relationship with their teachers. Teachers are seen as instructors, not friends, and are given a great deal of respect.
French students spend roughly 2 to 3 hours a night studying. All students prepare to take the university entrance exam, called the Baccalaureat. It is a very difficult exam. A student can not be admitted to a university without passing this exam. About half of all students in France attend university. There are some schools and programs where the Bac is not required.
French students begin to study subjects like philosophy, logic, and economics while they are in high school. The grading system is severe. As one French student explained, "Maximum on the grading scale is 20, 15 and above is excellent, 12-14 is very good, and 9-11 is good. Marks of 18 and above are very rare. A French student would probably be quite happy to have straight 'C' grades in their own system. Those with straight 'B' grades are close to the top of their class."
Teenagers
French teenagers are very fashion conscious, but popular dress includes Levi's, t-shirts, sweaters, and sneakers.
Many teens belong to sports clubs, the most popular being soccer, rugby, and tennis.
Teens normally start dating when they are 15 or 16, but mostly students tend to go out in a group.
Most teenagers in France do not have a curfew, but because they are so busy with schoolwork many do not have time to go out during the week. Young people usually have more freedom on the weekends, and may stay out quite late.
In France the drinking age is 16, but most of the time this is not enforced. It is customary to drink wine, in moderation, with meals. The penalties for drinking and driving are severe, you can be fined and your license may be taken away.
In France, you must be 18 to drive, and you can only get one through a driving school. Many people do not get a license until they are 21 or 22, because it is very expensive (about $800). Gas and car maintenance are expensive as well. About 20% of young people have a car.
Community
In France there are 6 - 10 television stations. Cable television is available, but it is expensive and requires a separate antenna for each household, so many people do not have it. French teenagers watch an average of 1- 2 hours of TV per day.
Typical business hours in France are 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and then 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Shops sometimes stay open late two nights a week, and shops are closed on Sundays.
The French government is trying to encourage the French to use public transportation, but most people still prefer their cars. The train system in France is extremely efficient. In large cities like Paris, Lyon, and Marseilles, people also take busses and the Metro (subway).
Recycling is not as commonplace in France as it is in the United States.
The Family
The average French family has 2 or 3 children, and it is common for both parents to work.
One-third of all French marriages end in divorce.
Pets are well appreciated in France; cats and dogs are the most popular pets.
After high school most students move out of their parents' home. Some students go to work right away, and others go to university in a different town, and move into their own apartments.
Only wealthy families in France have maids.
It is uncommon for elderly people to live with their grown children. Often, they have access to home help through government assistance.
Customs
Greetings vary with familiarity. People who meet for the first time exchange a handshake. Among good friends, the common greeting is a handshake between men, and a kiss between two women, or a woman and a man.
A common phone greeting is 'bonjour' (hello) or 'salut' (hi) among friends.
In France it is considered impolite to eat without using your knife, especially in restaurants. The fork is always held in the left hand and the knife in the right.
Over 90% of people in France are Catholic, but most people only attend mass on major holidays, like Christmas and Easter. Only about 10% of the population attend some sort of religious service each week.
The most popular forms of recreation in France are playing and watching sports, socializing with friends, going to dance clubs, and seeing movies.
Bastille Day, July 14, is probably the most important holiday in France, and is celebrated in every town, no matter how small.
There are military parades, dances, and huge fireworks displays. On May Day (May 1), people give Lily of the Valley to friends for good luck. Of course Christmas and Easter are very special holidays. Other major holidays in France include the celebration of the signing of the armistice for World War I (Nov. 11, 1918) and for World War II (May 8, 1945).
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