Who discovered France. What country is France - information and interesting facts. Kitchen and food

FRANCE: general characteristics of the country

From the Caroline Empire, the “Kingdom of France” stands out in the Middle Ages. The Middle Ages bring decentralization to the country. The power of the princes reached its apogee in the 11th century. In 987, Hugo Capet founded the Capetian dynasty. Capetian rule opens the gates to religious wars. The king's vassals seize territories beyond the French border. The most significant was the Norman conquest of England by William I the Conqueror. The Battle of Hastings was immortalized in the Bayeux Tapestry.

Philip II Augustus (1180-1223) does a lot for his country. Thanks to Philip II, the University of Paris was founded, and the construction of Notre Dame Cathedral continued. He begins construction of the Louvre. During Philip's time it was a castle-fortress.

At the end of the 12th century, the French economy slowly began to rise, industry developed, and power was centralized, which allowed the country to defeat England and complete the unification of its lands. In the 12th and 13th centuries, a number of architectural structures were built that became national monuments of France. One of them is Reims Cathedral - a striking example of Gothic architecture. In 1239, Saint Louis brought the Crown of Thorns from Venice. To store this relic, the Saint-Chapelle chapel is being built.

With the death of the last descendant of the Capetians, a conflict ensued between the houses of Valois and Plantagenet for succession to the throne.

The Valois family on the throne of the French Empire (1328-1589)

During this period, the country's military activities took center stage. The Hundred Years' War begins. After the death of Charles IV, King Edward III of England decides to seize the French throne by force. France is a loser: the battle of Poitiers deprives the country of the color of knighthood, King John the Good is captured.

France has reached a dead end: no army, no king, no money. The entire burden of the current situation falls on the shoulders of ordinary French people. The people have risen: Paris and the Jacquerie are rebelling. The outrage was suppressed. The British decide to take Orleans to open the route to the south of France.

The Maid of Orleans, Joan of Arc, leads the French army and defeats the English near Orleans in 1429. She convinced the Dauphin to undergo the coronation ceremony in the cathedral in the Rhine under the name of Charles VII. After 2 years in Rouen, Jeanne dies in agony at the stake. The French people dedicated There is more than one architectural structure for this courageous girl. For example, a statue of Joan is also located in the Sacré-Coeur Basilica, which is located on the hill of Montmartre.

Only in 1453 did the confrontation between the dynasties end with the victory of the Valois, which strengthened the French monarchy. The struggle between the two powers for territory and the throne lasted for a long and painful 116 years. France becomes a colonial empire, powerful and strong. In the second half of the 18th century, the country would lose its position on all counts.

From Louis to Louis

In the meantime, in the 15th - 17th centuries, kings succeeded each other, ruling the country according to their capabilities and abilities. Under Louis XI (1461-1483), the country expanded its territory, science and art flourished, medicine developed, and postal service began to function again. It is he who makes the famous and formidable dungeon out of the fortress - the Bastille.

He is replaced by Louis XII (1498-1515), then the reins of government of the country are held by Francis I (1515-1547). Under him, a beautiful palace in the Renaissance style was built in the vicinity of Fontainebleau. Soon the palace was surrounded by buildings, and a whole city was formed. The palace is decorated with three gardens: the Grand Parterre, the English Garden and Diana's Garden.

The next ruler of the country was Henry II (1547-1559), who became famous for increasing taxes. His life was cut short at the Place des Vosges during a tournament in 1559.

Under his son, Francis II, the Huguenots protested against taxation. The reign of Charles IX (1560-1574) plunges the country into religious wars. In fact, power was in the hands of Catherine de Medici (it was she who became one of the mistresses of the “Ladies' Castle” - Chenonceau Castle on the Cher River), under whom Catholics and Protestants were already openly expressing their irreconcilability towards each other.

Ten wars have passed in three decades. The most terrible page in them was the Night of Bartholomew from August 23 to 24, 1572, the mass extermination of the Huguenots on St. Bartholomew's Day. One of the best historical television series is “Queen Margot,” which shows these events colorfully and authentically.

The official name of the country is Republique Francaise (French Republic), location is the western part of Europe, on the Atlantic coast. The total area of ​​the country is 547 square meters, the capital is Paris. The population according to 2014 data is 66 million people, the official language is French, although such nationalities as Moroccans, Italians, Portuguese and others live in the territory. The monetary unit since 2002 is the euro, formerly the French franc.

Geographical characteristics

Geographically, France lies between latitudes 4°27' West, 8°47' East, 42°20' and 51°5' North. The total length of the country from east to west is 950 km, from north to south 975 km. In the south the country is washed by the Mediterranean Sea, in the west by the Atlantic Ocean and the Bay of Biscay, and in the north by the English Channel and Pas de Calais.

The territories of France are located not only on the mainland; the Atlantic and Southern Overseas Territories, French Polynesia, the Futuna and Wallis Islands, and New Caledonia are an integral part of the country. France also includes such overseas departments as Martinique, Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Saint-Pierre, Mayotte, Miquelon. The total area of ​​the overseas territories is 4 thousand square meters, the population is approximately 1.8 million people.

Nature

Mountains and plains

The relief of France is very diverse; in the north and west, plains and lowlands predominate, which gradually turn into high mountain ranges. The highest point is in the Alps in the southwestern part of the country, on the border with Switzerland and Italy. This is where the highest point in Western Europe is located - Mont Blanc with a height of 4807 m.

The southwestern part of France is characterized by mountainous terrain, this is where the Pyrenees mountain system is located, the height of which is only slightly lower than that of the Alpine ranges. The highest point of the Pyrenees reaches 3500 m...

Rivers and lakes

France's inland water resources are diverse, with a developed river system and many lakes. Most of the rivers originate in the Atlantic Ocean basins and central mountainous regions. The Loire is rightfully considered the longest, with a length of 1020 km and a basin of 115,120 sq.m.

Lakes are divided into three large groups - mountain lakes, those located on the sea coast, and flat lakes. The origin of the lakes is predominantly glacial, the largest is Bourget with a total area of ​​45 sq.m., located in the Alps. The second largest Lake Annecy has an area of ​​28 square meters, it is also located in the Alps, and the deepest Lake Geneva is located on the border between Switzerland and France - in the Pre-Alpine Trough...

Seas and oceans surrounding France

The geographical position of the country is very favorable, France is rich in inland water resources, on the south it is washed by the waters of the Mediterranean Sea, on the west by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. This has a positive effect on the country's climate - softer and not as dry as many other neighboring countries of France...

Forests

Approximately 20% of the territory is occupied by forests, concentrated in the Pyrenees, Alps, Aquitaine, and in the east of the Paris Basin. The upper limit of the forest belt is located at 1800-2100 m above sea level in the Alps; subalpine shrubs and alpine meadows are located above. The southern part of the country is rich in sparse forests, including pine trees and evergreen oak, and bushes. For the north-west, meadows and heathlands are predominantly observed...

Plants and animals of France

The fauna of France is concentrated in the mountainous and forested areas of the country, the most common are mammals, including foxes, wild forest cats, deer, fallow deer, and squirrels. Mountain goats, alpine marmots, and chamois are found in mountainous and highland areas. Birds are mainly represented by kites, snipe, hawks, and hazel grouse.

The marine world is also diverse; sardines, flounder, cod, tuna, mackerel are found in the seas, trout, pike, pike perch, perch are found in the rivers...

Climate of France

The climate is temperate, the fundamental factor being the air masses coming from the Atlantic Ocean. A special feature of the climate is its clear zoning:

• the western part of the country has a maritime climate with mild winters without frost, rain and high humidity;
• the central part has a mild climate, but winters are colder and summers are hot, rains are not as frequent as on the west coast;
• the northeast has a temperate continental climate with relatively mild winters with little frost;
• The south has a distinct Mediterranean climate, with rainy winters and fairly dry, hot summers.

The climate of mountainous regions is characterized by sharp changes in daily temperatures, snowy and cold winters, hot summers....

Resources

France is rightfully considered the resource-rich country in Europe. The leading place is occupied by reserves of niobium, uranium, tantalum, lithium, and iron. In addition, there are reserves of barite, gold, copper, tin, talc, and aluminum ores. The country has rich deposits of bituminous limestone, kyanite, limestone, quartz sand, andalusite, feldspar, and diatomite. The geography of mineral resources includes departments and areas such as Puy de Dome, Lozère, Glomel, Pont du Chateau and others...

Industry and agriculture of France

Agriculture includes large lands protected by the state, and medium and small farms, which occupy the main share of this area. In terms of agricultural production, France ranks third in the world and first among other Western European countries, offering cheeses, beef, butter, and wheat.

The industry is heterogeneous, with a large share in the automotive, aviation, electronics, space and rocket industries, petrochemicals, oil refining and energy...

Culture

Peoples of France

The population of France in 2014 was 66 million people, of which 63.9 million permanently reside in the country, 2.1 million in overseas provinces, 600 thousand in New Caledonia. Approximately 6% of those living in the territory do not have French citizenship - this is about 3.8 million people. About 2 million more French citizens permanently reside outside the country.

Approximately 94% of the population are native French, the remaining nationalities account for 1-1.5% each, these are Italians, Moroccans, Algerians, Portuguese. The indigenous population is represented by Franks, Burgundians, Visigoths, about 1 million people are Bretons, 1.3 million are Alsatians, 100 thousand people are Flemings, 200 thousand are Catalans, 300 thousand are Corsicans...

France cannot but attract tourists. This is the center of European fashion, culture, the birthplace of love. It combines the beautiful beaches of the Cote d'Azur, chic ski resorts of the French Alps and the strict medieval architecture of ancient cities. Everyone can choose their own France: castles, museums, palaces, beaches, vineyards and wine-growing areas, health resorts and colorful nature, ski resorts and the splendor of the Alps.

France is made up of sea shores and high mountains. It is washed by the Atlantic Ocean, the English Channel and the Mediterranean Sea. The two mountain systems of the Alps and the Pyrenees form its natural boundaries. A wide variety of itineraries can be created for traveling around France. This is a country of rich history and great ideas, the birthplace of fashion and champagne. This is the gentle sea of ​​the Cote d'Azur, the best ski resorts, famous mud and hydropathic baths and wine therapy, respectable Biarritz and Deauville and the majestic medieval castles of the Loire.

France, Paris, Versailles - these words always evoke romance and slight sadness. This amazing and unusual European country is very popular among tourists from all over the world. Especially for lovers and newlyweds. After all, each of us at least once in our lives dreamed of climbing the Eiffel Tower with our loved one and giving him the most tender kiss. Yes, indeed, France is a country of romantics and for romantics. There is no mass for material values ​​here, here you forget about the outside world, here you want to fall in love and stay alive. Snow-white mountain slopes and picturesque beaches, endless hilly valleys and lace vineyards, small fairy-tale villages and modern cities - this is all France. The first people appeared in this territory more than 450 thousand years ago. After this, the confusing and mysterious history of the largest European state began. Each era has left its mark here: these are the majestic castles of the Loire, and cave paintings, and Notre Damme de Paris.

Geography

State in Western Europe. In the northeast it borders with Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany, in the east - with Germany, Switzerland, in the southeast - with Monaco and Italy, in the southwest - with Spain and Andorra. France is washed by the North and Mediterranean Seas, the Pas de Calais, the English Channel and the Bay of Biscay. The total area is 551 thousand sq. km. The largest rivers in France are the Loire, Seine, Garonne, Rhone and Rhine. They are mostly flat and navigable. With the exception of two high mountain ranges - the Alps in the southeast and the Pyrenees in the southwest, the country's territory is mostly hilly, with extensive lowlands and highlands and medium-altitude mountains. The highest point in France (and throughout foreign Europe) is Mont Blanc (4807 m).

Time

It lags behind Moscow by an hour.

Climate

The west of the country has a temperate maritime climate with mild winters and cool summers. The average monthly temperature of the coldest month - February - ranges from +5 to +7 degrees. The average minimum temperature at this time drops to +2 degrees, the maximum reaches + 9 degrees. The hottest time of the year is August. The average monthly temperature in August is from +16 to +18 degrees. The average minimum temperature at this time drops to +12 degrees, the maximum reaches +22 degrees. The driest months are May, June, and July, with monthly precipitation ranging from 50 to 70 mm. The rainiest time of the year is December, the amount of precipitation for this month is up to 150 mm.

In eastern France, the climate is close to temperate continental, resulting in colder winters and hotter summers. The average monthly temperature of the coldest month - January - ranges from 0 to +2 degrees. The average minimum temperature at this time drops to -2 degrees, the maximum reaches + 4 degrees. The hottest time of the year is July. The average monthly temperature in July ranges from +18 to +20 degrees. The average minimum temperature at this time drops to +14 degrees, the maximum reaches +25 degrees. The driest months are February, March and April, with monthly rainfall ranging from 30 to 45 mm. The rainiest time of the year is summer (June-August), monthly precipitation can reach 80 mm.

The southern Mediterranean coast has a subtropical climate with mild and damp winters and hot and dry summers. The average monthly temperature of the coldest month - January - ranges from +6 to +8 degrees. The average minimum temperature at this time drops to +2 degrees, the maximum reaches + 12 degrees. In winter, “mistral” winds are very frequent, blowing from the north and bringing cold weather. The hottest time of the year is July. The average monthly temperature in July ranges from +22 to +24 degrees. The average minimum temperature at this time drops to +18 degrees, the maximum reaches +29 degrees. The driest months are July and August, with monthly precipitation ranging from 10 to 30 mm. The rainiest times of the year are October, November and December, with monthly precipitation in each of them ranging from 80 to 120 mm. The water temperature on this coast warms up to its maximum in July and August and ranges from +22 to +24 degrees; in June, September and October it does not drop below +19 degrees, and the rest of the year it is +12..+16 degrees.

The climate in the mountains is characterized by lower temperatures than in the plains. There is more precipitation. Snow cover persists at high altitudes. For example, Mont Blanc is covered with snow all year round.

Language

All residents of France speak French. In western Brittany approx. 1250 thousand Bretons use the Breton language, which belongs to the Celtic group, in the Pyrenees approx. 200 thousand Basques speak Basque, and approx. 250 thousand Catalans - in Catalan. The Italian dialect - Corsican - is spoken by 250 thousand Corsicans on the island of Corsica. In the northeast of the country in Alsace and some areas of Lorraine, approx. 1 million people speak a dialect of German, and almost 150 thousand people in the Dunkirk region speak Flemish.

Religion

Catholicism is professed by 4/5 of the country's population, 1/4 of the population regularly attends church. About 12% of the population, including over 1/3 of those living in the Paris metropolitan area, consider themselves atheists. Muslims (mostly migrants from Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Senegal, Mali and Mauritania) make up 3% of the population. About 2% of the population profess Protestantism and 1% Judaism.

Population

In historical times, France has repeatedly been the scene of migrations of different peoples; as a result of the mixing of these heterogeneous elements, the modern population of the country was formed. However, three racial groups are distinguished: Mediterranean (South European), Central European (Alpine) and Northern European (Baltic). The Mediterranean group is characterized by short stature and a frail build, dark hair, brown eyes and an oval face. The Central European community is characteristic mainly of the French Massif Central region and is distinguished by short stature, stocky build, and light brown hair. The main characteristics of the Northern European group are tall stature, muscular build, blond hair, white skin and blue or gray eyes.

On January 1, 2001, the population of France was 60.7 million people, equivalent to 16% of the population of the entire European Union. Of these, 59 million live in the metropolis and 1.7 million live in 4 overseas departments. Over the past decade, the country's population has increased by approximately 250 thousand people per year: by approximately 200 thousand people due to natural growth and by 50 thousand due to migration influx. At the same time, France is one of the densely populated territories of the planet, but moderately populated in Europe: in terms of density, it ranks 9th in the European Union, far behind the Netherlands, Great Britain, Germany and Italy. According to the 1999 census, there were 4.3 million immigrants in France (i.e. about 7% of the population), most of whom were Arabs from the Maghreb, Africans from tropical Africa, the Portuguese, Spaniards, Chinese and Vietnamese. Moreover, from 1990 to 1999 the number of immigrants increased by 3%, that is, it increased in the same proportion as the rest of the population, which causes discontent among many native French.

Electricity

Emergency numbers

Fire protection - 18
Police - 17
Ambulance (SAMU) - 15
Pan-European Rescue Service - 112
Emergency (automotive) - 05-10-6106
SOS Medecine (urgent call to a doctor) - 47-07-77-77
SOS Dentaire (urgent call to the dentist) - 43-37-51-00
Center anti-poison (for poisoning) - 40-37-0404 or 43-37-5100
Ambulances de Paris (AP) - 40-44-4345
Medical assistance in Paris - 48-87-27-50
Help Desk - 12

Connection

Local conversation costs 1 franc. Automatic telephone communication from Moscow: 8 8-10-33-1 (Paris), 56 (Bordeaux), 93 (Cannes), 88 (Strasbourg), 91 (Marseille), 78 (Lyon), 93 (Nice). Automatic telephone communication from Paris: 19 + country code + city code + subscriber number. (For example, Moscow: 19-007-095+...). From most telephone booths you can only make calls using a calling card (Telecarte). Such cards can be purchased at post offices or tobacco stores. In some surviving payphones you can use coins of 0.5, 1 or 5 francs. Telephone inquiries in France: 12. To call from France to Russia you need to dial 007 - area code - subscriber number.

Currency exchange

The currency of France is the Euro, equal to 100 cents. There are banknotes in circulation in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 euros, as well as coins in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents. It is recommended to take care of purchasing currency before entering the country. The most favorable exchange rate is offered by the Bank de France and exchange offices with the “No Commission” sign. Kiosks at airports, hotels and train stations do not offer the most favorable rate, plus they charge a percentage for the transaction, but their opening hours are very convenient. For exchanging dollars, most exchange offices charge a 15% commission, although this is not indicated anywhere. Traveler's checks can be easily cashed at a bank or exchange office. Credit cards are widely used. With checks in France you can receive an amount not exceeding 60 euros at a time; it is better to take checks in euro currency with you. It is also profitable to exchange currency through ATM machines.

VAT (TVA) is 20.6% (33% for luxury goods) and is included in the price of many goods. Foreigners who purchase goods in one store for an amount of at least 185 euros can receive a tax refund. The money is returned at customs when crossing the border upon presentation of the check and the goods, or the check is sent to your place of residence and cashed at the bank.

Banks are usually open on weekdays from 10.00 to 17.00 or from 9.30 to 16.00, closed on Saturday, Sunday and holidays. On the eve of holidays they work only in the first half of the day. In the province, banks are open from Tuesday to Saturday. The break is usually from 13.00 to 15.00; on holiday eves they also close earlier than usual. Currency exchange offices are open daily from 9.00 to 18.00, closed on Sundays.

Visa

Russian citizens need a visa to enter France. It is processed at the French Embassy in Moscow. France is a member of the Schengen Agreement. With a French visa you can stay in the territory of 15 countries included in the Schengen zone (Portugal, Italy, Spain, Holland, Belgium, Luxembourg, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Sweden, Iceland, Germany, Greece and Austria). Visas to France are short-term and multiple-entry. Depending on the purpose of the visit to the embassy, ​​you must provide: a document confirming the hotel reservation (the purpose of the trip is tourism), an invitation from the French side (the purpose of the trip is private). If the purpose of the trip is business, then the invitation must be issued on the company’s letterhead with the signature of the director (original with a photocopy). Due to the increase in consular fees from January 1, when applying for a Schengen visa at the French Embassy, ​​the cost of obtaining a visa increases to 50 euros.

Customs regulations

Allowed duty-free import of cigarettes - 200 pcs., strong drinks - 1 l., wine - 2 l., perfume - 50 g, cologne - 500 g, coffee - 500 g, tea - 40 g, food (fish - 2 kg ., caviar - 250 g., animal products - 1 kg., new things or food products for personal consumption - in the amount of no more than 300 francs (150 francs for children under 15 years of age). The import of gold bullion is prohibited, in the form of plates and coins - without the permission of the country's bank, illegally produced printed materials. When exported, the following are subject to mandatory customs control: weapons, antiques and art, products made of gold and precious metals. If their value exceeds 20 thousand francs, a duty is charged in the amount of 6-7% of their value. So, upon entry, do not forget to declare expensive jewelry, so that you can take them out without any problems. The number of imported and exported means of payment is not limited. An amount greater than 50,000 francs or an equivalent must be included in the declaration .

Holidays and non-working days

Holidays in France are a unique phenomenon. Their uniqueness lies in the variegated diversity and combination of provincial cultures, the origins of which go back to antiquity and the Middle Ages. There are dozens of large cities and hundreds of small villages in France. Each of these places has its own traditional holidays and festive culture. The French zealously observe the traditions of their regions, which carry with them a separate uniqueness and originality. These holidays include religious celebrations of saints, ancient carnivals, and festivals. Each province has its own holiday calendar, containing so many similar folk festivals that celebrations occur almost every weekend. The French generally like to relax and thoroughly celebrate both the founding day of their city and the day of the local horse breed. The main thing is to have your own identity, the cultural exclusivity of the holiday in your own province, delicious food and, of course, wine.

January 1 (New Year), Easter, May 1 (Labor Day), May 8 (Liberation Day), May 20 (Ascension), May 30-31 (Trinity), July 14 (Bastille Day), August 15 (Assumption of the Virgin Mary) ), November 1 (All Saints' Day), November 11 (World War I Armistice Day), December 25 (Christmas). In addition, when planning visits to your partners in France, keep in mind that in the summer for two months - July and August - business life in France comes to a standstill, and everyone goes on vacation, so visits should be planned excluding dates between June 15 and September 15 for fidelity. In addition, during the Christmas holidays, it is not customary to make business visits from December 20 to January 14, since many also take additional vacation at this time.

Transport

France has an extensive railway network. The cost of travel by rail depends on the distance, travel time and age of the passenger. There are many intercity bus routes in the country. A bus ticket is cheaper than a train ticket. In France there is a whole system of discounts and international single tickets. You can use the EurailPass, which provides unlimited travel in first class for the entire duration of its validity.
Also used is the Europass, which can only be used for a certain number of days during its validity period (from 5 to 15 days within 2 months, valid only in France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Switzerland). Eurail Saverpass offers discounts for 2 or more people traveling together. The Eurail Flexipass for a specific period allows you to travel for a limited number of days.

There are 16 metro lines in Paris, designated by the names of the end stations, so you need to know the name of the end station of the line you need. The metro operates from 5.30 am to 1 am. The distances between metro stations are usually very short. With one ticket you can make as many transfers as you like (“correspondance”). Metro tickets are also valid for buses and RER trains within Paris. A ticket for 1 trip costs 1.5 euros, for 10 trips - 7-8 euros, depending on the zone. There are also weekly tickets (“coupon jaune”, valid from Monday to Sunday) and monthly (“carte orange”), costing according to transport zones from 10 to 25 euros.

French taxis do not have a special light signal - outside, near the windshield, there is a meter with a flag (raised - the taxi is free, lowered - occupied). Tolls will be charged according to the meter. In Paris, the basic fare for any trip is 2 euros, plus in the daytime - from 50 cents per kilometer, at night - about 1 euro, for luggage - 1-2 euros. Outside the city, prices are approximately 40% higher; you should agree to pay in advance, since in this case the return trip to the city is also paid. Taxi waiting time is charged at 20 euros per hour. Tip the driver - about 10%. It's not easy to catch a car on the street.

Among European countries, France is one of the most difficult to hitchhike. A respectable appearance is desirable. The waiting time will be reduced if a large backpack is visible behind your back. On the country's highways, the most dangerous sections are painted in bright colors (tunnel pavement is white, bicycle lanes are red, pedestrian crossings are green, intersections are black and white).

Tips

If the restaurant bill does not indicate “service compris”, then the waiter is given a tip of 5-10% of the cost of the service. It is customary to tip the taxi driver in the same amount. At the hotel, the porter is given 5-10 francs per bed, and the maid is given 5-7 francs.

The shops

Features of the stores. Stores in France operate according to a kind of “seasonal schedule”:
January-February - winter clothes, sales until the second week of February.
March is the fashion of the spring-summer season.
April-May - goods for the holiday season.
June is the beginning of sales.
July-August - preparation for the new school year, sales.
September-October - winter fashion.
November-December - gifts for Christmas and New Year.

Items purchased on sale cannot be returned or exchanged. This is indicated by the inscription on the check “Ni repris, ni echange”. Regular items can be exchanged if you have a receipt. Starting from a certain amount, customers of many large stores are provided with free delivery.

Most shops are open from 10:00 to 19:00 and 20:00. Supermarkets and grocery stores are open from 9:00 or 10:00 to 21:00 (some until 22:00), on Saturday until 20:00. There are very few 24-hour grocery stores. Sunday is a day off. Small shops may be closed on Mondays. In the province, many shops are open with a lunch break from 12:00 to 14:00.

Bargaining in France can only be done at markets, but this is usually not successful. The “1+1=3″ system is very developed there, that is, when you buy two items, the third one is free. In such cases, prices are always indicated directly on the product. One of the oldest department stores in Paris is Le Printemps, which opened in 1864. Parisians believe that Le Printemps is the most visited historical monument in the French capital. More than 80 thousand people come here every day. The shopping complex is a real city, it is divided into three “districts”.

National cuisine

French cuisine is considered one of the best in the world. Its most famous products are croissants, chocolate bread, baguette, long loaves, as well as Burgundy snails, cocotte eggs with tarragon, socca pea flour pancakes, Lyonnaise sausages, lobster with parsley, pie onion pisaladie and, of course, onion soup. Plus the mandatory use of a variety of sauces (more than 3,000 recipes) and a variety of spices. Moreover, each region of the country has its own traditional cuisine, often completely different from its “neighbors”.

The cuisine of Burgundy is famous for its cheeses (Chaurs, Vezelay, Macon, Epoisse, Charolais and Soumantran), Chablis sausages, chicken in red wine, Dijon mustard, Burgundy snails, goat cheese from Macon, poultry from Bresse, ham with parsley, Burgundy truffles, and the famous Charolais beef. Haute cider and blackcurrant liqueur are very popular.

The cuisine of Provence, Languedoc and Gascony is distinguished by its spiciness and extensive use of wines and spices for cooking. On the Loire coast you can try extraordinary dishes made from dandelion leaves and freshwater fish. Alsatian cuisine is very similar to German.

Brittany is widely known for its “sea cuisine”; almost all edible representatives of marine fauna are used as food here, and fish, oysters, crabs, lobsters, lobsters and shrimp are used to prepare every second dish. Also popular are “crepes” - a type of pancake with a variety of fillings.

The cuisine of Provence is primarily bouillabaisse of various types of fish with rouille sauce, fresh mussels in an onion broth with spices, boat-shaped bread - "navette", dishes of crab and fish in sauce or fried with anise liqueur on the grill , fish soup with garlic sauce - "burrida", vegetable stew "ratatouille" and lamb stew, Provençal tomatoes, goat cheese, truffles, etc., all generously seasoned with olive oil. And, of course, the famous "nougat" from Montelimar.

Normandy is famous for its dairy products, primarily cheese (Camembert, Pont-Leveque, Livaro, Neufchatel, etc.), sour cream and mushrooms, added to almost all dishes, as well as Vire sausage and "tru Normand" - apple fruit ice cream in Calvados.

Corsica is famous for its brocchiu sheep's milk cheeses, coppa ham, fig jam, omelet with mint and cheese, game, corn porridge, seafood, delicious sweets, several types of honey and strawberry jam. Excellent meat dishes are prepared here - chestnut soup with onions and garlic in meat broth, pork fillet "lonzu", ham "prizuttu", bacon with eggs or baked potatoes "panzetta" and smoked liver sausage "figatella". The most popular “fruits” on the island are the sweet chestnut, from which a huge number of dishes are made, as well as the Corsican variety of tangerines, the “clementine”.

France produces thousands of varieties of excellent wine “of all colors”; the vineyards are considered the national treasure of this country, which gave the world cognac (in its modern sense), champagne and the famous Armagnacs.

Attractions

Loire castles The Renaissance is part of human culture and history, if you like, its foundation, without which the idea of ​​civilization would not be complete. Of course, you shouldn’t discover the Loire in a hurry, go here to check a box, that is, for one day, go there and immediately back. The impression may be blurred, but the castles are worth a leisurely glance. If you choose a season, the best time is autumn, when the flow of bus tourists subsides, and the summer haze gives way to clear fresh air, when you feel the softness of the colors and the tranquility of the surrounding landscape. They say that the healing climate of the Loire has had a beneficial effect on more than one soul.

One of the most beautiful churches in Paris - Sacre Coeur(“Sacre Coeur” - Church of the Heart of Christ). No matter where you are in the city, your gaze will definitely linger on the white domes of the Sacre Coeur Basilica, rising majestically on the top of Montmartre Hill. In its architectural appearance there is a clear imitation of the Cathedral of San Fro in Perigueux in southwestern France. Situated at the top of Montmartre, the Sacré-Coeur Basilica was designed by the architect Abadie. The temple was built in memory of the victims of the Franco-Prussian War; funds for its construction were collected by public subscription.

Triumphal Arch: height 49.51 m, width 44.82 m, vault height 29.19 m. Built in 1806-1836. according to the project of the architect. Chalgrena. Decorated with four sculptural groups: from the Champs Elysees side - “Marseillaise” sc. Ryuda (right) and "Triumph 1810" sk. Corto; from Avenue de la Grande-Arme - “Resistance” (right) and “Peace” sc. Etexa. On the walls of the arch are engraved the names of 128 battles won by the Republican and Imperial armies, as well as the names of 658 French military leaders. The arch is surrounded by one hundred granite pedestals (in honor of the “hundred days” of Napoleon’s reign), interconnected by cast iron chains. The inscription on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier: “Here lies a French soldier who gave his life for his homeland, 1914-1919.”

One of the most visited attractions in France. Estate of Vaux-le-Vicomte(Vaux-Le-Vicompte) was built in the 1650s for Nicolas Fouquet, Louis XIV's finance minister. The best craftsmen of that time worked on the palace: Levo, Le Nôtre and Lebrun. But the minister never got to enjoy country life. Three weeks after the housewarming party, which was attended by the king, Fouquet was arrested and placed in prison, and the palace was given to His Majesty. At the entrance, pay attention to the tapestries, which served as a model for the Parisian masters who were mastering the new production. The only room that has not changed since construction is the kitchen.

Versailles occupies the top position in the list of attractions that tourists want to see outside the city. The electric train, following line C with stops along the left bank of the Seine, will quickly take you there. When you get off at Versailles station, you can easily follow the signs to walk or take a bus to the palace, which is located very close to the station. The interior of the palace is open daily, except Mondays, from 9.30 am to 5.30 pm, and the extensive parks are open from morning to night. A guided tour of the palace (no guide allowed) takes about an hour, but you may have to wait in line for as long.

Famous Champs Elysees stretch between the Place de la Concorde and the Arc de Triomphe. Compared to the two-thousand-year age of Paris, the Champs Elysees is a relatively young street. Once upon a time there lay a dried up branch of the Seine, and until the beginning of the 16th century these were swampy places where French kings came to hunt ducks. In 1616, at the direction of Marie de Medici, three alleys with elms were laid here, and in 1667, under the leadership of the landscape architect Le Nôtre, a walking area was built that continued the Tuileries Garden. The first houses appeared on the Champs Elysees when construction began on the royal palace at Versailles.

Eiffel Tower: height: 318.7 m. Weight: about 10,000 tons. Number of prefabricated metal elements: 15,000. Number of welded rivets: 2.5 million. Pressure exerted on the ground: 4 kg/cm2 (= pressure of a person sitting on chair). Oscillation of the top in the strongest wind: no more than 12 cm. Height of observation platforms: lower - 57 m, middle - 115 m, upper - 274 m. Number of steps of the staircase leading to the lower observation platform: 1652. Regularity of cosmetic repairs: every 7 years (60 tons of paint in three shades). 10,400 people can be on the tower at the same time. In addition to serving tourists, the tower is used for radio and television broadcasts, as well as a weather service station. Service personnel: 350 people. Average number of visitors per year: 6 million people. In clear weather, the viewing radius from the upper observation deck is up to 70 km (best visibility is an hour before sunset). Chronicle of the Eiffel Tower January 1887 - March 31, 1889 construction of foundations and installation of the tower (300 climbers).

Ile de la Cité- “the beginning of all beginnings”, the cradle of the French capital. Back in the 3rd century BC, the Celtic tribe of Parisians lived on the island of Seine. Around 52 BC, the Roman conquerors who came to Gaul settled on the island, giving it the name "Lutetia". First, a small garrison town appeared here, and then villas, Baths (Roman baths), a necropolis, an aqueduct, a theater and two temples were built on the island and on the left bank of the Seine. At the beginning of the 3rd century, the area of ​​the island was 10 hectares (the area of ​​modern Cité is 17 hectares).

Louvre is not only an architectural monument, like the palace of the French kings, but also one of the most famous museums in the world. It contains a rich collection of various exhibits. Here you can find bas-reliefs from Assyrian palaces, Egyptian paintings and much more.
Beginning with the fortress of Philip-Augustus (1190), the Louvre gradually expanded along the right bank of the Seine, until the completion of the Great Project "Grand Dessein" (1870). The buildings are a kind of barrier dividing the city into northern and southern parts. From the side of the buildings there is a wonderful view, covering the Arc du Carrousel, the obelisk on the Place de la Concorde, the triumphal arch on the Champs Elysees, and, located on the right, the new Arc de al Defense. The world fame of the Louvre sometimes makes us forget that it was originally conceived as a residential palace.

Disneyland located in the suburbs, you need to go there by RER trains, for which you buy separate tickets. By the way, you can buy an entrance ticket to the park itself right at the ticket office. Disneyland is divided into thematic zones - Main Street, Fantasyland, Adventureland, Frontierland, Discoveryland. Each has attractions that match the theme. There is always a board in front of the attractions that indicates the waiting time in minutes. For some attractions there is a Fastpass - with an entrance ticket to the park, you receive another ticket from the machine, which indicates the time during which you need to approach the attraction and you will be allowed in either without a queue or much faster than people in the main queue.

National Center for the Arts Georges Pompidou(Parisians call it the "Beaubourg Center") - the most visited tourist attraction in Paris: 8 million visitors a year (twice as many as visitors to the Eiffel Tower and almost as many as EuroDisneyland guests). The center building houses a public library, the National Museum of Modern Art, the Institute for Research and Coordination in Acoustics and Music (headed by the famous avant-garde composer Pierre Boulez), a library and art workshops for children, cinema and conference rooms. In 1999-2000, the building was repaired and reconstructed.

Park Asterix is an amusement park with famous French comics and cartoons about the Romans and the ancestors of the French - the Gauls. It is located 30 km from Paris. Asterix is ​​a fascinating journey through 6 periods of history from Ancient Gaul to the present day, fantastic attractions, performances, and a cinema.

Resorts

Ski resorts in the French Alps: Belle Plagne- the most interesting station, which, thanks to an extensive system of lifts, is located in the center of the ski area. Belle Plagne is a fairly affordable resort with reasonable prices. The resort provides a variety of opportunities for skiing on pistes of any level, as well as off-piste skiing. The compactness of the resort allows you to get to any point of the resort in just a couple of minutes. At your service are restaurants, discos, bars, night clubs, bowling alleys, saunas, Turkish baths. It is possible to ride with an instructor on the bobsleigh track. For the second season, you will be greeted here not by a “Russian-speaking”, but by a truly Russian instructor working at the Ecole de Ski Belle Plagne.

Val Thorens is one of the newest resorts in the French Alps. Located at the top of the Three Valleys at an altitude of 2300 meters above sea level, which makes it the highest in the region. A powerful cable car will take you to the beautiful peak of Cime de Caron (3195 m), from where Mont Blanc (4807 m) is visible in clear weather. A system of interconnected lifts allows you to ski not only in Val Thorens, but also in any of the Three Valleys. The slopes of Pointe de Thorens (3266 m) with spacious virgin fields are best mastered by skiers with extensive experience in mountain skiing. And for beginner athletes, in the lower reaches of the gorge there is a web of “blue” and “green” descents. The snow cover will never let you down at any time of the skiing season. Resort altitude: 2300 meters above sea level.

Resorts Val d'Isere and Tignes- the homeland of the French world champions Oreilles and Killy - form a single ski area Espace Killy, which is bordered on both sides by two national parks: Vanoise and Grande Paradis. Val d'Isere and Tignes are a spacious alpine paradise: several thousand hectares of marked ski slopes and 10 thousand hectares of virgin land at an altitude of 1550 to 3500 m. The slopes are serviced by 100 ski lifts. Here is the best ski and snowboard school. No other resort offers such freedom of movement and variety of slopes: for lovers of extreme skiing, the breathtaking rock bastions of Galice and Grande Aiguille Rousset, and for beginners, the classic Madeleine routes in the forests of Santons and Vallons. The Bellevarde cliff with Bernard Roussy's downhill (height 2809 m, vertical drop 972 m, length 2905 m, average slope 350, maximum slope 630) will finally convince you that Val d'Isère and Tignes is the place to be! than you can only dream of.

Courchevel(French Courchevel) is a popular ski resort in the French Alps (Savoie department), located in an area called “Three Valleys” (Les Trois Vallées). Founded in 1946. The four stations of the resort are located at altitudes of 1300, 1550, 1650 and 1750 (commercial name - 1850) meters above sea level. The ski season lasts from late November to early May. There are 67 modern cable cars in the Courchevel Valley, including a funicular, 9 cabin lifts and 16 chair lifts. The total length of the routes is more than 600 km. La Tanya- This is an excellent option for inexpensive family accommodation in the Three Valleys. In general, all the nightlife takes place in Courchevel. La Tania is a small ski resort in the French Alps, located between Meribel (5 kilometers) and Courchevel (2 kilometers) at an altitude of 1350 meters. The resort is closed to vehicles. The small village of La Tanya consists of 7 skyscraper residences, several restaurants and cafes. You can leave the apartments here directly on skis. The ski season lasts from mid-December to the end of April.

Les Arcs- the resort is located directly above Bourg St-Maurice (you can get there either by car - 15 km of serpentine road, or by funicular, which runs 10 minutes from the railway station). Bourg St-Maurice is 180 km from Geneva by car, or 200 km from Lyon (car or train), or 130 km from Grenoble (car or train). From Bourg St-Maurice there is also a serpentine road to Tignes, Val d'Isere - 30 km. Close to Les Arc and Three Valleys (about 70 km or 55 km from Bourg St-Maurice).

Les Deux Alpes- one of the 5 largest French ski resorts of the international Claes, located in the town of Dauphine at the foot of the largest glacier in Europe, so snow is guaranteed in both winter and summer. In addition to well-prepared, varied trails and modern ski lifts, the resort’s attraction is the artificial “ice grotto,” located at an altitude of 3,400 meters.

Les Menuires located in the same valley with Val Thorens at an altitude of 1850 m. The town is divided into three districts. In the central one - Le Crouzette - there are main entertainment and shops. From here the most convenient access to the ski lifts. There are two more new areas: Le Bruyères and Reberti (1850 m), where there are mainly modern residential buildings and also some shops and bars. Further down the valley is Saint Martin de Belleville (1400 m), a pretty Savoyard village connected to Menuires by a ski lift. There are many old wooden and stone houses, and in the center of the village in a small square there is a 16th century church.

Megève- one of the most prestigious and picturesque ski resorts with world renown. The pedestrian zone with cobbled streets in the center and ancient architecture create the atmosphere of a real Savoyard village. Mont Joly and other sites offer impressive views of Mont Blanc. The mountains rise to a height of 1000-2500 meters, up to 1850 m the mountains are covered with spruce and fir forests, giving a special charm to this place.

Chamonix- this is a mecca where every self-respecting skier must visit. Just like Madonna, kings and princes, and ordinary inhabitants of our planet. This is a kind of symbiosis, where you will find restaurants serving haute French cuisine, as well as the rock cafe Arbate, the Chamonix Museum and the aquatic center. And most importantly - a sea of ​​varied skiing.

P arij(French Paris) is the capital of France, the most important economic and cultural center of the country. The French capital is one of the largest and most populous cities in the world. In the actual urban part of Paris, according to statistics, about a little more than 2 million people live, and on the outskirts in the so-called Greater Paris - more than 10 million. Paris is a city that has everything for everyone: the Louvre, the Palace of Versailles, the Palais Royal - for lovers of history and royal grandeur; Champs Elysees and the Arc de Triomphe - for connoisseurs of the unity of past and present; the brilliant "Moulin Rouge" - for those who want to enjoy a spectacular, vibrant show; "Disneyland" - for those who are still close to the world of children's entertainment; The Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame Cathedral require no comment, as do cute streets, quiet, cozy cafes and, of course, romantic evening boat rides on the Seine.

Strasbourg- a city about which one can rightfully say “Central European”. A city on the border of France and Germany. It changed hands many times, and today you can’t tell what is more German or French in it. The capital of Alsace - the most German region of France. The obligatory Gothic cathedral in the center, narrow streets, cobblestone streets. The historical center is located, as it were, on an island formed by the Ile River and canals. French wine, German beer, Strasbourg pates. The charming quarter of "Little France" (La Petite France) - white stone houses with a dark wood frame look at their reflections in the water of the canals. Tourist boats glide smoothly along the canals, from one lock to another.

Located southeast of Paris and southwest of Dijon on the Bouzaise River, a medieval trading town Bon(Beaune) is considered the unofficial wine capital of Burgundy, one of the best preserved medieval cities in the region. The city has retained the influence of distant Flemish culture, introduced during the reign of the Burgundian dukes over most of Belgium and Holland. A trace of Flemish architecture can be felt here: a striking example is the town hall. Beaune was the trading capital of the Duchy of Burgundy, where cloth and wine were sold. Beaune finally secured its status as the center of the wine trade during the Age of Enlightenment. In the Middle Ages, a fortified castle and a deep ditch protected the city. Today its bastions and watchtowers are guarded only by sweet wine nectars, and its ditches and ditches have turned into squares and gardens. Once built to protect the city, the fortifications have been used for two centuries to store millions of bottles of Burgundy wines from the most prestigious brands and vintages.

Cannes- a city of movie stars whose motto is “Life is a celebration.” The Palais des Festivals and the famous Cannes steps, the grandiose Croisette with palm trees, restaurants, cafes and boutiques, the ancient Suquet quarter, and, of course, Rue Antibes, a paradise for shopping lovers, welcome an endless stream of tourists all year round. And this is not surprising, because Cannes is also one of the most valuable pearls of the magnificent Cote d'Azur.

Principality Monaco located in Southern Europe, on a narrow strip of the Mediterranean Riviera coast about 10 km. from the French-Italian border. On land, the country is surrounded by French territory (Alpes-Maritimes department), and in the south it is washed by the waters of the Mediterranean Sea. The relief is hilly, quite dissected. The highest point of the country is the Mont Agel rock (140 m). The total area of ​​the country is 1.95 square meters. km. (about 200 hectares, of which 40 are “reclaimed” from the sea).

Lyon- the third largest city in France, as well as a port located at the confluence of the Rhone and Saone rivers, the administrative center of the Rhone department. The population of the city is 400 thousand people and more than 1 million in the suburbs. The history of Lyon, then known as Lugdunum, began in ancient Roman times, in the first century BC, when the city was proclaimed the capital of the Three Gauls. This official status brought political, economic, military and religious development to the city. By the end of the 15th century, Lyon had become an important center of trade with its fairs and well-developed banking system. It soon housed the social, intellectual and artistic elite. In the 17th and 18th centuries, due to the development of the silk weaving industry, the city continued to grow, new squares and impressive buildings were built here, and under the Napoleonic Empire, Lyon became an industrial city.

Marseilles- the second largest city and largest port in France. The city is located in the south of France on the shores of the Gulf of Lyon in the Mediterranean Sea. Marseille, founded by the Greeks in 600 BC, is considered the oldest city in the country. Although one of France's leading industrial centres, Marseille is nevertheless proud of its unique heritage and enjoys a privileged location on the Mediterranean coast. Its majestic island-studded bay and small rocky coves (Les Calanques) are considered a unique natural phenomenon.

Nice- the capital of the alluring, affectionate, sunny, chic, friendly, noisy and simply unforgettable Cote d'Azur. Its sky is not covered with clouds 300 days a year, the average temperature throughout the year does not fall below +16 degrees, the smells of wine and lavender are in the air, and the clear blue sea and white stones of the coast promise unforgettable moments of bliss. It was in Nice, at the beginning of the last century, that the Romanov royal family purchased a villa in which they lived for many summers. This is where world celebrities like to relax today. The old town, the Promenade des Anglais, the Cimiez quarter - all this needs to be seen to understand the charm and exclusivity of Nice.

A message about France for grades 3 and 4 will tell you about the amazing homeland of Napoleon, the Little Prince and the Three Musketeers.

Brief message about France

The report about France should begin with the fact that it is located in western Europe. It also includes the island of Corsica, located in the Mediterranean Sea. France is often called the Hexagon due to its hexagonal shape.

France borders Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg in the northeast, Italy and Monaco in the southeast, and Andorra and Spain in the southwest. The country is washed by the Mediterranean and North Seas, the Bay of Biscay and the English Channel and Pas de Calais.

France Square- 551 thousand km 2.

Largest rivers France- Seine, Loire, Rhone, Garonne and Rhine.

Capital of France— Paris

Big cities in France— Paris, Marseille, Lyon, Toulouse, Nice

Population of France— 66.7 million people (2016)

Form of government- presidential-parliamentary republic

The territory of France is mainly hilly, with extensive hills, lowlands and mid-altitude mountains. The exceptions are two high mountain ranges in the southeast in the form of the Alps and in the southwest in the form of the Pyrenees. The highest point in the country is Mont Blanc, its height is 4807 m.

The climate is completely dependent on the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. In the north the climate is milder, humid and maritime, while in the south the climate is warm and Mediterranean. The climate in the mountains is characterized by low temperatures. There is more rainfall here. Snow cover remains at high altitudes.

All over the world they know that French wines are the best in the world. France has also become famous for its fashionable clothing, perfumes and cosmetics. France is rightfully considered the fashion capital of the world.

Today, in all countries, people use planes, carriages and cars (Citroen, Peugeot and Renault) made in France.

Religion of France

Approximately 4/5 of the country's population professes Catholicism. About 12% of the population consider themselves atheists. 3% of the population profess Islam, 2% Protestantism, 1% Judaism.

Sights of France

In France, more than 5 thousand castles have been preserved from ancient times.

Notre Dame, Disneyland, the forest of Fontainebleau, the Sacré-Coeur Basilica, the flea market in Paris Saint-Ouen, the Rouen naval armada, the Eiffel Tower, Versailles Palace, the Louvre, the Pompidou Center, Notre Dame Cathedral are all tourists want to visit.

Famous Frenchmen glorified their country throughout the world - Honore de Balzac, Voltaire, Victor Hugo, Jules Verne, Emile Zola, Albert Camus, Stendhal, Jacques Cousteau, Pablo Picasso and others.

We hope the information provided about France has helped you. And you can leave your short story about France using the comment form.