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Quick Facts:
| Area: | 547,030 sq. km | | Population: | 59,765,983 (July 2002 est.) | | Capital: | Paris | | Language: | French | | Religion: | Roman Catholic 90%, Protestant 2%, Muslim 3% and Jewish 1% | | Currency: | Euro | | YFU web site: | www.yfu-france.org |
Introduction
France is a country of modern structures built on traditions of the past. France’s history, heritage and family constitute its ideological foundation. The French are very proud of their cultural heritage, which they want others to discover and admire through the châteaux, churches, museums and monuments.
Short Facts Area: France is the third largest country in Europe (after Russia and Germany) and it has been divided into départements, administrative units, since 1790. The French Alps include Mont Blanc, which is the highest peak of Europe. In the middle of the country are the Massif Centralmountains. There are five important rivers in France, La Seine, Loire, Garonne, Rhône and Rhine. This makes France one of the most fertile and lush areas of Europe.
Climate: The weather is often hot and mediterraneanal in the south while in the center and in the east winters are cold and dry, with torrid summers. Along the Atlantic and North Sea coasts the weather is temperate, with colder temperatures prevailing in the northern half. It often rains in France but snow only falls in the high-altitude areas.
Population: France’s population is approximately about 60 million people. The ethnic groups in France are: Celtic and Latin with Teutonic, Slavic, North African, Indochinese and Basque. Approximately two-thirds of all the French live in cities of more than 100,000 inhabitants. French people are patriotic and very proud of their culture. They jealously guard the privacy of their lives and families.
Religion: Most of the French are Roman Catholics (90%). But there are also groups of Protestants, Jews and Muslims.
Government: France is now under its fifth Republic, with a bicameral Parliament, which consists of the Senate and the National Assembly. Modern French politics remain characterized by a Left/Right division of the country even though the border between the two has been recently blurred. In the current Fifth Republic, begun by Charles de Gaulle, enormous executive power is given to the President, who is elected for seven years. His government is composed of a Council of Ministers, led by a Prime Minister. The legislative power, known as the Parliament consists of the National Assembly (491 members known as Deputés) and the Sénat (317 members known as Sénateurs). Most of the political and business power is held by the upper bourgeoisie. Those in political positions appoint many of their own members to key positions in powerful government-owned companies. Fourteen years of recent rule by socialist president Francois Mitterrand did not seem to have changed this practice very much. France faces today a serious economic slow-down characterized by a high unemployment rate, mainly fueled by extremely generous and expensive social benefits. Mitterrand's successor, Jacques Chirac (from the RPR party), elected in May 1995, has had the unpleasant task of attempting to reduce some of these cradle-to-grave benefits which threaten to rapidly ruin the country’s economy. The Communist party, once a relatively powerful organization, almost disappeared concurrently with the fall of the cold war. Simultaneously, the far Right National Front's popularity has been fueled by high unemployment and rising nationalism, mostly against "les arabes", North Africans mainly from Algeria.Most of these political and economic problems are not obvious to tourists. Paris looks more beautiful than ever, the food is always superb and the French are getting more and morewelcoming!
History: France was ruled by kings up until the Revolution of 1789. Napoleon I came to power in the early 19th century and founded the great majority of the state institutions which exist today. Napoleon was succeded by a king for a very short period, after which the revolution of 1848 put an end to the Monarchy. Napoleon III ruled the Second Republic until France’s defeat bythe Germans in 1871. The Third Republic lasted from 1871 until the end of the Second World War (1945), and included a number of different governments. The Fourth Republic was responsible for founding the country as it exists today. The Fifth Republic, which dates back to 1958, has derived its basis from the republics of the past and gives more power to the president.
Economy: France is an industrial and commercial country. The industry produces automobiles, steel and electrical products, but France is also an important agricultural center. France has been an important factor in the launching of the Euro. The main trading partners are the EU (63%) and the USA (8%).
Education: Academic levels in France run in a descending order, unlike most other countries. The first year of primary school, for example, would be designated as the 11th class in France. Primary school, therefore, covers 11th grade to 7th grade (ages 6-11). Secondary education begins with four years of collège (junior secondary) (6th-3rd grades). Until completion of collège, all students in France study essentially the same subjects in the same manner. Differentiation begins after college, when most students will coninue on to the lycèe (senior secondary) in either the general education lycèe or the professional education lycèe (or lycèe technique). The curriculum in each option is quite different, as well as the resulting career expectations. Secondary education ends for general students when they earn a national school-leaving diploma, le baccalaurèat. They are then automatically eligible for education at the university level. Students in the professional education lycèe can continue their studies in the pursuit of various professional diplomas and certificates.
Family life: Family is one of France’s most fundamental institutions. Everything and everyone revolves around the concept of the family unit. Parents and children get together to eat, as mealtimes are set family gatherings and food is of great importance. At the dinner table the family discusses the day’s events, recent political developments, school life and food. Parents take great interest in the academic activities of their children and follow their school performance on a regular basis. Parents and children also spend much of their free time together. Parents often take their children on outings to the park, a museum, or sporting events. They usually spend a fair amount of time watching television or discussing ideas and opinions. Vacation/holidays are also opportunities for a family to be together as a unit. The extended family (grandparents, aunts or uncles) may occasionally spend some time living at the home of their relatives. It isn’t unusual for university students to live at home with their parents.
Recreation: French are enthusiastic spectators for soccer and rugby, but actual participation in sports is lessthan might be expected. The participation is much higher in individual sports like fishing, cycling, tennis, hiking, skiing and sailing. A very French sport is Pétanque, pronounced "pay-tonk", which is played all over the country. It is a distant cousin of horseshoes and a close relative of bocce. Other activities could include watching TV, going to museums or attending plays and concerts. At schools half a day per week is assigned for sports either in a gymnasium or at a track. Individual and group sports are played in clubs.
YFU France
YFU France had its first exchange student in 1956, but the first office was created in 1966. Many YFU alumni and volunteers, thanks to their personal skills and experience, offer valuable experience and assistance both in Paris and in the French regions. Currently, YFU has about 250 members and volunteers throughout France.
Exchange activities for Inbound students: When students arrive they go to a 2 day orientation, which is usually held in the Paris area. There are 2-3 local orientations (post-arrival, mid term and final orientation). A last re-entry orientation is held in Paris just before return travel! Common Phrases | English | French | | Hello | Bonjour | | How are you? | Comment allez-vous? | | My name is | Je m’appelle | | Please | S’il vous plait | | Thank you | Merci | | Excuse me | Pardon |
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