Let's Explore France!

Welcome to France, a nation rich in art, fashion, culture, history, architecture, and especially style! France's attractions range from the infamous "Tour Eiffel" to the rows of prehistoric stone markers at Carnac.

Have you ever wanted to take a trip to France? Well, now you can experience the magical beauty of this remarkable country right here in our culture section.

Going to France...or Just Curious?
Visit our geography section!

What are the customs?
Visit our people section!

Hungry?
Visit our food section!

Do you want to learn how to order food in a café?
Visit our French Restaurant!

If you want to know everything about the culture of France...take the culture tour! Just keep pressing the "next" button on the bottom of the page!

A Few "Must Know" Facts...

Here are a few general facts for everyone interested in France!

-Liberty, Equality, Fraternity-

This was made France's National Motto during the French Revolution of 1789. It involved a revolt of the lower classes upon the French aristocracy. The peasants were fighting for a republic and thus, France became the Rèpublique Française. The present form of government is a Parliamentary democracy. A Tale of Two Cities,by Charles Dickens, is an excellent way to learn more about the French Revolution. The motion picture, The Scarlet Pimpernel, is also based upon the Revolution.

"La Marseillaise"

Care to Sing Along?

FRENCH

Allons enfants de la patrie
Le jour de gloire est arrivé!
Contre nous, de la tyrannie
L'étendard sanglant est levé

Entendez vous dans les campagnes
Mugir ces féroces soldats?
Ils viennent jusque dans nos bras
Egorger vos fils, vos campagnes.

CHORUS
Aux armes, citoyens!
Formez vos bataillons!
Marchons! Marchons!
Qu'un sang impur
Abreuve nos sillons!

(2nd verse)
Amour sacré de la patrie
Conduis, soutiens nos bras vengeurs!
Liberté, Liberté chérie,
Combats avec les défenseurs!

Sous nos drapeaux, que la victoire
Accoure à tes mâles accents!
Voient ton triomphe et notre gloire!

CHORUS

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ENGLISH

Ye sons of France, awake to glory!
Hark! Hark! the people bid you rise!
Your children, wives, and grandsires hoary
Behold their tears and hear their cries!

Shall hateful tryants, mischief breeding,
With hireling hosts a ruffian band
Affright and desolate the land
While peace and liberty lie bleeding?

CHORUS
To arms, to arms, ye brave!
Th'avenging sword unsheathe!
March on, march on, all hearts resolved
On liberty or death.

(2nd verse)
Oh liberty can man resign thee,
Once having felt thy gen'rous flame?
Can dungeons, bolts, and bar confine thee?
Or whips thy noble spirit tame?

Too long the world has wept bewailing
That falsehood's dagger tyrants wield;
But freedom is our sword and shield
And all their arts are unavailing.

CHORUS

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The French Flag seen above is known as the tricolor. France has no official coat of arms.

The franc is the official currency of France. At present, there are about 57,370,000 people living in France.