Fodor's Exploring France

France Is ...The Republic Strongly individualistic, the French nature is such that their revolutions and uprisings once came and went as often as their governments. After two centuries of changing constitutions, France's political stability is only a recent phenomenon, introduced by de Gaulle with the Fifth Republic, relayed by the sphinx-like Mitterrand, and now steered by the more impulsive Chirac. Monarchies, republics, and empires have all had their turn over the last 150 years, interrupted by the traumatic four-year German occupation during World War II. Yet today, France is regarded as one of the most powerful Western democracies, and a pivotal force within the European Union. France Is ...Multicultural The tapestry of France's population, which has always included regional identities (Bretons, Alsaciens Corsicans) is becoming increasingly rich. Xenophobia and racism have come to the fore, as the immigration issue is tossed to and fro by political parties, each trying to win maximum electoral support. The 1990 census recorded a foreign population of 3.58 million (out of a total of 56.6 million), which does not include 1.8 million with French nationality and countless illegal immigrants. Well over 10 percent of the French population is of foreign origin -- a proportion that demands attention. As elsewhere in Europe, immigrants were brought in after World War II to cope with unwanted low-paying jobs. Portugese, Italians, and Spaniards were joined by people from the former colonies, particularly the Maghreb: Algeria, Tunisia, and Morocco. Lesser numbers arrived from central and West Africa, while French citizens from the DOM-TOM (overseas d'partments in the Caribbean, Indian Ocean, and Pacific) also left their shores looking for work. The 1960s suburban bidonvilles of cheap prefabs were soon replaced by badly planned towerblocks that in their turn became immigrant ghettos. France Is ...Cuisine French cuisine epitomizes the complexities of the national character. Science, sensuality, and creativity combine to produce, at its best, food fit for the gods. Every region of France has its specialties, proudly refined from generation to generation, and in the 1990s these are being enthusiastically revived by chefs weary of the two-carrot nouvelle cuisine. Hearty, so-called "peasant" dishes are now widely available. Twenty years of invasion by a lighter, fresher diet has left its mark: the nouvelle cuisine school has been assimilated into a new approach to cooking that puts as much emphasis on nutrition as on inventive flavors and presentation. Quick Cuisine Don't believe that every French family sits down to a gastronomic orgy every evening. The advance of the 20th century has brought with it a rushed lifestyle, and the French have adopted convenience foods like every other Western nation. Food is no longer the priority it once was. Over the last decade fast-food joints have invaded every town center, and the young, ever attracted to all things American, now -- unlike their parents' generation generally accept fast food as a way of life. Old habits of lengthy, elaborate preparation do survive, but these days many people, especially wealthy town-dwellers, if not eating in a restaurant, are more likely to knock together some pasta and a salad than indulge in preparing a blanquette de veau. France Is ...Work and Play "Work hard, play hard" seems to be the maxim for every French family. The French are a hardworking nation. Since the working week is only 35 hours long, with five weeks' vacation a year (the longest in Europe), as well as 11 days of public holidays, but executives often start work at 8AM and don't finish until 12 hours later. Weekends have thus become sacrosanct, often spent at a weekend home, and holidays are seeFodor's Travel Publications, Inc. Staff is the author of 'Fodor's Exploring France', published 2001 under ISBN 9780679007067 and ISBN 0679007067.