Studying in France

Brief History of France

• The first known settlement in France was discovered in 1940,  inside the caves in the southwest region of France,in the form of wall paintings.
• The recent and the more known history of France started in 1000 B.C. when the Celtic tribes swept into the western France. Greek colonialists settled into the southern coastline of France during the following ages.  Marseilles was one of the cities built by them.
• The Greek civilization affected the social and political life of Celtic tribes. The first Roman colony was settled into the region in 120 B.C. This establishment created a reasonable stability in the area.
• Roman ruins in Nimes The Romans called these Celtic people of the western France "the Gauls".
• In 52 B.C. Julius Caesar defeated Gallic commander Vercingtorix for the last time and took control of whole region. After this victory, Rome controlled the destiny of Gallia for nearly 500 years.
• Rome's rule over the region ended in 476 A.D. after a long wave of barbaric ( Visigoths, Franks and Vandals) invasions.
• Between 768 and 814, the king of Franks, Charlemagne repelled the barbaric invaders from the country and united all of present-day France. Only Celts in Brittany did not join the united country.
• The king Charlemagne was crowned by Pope Leo III as the Holy Roman Emperor, in 800. His most important service to the European culture was to introduce a strong governmental tradition and to revive the Latin culture.
• Since 987, when Hugh Capet launched the Capetian dynasty, kings were crowned at Reims Cathedral. The first Frank king Clavis was Bibliotheque Nationale baptized here in 496. He lead the France into Christianity after that.
• The war between England and France was erupted first in 1337 and continued until 1453, over the legitimacy of the Valois dynasty and also England's claim of control over Aquitaine and few other provinces. 
• A young and inspired French peasant, Joan of Arc, rallied the French troops and led them to the victory over the English at Orleans in 1429. She also persuaded king Charles VII to claim his throne after a ceremony in Reims Cathedral. She marked the French victory over the British rule in France. But a year later she was caught by Burgundians and turned over to England, where she was burned as a witch.
• The king Louis XIV captured or bought the land to establish France's borders as known today. The French Revolution came in 1789. This event marked also the end of Royal dynasty in France.
• In 1799, Napoleon Bonaparte has seized the control of France after his successes in Italian front. He crowned himself in 1804 and started to conquer the Europe. After his defeat at Russian front he was exiled in Elba. He returned from the exile and went to war with England in Waterloo in 1815. He lost the war. This became his last move in the history of France
• 1800s became the years of insurrection years for France. The after shocks of the revolution continued to affect the social and political life in France. The working class and the middle class started to become strong and rebellious. This period was also marked as a chaotic time in the French history.
• The region of Alsace-Lorraine was captured by Bismarck in 1870. This area was regained by France after the victory in World War I against Germany.
• France had lost 10 percent of its men and nearly half of its industry during WW1.
• World War 2 came soon after the first one. In 1940 after a short and unsuccessful defense, France surrendered to Germany. General Charles de Gaulle formed a French government in London while existing collaborationist government moved into Vichy. French resistance movement during the war, was largely operated by the communists and de Gaulle supporters.
  

Quick Facts

Full country name: French Republic  Official Name: République française  Capital: Paris  Continent: Europe  President: Nicolas Sarkozy  Population: 60,180,529  Area: 543,965 sq km  Languages: French, Catalan, Basque, Breton, Corsican  Type of Government: Republic  Head of State: President Jacques Chirac  Head of Government: Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin  Religion: 86% Roman Catholic, 8% Muslim, 2% Protestant 1% Jewish, 3% unaffiliated

France has fantastic cities, coastline, mountains and rural areas. It is also brilliant for food, wine, and shopping. Paris is one of the world's great cities. France has a combination of fast-paced cities, traditional villages and above all its capital, Paris, which attracts 70 million visitors a year.

Currency

(EUR€)
1 Euro = 1.3525 U.S. dollars

Timezone

GMT +1,   Daylight saving time (GMT +2)  from March to October.

Getting Around

International flights land at Paris, as well as Bordeaux, Lyon, Marseilles, Nice, Strasbourg and Toulouse. In Paris, Roissy-Charles de Gaulle is the main air terminal. The national carrier is Air France (0845 0845 111). The capital is also the country's main rail and bus hub, with connections to all of Europe.

Drinking Age

Restaurants may serve alcohol to anyone 16 years or older.

Climate

Continental conditions prevail in the north-east, with hot summers and cold winters, while in the south the climate is Mediterranean with mild winters and long dry summers. The north-west sometimes experiences violent winds off the Atlantic Ocean, while the central area, including Paris, has low rainfall and a temperate climate. Paris temperatures average 2-18C (35-65F), but can get up to 27C (80F) in June-July and down to -1C (30F) in January. French summers can be hot and sticky, causing most city-dwellers to flee to the seaside. Winters are snowy in mountainous regions, rainy in Paris and the western and northern coasts, and chilly in the south of France during the weeks when the mistral, a fierce wind, blows through.

Language

English spoken in tourist areas but French is the chief language, so knowledge of the French language is useful.

Education

France is one of the most sought after study-abroad destinations, inviting abundant number of students every year from all over the world. In addition to a good educational experience, studying in France leads to good career opportunities internationally after graduation. France is better known for its high level of technological development, culture and reputation in the education system, which attracts number of young aspirants here every academic year. France has a prominent place in subjects like Mathematics, Astrophysics, Biology, Genetics, Physics and other science subjects. . It is also well known for its Elite " Grande Ecole " with selective entry levels for the best students in areas such as Business, Engineering.

Food

Each region has its own cuisine and specialties, from the German-influenced sausages of Alsace to the Mediterranean seafood and olives of Provence. Baguettes, croissants and a coffee are a typical breakfast. The cuisine is heavily reliant on meat - typically beef, pork, veal, lamb and rabbit.  France has a vast variety of cheese. Significant North African and Asian populations have brought their own spicy cuisines to the country. Vegetarians may find little joy outside the main centers, but good quality bread, cheese and fruit is always available from delicatessens and markets.

Health

No vaccinations are necessary. Biting flies and ticks carrying Lyme disease are present in Mediterranean coastal areas, so insect repellent should be worn.

Main attractions

• Maison de la France The official line from the French Tourist Office.
• The official city of Paris guide Basic but useful; a clear guide to the city's main attractions as well as an excellent guide to getting around.
• SmartWeb Virtual tours of the Louvre and the streets of Paris.
• The CIA World Factbook - France
• The various regions of France has range of mountains, with the Pyrennées in the south, the French Alps in the east (with Europe's highest peak, Mont Blanc) and the Massif Central.
  
• Other attractions include the beaches of the French Riviera, the vineyards and rustic cuisine of Provence, the Mediterranean island of Corsica, the splendid chateaux of the Loire Valley, the French Basque resort of Biarritz and historic St Malo in Brittany.
• Paris is a hub of monuments, from the Eiffel Tower to the Arc de Triomphe. Modern architecture such as the Georges Pompidou Centre competes with Notre Dame on nearby Ile de la Cité. Museums abound, from the vast Louvre to the Musée Picasso.
• Popular Destinations:
  
  1. Ajaccio (Aiacciu)
  2. Cannes
  3. Corte (Corti)
  4. Monaco
  5. Nice
  6. Paris
  7. Provence
  8. Saint-Tropez
     
     

Events

• February: Nice: Mardi Gras (Shrove Tuesday); children throw eggs and flour in the streets while adults party.
• March: Paris Fashion Week in the fashion capital.
• April: Erquy, Brittany: Scallop festival, with many of the edible delicacies on show in different guises and sauces.
• May: Cannes: World famous film festival in this posh resort on the French Riviera.
• August: Carcassone: Medieval festival in the amazing fortress, setting for Kevin Costner's Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves.
  

Shopping

Decent French wine can be very pricey, but some cheaper ones are also good. Cheese can be purchased as there is a wide variety available in France. Beautiful designer clothes can also be bought, with varying depending upon the stores.

Related Literature

• Whatever, Michel Houellebecq- The systems analyst narrator is depressed with modern life. The novel was feted throughout Europe, and enabled the author to chuck in his day job and move to Ireland.
• Madame Bovary, Gustave Flaubert For a flavour of 19th century France, try this classic - but be realistic and read it in translation. 
• Jean de Florette, Marcel Pagnol Tale set in rural Provence by the author of Manon des Sources.
  

Flights available in India and France

Air France offers cheap flights to and from India. The various destinations that are covered by Air France airlines in India are Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Chennai.

Air France Contact Details:
Head Office
45, rue de Paris
95 747 Roissy CDG Cedex
Air France switchboard
01 41 56 78 00 (9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday)
Fax: 01 41 56 70 29
Official Website: www.airfrance.com

Air France Airlines Offices in India

• Mumbai office: Maker Chamber V1, 1st floor, 220 Nariman Point, Mumbai 400021, Tel: 022-2025021 (Reservations)
• Delhi office: 7 Atma Ram Mansion, Scindia House, Janpath , New Delhi 110001, Tel: 011-3738004 (Reservations)
• Bangalore Office: St Marks Road, Tel # 214060
• Calcutta Office: 41 JL Nehru Road, Tel # 290011
• Cochin Office: GSA France Air (P) Ltd, Warriam Road, Tel # 361702
• Madras Office: 3, MG Road, Tel # 852373
• Pune Office: Century Arcade, 243/244, 1st Floor, D/2 Narangi Bagh Road, Tel # 623268, 623269