Page 149 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Europe

FR ANCE  147

Avant-garde art and literature and
modern architecture enjoy strong
patronage in France. Exciting architectural
projects range from new buildings in Paris
– the Louvre pyramid and La Grande
Arche at La Défense – to the post-modern
housing projects of Nîmes and Marseille in
the south.
Contemporary Society
Social change has resulted from the
decline in the influence of the Catholic
A French street café in the evening Church. Parental authoritarianism has
waned and there is a much freer
between Left and Right. In 1958, the ambiance in schools – two trends
problems of governing the country led to resulting from the May 1968 uprising.
the introduction of a new constitution – the French social life, except between close
Fifth Republic – with Charles de Gaulle as friends, has always been marked by
president. However, in 1968, protesting formality – handshaking, and the use of
students and striking workers combined titles and the formal vous rather than the
to paralyze the country and de Gaulle intimate tu. However, this is changing,
resigned the following year. especially among the young, who now
The old divide between Left and Right call you by your first name, and use tu
has given way to a more center-focused even in an office context. Standards of
consensus fostered by François dress have become more informal
Mitterrand, Socialist President too, though the French are still
from 1981 to 1995, and very keen to dress well.
forced on the Conservative France is a country where
Jacques Chirac, who tradition and progress are found
succeeded him, by the side by side. The Euro has
election of Socialist Tempting display of charcuterie and cheeses taken over, yet some people
on a Lyon market stall
Lionel Jospin as Prime still calculate in “new” Francs,
Minister in 1997. In 2002, however, a land- introduced back in 1960. France’s agri-
slide victory for the center-right coalition business is one of the most modern in the
ousted Jospin; the election of Nicolas world, but the peasant farmer is deeply
Sarkozy as President in 2007 confirmed revered. France has Europe’s largest hyper-
the center-right politics. However, in markets, which have been ousting local
2012, Sarkozy lost the presidency to the grocers. Although American in inspiration,
Socialist candidate François Hollande. they are French in what they sell, with
wonderful displays of cheeses and a huge
Language and Culture range of fresh vegetables, fruit, and herbs.
Culture is taken seriously in France:
writers, intellectuals, artists, and fashion
designers are held in high esteem. The
French remain justly proud of their films,
and are determined to defend it against
pressures from Hollywood. Other
activities – from the music industry to
the French language itself – are subject
to the same protectionist attitudes. The TGV, France’s impressive high-speed train

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