French information

Introduction to France

France is extremely diverse, it concentrates a wealth of scenery, regional identities each with their own particular joie de vivre defined by cultural & historic differences.

Through the years, France's stamp on western civilization has left an indelible mark in many domains and French savoir-faire remains a reference in the arts, politics, gastronomy, fashion and science.

Since World War II, French society has undergone great transformations. Whereas one person in 3 used to work in farming, today this ratio stands at 1 in 16. Concurrently, religious practice (mostly Catholic) declined almost at the same rate.

This new age ushered in such changes in social habits as the wider acceptance of the practice of unmarried couples living together and the legalization of abortion. After the students took to the streets in infamous May 1968, conditions for women have tremendously improved and many social structures became less constructing for everyone.

French Social Customs

French society likes formality in many aspects of everyday life as obligatory handshaking or cheek kissing ;-), the use of the vous (rather then the familiar tu) and of titles when referring to a superior or a stranger and the concern about always dressing well.

Sex lives in France can be qualified as very liberal by many standards. Everyday relations between the sexes are very flirtatious and not at all confrontational, neither in public nor in the professional life. The "use" of a lover is rather frequent both for men and women.

Nudity is not seen as a sin and women generally go topless on the beaches of the Riviera. Many French TV shows do not hesitate to include partially or totally undressed men or women even during prime time.

As a result of Napoleon's Civil Code, most of everyday life's transactions follow written texts or laws. French people, however, take great pleasure and pride in finding new clever ways to bypass these restrictions or instructions.

Modern French Life

Since the 1950's, French people have enjoyed the benefits of mass culture and consumerism. As the fourth economic power, France's standard of living and level of consumption are very similar to those in the USA.

Urban life in a city such as Paris has become almost the same as in any other mega polis in the world.

Regional and rural life, on the other hand, has remained very unique and varies tremendously from one region to another. The refreshing change, together with 5 weeks of annual paid vacations, has led many citizens to maintain a place in the country, preferably close to their family roots, to go on vacation or to retire.

There are more second homes in France than any other country in the world, which is why our range of mobile homes for sale in France are so very popular.

Thanks to government sponsored programs, France has managed to remain one of the most high-tech countries in the world. Technological breakthroughs such as the Concorde, the TGV, the Minitel or the Chunnel, have linked the country between regions and with its neighbours.

Culture and the arts are very important in everyday life in France. The worldwide appeal of the US model and the related Americanization is well present in France. However, in order to protect France's cultural identity, the government recently stepped in and enacted some laws aiming at restricting the broadcast of English speaking movies or songs and the use of English vocabulary in general.

French information & data

Population:
58.3 million (1 January 1996)

Population density:
105 persons per sq km

Life expectancy:
Men: 73.8, Women: 81.9

Birth rate (1995):
12 per 1000

Death rate (1995):
9 per 1000

Marriages (1995):
255 000

Divorces (1995):
108 000

Education (1995): 
Pre-school - high school: 12.6 million pupils 
Higher education: 2.075 million students

Active population:
26 million working, of which 19 million in salaried positions (December 1995)

Socio-professional groups:
Farmers: 2.7% of the active pop. (a.p.)
Artisans, storekeepers,
and self-employed: 6.5% of a.p.
Middle managers
and professionals: 10.7% of a.p.
Intermediate occupations: 17.6% of a.p.
White-collar workers: 23.5% of a.p.
Manual workers: 30% of the active population.

The French abroad:
1.7 million French people live outside France (1995)
52% in Europe
25.2% in North America
10.8% in Africa
5% in the Middle East
4.5% in Oceania
2.5% in Asia

Territory

Area:
550 000 sq k

Relief:
2/3 of the area is plains
Major ranges: Alps, Pyrenees, Jura, Ardennes, the Massif Central, Vosges
5 500 sq km of coastline
Forest: 26% of the territory

Climate:
maritime in the west, Mediterranean in the south, continental in the centre and the east

Administrative divisions:
Metropolitan France is divided into 22 regions and 96 departments
4 Overseas departments: Guadalupe, Martinique, French Guyana,