France

Introduction to France

France or the French Republic (République française in French) is a Western European country, with a number of overseas territories. Metropolitan France extends from the Mediterranean Sea to the English Channel (La Manche) and North Sea, and from the river Rhine to the Atlantic Ocean and the Bay of Biscay. The country is sometimes called l'Hexagone (the Hexagon) after the geographical shape of metropolitan France.

France is bordered by the United Kingdom (with a land border inside the Channel Tunnel), Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Monaco, Andorra, and Spain. In some of its overseas parts, France also shares land borders with Brazil, Suriname, and the Netherlands Antilles.

The French Republic (French: République française) is a democracy organised as a unitary semi-presidential republic. It is a highly developed country with the fifth-largest economy in the world in 2004. Its main ideals are expressed in the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. France was one of the founding members of the European Union and the United Nations. In the United Nations Security Council France holds a permanent seat, and it is also one of only eight acknowledged nuclear powers.

The name France originates from the Franks, a Germanic tribe that occupied the region after the fall of the Roman Empire. More precisely, the region around Paris is called the Île-de-France which was the original French royal dominion.

Cultural notes about France

The culture of France is diverse, reflecting regional differences as well as the influence of recent immigration. France has played an important role for centuries as a cultural centre, with Paris as a world centre of high culture.

At the beginning of the 20th century, France was a largely rural country with somewhat conservative Catholic morals. However, in the course of the century, major changes have occurred: the countryside has become largely depopulated, and the population has largely become de-christianized. This has led to important changes in social morals.

Traditionally a predominantly Roman Catholic country, with anticlerical leanings, France is since the 1970s a very secular country. However, public holidays are still largely traditional Catholic holidays; and knowledge of facts about the history of Catholicism (for instance, the attribute of saints) is considered normal for an educated person. The French generally consider that since the 1905 law of separation of Church and State, they have struck an excellent balance between the rights of religious people and the neutrality of public institutions with respect to religious matters, summarized in the concept of laïcité.

The French maintain a strong gap between civilian life and religion. Religion is considered as private as possible, and it is considered offensively inquisitive to enter religious discussions in most contexts. Communautarisme — that is, the forming of ethnic or religious communities separate from mainstream life —, though present, is considered undesirable. French people in general are opposed to clerical power and its influence in policy; the separation of religion from government power is legally referred to as laïcité. French politicians, with the exception of a few right-wing politicians such as Christine Boutin, generally do not discuss their religious positions, and do not use religious arguments in political advocacy.

France is noted for its cosmopolitan, civilised approach to life, combined with great concern for style, fashion and appearances. French people are sometimes perceived as taking a great pride in the national identity and positive achievements of France, although many French people would argue that people of all nations tend to do that.

Official Canadian government advisories for travelling to, in and around France

French authorities have stepped up security as part of a coordinated public security plan, "Vigipirate Renforcé," which includes increased police presence on public transport and in public places, particularly airports, embassies, schools, government installations, and train and metro stations. The law now allows police to search vehicles without warrants. Verification of identification and travel documents at airports has been reinforced, even for domestic flights.

Most Canadian visitors to France do not experience problems. However, petty crime against tourists occurs, especially in larger cities, such as Paris, Marseille, and Nice. Mugging, pickpocketing, and purse-snatching occur in major tourist areas, department stores, and in particular on the Paris metro and RER train line B, which serves Charles de Gaulle Airport, Orly Airport, and Gare du Nord. Purse-snatchers operate both on foot and on motorcycles. Muggings have occurred at isolated rest stops along motorways. Thefts have been reported in the car rental parking lot at the Nice Airport. Do not show signs of affluence and ensure that personal belongings, passports, and other travel documents are secure.

A number of Canadian tourists have been approached on sidewalks, both in broad daylight and at night, in the Pigalle district by nightclub operators, enticing them with offers of free food, drink, and entertainment. Once they entered the premises, they were compelled by force and threats to hand over their credit cards, which were then immediately debited for very large sums of money.

Remain vigilant when travelling on sleeper trains, as thieves often rob sleeping travellers. If your passport or other important documents are stolen, you should file a report with the nearest police station (commissariat).

The National Liberation Front of Corsica (FLNC) continues to operate in France through sporadic, politically motivated bomb attacks, mainly on government buildings. Foreigners have not been targeted. Visitors to the island should avoid unattended packages, particularly in town centres and near public buildings.

Strikes and demonstrations occur frequently and sometimes result in violent confrontations with police. Avoid demonstrations and large gatherings. Strikes may occasionally interfere with services, such as mail, telephone, and public transport.