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France Travel: Countries
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France is a large and diverse country. French cuisine is legendary. There's a reason France is always near the top among European destinations. Here you'll find France maps, information on French restaurants, hotels in France, France tours, French cultural events, and statistical information on the people of France.
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France went back to monarchy and another revolution in 1848 which allowed a nephew of Napoleon to be elected president and then become emperor under the name of Napoléon III. The end of the XIX century was the start of the industrialization of the country, the development of the railways but ... the start of the bitter wars with Prussia and later Germany.
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Every century has added a new architectural facet to the France of today. The Romans, who first occupied Gaul in 120 BC, built beautiful arenas, villas, aqueducts, thermal-spring baths and other structures still prominent in southern France. They were soon followed by the medieval religious orders, who built the stunning fourth-century Baptistery of St. Jean in Poitiers, the Trinity Chapel on the Bay of Cannes and hundreds of abbeys throughout the country. Medieval towns were circled by thick walls for protection; some, like Carcassone, still stand, and the track of the old walls of other towns can be seen in their street plans. Around the beginning of the 12th century, the Romanesque style was eclipsed by Gothic architecture in the soaring cathedrals of Reims, Amiens, Chartres, Vezelay, Mont-Saint-Michel and many others. The Renaissance introduced the architecture now seen in the homes and chateaus of the Loire Valley.
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France is a good country for hitchhiking. Be patient, prepare yourself for a long wait or walk and in the meantime enjoy the landscape. A ride will come along. People who stop are usually friendly and not dangerous. They will like you more if you speak a little French. They never expect any money for the ride.
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Marianne - National Emblem of France -- Present in many places in France, she holds a place of honor in French town halls. Her profile stands out on the official seal of the country, is engraved on French euro coins, and appears on French postage stamps. She symbolizes the "Triumph of the Republic", yet little is known about 'Marianne', who embodies the French Republic.
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Autobiographical accounts of touring France and relevant French fiction will give real-life tourists and armchair travellers an effective insight into the atmosphere and culture of the country. Take for example Peter Mayle's trilogy on his life in Provence Encore Provence or the TimeOut Book of Paris Short Stories, a collection of stories by different authors that becomes a tribute to the many faces of the city. These books broaden your knowledge of the area you are touring, giving the kind of personal information you won't find in the usual guidebooks.
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