2007-05-18 04:18:43 · 11 answers · asked by Gabrielle 1 in Travel ➔ France ➔ Paris
France is a very diverse nation. Even a long time ago there were many different ethnicities and languages spoken. At the times of the Romans there were Celts, Latins, Germanics, Basques, and later Vikings and North African Muslims called Saracens invaded. In fact the first book ever written in the French language (The Song of Roland) is an account of the war between the Saracens and the French.
Today France is more diverse than ever; 50% of the French population are immigrants or are descended from immigrant families. Many people descend from Poland, Italy, Romanian, Morocco, Portugal, Spain, Algeria, Tunisia, Ivory Cost, Vietnam, Tahiti, etc.
In a world class city like Paris the world is more represented than France is. Sure Paris is located in France, it's older buildings represent classic French architecture, but the people who live and work in those building come from all around the world and speak many different languages.
If you are nostalgic of the old France you must travel to the country side. France is full of small towns and farmland. Castles and mansions from antiquity line roads and rivers all throughout the nation.
There are many different natural environments present in France. In the west are great forests, in the north there is cold wet weather, in the south it can be hot and dry, in the east you can find the Alps; the tallest mountains in Europe.
Like in most big cities, French city people can be busy and quick mannered, whereas in the country and smaller towns people can be very charming and polite. If you are from America and speak a little French people will want to talk to you and learn about your culture.
The French are generally educated and during their free time they like to read, discuss current events, and play games. They have a knack for word play and if you ever get to know the language well you will be impressed by their wit; after all the predominant ethnicity of France is Celtic, and remember who has the “gift of the gab”.
The French love to drink, and they consume more alcohol than any other nation in the world. They smoke a lot too. The word cigarette is a French word after all, and the French smoke more marijuana per capita then any other country in Europe.
The people can also be very old fashion and traditional. They dress nicely as if they were going to church, but they aren’t a very religious country. There are exceptions but many of them are anti-religious, or at least they believe religion should be a private matter.
French towns and cities can be very lovely. They are full of eye candy, and very pleasant to walk around in.
I can go on and on….just visit it for yourself.
2007-05-18 13:18:15 · answer #1 · answered by stupidity_of_pride 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Well, the area around Paris is having an immigration crisis with Muslims. Remember the riots a few months ago?
Otherwise, France is great, but the people can be very rude. Do not forget to greet anyone behind a counter in a shop you go into. It's French custom to always say hello or something polite to the sales person when you enter any business in France.
2007-05-18 09:11:58 · answer #2 · answered by color_design_jewelry 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋
I have only actually been to France once but it was amazing. It is still my favorite place I have ever been. It is beautiful. All of the sites. It really will help if you try to speak a little french. They normally do know more English than they'll let on so try not to talk about taxi drivers and think that they can't understand you. When I went I was with my Grandma who is fluent in French so it was really easy and everyone was nice because she could actually speak. Its kind of like when you see mexican people trying to speak spanish to you and all you think about is the fact that it is America and that we speak English.
2007-05-18 19:15:06 · answer #3 · answered by haileybug123 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Normandy is tremendous because they have a lot of stuff on international warfare 2 they have the Normandy seashores they have the yank cemetery to. also searching on how lengthy your staying for you would opt to pass to London for an nighttime a cost ticket on a prepare can value as a lot 100 and fifty euros yet as low as 70 and in case you pass hop on between the sight seeing buses (i advise the London duck excursion takes you everywhere and on the properly you also get a deliver holiday, on an same vehicle. and for the duck excursions i'd reserve on-line so your constructive to get the precise time you favor. by utilising the way sorry a number of the hyperlinks are in french.
2016-10-18 08:44:27 · answer #4 · answered by pellenz 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
color de is right,you will be much more welcome if you try speak a little french,even a simple bonjour would go a long way.the french on a whole are alright,some of them are still stuck in the past,WW11 for example.the french like to claim that they won the war yet it was the english and americans who librated paris,the french surrendered to the germans after 4 weeks if im correct.....desolee france.
2007-05-18 11:22:52 · answer #5 · answered by Shots 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Look at late 19th Century Impressionists paintings. That will give you the feel and the mood of the French countryside.
2007-05-18 08:30:14 · answer #6 · answered by mac 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Mmmh being french i can't objectively answer that question... :)
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I've read stupid things down there, we're sorry to be polite and to talk to each other in a shop !!!!
2007-05-18 05:23:48 · answer #7 · answered by snewpette 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Like a country.
2007-05-18 09:11:53 · answer #8 · answered by darkvince7 6 · 0⤊ 5⤋
They smell, when your on the train they smell even worst. The are rude and obnoxious if you cant or don't attempt to speak french. This is Paris of course ! However i must say Southern France such as Nice is very beautiful, but for Paris no thanks
2007-05-18 18:36:59 · answer #9 · answered by Dr. Wally Girth 1 · 1⤊ 8⤋
like you and your body
2007-05-18 22:47:05 · answer #10 · answered by tooro007 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋