Literature of France

France
- Were scientist who became
is the fortress of western
famous for their groundbreaking work in the field of
civilization
radioactivity.
Very well-known for its aesthetic
- They got the Nobel Prize for
beauty and unique culture and
Physics in 1903.
tradition.
Louis Braille (1809 1852)
The French often refer to their
- Invented the system of raised
nation as a hexagon to describe
dots, which form letters for the
its six-sided shape.
visually impaired to read.
Has an area of 518,000 km2,

Louis
Pasteur (1822 - 1895
making it the largest European
- He developed the process of
nation that covers 5% of the
pasteurization.
European continent.
Paris is the capital and cultural
Alexander Gustave Eiffel (1832
center.
1923)
The highest point is on Mount
- Was famous for designing and
constructing the Eiffel Tower in
Blanc, the mountain range that
1889 for Universal Exposition.
runs across the border of France
and Italy.
Jean Jacques-Rousseau (1712
The longest river is the Loire
1778)
River. It has three main rivers
- A philosopher as well as
Seine, Loire, and Rhone.
composer during the
The dominant religion is Roman
Enlightenment movement.
Catholicism.
Alexander Dumas (1799 1850)
- Wrote the two well-known
Famous People
adventure classics The Three
William the Conqueror
Musketeers and The Count of
Monte Cristo.
- Known in French as Guillaume
l Conquerant.
Victor Hugo
- He was duke in Normandy.
- Wrote The Hunchback of Notre
- Battle of Hastings.
Dame which was popularized
Napolon Bonaparte (1769
by Disney film and video.
1821)
Antoine de Saint-Exupery (1900
- A French general and later on
1944)
became the Emperor of France
- The author of Le Petit Prince
as a consequence of the French
(The Little Prince), a well-known
Revolution
French childrens book.
- Sent to St. Helena as a prisoner
Jeanne dArc [Joan of Arc] (1412
Famous Places
1431 approx.)
La Tour Eiffel or Eiffel Tower
- A village girl who became the
- Built in 1889 by Gustave Eiffel
legendary war leader.
for Exposition Universelle.
- Was accused of heresy and was
Muse du Louvre
burnt at the stake outside
- One of the well-known art
Rheims Cathedral.
museums in the world, featuring
- She became saint in 1922.
the paintings like Mona Lisa and
Marie and Pierre Curie

other artworks of Raphael and

Michelangelo.
Cathdrale Notre Dame de Paris
Built from the around 1163
1345, is visited by more than 12
M people a year.
Chateaux de la Loire
The Loir Valley which was the
playground for royalty from the
15th to 18th centuries.
Carcassonne
Europes largest walled city and
one of the finest examples of
the medieval architecture
located in Languedoc region.
Versailles
Built during the reign of Louis
XIV.
Arc du Triomphe
Commissioned by Napoleon to
commemorate the victories of
his armies.

Historical Background
Age of Enlightenment between
the death of Louis XIV and the
Coup detat of Brumaire.
Period of French History
1. Regency (1715 1723)
2. Reign of Louis XV (1723
1774)
3. Reign of Louis XVI (1774
1791)
4. French Revolution (1789
1799)

Culture, Traditions and Beliefs

The most dominant religion in

France is Christianity especially
Catholicism.
Social class status in France is
also prevalent.
Men have superior status than
women. Men assumed the
breadwinner role and

predominance in income-earning
activities. Greater incomes were
translated to greater control over
household decision.
Marriage is regarded as an
important union between man
and woman.
Shaking hands upon greeting and
parting is customary in France.
Among friends and relatives,
women are kissed (by men and
women) up to three times on both
cheeks and kiss the air.
Also called Le Jour des Rois (The
Day of the Kings) is celebrated on
January 6. On this day, parties
feature the traditional galette de
rois (cake of the kings in which a
token has been baked; whoever
finds token in his or her slice of
cake is crowned king or
queen for the evening.
Frances Labor Day is also on May
1, May Day or May 1 is marked by
wearing lilies of the valley, small
nosegays.
Ascension Day, 40 days after
Easter, marks the day Jesus
Christ who is said to have
ascended to Heaven is the most
revered celebration.
Whitsunday or the Pentecost that
is 50 days after Easter, is the day
the Holy Spirit is said to appeared
to his disciples in the form of
tongues of fire, and symbolizes
the beginnings of the Christian
church. The following day,
Whitmonday is a public holiday.
Bastille Day is the most colorful of
French holidays celebrated every
July 14. This event set off the
French revolution. Now July 14
crackles with fireworks day and
night. Parades are held and there
is dancing in the streets.