FRANCE

France is bordered by the English Channel to the North; Belgium and Luxembourg to the Northeast; Germany, Switzerland and Italy to the East; the Mediterranean Sea to the South; Spain and Andorra to the Southwest; and the Atlantic Ocean to the West. It includes the island of Corsica in the Mediterranean Sea to the Southeast of the mainland.

The country's 210,026 squre miles offer vastly diverse scenery. It is comprised of the Alps and Pyrenees mountain ranges, the valleys of the Loire, Rhone, and Dordogne rivers, and the fertile flat lands and cliffs of Normandy and the Atlantic coast. France is bordered by 1800 miles of coastline.

France was originally inhabited by Neanderthal and Cro-Magnon peoples. After the disintegration of the Roman Empire in the 5th century, it was settled by Gauls - a Celtic people. In the 8th century, Charlemagne established his Frankish empire stretching from the Pyrenees to the Baltic. Over the next several centuries the feudal lords of Paris consolidated power over various regions, creating for the first time a French nation.

The reign of Louis VI from 1108-1137 represented the first time that royal authority came to fruition in certain areas of France. There remained however powerful rulers who served as Louis VI's vassals in name only, such as the Dukes of Normandy. During the French Renaissance, Francois I helped develop the chateaux in the Loire Valley. These luxuries reached their peak during the reign of the Sun King Louis XIV (1643-1715) in which the power of the French state was further centralized and France became the major European power. Louis XV's reign (1715-1774) saw a time of prosperity as well as a growing gap between rich and power. During this period, the nobility and clergy were exempt from the payment of taxes. These disparities culminated in the French Revolution of 1789 which overthrew Louis XVI and sought equality of the individual before the law.

Rising army commander Napoleon Bonaparte overthrew the weak and unpopular governemnts of the end of the 18th century in 1799. Five years later he was declared Emperor and attempted to establish a French empire in Europe. In 1812 Napoleon's good fortune was reversed after his failed invasion of Russia. He was exiled and his army dismantled but escaped and returned to France for a brief Hundered Days until he was defeated at Waterloo by the Duke of Wellington. The 19th century saw France waver from republic to monarchy to republic to empire, and finally back to republic. It faced an emerging Germany in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871 and again as the network of treaties and alliances collapsed in 1914 with the assassination of the Austrian Grand Duke Ferdinand in Serbia.

In the interbellum period, after the Versailles Treaty, France recovered the Alsace-Lorraine region originally lost in the Franco-Prussian War, and established a new electoral system based on proportional representation. With the advances of Nazi Germany into Poland in 1939, France once again declared war on Germany and entered WWII. However, it was swiftly occupied by the Nazis who established the Vichy Regime from 1940-1944.

The Fourth Republic was established after the war but could not resist the pressures induced by the Algerian Conflict. General de Gaulle, former Resistance leader of the exiled anti-Nazi government during WWII, established the Fifth Republic. 1968 saw the advent of student and industrial workers riots threatening to overthrow the fledgling Republic.

Throughout the 1970s, conservative presidents and centre-right majorities governed in France. The Socialist party experienced its first victory in 1981 with the election of Francois Mitterand who remained in office until 1995. Jacques Chirac, the former mayor of Paris and Prime Minister in cohabitation with Mitterand was narrowly elected President in 1995. Edouard Balladur was first appointed Prime Minister but was succeeded by Alain Juppe who was committed to streamlining the public sector. Having called for an early election, Chirac is now governing in cohabitation with the Socialist Lionel Jospin, his competitor in the 1995 election.

The strong executive branch of the 5th Republic is directed by the President who is elected by direct popular vote for a 7-year term. The legislative branch is governed by a bicameral parliament comprised of a 577-member National Assembly which is elected for 5-year terms, and the 321-member senate which is elected for 9-year terms with one-third of the seats up for reelection every 3 years.

France's main foreign commitment is to the European Union. Its relations with Germany have been considered to be the pillar of the integration movement. France continues to be active in multifarious regions of the world as a means to assert its status as a world power. In opposition to American hegemony, France has come into conflict with the United States on a number of instances, most notably at the Uruguay Round of negotion on the 1993 General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade and with regards to the command of armed forces in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

France has conducted several military interventions in Africa where it maintians a significant economic, military, and cultural presence in many former colonies. In the Franc Zone, many francophone African countires have linked their currencies to the French franc. French military involvement also existed in French Polynesia in the 1995 when the Chiracien goverment conducted a series of nuclear tests at the Mururoa atoll. Rioting broke out on Tahiti, the main island and severe international condemnation followed.

French domestic politics are also rocky as Chirac and Jospin attempt to govern cohesively side-by-side. With an unemployment rate at a record high of 12.8%, they are finding it difficult to streamline their country's economy to meet the strict criteria necessary for entry into the scheduled European Union economic and monetary union.

The official language is French, but many regional dialects such as Basque and Breton exist. Many French speak basic English, but polite efforts to speak French are generally appreciated.

90% of the French population is Roman Catholic. There exists a Protestant minority, and representatives of almost every religion exist. The family is still relatively central to French life, as are long meals with excellent wine and gastronomical delights. The cuisine varies by region as does the wine.

Most everything shuts down between noon and 2pm during the week and closes on Sundays. Major national holiday include January 1, Easter Monday, Labor Day (May 1), Victory in Europe Day (May 8), Ascension Day (May 8), Whit Monday (May 19), Bastille Day (July 14), Assumption Day (August 15), All Saints' Day (November 1), Armistice Day (November 11), and Christmas (December 25). In addition, much of the less touristic parts of France slow down the month of August when everyone is on holiday in the often crowded coastal towns.

HOTELS : Room and all meals (pension) are most often offered with a stay of 3 days or longer. Room, breakfast, and one meal (demi-pension) are often offered outside peak holiday periods. Hotels are generally not expensive but have strict standards. Hotels do charge extra for a third bed in a double room and will charge extra for extra occupants. Logis de France are small or medium sized inexpensive hotels with basic clean and comfortable accomodations. Hotels de Tourisme are graded into categories according to government quality regulations.

CAMPING : 7000 campsites exist throughout France. Some have tents and/or caravans for rent. Prices vary but all graded campsites provide water, toilet, and washing facilities.

YOUTH HOSTELS : Hundreds exist throughout France. Simple accomodation at very low prices. Stays are usually limited to certain age brackets and to 3-4 nights a week. Most require membership in the National Youth Hostel Association. Some accomodations are private rooms and others are bunk-beds in shared rooms. Some have curfews. Reservations are advised during peak-seasons. This is a great way to travel cheaply and meet interesting people. Further information may be obtained from national youth hostel organizations.

	
	
PARIS :
 
	HOTELS : Hotels in Paris may be the most practical for most and may
	be the most economical for large groups.  Costs range, and cheaper rooms may
	not come with private baths. You may pay extra for the key to the hall shower. 
	Rooms disappera quickly after morning checkout, so reserve ahead. They 
	usually require one night's deposit. 
		HOTEL DE NEVERS :
		-53, rue de Malte, 11e, tel: 01 47 00 56 18
		HENRI IV :
		-25 place Dauphine, 1e, tel: 01 43 54 44 53
		HOTEL STE-MARIE:
		-6 rue de la Ville Neuve, tel: 01 42 33 21 61		

	YOUTH HOSTELS : Most Parisian hostels don't have many restrictions
	which may be found in other hostels. They do often have maximum stays. They
	usually include breakfast and showersin the price. Only 2 HI hostels exist in 
	the city proper. The rest are private hostels or fosters. 
		CENTRE INTERNATIONAL DE PARIS (BVJ) : 
		-Paris Louvre- 20, rue J.-J. Rousseau, 1er., tel: 01 42 36 88 18 
		-Paris Quartier Latin- 44, rue des Bernardins, 5e., tel: 01 43 29 34 80 
		AUBERGE DE JEUNESSE JULES FERRY (HI) : 
		-Jules Ferry- 8 bd Jules Ferry, 11e, tel: 01 43 57 55 60
		AUBERGE INTERNATIONALE DES JEUNES :
		-10, rue Trousseau, tel: 01 47 00 62 00



	
	
LYON :
	HOTELS : A financial center, Lyon has little lodging during the week,
	but many openings on the weekends so plan ahead. First try the hotels near 
	Perrache, then near Pl. des Terreaux if they are full. 
		CENTRE INTERNATIONAL DE SEJOUR :
		-46 rue du Commandant Pegoud, tel: 04 78 01 23 45
		RESIDENCE BENJAMIN DELESSERT :
		-145 av. Jean Jaures, tel: 04 78 61 41 41
		HOTEL VAUBECOUR :
		-28 rue Vaubecour, tel: 04 78 37 44 91
	
	YOUTH HOSTELS :
		AUBERGE DE JEUNESSE (HI) :
		-51, rue Roger Salengro, Venissieux, tel: 04 78 76 39 23

	

	
NICE : 
	HOTELS : Summer accomodations require advance reservation.
	Most affordable and clean hotels surround Notre-Dame rue d'Angleterre,
	rue de la Suisse, and rue de Russie. 
		HOTEL BACCARAT :
		-39 rue d'Angleterre, tel: 04 93 88 35 73
		HOTEL LES ALIZES :
		-10 ru de Suisse, tel: 04 93 88 85 08
		HOTEL DES FLANDERS : 
		-6 rue de Belgique, tel: 04 93 88 78 94

	YOUTH HOSTELS : Very often full, especially summer 
	months.
	Camping in front of the train station is a 
	dangerous idea, even in groups.
		AUBERGE DE JEUNESSE (HI) : 
		-rte. Forestiere du Mont-Alban, tel: 04 93 89 23 64
		RELAIS INTERNL DE LA JEUNESSE CLAIRVALLON :
		-26 av Scuderi, tel: 04 93 81 27 63
		RESIDENCE LES COLLINETTES (HI) :
		-Summer only! 3 av Robert Schumann, tel: 04 93 86 58 48

LUNCH / DINNER : a complete meal includes an aperitif (pre-dinner drink), an entree (an appetizer), a plat (main course),salad, cheese, dessert, fruits, coffee, and a digestif (after-dinner drink). Wine is typically taken with meals. Boisson comprise means that you are entitled to a free drink, often wine, with your meal. In restaurants, fixed-price 3-course meals (menus) begin at 60f. A 15% gratuity is most often included in the price (service compris).

BREAKFAST : continental breakfast usually includes your choice of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate; and breads and pastries with jam.

	
	
PARIS :
	Cafes :
		LA COUPOLE :
		-102 bd du Montparnasse, tel: 01 43 20 14 20
		LA CLOSERIE DES LILAS :
		-171 bd du Montparnasse, 6e, tel: 01 43 26 70 50
		LES DEUX MAGOTS :
		-6 pl St-Germain des Pres, 6e, tel:01 45 48 55 25

	RESTAURANTS :
		AU TROU NORMAND :
		-9 rue Jean-Pierre Timbaud, 11e, tel: 01 48 05 80 23
		LES FOUS DE L'ISLE : 
		-33 rue des Deux-Ponts, tel: 01 43 25 76 67
		CHEZ LES FONDUES : 
		-17 rue des Trois Freres, 18e, tel: 01 42 55 22 65
		CREMERIE RESTAURANT POLIDOR : 
		-41 rue Monsieur-le Prince, 6e, tel: 01 43 26 95 34
		TY BRIEZ : 
		-52 bd de Vaugirard, 15e, tel: 01 43 20 83 72

	
	
LYON :
	RESTAURANTS :
		LE SUD :
		-11 pl Antonin Porcet, tel: 04 72 77 80 00
		CHEZ MOUNIER :
		-3 rue des Marrioniers, tel: 04 78 37 79 26
		CHAERT ET FILS :
		-11 rue des Marroniers, tel: 04 78 37 01 94
		LA MERE VITTET :
		-26, cours de Verdun, tel: 04 78 37 20 17
		CHEZ CARLO :
		-22 rue du Palais Grillet, tel: 04 78 42 05 79

	
	
NICE :
	RESTAURANTS :
		O MICHELANGELO :
		-28 cours Saleya, tel: 04 93 80 05 27
		NISSA SOCCA :
		-5 rue Ste-Reparte, tel: 04 93 80 18 35
		LE FAUBOURG MONTMARTRE :
		-39 rue Pertinax, tel: 04 93 62 55 03
		RESTAURANT DE PARIS :
		-28 rue d'Angleterre, tel: 04 93 88 99 88

	
	
PARIS :
 
	DANCE CLUBS :
	-Les Bains, 7 rue de Bourg l'Abbee, 3e, tel: 01 48 87 01 80
	-Le Balajo, 9 rue de Lappe, 11e, tel: 01 47 00 07 87
	-Le Palace, 8 rue du Faubourg Montmartre, 9e, tel:01 42 46 10 87

	BARS :
	-Le Bar Sans Nom, 49 rue de Lappe, 11e, tel: 01 48 05 59 36
	-Le Piano Vache, 8 rue Laplace, 5e, tel: 01 46 33 75 03
	-Cafe Charbon, 109 rue Oberkampf, 11e, tel: 01 43 57 55 13

	
	
	
LYON :

	DANCE CLUBS : Check out quai Romain Rolland,
	quai de Bondy, and quai Pierre Scize in the old city. 

	BARS :
	-Albion, 12 rue Ste-Catherine
	-Le Verre a Soi, 25 rue des Capucins
	-Le Broadway, 9 rue Terraille

	


	
	
NICE :
	DANCE CLUBS :
	-Chez Wayne, 15 rue de la Prefcture, tel: 04 93 13 46
	-Master Home, rue de la Prefecture, tel: 04 93 80 33 82
	-Le Studio, 29 rue Alphonse Karr, tel: 04 93 82 37 66
	-De Klomp, 6 rue Mascoinat, tel: 04 93 92 42 85
	-The Hole in the Wall, 3 rue de l'Abbaye, tel: 04 93 80 40 16

The basic currency unit is the French franc (Ffr), which is issued in both coins and paper notes, and is subdivided in 100 centimes. Coins are in denominations of Ffr 10,5,2, and 1 + 50,20,10, and 5 centimes. Notes are in denominations of Ffr 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, and 10. Some first-class hotels exchange foreign currency. Also the Credit Mutuel, Credit Agricole exchange currency. Shops and hotels are prohibited from accepting foreign currency. American Express, Visa, Diners Club, and Travellers checques are widely accepted.