Vercingetorix (died 46 BC), chieftain of the Arverni, led the great Gallic revolt against the Romans in 53 and 52 BC. His name in Gaulish means “over-king” (ver-rix) of warriors (cingetos). As described in Julius Caesar’s Gallic_Wars, Rome had secured domination over the Celtic tribes beyond the Provincia Narbonensis (modern day Provence) through a careful [...]
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Notre-Dame de Reims
For many centuries, this cathedral is where the Kings of France have been crowned. Today, it stands as one of the the most perfect architectural masterpieces of the Middle Ages.
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Wars of Religion
The religious wars began with overt hostilities in 1562 and lasted until the Edict of Nantes in 1598. It was warfare that devastated a generation, although conducted in rather desultory, inconclusive way. Although religion was certainly the basis for the conflict, it was much more than a confessional dispute. “Une foi, un loi, un roi” [...]
The Politics of France
The ConstitutionA popular referendum approved the constitution of the Fifth Republic in 1958, greatly strengthening the authority of the presidency and the executive in relation to Parliament. The executive branchFrance has an original system with an executive headed by two officials: the President and the Prime Minister. The President of the Republic [img]325|left|Jacques Chirac[/img]Under the [...]
Barge Cruises aboard Luxury Boats
You can enjoy France in a safe, confortable and beautiful cruise. It’s an unforgetable experience!
Basque
<!–^~^236|left|Ciboure, Pays Basque^~^–>The Basques are an indigenous people who inhabit parts of both Spain and France. They are found predominantly in four provinces in Spain and three in France. This area is to be found around the western edge of the Pyrenees on the coast of the Bay of Biscay. Besides Spanish or French, a [...]
Regions and Departments
The dÈpartements (or departments) are administrative units of France, roughly analogous to British counties and now grouped into 22 metropolitan and four overseas rÈgions. They are subdivided into 342 arrondissements. Administrative role Each dÈpartement is administered by a Conseil GÈnÈral elected for six years, and by a prÈfet appointed by the French government and assisted [...]
Valois Dynasty
The Valois Dynasty succeeded the Capetian Dynasty as rulers of France. They were descendants of Charles of Valois, the second son of King Philip III of France. Philippe VI, the Fortunate 1328-1350 Jean II, the Good 1350-1364 Charles V, the Wise 1364-1380 Charles VI, the Well-Beloved 1380-1422 Charles VII, the Victortius 1422-1461 Louis XI 1461-1483 [...]
Lascaux
The caves of Lascaux, in France, contain some of the earliest known representational art, dating to between 17,000 and 15,000 years before the present. These Paleolithic cave paintings consist mostly of realistic images of large animals, most of which are known from fossil evidence to have lived in the area at the time. The other [...]