|
|
In July 1998, the French team won the World Cup in soccer, the first time ever, and the entire country went wild in celebrations. The rejoicing was repeated in 2000, when the French won the gold in the all-European soccer championship, and brought home 39 medals from the Sydney Olympics. Physical education is compulsory in schools and
universities. Swimming pools, stadiums, and gyms are available to everyone. The two most popular team sports are soccer and basketball. Among
individual sports, skiing leads the field. Geography and climate have blessed France with snowy slopes, especially in the Alps and nearby Jura Mountains. Clustered in alleys or nestled at the foot of snowy peaks such as Mont Blanc are dozens of winter resorts, including Mégèe, Chamonix, and Albertille site of the 1992 Winter Olympics. Many smaller ski towns such as Courcheel, Font-Romeu near Prades, and Barcelonnette are rapidly gaining popularity. Almost any Frenchman can learn to ski today, for there are frequent excursions to low-cost resorts. In winter whole school classes move to ski areas, and skiing is added to regular studies during these classes de neige ("snow classes").
Other popular sports are judo, sailing, and water-skiing. La chasse ("hunting") is a passion for many Frenchmen, reflecting their
love for gibier ("game") from partridge to wild boar on the table. The rivers and streams of France
provide excellent fishing another well-loved recreation. In every season there is something for everyone in France, but August is still when most Frenchmen enjoy their acances ("vacation"). The
average Frenchman has little taste for wandering to exotic corners of the world. even in this age of great mobility, he is likely to find true contentment in a return from the city in which he lies to the small corner of France where he feels his roots are. Many Frenchmen still show this
love of the land by taking camping trips or annual family excursions simply to "breathe the country air." Nevertheless, more and more young people are traveling today. Many low-cost
vacation groups have been set up some with their own resorts not only in France but all over Europe and North Africa. |
Another great French
love is automobiles. This fascination with cars is evident in the excitement generated by the great annual race, the grueling ingt-Quatres Heures ("24 hours") of Le Mans in western France. Each spring sees hundreds of thousands of Frenchmen crowding the route of the classic
in western France and cheering wildly for their favorite drivers.
International bicycle
races, such as the 3,000-mile (4,800 km.) Tour de France, are equally
popular with Frenchmen, and their mud-splattered winners become heroes
all over Europe.
But in spite of the increasing interest in sports and popular entertainment, the serious culture of France still plays a real part in the lies of its people. To many people, both Frenchmen and foreigners, the
very essence of
France is its richness in the arts of the past and present.
World Cup
Note:
Brazil
is the only country won 5 times the World Cup Soccer.
France
guide, hotels
Google maps |
France
guide
France
When to go and where
Getting
there
Airfares
Red tapes & visas
French embassies
overseas
Customs
Costs, money,
banks
Transport
Museum reduced
admission
Changing money
travelers' checks
Health and
insurance
Disable visitors
The people
Getting around
Trains
Buses
Flying, ferries
driving
Hitching
Bicycles
Boating
Eating and
drinking
Breakfast,
cheese, crepes
Regional cuisine
Wine & other drinks
Communications & media
Music, theatre
Buying tickets, dance, mime
Trouble and the police
Racism,
illegal immigration
Theft, loss
credit card
Gay & lesbian
Gay,
lesbian contacts, info
Work and study
Studying in France
Cinema
Language, pronunciation
Tourist offices, maps, info
Best of France
Public holidays
Festivals
Festival Calendar
Sports,
outdoor activities
Directory |
|
