| Official Name: French Republic Capital: Paris Language: French Currency: Euro During 58 � 51 B.C. Julius Caesar spent much time in the area know as Gaul fighting the Gallic Wars. These were a series of wars where Caesar claimed much territory. However, they began in order to prevent Helvetii, who occupied the area north of Lake Geneva, from crossing into the Roman territory of Provincia, the current day Provence. Through these wars Caesar put down many revolts and really proved his abilities as not only a military man but also as a leader. There was then two centuries of peace under Augustus. This was known as the Pax Romana. Romans brought Christianity to Gaul in the 2nd century. In the 4th century the Roman Empire was failing and barbarians from the east invaded. These included Franks, Vandals, and Visigoths. A feudal society began to emerge as peasants aligned themselves with a lord for protection. Clovis, king of the Franks brought some stability and also helped to spread Christianity. During the middle ages the Carolingian rein began with Charles Martel. He, along with his successor, Pepin the Short, expanded the country. Then came Charlemagne (742-814). There was a bit of a renaissance as well as expansion under his rule. However after his death it was all divided. The Carolingian dynasty ended in 987 when Hugh Carpet was elected to the throne. This began the Capetian dynasty. In 1066 William, Duke of Normandy invaded England and was crowned there on Christmas day. When Henry II of England married the former wife of Louis VII, Eleanor of Aquitaine, most of western France was turned over to the British Crown. After Charles IV, the last Capetian king, died Edward III of England claimed the French throne. The Hundred Years War began. France�s Charles VIII eventually pushed the English back. The 16th century marked not only the renaissance, but also the strengthening of the French crown. Leonardo di Vinci spent his last years living at the king�s court in France. This is also the time when the Huguenots first appeared marking the beginning of the Wars of Religion between the Catholics and Protestants. The St. Bartholomew�s Day Massacre saw the end of hundreds of Protestants. Henry IV, the first Bourbon king, ended this with the Edict of Nantes. This edict gave religious and political rights to the Huguenots. The seventeenth century in France is often remembered for its sheer decadence. King Louis XIII and Cardinal Richelieu, one of his top advisors, transformed the feudal monarchy system into and absolute monarchy. This gave the crown control over everything. Louis XIV is the most recognizable; he was also called the sun king. He strengthened his power by keeping all of his lords at Versailles busy with court life. This gave them very little time to prepare a coup. Culture, art, music, and architecture were also promoted during this time. However, this was very expensive and drained France�s resources. Louis XIV also repealed the Edict of Nantes. When he died in 1715 Louis XV took over. This is when the bourgeoisie began to demand more political rights and the seeds of revolution were planted. The commoners, who made up the majority of the population, resented the wide divide between the rich and the poor. In addition to this, new ideas were everywhere. This was thanks to the enlightenment and philosophers such as Voltaire and Rousseau. They were asking for more freedoms and questioning absolutism. The American Revolution gave the French people even more confidence that they could change their government. In 1789 the crisis hit boiling point. The Bastille was stormed and torn apart stone by stone. The building was looked at as a sign of oppression. The revolution had begun. On August 26, 1789 the Declaration of the Rights of Man, which spoke of liberty, equality, and fraternity, was published. They were calling for the end of the class system. Louis XVI was guillotined along with many others involved in the absolutist government. Robespierre was a leader of this Reign of Terror. Napoleon Bonaparte entered Paris in 1799 and was crowned First Consul. The revolution was over. In 1804 he became emperor, even taking the crown from the Pope�s hands and putting it on himself. This was to show that he had more power than the church. He expanded his empire until he was forcefully taken out of power. Louis IVIII replaced him only to be overthrown by Charles X. The majority felt that the country was moving backwards and that liberties were being restricted. This prompted the revolution in 1830. Then the monarchy elected a king, Louis Philippe. He reined for 18 years and during this time France prospered. In 1852 Emperor Napoleon II was named. He redesigned Paris and kicked off the industrial revolution in France. Come 1870 the Franco-Prussian War had begun. Germans captured Paris and claimed Alsace Lorraine for themselves. After their eventual defeat Napoleon III was exiled. In 1871 the third republic emerged and the monarchy was formally ended. Industrial expansion continued during this time. In 1889 the Eiffel Tower was built to commemorate the centennial of the French Revolution. Germany invaded north east France in 1914 and WWI had begun. The two armies were deadlocked due to the ineffectiveness of trench warfare. The United States entered the war in 1917 and helped France to victory. At the end of the war the Versailles Treaty was signed by the allies. This stated, among other things, that Germany was to pay reparations for the war. The seeds for WWII had been planted. During the Entre Guerre (between wars) period the French played a leading role in the avant garde movement influencing art and architecture. In 1940 the Germans invaded Paris and occupied the country until 1944. During this time France was a puppet state lead by Marshal Petain and the Vichy government. General Charles de Gaulle led a resistance movement. On June 6, 1944 the allies stormed the beaches of Normandy and began the arduous task of taking back the continent. De Gaulle became the head of the new French government. In the 50�s and 60�s Frances colonies began to rebel and claim their freedom in Africa and Asia. This lead to some fighting. Today France is one of the leading countries in the EU and a diverse place to travel around. |
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| France |
| History |
| What I have Seen |
| Paris: Notre Dame: This place is really indescribable. I kept looking for Quasimodo. The inside was austere and quiet. The history of the place was amazing. Stalls selling goods used to set up inside. Now there are only tourists and a few people praying. Boat ride on the Seine: This is a great way to get and overview of the city and perhaps the best way to help pick what sorts of things you want to visit. Bastille: This is all that is left of the infamous Bastille. These were rebuilt two blocks away from where the building had stood. The location of the Bastille is outlined in rocks on the ground. Louvre: This was originally a palace. I was left with the question of who needs that much space. There are about 12 miles worth of hallways. They had a huge Egyptian wing which was fascinating. There are English cards available for those who want to learn more. Even though it is the most famous I never did see the Mona Lisa. She was hiding and I gave up after about an hour of looking. Musee de Orsay: This holds more modern art. They had an entire room of Van Gogh�s. There were also many Degas'. Monet was also represented. This museum was much more manageable than the oversized Louvre. Holocaust Memorial: You walk town a long set of stairs to find yourself completely cut off from the world. The inside had quotes on the walls. It was set up like a prison. The structure was made out of stones and there were locked bar areas. Overall I thought that it was very well done. Eiffel Tower: The best part of this is the view. However, it is overcrowded with tourists. Versailles: This was the palace of Louis VIX, the sun king. On the first tour I saw the king and his children's apartments. I couldn't believe the ornamentation. The next tour was not guided as the 1st one was and I didn't get as much of it. The paintings were amazing. I then went to walk the grounds. Unfortunately because of a bad store a few years before I went lots of the trees and other greenery was disrupted. This meant that parts of it were closed and there was much I did not get to see. I did however make it to Marie Antoinette�s farm. It's about as far from the palace as possible. Mullin Rouge: It wasn't as impressive as the movie was. It was still nice to see it though. It is truly the place for tourists to go. Montmartre: This was a really cool little hill right in the middle of Paris. We rode up an elevator to the top. It is still possible to see the influences of the several artists that lived there due to cheap rent over 100 years ago. . Pierre Le Schez Cemetery: This was a very interesting place to visit and I feel that it is a must do on any Paris itinerary. There are many important people buried here including Jim Morrison. It is also interesting to see how a different culture deals with death. Many of the graves were falling apart and had trash in them. It was so sad. For many of them their past beauty was quite evident. Plaza de Concorde: This is where the guillotines of the French Revolution stood. Today there are beautiful fountains to mark their location. Arc de Triumph: This gives you another amazing view of the city. It was built by Napoleon. Normandy Omaha Beach: This is where the allied forces stormed the beach in 1944 to eventually defeat the German army. I have a great uncle buried there. It was odd so to be in a place that is so peaceful but was once so violent. When you have family buried there they give you information on him and drive you in a golf cart to his grave. We put flowers on it and took pictures. He died so young, it's so sad. There are also many remaining German fortifications spread along the beach. There are interesting to poke around in. Rouen I stopped briefly here. The only thing I saw was the spot where Joan of Arc was burned for heresy. This is a place I will need to return to. |
| If you have any questions or anything to add please contacet me at [email protected]. |