Are the French really the best lovers in the world? Who invented haute couture? Who said Je pense donc je suis (I think therefore I am)? Do they still spend hours at the dinner table? This book aims to answer these questions, and many more, in a concise and lively overview of France: the country, its languages, its people, their way of life and culture and what makes them tick. background of France and its civilization, or if you are learning the language, in, for example, an evening class and want to know more about the country and how it works, this is the book for you. If your job involves travel and business relations, it aims to provide useful and practical information about the ways and customs of the people you are working with. Or if you simply have an interest in France for whatever reason, it should broaden your knowledge about the country and its inhabitants. forces - historical, geographical, geological, demographical and linguistic - that have brought about the formation of the country we know as France and the language we know as French. Chapters three to eight deal with the wealth of creative aspects of French culture from the beginnings to modern day. These chapters take a look at the main areas or works of literature, art and architecture, music, traditions and festivals, science and technology, fashion, and food and drink, together with the people who have created and are still creating them. The reamaining chapters deal with aspects of contemporary French society and the practicalitites of living in modern-day France - the way the political structure of the country is organized, education, the environment, the workplace and how people spend thier leisure time. should find useful addresses, websites and things to see and do. Each chapter also contains a list of useful words and phrases which should help you to talk or write about the subject in question.