Background: Although ultimately a victor in World Wars I and II, France suffered extensive losses in its empire, wealth, manpower, and rank as a dominant nation-state. Nevertheless, France today is one of the most modern countries in the world and is a leader among European nations. Since 1958, it has constructed a presidential democracy resistant to the instabilities experienced in earlier parliamentary democracies. In recent years, its reconciliation and cooperation with Germany have proved central to the economic integration of Europe, including the introduction of a common exchange currency, the euro, in January 1999. At present, France is at the forefront of efforts to develop the EU's military capabilities to supplement progress toward an EU foreign policy. To be updated
May 9th 2008Europe » France » Rhône-Alpes » Lyon Hello people, it's Kristoffer here.
This is my part of the France adventures. I was passed out when Peter left early for Luxembourg. I took it easy in Bruges and chilled with a fellow backpacker Mo ... [full story]
May 11th 2008Europe » France » Lower Normandy » Caen Alright...almost finished I promise! The second to last stop during my week touring France was Caen, in Normandy. There's really not too much special about Caen except that it is the closest semi-la ... 4 photos[full story]
May 10th 2008Europe » France » Champagne-Ardenne 6.5.-7.5. Belgiasta Ranskaan
Meusen rantojen kalliot loivenivat rinteiksi. Jäätiin Hastièren kylän sillan laitaan. Hyvin idyllinen paikka, vaikka sillan pielestä noustiinkin laiturille suoraan kadu ... 11 photos[full story]
May 10th 2008Europe » France » Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur » Draguignan I've been recommended to see the Gorge du Verdon - the world's 2nd largest gorge.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Verdon_Gorge - see the details here.
So the first plan is to make my way up from Ma ... [full story]
May 10th 2008Europe » France » Upper Normandie » Rouen Our second stop on our "tour de France" was Rouen, way up in the north. Really I just wanted to go here to see cathedrale notre dame...the cathedral that Monet painted. It is my favorite series of M ... 6 photos[full story]
May 10th 2008Europe » France » Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur » Nice Wow, quite the gap between this post and the last vacation post. Sorry. A lot has been going on lately...most importantly, exams. Our exams were Monday and Tuesday. Tuesday was from 8-12 in the mo ... 3 photos[full story]
February 22nd 2008Europe » France » Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur » Nice This was such a marvelous adventure. I had a great time with Monica and Natalie. We got to relax a lot. On the train up we met two elderly history professors from Paris. They were very nice and on ... 33 photos[full story]
May 8th 2008Europe » France Arrived in Paris on May 3rd around 10 30 am. Found our way to our couch surfers house by taking the metro. We met Gaetan and his roommate Chattan who was leaving for the weekend. After dropping our b ... [full story]
May 9th 2008Europe » France » Pays-de-la-Loire » Angers Yesterday we had a day off from work and so I decided to take an extended stroll to the park. I packed a picnic: bread/cheese/meat, rice, two Smirnoff ices, my book, baseball bat, umbrella, ipod. I ... 2 photos[full story]
May 9th 2008Europe » France VERY difficult!
Nate and I caught at 10:09 train to Pisa from Rome on Wednesday morning. According to the timetable Eurail had given me, getting to Lyon (in France) would be no problem that day. Ac ... [full story]
Map of France
France's Flag
