French Basics

Basics

• National anthem: La Marsaillese
• Motto: Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité
• Figurehead: Marianne, portrayal of the goddess of liberty.
• Unofficial animal: Le coq gaulois

Landmarks

• Arc de Triomphe (Napoleon)
• Eiffel Tower (temporary!)

Arts

Music

Dance

• David Guetta
• Bob Sinclar
• Daft Punk
• Jean-Michel Jarre
• Modjo

Classical

• Debussy

Pop

• Edith Piaf (Non, je ne regrette rien)
• Johnny Hallyday

Painters

• Vincent van Gogh
• Monet (Water lillies, impressionist, ~1900)

Writers

• Victor Hugo (Les Miserables, 19th century)
• Jules Verne (Le tour du monde en quatre-vingts jours), 19th century)

Playrights

• Moliere (17th century), Don Juan

Philosophers

• Karl Marx (19th century)
• Voltaire (Enlightenment/18th)
• Rousseau (Enlightenment/18th)

Scientsts

• Louis Pasteur (19th century)
• Nostradamus, physics - (16th century)

Government

Organisation

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Presidents

• 2017 - Emmanuel Macron
• 2012 - Francois Hollande
• 2007 - Nicholas Sarkozy
• 1995 - Jacques Chirac

Prime minister

• Édouard Philippe (took over from the end of Hollande's presidency)

History

• Hundred Years War - 1337-1451
• Joan of Arc died in 1431, fighting English

• 1562-1593 - wars of religion

• Jacques Cartier - sailor, 16th century, claimed Canada

• Enlightenment - 18th century

French Revolution - 1789

• 14th July - Storming of the Bastille
• Marie Antoinette (former Queen of France) executed by guillotine

• Napoleon Bonaparte - 1800
• Code Civil

Word War II

• Charles DeGaulle in charge
• 1944 - Allies advanced from Normandy
• Overthrew puppet Vichy authority

• 1945 - Charles DeGaulle head of French government