The GRAPES of FRANCE

A Break Down of the History, Geography, Politics, and Economics of France

Geography • One of the largest countries in Europe (land and

population)

• 67 million (US 320 million estimate)

• Area 248,000 square miles

• Mostly plains in the north and west

• Mountains to the south and east

• Pyrenees (South)

• Alps (East)

• Major Rivers

• Sienne (Paris)

• Rhine (Eastern border with Germany)

• Borders Atlantic Ocean, English Channel, and Mediterranean Sea

Major Cities include:

Paris (Capital) Nice Lyon

Religion

• Majority of France is Roman Catholic

• Islam population has grown in recent years

• There are many famous cathedrals and churches in France, but Notre Dame (Paris) is the most famous Church.

• St. Denis is the Patron Saint of France (Headless)

Religion in France • Many Conflicts and History of France connected

to Religion:

• Hundreds Years War (1337-1453—not 100 Years)

• Medieval Period (500-1500AD) conflict

• Fought over British and French kings for France land

• Joan of Arc (Saint) would lead the French Armies to victory @ Orleans

• Burnt at stake / martyred

• Became a national symbol in many conflicts

Religion in France

• The Papacy

• The Avignon Papacy was the period from 1309 to 1376 during which seven successive popes resided in Avignon, France

• Anti-popes would follow (battle over who was the pope)

• Western Schism: period of time when a pope was in both France and Italy —ended in 1417 with Council of Constance

• From 1376—A Pope was in Rome

Western Schism

Achievements

• Buildings

• Eiffel Tower (Gustav Eiffel)

• Arc de Triumph (center of France)

• Louvre (largest museum in World)

• Notre Dame

• Versailles (Largest palace on earth & where WWI Treaty was signed)

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=194CDlsFpQA