Experiencing France
Culture
The culture of France is very rich and diverse, reflecting regional differences as well as the influence of immigration. France has been playing an important role as a cultural center for many centuries, with Paris as a center of high culture; first in Europe, later world wide. The importance of French culture has waned and waxed over the centuries, largely dependent on its economic, political and military importance. Its formal global expression today consists of regular conventions of leaders from la Francité, the group of countries or nations where French is the main or one of the main languages: France, Belgium, Switzerland, Canada and a number of countries in Africa.France is high in culture it is one of the favorite contries in the world. Informally, French culture has been and still is an important counterweight against the worldwide predominance of "Anglo-saxon" culture. It is characterised by a carefully considered balancing of rationality and sensitivity, of expression and analysis and of leisure and productivity.
France is noted for its cosmopolitan, civilized approach to life, combined with great concern for style, fashion and appearances, but generalizations are not without risk, as in other countries. There are huge differences in life style and world view between various 'elites' and 'lower' people, especially if they run parallel with the wide gap between Paris and what is sometimes called 'le desert Français'. The French are often perceived as taking a great pride in the national identity and positive achievements of France, although many would argue that people of all nations tend to do that. However, there is a notion of the exception Française that is more explicit in France than its equivalent in many other countries. The culture of France is diverse, reflecting regional differences as well as the influence of recent immigration. French culture has played an important role with universalist pretensions for centuries, with Paris as a world center of high culture. Any perceived decline in cultural status is a matter of national concern. Cultural issues are more integrated in the body of the politics than elsewhere.
French cuisine is considered to be one of the world's most refined styles of cooking. The national cuisine has evolved from centuries of social and political change. Ingredients and dishes vary by region. There are many significant regional dishes that have become both national and regional. Many dishes that were once regional, however, have proliferated in different variations across the country in the present day. Cheese and wine are also a major part of the cuisine, playing different roles both regionally and nationally with their many variations and Appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC) (regulated appellation) laws.
Paris is known as the "Fashion Capital of the world", having unique and free designs. Haute couture is not accidentally a French term adopted by the English language; in France it is a legally protected name; guaranteeing some quality standards. Many desingers begun their careers in France, such as Coco Chanel, Christian Dior and Lacoste. An influential designer like Karl Lagerfeld came from Germany to make his career mainly in France, illustrating the prestige of French fashion in general. Italian fashion, with its capital in Milan, is its most serious rival.
The Louvre in Paris is one of the most famous and the largest art museums in the world, created by the new revolutionary regime in 1793 in the former royal palace. It holds a vast amount of art of French and other artists, e.g. the Mona Lisa, by Leonardo da Vinci, and classical Greek Venus de Milo and ancient works of culture and art from Egypt and the Middle East.
The French "national" sport, is football (soccer), colloquially called 'le foot'. The most-watched sports in France are football (soccer), rugby union, basketball, cycling, sailing and tennis. France is notable for holding the football World Cup in 1998, for holding the annual cycling race Tour de France, and the tennis Grand Slam tournament Roland Garros, or the French Open. Sport is encouraged in school, and local sports clubs receive financial support from the local governments. While football (soccer) is definitely the most popular, rugby takes dominance in the southwest, especially around the city of Toulouse.
Professional sailing in France is centred on singlehanded/shorthanded ocean racing with the pinnacle of this branch of the sport being the Vendee Globe singlehanded around the world race which starts every 4 years from the French Atlantic coast. Other significant events include the Solitaire du Figaro, Mini Transat 6.50, Tour de France a Voile and Route de Rhum transatlantic race. France has been a regular competitor in the Americas Cup since the 1970s.
The most played sport in France is Pétanque. The social form of the sport of Pétanque is played by about 17 million people in France. The category Sport Competition of Pétanque is played by about 480,000 persons licenced with the Federation Française de Pétanque et Jeu Provençal (FFPJP). It has to be noted that Pétanque is mostly played in the southern part of the country.
Business Customs
The most important characteristic of French business behavior is its emphasis on courtesy and a certain formality. Appointment schedules and hierarchical titles are to be respected and correspondence--whether by mail or by fax--should be acknowledged promptly. A handshake is customary upon initiating and closing a business meeting, accompanied by an appropriate greeting. Professional attire is expected. Today, many French executives put less emphasis on long, heavy business lunches for reasons of health and time. Nevertheless, informal business discussions in restaurants where everyone appreciates a good meal are one of the best ways to promote good working relations.
Travel Advisory
State Department Travel Website: http://travel.state.gov/
Visa Requirements
U.S. Companies that require travel of foreign businesspersons to the United States should be advised that security options are handled via an interagency process. Visa applicants should go to the following links.
State Department Visa Website: http://travel.state.gov/visa/index.html
United States Visas.gov: http://www.unitedstatesvisas.gov/
Telecommunications
Telecommunications to and from Paris compare favorably with those in any large U.S. city. A direct-dial telephone system links France to the U.S. and most of the world. Calls to the States may be charged to international telephone cards such as AT&T, MCI and Sprint; international directory inquiries may be reached by dialing 0-800-99-00-11 (AT&T Direct U.S. operator). Most public phones in France are equipped for the convenient "Telecartes" (pre-paid cards) available in tobacco shops, post offices and subway/railway stations at 15 euros for 100 units and 7,50 euros for 50 units.
Transportation
Frequent direct air service is available to many U.S. and French cities. The two airports serving Paris-- Charles De Gaulle Roissy and Orly -- are easily accessible by excellent bus (Air France) and rail service. The French railway system is among the best in the world; its efficient network ties in conveniently with public transportation in most French cities. Buses and the Metro (subway) may be crowded during rush hours, but they provide fast and efficient service; however, a word to the wise: as in many large cities worldwide, one should be alert to the dangers of pickpockets while in public places.
Language
While French is the official language in France, many business people speak English. Product literature, correspondence and negotiations in the French language provide a distinct advantage over competitors who use only English. It should be noted that other EU suppliers are accustomed to dealing in the French language.
Health
Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy Paris: .http://www.amb-usa.fr/consul/acs/home.htm
American Hospital in Paris
63, boulevard Victor Hugo
92200 Neuilly sur Seine
Telephone: (33) 1.46.41.25.25
(24-hour English-speaking medical and dental emergency service; credit cards
accepted.)
Emergency Medical Team and Ambulance (SAMU)
Telephone: 15 or (33) 1.45.67.50.50
Business Hours & Holidays
The working days abutting the French holidays and vacation periods are not prime time for business meetings; this includes the month of August and the several vacation periods between Christmas and Easter. Business hours in France are generally 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM (banking hours 9:00-4:30) Monday through Friday, while stores are generally open 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM, Monday through Saturday. To ensure availability, advance appointments are recommended.
Temporary Entry of Materials & Personal Belongings
Every U.S. citizen entering France must present a valid American passport; for stays of less than 3 months there is no requirement for visas, entry permits or health certificates. Bona fide personal effects in a visitor's luggage (or hand-carried) are not normally subject to customs duties no to the 19.6 percent value-added tax. Items to be declared, however, include those intended to be left in France, goods for professional/commercial use as well as any prohibited items. Goods imported for exhibition may enter under bond, deposit or an ATA carnet. Professional equipment may be temporarily imported into France free of duty and tax under the Customs Convention on Temporary Importation of Professional Equipment; the appropriate carnet may be obtained from the U.S. Council of the International
Chamber of Commerce.
