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