A typical French town or city has a centre-ville, where you can find shops and cafs.

The most important building is the Mayors' office or the Hotel de Ville.

LES CAFESA typical French caf :

Cafs are a vital part of French social life. When you are in Paris look out for the famous Parisian cafs such as Caf de Flore and les Deux Magots. A typical French caf has a terrasse, where people can sip a drink and watch the passers by on the road. However in most Parisian cafs, you would pay more for a coffee, if you choose to sit on the terrasse (around 3 ?). The caf that is taken rapidly at the counter (comptoir) generally costs less (around 1Euro 20).

You can order a wide variety of drinks (both alcoholic and non alcoholic) or just a Perrier (brand of mineral water) at a caf. It is quite normal to find the French relaxing for hours over a drink and catching up with friends in a caf. The French love to talk and appreciate a good debate. The caf is an ideal setting. It is therefore hardly surprising to see a caf philo in France - a caf where people express their opinion on a predefined theme. It is quite customary to leave a pourboire (a 5% tip) in a caf.Alors, on prend un verre ensemble?( Shall we have a drink?)

The French Flag and the National anthem

The tricolour flag showing blue, white and red, is the official Flag of the French Republic.The national anthem is the Marseillaise, composed in Strasbourg in 1792 and originally known as the Battle Hymn of the Army of the Rhine; it became the national anthem on 14 July 1795. The motto of the French Republic is "Liberty, Equality, Fraternity".

European Union :

Ever since 1945, France has been very actively involved in the construction of the European Union. Various Heads of State, from General de Gaulle, Presidents Pompidou, Giscard d'Estaing, Mitterrand to Chirac have constantly worked to make the European Union a reality and develop it into an economic power and respected political forum.

The European Parliament Building in Strasbourg, France