PHOTOS SANS FRONTIERES - PARTIR A LA DECOUVERTE DU MONDE ET SORTIR DES VALEURS CONNUES POUR RENCONTRER DES GENS ET DES PAYSAGES MERVEILLEUX...

Paris & French Riviera (autumn 2007) - 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. Huge differences exist 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' or 'la Frane profonde'. The French are often perceived as taking a great pride in the national identity and positive achievements of France. Notion of the exception Française is more explicit in France than in any 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 politic than elsewhere.