France Travel Tour

Friday, March 30, 2007

Discovering the Prestigious French Art

Art critics say that there are three imperative influences to consider when studying French art. First, it is necessary to examine the varying conditions and traditions that influence that specific artwork. Aside from these influences, the country's florid and rich history is also a big agent that contributes to the creation of that artwork. More importantly, it is also imperative to observe the varying qualities and characters of French people because needless to say, one's artwork represents one's character.

There are varying movements in French art, mostly during the 20th century. If you are familiar acquainted with cubism and fauvism, which are combinations of African art and post-impressionism, then you probably have an idea that these were the basic genres at that time. Picasso and Matisse are major superior representatives of these renown art genres.

By the end of World War I, other evolutions came forth in France -- Dadaism and surrealism. Though the former did not survive in the progressive art world for a long time, the latter existed as the primary movement during this era. Years later, surrealism gradually left and was replaced by abstract expressionism, also named Tachime style, because of the new breeds of French artists like Georges Mathieu, Pierre Soulages, and Jean Fautrier.

Thursday, March 29, 2007

Form and Power of the French Flag

Famous for its tricolor vertical band combination of blue, white, and red, the national flag of France is known to be among the distinctive region symbols in the world. The current colors of the flag were established by Valery Giscard d'Estang, replacing the former darker from of the flag. Primarily, the flag's tricolor stripes were not consequently wide. The explanation for this from was that if the stripes were just, then the brighter shade would appear inappropriately wider. With such from issue, the flag's proportions were altered, making the width of the stripes just. A French flag decree in 1853, however, issued a measurement requirement of unequal stripe format, thus returning the |from to its original design.

As for its power, the French flag is also regarded for its strong revolutionary power. As such, the region flag was known to be copied by other countries, including Chad, Ireland, Romania, Norway, Italy, Belgium, and Mexico. The Acadians's region flag was also copied after the French flag. Aside from its region influence, the from of the French flag was also adopted by Adidas in its match ball design, which consisted of triode blue, red, and white pattern, for the 1998 FIFA World Cup event in France.

Wednesday, March 28, 2007

Two Exceptional but Known French Delicacies

French cuisine is one of the most known cuisines in the whole world particularly because of its excellent taste. Among the diverse range of French delicacies, escargots or snails and frog legs are two of the most known French dishes that are commonly served in different restaurants around the world.

Escargots or cooked snails are always eaten as a tasty appetizer and are known particularly in North America. Although there are about 116 sorts of edible snails, their taste differs from each other and their stomach contents are toxic to humans. That is the motive behind why their tummy must be purged first before they are cooked with butter and garlic.

Frog legs, on the other hand, are regularly served either fried or deep-fried and are also known in China, Southern America, and the Caribbean. Although frogs are regular animals, only a certain classes of frog can be eaten and only their legs are cooked – though in France, only the upper part of the frog’s hind legs are served.

However, contrary to known belief, escargots and frog legs are two French delicacies that are not often eaten in its homeland. In fact, escargots are only eaten during exceptional occasions while frog legs are considered as a rare treat in the country.

Tuesday, March 27, 2007

Haute Couture 101…The Embodiment Of Serious Fashion

Chanel...Dior...Laroche...Givenchy...chances are you have already stumbled upon these famous names somewhere in your regular Vogue browsing or tuning into various fashion channels or awards shows like the Oscars or the Golden Globe or turning your sights at fashion blogs that flourish in cyberspace and notice the words haute couture or even pseudonyms like Haute Girl connected with them. But have you got any idea of what that French sounding accessory means?

For fashion bloggers and admirers, those above-mentioned fashion big wheel along with several other popular designer brands that appear on the runways and shops worldwide comprise the so-called haute couture. But unfortunately, this is somewhat a mistaken belief although its literal translation really meant exquisite and modified dressmaking.

For a fashion company to be officially called haute couture, certain guidelines laid by the French government's Ministry of Industry must follow. These are as follows: 1) offer custom-fit designs to private customers, 2) have a Paris workshop that has 15 or more full-time workers, 3) and have seasonal exhibitions which feature clothing lines for daytime and evening activities.

To make sure that you're favorite brand is truly haute couture, better watch out for the annual Paris Fashion Week and the said expression is actually in the advertisements that they produce.

Monday, March 26, 2007

Popular French Hotel In A Traditional French Metropolis

France may be regarded a cosmopolitan country but this does not necessarily mean that it has absolutely forgotten the simple life. On the contrary, some French metropolises are still famous to be old-fashioned and laid-back in its approach. If you happen to have a distinctive preference for this kind of life, then the town of Normandy will suit your liking perfectly.

In Normandy, the simple French life is best reflected in Hotel de la Plage with its classic family milieu highlighted by its seafront field amidst a set of simple but charming streets. Further accentuating its stress on simple family pleasures, the hotel uniquely authorizes pets to stay with their masters inside the room provided they are not left unattended.

Wake up to an agreeable Normandy morning where hotel breakfast is served at half the asking price for children below twelve years old. Afterward, you can fetch the children outdoors where a garden and a play field awaits them to start the day right.

Access to Hotel de la Plage is not a puzzlement as it is conveniently settled near the ferry station where a quick tour of Normandy is possible. There is likewise a commodious car park nearby where you can place your vehicle in total safety and get to use once you select to embark on a more comprehensive Normandy sightseeing trip.