General
“Sweet France”
The alluring and lovely South of France has always had a great attraction for visitors from all over the world. The fine climate, the beautiful landscapes, the cultural opportunities and the lively people, you can find it all in this part of the world.
A Land of Flavors, Culture and Vibrant Politics
In addition, the different regions here have many completely different characteristics, just like in the whole of France. The lively Alpes Maritimes on the Riviera, the lovely Provence and the cultural Languedoc-Roussillon give you immense opportunities for a rich life. Of course, we cannot forget the food and wine culture, which has its own specialties everywhere, wherever you are. Try, for example, Bouillabaisse in Provence, Salade niçoise on the Riviera, Cassoulet in Midi-Pyrénées or the fish and shellfish and wines of Languedoc-Roussillon. France has a population of around 64 million, of which 5.5 million are foreigners. It is the largest country in Europe by area. The country is divided into 96 departments, which are in turn divided into 24 regional subdivisions. The head of state is the president, who, as you know, is now called Emmanuel Macron. He is the 25th president. The parliament, which is elected every 5 years, has a very strong bourgeois majority. It can probably be said that French politics is more lively, more eloquent, takes up more time in the mass media and interests the French considerably more than the Swede.
The Uniqueness of the Country
France is a fantastic country. What makes us think so? Everything is so different. Maybe this is precisely what makes us curious and what stimulates us to want to know more and to stay there longer. A different and exciting culture, a different language, people who behave in a way that is foreign to us, a climate that appeals to us – all this attracts us. The only way to understand the differences is to meet the French on their terms, that is how they want it. The French are traditional, much is deeply rooted, the French social system, their values and not least the strong nationalism. You notice the latter quickly, the French are extremely proud of what the country has achieved, sometimes we may think that they can be a bit arrogant in their self-confidence. The French know what quality of life is. We probably have a lot to learn here. They are not as financially oriented as we Scandinavians, family and friends are more important than work. Sitting for a long time and discussing all the world's problems is very important, in France everyone also has an opinion on most things. It's also a good idea to do it while enjoying good food and good wines.