Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
SOME RECENT HISTORY
The beginning of the 20th century was not kind to France,
with World War I killing nearly two million of the country's
brightest and best. The years leading up to World War II
did not revive the economy. Though France nurtured the
world's most celebrated artists mid century, she was unable
to defend herself against the technological might of the Nazis,
surrendering on 22 June 1940. Dark days, indeed.
Charles de Gaulle, leader of the French Resistance during
World War II and later beloved President of France in 1958
(the Fifth Republic since the Revolution), revived the old
perception that France leads the world down the path of
civilization. He truly believed it when he said: “La France est
la lumière du monde, son génie est d'illuminer l'Univers.”
(France is the light of the world and her genius lights
the Universe.)
Among many improvements, he established administrative
schools to teach France's fi nest how to run the Government.
It worked.
In 1981, when Socialist Francoise Mitterrand won the
presidency, he concurred: “A just and generous France... can
light the path of mankind.” Many of us still believe it. France
welcomes more visitors each year than her total population,
and the French still believe in their mission to civilize the
rest of us.
How They Vote
The French hierarchy may seem strange at fi rst. The Presidents have
lived in the 18th century Elysée Palace since 1873, during the Third
Republic. It was bought in 1753 by King Louis V for his mistress the
Marquise de Pompadour. Two Napoleons and Louis XVIII took up
residence there in the tumultuous years after the Revolution. While
there is no monarchy today, a quiet and relatively impoverished
titled class still pass along titles and enjoy status. There are now
500
grandes écoles
, competitive training schools from which nearly
all leaders of commerce and government are chosen. So there are
both titled and earned elite.
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