Culture of France
The Culture of France is just as varied as France itself, and it is virtually impossible to list all the masterpieces. The culture of France is represented by dozens of styles of architecture, art and literature.
France is the homeland to one of the most magnificent styles of architecture, namely the Gothic style. The magnificent palaces and cathedrals that were constructed in Gothic style stun viewers with their ease; it's as if they are made out of air. Such an effect is achieved due to the sharp peaking domes. The most famous Gothic building is certainly Notre Dame Cathedral, as well as the cathedrals in Chartres, Orleans, Le-Man and Strasbourg. During this same period, 12th-14th Centuries, in many cities of France the most amazing castles were built and most of them survived to this day. As for the magnificent palaces of France, including the Versailles Palace, these only began to appear during the Renaissance period, in the 16th Century. Some of the brightest masterpieces of this period, besides the Palace of Versailles, are considered to be the Castle in Loire and the Palace in Fontainebleau. Some of the most evocative representatives of the architecture of France that you can see in Paris are the Arc of Triumph, the Vendome Column, and the Madeleine Church, all built during Napoleon Bonaparte's rule. The symbol of Paris – the Eiffel Tower is a noteworthy representative of the eclecticism current of the 19th Century. Modern architecture of France is just as beautiful as the ancient one, it inherits the elegance and noblesse of the old times complemented by modern technology. As a result, you can enjoy the buildings of the elite De Fans neighborhood, the Louvre pyramid, and George Pompidou center.
The literature of France has roots just as deep as architecture. The first literary masterpieces – "Cantilena de Santa Eulalia" of the 9th Century, as well as the works of philosopher Scott Eriugena. When talking about the literature of France it is vital to mention the bright masterpiece of spoken folklore – the "Song of Roland" of the 11th Century. During this same period a famous European philosopher, Pierre Abelard, formulated his major theories. These monuments of literature and science became the launch pad for the whole European culture as we know it. Starting with the end of the 11th Century the so-called "Knights' Poetry" began to develop. The peak of this style was achieved by Bertrand de Born, Bernard de Ventadorn, Arnaut Daniel. During the same period urban literature of France started to appear. Guillaume de Loris and Jean de Meung, at the end of the 12th Century, wrote the "Novel of the Rose", one of the first novels in world literature. In the epoch of Renaissance the literature of France went through a truly explosive period. The works which relate to this period are those of writers and poets such as Rabelais, Montaigne, Viyon, and Ronsard. The literature of France is one of the best known in the world. Most of the developments in the literature of France took place during the New Age, 18th-20th Centuries. Just think of names like Stendhal, Balzac, Dumas, Zola, Saint-Exupéry, Proust, Rolland, Maurois, Camus!
The sculpture and art of France are also rooted deeply in the distant past. The icons and frescoes of medieval churches, as well as the bas-reliefs of Gothic cathedrals are true masterpieces of the fine art of France. The greatest classics of sculpture and art of France were created during the Renaissance period. The first famous pieces of this era were the miniatures of the Limburg brothers, the sculptures of Sluter and De Verve. During the 15th Century realism made its birth as a art current, predominantly in the category of portraits. This style was developed by Fouquet, Sharonton and Frohman. And as far as contemporary visual art is concerned then painters such as Chagall, Picasso, and Dufy stand out more than others.
Music starts do develop in the 14th Century when the Ars Nova style replaces the medieval minstrels. During the Renaissance period new genre appear, including opera, cantata, oratorio, solo singing, orchestra and organ music, which became the foundation of European classical music.
You can witness the gems of the culture of France in any of the numerous museum and exhibition halls. You can also enjoy the characteristic architecture of France during excursions to the cathedrals, castles, and magnificent palaces around the country.
